JULY 23rd I'm going after a member of SAMCRO

Ok I know Ive been lagging in my blog's but let me tell you. I have bee really busy. Here is an event I will be participating in. I'm hoping I'll have some RACPAC support there
Toyota Speedway and Event Center

FOUR MORE CELEBRITIES ADDED TO RACING ROSTER

FOR "KIDS AGAINST CANCER" NASCAR RACE-JULY 23

Irwindale, Calif. - -  Four more celebrity names have been added to the star-studded cast of the Kids Against Cancer Celebrity Race Presented by Justice Brothers that's set for Saturday night July 23 at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale.

Here, in alphabetical order, are the next four CELEBRACERS who will be putting on the Nomex and pulling on the carbon fiber to raise money for the cause in a few weeks:

BARRY BOSTWICK:  Tall (6'4"), agile, energetic, and ever-so-confident as both actor and singer, especially on the Broadway stage, this consummate pro possesses that certain style.  Yet, for all his diverse talents (he's a Golden Globe winner and was nominated for the Tony Award three times, winning once), Bostwick is trapped in a "time warp".  35 years after the fact, he is still indelibly associated with the role of nerdy hero Brad Majors in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975).  In 1977 Bostwick won Broadway's highest award, the Tony for his work in "The Robber Bridegroom" (1977).  Following top roles in the musicals "She Loves Me" and "The Pirates of Penzance", Bostwick turned to film and TV.  After winning a Golden Globe for his role as a military officer in the miniseries "War and Remembrance" (1988), the prematurely grey-haired actor found steadier success in sitcoms as a smug comedy foil to Michael J. Fox  playing Mayor Randall Winston for six seasons in "Spin City"  (1996).  He later enjoyed a recurring role as a dauntless attorney on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"  (1999).  A prostate cancer survivor, Bostwick might also be spotted pitching items in commercials or hamming it up in family-oriented Disneyesque entertainment like "Parent Trap" and "101 Dalmatian" mold
 One word sums up Barry Bostwick as a performer:  VERSATILE!

JESSICA HOLMES:  An anchor for the "KTLA Morning News at 9", this vivacious young Los Angeles TV reporter has a reputation for versatility in front of the cameras that even extended into ariel assignments as an airborne traffic reporter onboard Channel 5's famous HD Telecopter.  Beginning her television career in 1999, Holmes interned at Nickelodeon and began co-hosting "Slimetime Live," six months later.  In 2002 her rather slippery-named series was presented with an award for Outstanding Children's Program by the Florida Motion Picture and Television Association.   By 2003, Holmes moved to New York to host the Outdoor Life Network's "Bragging Rights," a reality game show series where male contestants competed in outdoor sports challenges.  Although a native of Cleveland, Holmes spent most of her childhood in Cape Coral, Florida, graduating from the University of Central Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio and Television.  Holmes joined KTLA in November 2005 as weathercaster for the station's "Prime News," after winning "The Audition", a reality show-style competition held on the Morning News show that saw hundreds of would-be weathercasters trying out in front of a million-viewer-strong audience where she landed what she calls the job of a lifetime.  Her work with the all of the exceedingly personable personalities on the KTLA Morning News can always be described as fun-loving, bright, and engaging but, rest assured, her chops as a straight news reporter are as good as anyone on the show. 

CHRISTOPHER McKNIGHT:   This actor/Industrialist was born in New York, At the tender age of seven, he began landing appearances in commercials for companies such as Toyota, Tide, and Cheerios and in television shows such as "Gunsmoke" (1955) and "Mannix"  (1967). Soon, however, he found himself involved with what would become one of the most successful television shows of all time. Partially because his dark looks matched that of Robert Reed who was already cast as the show's father, McKnight won the part of the middle brother, "Peter Brady", in "The Brady Bunch" (1969). Airing from September 1969 through August 1974, the show was highly popular with teenagers of that era. Although ending thirty years ago, it acquired instant syndication and has never since left the airways.  McKnight has starred or otherwise participated in the abundance of Brady films, television movies, series, gatherings, discussions and retrospectives. McKnight also has utilized his celebrity status by serving as host and/or spokesperson for several projects. In 2003, for example, McKnight hosted the series "TV Road Trip" for the Travel Channel. McKnight also was privileged to be the spokesperson for the National Consumer League's "AD/HD Campaign to Inform the Nation," speaking in Washington D.C. at the National Press Club on the sensitive subject of AD/HD (McKnight himself was diagnosed with lifelong ADD at the age of 40).  Cognizant of his celebrity status and seasoned by maturity, McKnight is ready and eager to return more fully to the industry that gave him his start and to expand his public identity.

DALLAS RAINES:  If you're from southern California and don't know who Dallas Raines is, you've really got to get out more!  This peripatetic prognosticator of the probabilities of the weather is not only knowledgeable (he's a real honest-to-millibars, capital "M") Meteorologist.  And his nifty nightly weathercasts on ABC7 in Los Angeles are required watching for millions who really want to know how to dress for work and/or the weekend.  At it for over 25 years now, the tanned and terrific newsman is considered something of a regional treasure by fellow broadcasters and viewers alike.  The winner of a trophy room full of on-air weather-related performance awards, Raines is also something of a performance car aficionado, doing stuff like strapping a supercharger on his already pretty darn hot Corvette.  Raines works with many community service agencies and has even taken time off to teach meteorology at Cal State University Northridge.  Raines is also known for his stylish wardrobe, always wearing suits and ties that add interest to his persona.  Perennially sporting a healthy tan, Raines is a human dynamo and one of the honestly nice guys in the biz.

Each of the above celebrities will drive identically-prepared S-2 NASCAR Stock Cars built at the RACECAR FACTORY right in Irwindale only about a mile from the track.  These are serious, full-size, fiberglass bodied, stock cars with a 350 horsepower Chevy V-8's under the hood, and a full roll cage protecting the driver.  Each machine comes "standard" with a looks-easy-when-the-pros-do-it, plop-in-through-the-window opening style entry that gets one's full and undivided attention first time and reminds that this ride is a pro deal every time thereafter.

SPECIAL SPONSOR'S NOTE:  There are still a few very attractive special sponsor opportunities available for this very unique NASCAR charity event.  $2,500 will not only get a sponsor's name painted very large on one of these sleek S2 stockers, but will include the full VIP treatment for two very lucky, very nice people.  That includes a private meet and greet with the celebrity drivers, full NASCAR pit access, and tickets to the sponsor's VIP celebration on the track's exclusive party deck located high above turns 3 and 4.  (One phone call to Mary Gonzales 626-358-1100 at the Speedway can set the above package up, just as quick as that.)

All of the above adds up to another "More (NASCAR) Racing For Your Money"  Saturday night at Toyota Speedway in nearby Irwindale, California where ticket and parking prices have not changed since opening day 1999, and where racing is just the beginning of all the fun!

The track's gates open to the pubic at 4PM and at 5:45 everyone is invited right down on the track to take part in the Speedway's special time to meet the drivers, see the cars up close, get a snapshot or two, the autograph of a favorite driver and just generally mix and mingle in the pre-race party that we call the King Taco On-Track Autograph Session.  Fans are reminded to bring the kids and not to miss this no-extra-charge unique part of the special fan experience at the Speedway!

NOTE: Since this release isn't long enough already here is a re-listing of the first five participants (again, in alphabetical order):

Veteran actor KIM COATES has appeared in over 100 film and TV productions including big screen roles in "Blackhawk Down" and "Resident Evil-Afterlife" as well as appearing as a cast member in "Sons of Anarchy" and "Human Target".  Coates will be doing double duty on the July 23rd event night at Irwindale as it is also night of the track's twelfth annual "Harley's on the Half-Mile" gathering of the two-wheel fraternity.  Bikers from all over SoCal will be converging on the Speedway to raise funds for 'Kids Against Cancer' and Coates is sure to be a big fan favorite with them.

Whether he's playing a good guy, a bad guy, and just about anything in between, WILLIAM FICHTNER is the walking definition of the word versatile when it comes to description of a working actor.  He's done stage, TV, features
 Even voice-overs for a popular video game.  Fichtner's body of work includes a recurring roles (Phil Yagoda) in "Entourage", "MDs" (Dr. Bruce Kellerman) and in "Prison Break" (Alex Mahone).  He was also seen in "The Dark Knight",  "Blades of Glory", and in the award-winning ensemble film "Crash" among others.  He shares a credit "Blackhawk Down" with Kim Coates. Fichtner raced in the Toyota Pro-Celebrity race at the Long Beach, but this will be his first time on an oval.

RIKI RACHTMAN has been one of the most recognizable figures on MTV & VH1 for over two decades.  In the 90's he spent 5 years as the host of the highly rated HEADBANGERS BALL.  He also starred on VH1's Charm School , Daisy of Love and hosted the famous Rock of Love Reunions.   Rachtman is also a full-bore, flat-out NASCAR Nut. He spent several years on working on Speed Channel shows and for NASCAR.com, these days he hosts the nationally-syndicated radio show "Racing Rocks" currently heard on over 100 stations across the country.  Just how much does this guy NASCAR love racing?  He recently told us that he's got tattoos of the iconic racing numbers #3 and #43, but he didn't say where. 

You know him as Detective Rex Winters on the gripping TV series "Law and Order: LA" where he just completed his fourteenth episode of the popular crime drama.  And just ahead of that TV specialist SKEET ULRICH played the same crimestopper on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit".  His work on "CSI:NY" was under the character name of Hollis Eckhart in the 2009 season, and from 2006 to 2008 he starred in the gritty western series "Jerico" as Jake Green.  He portrayed Jethro Wheeler in the TV Mini-Series "Into The West" and was a regular in the 2003 series "Miracles" where he played Paul Callan. 

Fifth, but far from last in this group of young actors is  PETER SHINKODA.  Now starring in TNT's highly anticipated series "Falling Skies" from executive producer Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks Television.   Shinkoda plays as 'Dai,' a competent, yet quiet commando.  Staying with the martial arts theme he'll also  be seen in the upcoming Warner Bros. produced live-action web series "Mortal Kombat .  Shinkoda's television credits include "The L Word" and "Kingdom Hospital", "Supernatural," SyFy's "Sanctuary," and James Cameron's "Dark Angel." On the big screen, Shinkoda has worked in features alongside the likes of: Jet Li, Jason Statham Will Smith, Bridget, Ben Affleck, Aaron Eckhart and Uma Thurman.

Toyota Speedway and Event Center opened on March 27, 1999 and has become one of the premier NASCAR Home Tracks in the country.  Featuring virtually every aspect of stadium-style motorsports competition, the facility is clean, family-friendly and features a unique money-back guarantee that refunds any fan's ticket price if they are not 100% happy with the show.  Located on the 605 freeway in Irwindale, California, the track is easy to get to from just about anywhere in southern California.

For more information, tickets, or directions:  www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com

RIKI GOES TO COLLEGE (My final assignment)

Let me preface this by letting you know I was never good in school. I know that probably comes as no surprise to you. I dreaded going and my grade’s were a good reflection of that. I’m one of those guys that have a hard time sitting still. You can add failure to listen to instructions on that list as well.

      I have always wanted to be a writer. ( READ APRIL 6 BLOG) No really go read it now then I will continue………………………………

   OK read it? Then I can skip ahead here. As the classes went on at UCLA I was set back by two revelation’s. First I noticed that I was actually learning something. Mind blowing huh? The teacher was explaining certain way’s to approach writing and it actually made sense. We read a book called “Bird by Bird” which also provided me with a few usefull tools. Now for something really odd. I not only showed up for every class early but I did the homework. I even found myself giving a shit about what the teachers and class member’s thought about some of the stories I had written.  Whoa this is new I was actually for this brief moment in my life a good student. Ya I know it’s crazy.

      The final assignment was issued and we were told to write a story that included conversation’s between two people. It also must be under 8 pages. It was the under 8 pages part that proved to be the challenge. I decided I would write a story that would not be about rock n roll,excessive lifestyle’s,biker’s,zombies or girls gone bad. I wanted to write a story that the class would read and never guess it was by the greasy haired dirtbag in the corner.

     Using the tools I had absorbed in class I started banging away on the Mac keyboard. I even spent a little extra time on spelling and grammar, which if you have read anything by me you know is about as important to me as a snow shovel. 

     Several hours later I had written what I thought was a pretty good story. The only issue I saw was that it was not the required 8 pages but 16. First thing I did and this was not taught in my class was make the borders wider.  I was down to 15 pages. I know it was meant to be double spaced but 1.5 will go unnoticed. I was down to 14 and had to take this story that I was very proud of it and begin to perform surgery. I removed character’s and scene’s. To me it felt like I had Rocky Road and turned in Vanilla. I now give you my final story for my first ever College course

“What’s your final decision Mr. Davenport ?”

The old man paused. He didn’t like Ken, but he was the only available salesman on the car lot .Slicker than grease he thought. He didn’t want to part with his faithful truck but he needed the money.

“Is there a way you could go up to $750?” The old man gave one final plea.

“Look, Mr. D.” Ken put his hand on the old man’s shoulder the way a parent would when speaking to a young child. Earl Davenport was not a young child. Earl was 67 years old yet his sickness made him seem much older. He wore an old pair of blue Dickie overalls, faded and spotted with yellow paint drips. The white T-shirt Earl wore was stained on the collar from the sweat of many years spent in the humid afternoons in Wylie Alabama. Earl felt the muscles in his heart tighten up .His gaze drifted downwards. He put his thin wrinkled hands into his pocket trying to ignore the oncoming pain.

“Look Mr. D I can do $650 cash right now I wish I could do more.

“$650 will be fine” Earl said admitting defeat “But I will need a ride to the Safeway and then home” Earl made the requests sound like demands as if it were part of the deal.

Chris Watson was 19 years old and had worked at Wylie Chevrolet for 2 years . If boxes needed to be moved it was Chris’s job to move them. Clean out the restroom at the dealership Chris was on it. Chris also drove the shuttle when a customer would drop their vehicle off.

“Good afternoon Mr. Davenport. Where ya heading?”

            Earl cautiously lifted himself into the passenger side of the shuttle van. He had just sold his only source of transportation, which meant he had lost a portion of his freedom. His heart had felt like it was on fire yet he found a way to smile at the boy 3 generations younger than him.

             “I’m sure Ken Burman told you I have to make one stop to the Safeway.”

“Safeway it is Mr. Dav.”

“Please sonny call, me Earl,” he interrupted  with a slight grin and a wink.

The Safeway in Wylie was the only supermarket in town.  Chris followed Earl down the aisle pushing the cart. Earl squinted as he looked for the most inexpensive soap, detergent, T.V. dinners, canned soup and milk.

“My father told me you were a great High School Football Coach. One of the best.”

Earl smiled and turned his attention to Chris. “Your father was Ron Watson,one heck of a linebacker. You know even back in high school he was quite smitten with your mother.” Earl paused as he approached the frozen meat section. He reached for a shiny black packet of hot dogs that had the inscription Elite Gold Pure Beef Hot Dogs. It seemed out of place in Earl’s shopping cart with all the discounted generic brands.

“I’ve really got to get a moving. Red isn’t used to me being away so long.”

Chris seemed puzzled. Red had not been brought up in the past and he wasn’t sure he ever knew anyone in Wylie named Red.

As the two approached the check out line, Earl put both of his hands in his pockets. He pulled out a small stack of fresh dollar bills and handed them to Chris. Earl continued to forage through his pockets.  A crumpled ball of paper was pulled from the back pocket of the faded jeans and Earl started to slowly open the wad up as if he were breaking apart an orange.  Earl placed both the wrinkled pieces against his pant leg and rubbed his open hand against the paper in an attempt to flatten it out. Chris began placing items from the cart on the belt. He saw the crumpled pieces of paper Earl was working and noticed the bold red letters on both sheets. FINAL NOTICE.

Melanie the 40ish cashier at Safeway did her best to keep a Colgate smile attempting to ignore the urgent message on the much over due power and water bill.

 “ How are you Mr Davenport ? I haven’t seen you for around”

 “How are ya Melanie ? Can I get a  $212 money order and one for….”

Earl’s face tightened as he tried to read the small print that had faded on the bill after being in his pocket for weeks. “Uhhh 87 dollars.”

           Melanie began to process Earl’s money orders and continued to ring up his groceries. “That will be two hundred and ninety nine dollars for the money orders and, with the groceries, we have a total of three hundred fifty six,sixty six”

Earl motioned for Chris to give him the cash he was holding and Earl counted out 4 crisp one hundred dollar bills which he handed to Melanie. While waiting for his change, a bolt of pain raced through Earls body. He felt the vice tighten on his heart. Earl inhaled trying to mask any discomfort. He closed his eyes and clamped his jaws.

“Mr. Davenport, are you O.K.?” Chris moved forward towards Earl in case he fell backwards, Chris wanted to make sure he would catch him.

“Of course I am. A little heart burn I guess.”

Chris pushed the cart through the parking lot and loaded the groceries into the back of the van.

“Do you know that Pharmacy next to the Dairy Queen?” Earl asked

“I know it well. They carry the flea medicine for my aunt’s cat.”Chris smiled but also was concerned about the discomfort his new friend.

            A small bell rang as the two walked into the Kenner Pharmacy.Mr. Kenner was behind the counter busily working on the computer. When he saw Earl Davenport he stood up quickly.

 “Earl Davenport, how have you been? I thought I would have seen you weeks ago. I was almost going to send the medication back.” Mr. Kenner turned and began looking through a series of plastic tubs lined up on a shelf, each marked with a series of letters. He pulled 3 containers and placed them on the counter.He picked up the smaller of the three,

“This right here is Palladia.  This is for the cancer but I believe this is for Red correct?” Earl nodded.

“The other 2 are for your heart, Digitalis and the Ace Inhibitor.”

Earl interrupted attempting to wrap this conversation up in an abrupt but polite way “We’ve gone through this before. I know what they are.  What’s the damage?”

“Well, the insurance will help quite a bit with the Digitalis and Ace Inhibitor. You only have to pay 35 dollars for both, but you know insurance won’t cover the Palladia for Red. it might be a good idea to get your medication and…

“How much is it?” Earl didn’t want to hear the advice Mr. Kenner was going to give.

             Mr. Kenner set the bottle down with the others. “The Palladia will set you back two-hundred dollars and that’s only for 3 weeks”

             The money from selling the truck was the only money Earl had.  “I better just get the Palladia today”

“Are you sure Earl you really need to make your personal health top priority”

Earl nodded looked down at his trembling hands and handed 2 one hundred dollar bills to the pharmacist.

“Don't forget Mr. Davenport, we are looking at some harsh weather approaching.” Kenner warned Earl as he handed him his change.

The Lake Chevrolet shuttle van turned right off Route 78 and pulled down a gravel road that was simply marked with a rusted sign marked Dogwood.

“It’s about a mile down this road Chris”

The van slowly navigated the bumps and holes while passing several small homes partially hidden behind the thick Dawn Redwood Trees. A light refracted off the water of a small lake that made Chris squint. Earl shuffled up in his seat and pressed his nose against the passenger side glass window of the van. Like a child outside of a bakery Earl stared through the glass. As more of the lake became visible the corners of his lips began to inch upwards as a very small but visible smile began to form.

Lost in his gaze of the still water and gentle swaying of the cat tails.  Earl’s mind began to drift back to the way it used to be.

 The cool wet sand on the banks of Dogwood Lake felt good smooshing between his toes. “RORF RORF RORF” Earl quickly turned to see the bloodhound leaping wildly as he failed in catching one of many white butterflies in his mouth. It was a futile attempt, and one that had been tried for countless hours on countless days. All of a sudden the dog would drop to his belly, stealthy as a ninja then spring into action jaws snapping wildly as the butterflies circled his head. “Don't you think it’s time you gave up?” the not so old Earl hollered. The dog’s head cocked quickly right with his ears following shortly after. He began to run.  Even though the Bloodhound is one of the more intelligent breeds the slow motion gallop with the two long ears flopping in every direction make the breed seem a little goofy. When he had finally reached Earl he failed to reduce his speed, resulting in a collision dropping both to the ground. Earl laughed like a tickled child “What is wrong with you Red?’ Red began licking Earl’s face with his long wet sloppy tongue.

“Is it this the house right here?” Chris startled the old man.

“Yes, that’s it ” Earl gathered his belongings then started to pull the few remaining bills from his pocket.

“That wont be necessary Mr. Davenport it really was my pleasure,” Chris smiled and meant every word. Chris had become attached to the old man and felt pity every time he attempted to mask the pain in his heart. “Now you be careful. They say it’s tornado season again,” Chris called out as Earl exited the van and walked slowly towards his small brick house.

Earl opened the door and entered the living room.  Tarnished gold trophies lined the shelves. Switching on the light produced an amber hue to the wood paneling. Earl set down the 2 bags from the grocery and stood still for a moment. For 11 years the routine never swayed. Red would be waiting at the front door before the keys entered the tumbler.Today, and the 27 days prior Red did not greet the old man at the door. Earl dragged his feet as he walked towards the bedroom clutching the small white bag from Kenner Pharmacy. Next to the bed was a blue flannel blanket and on that blanket an old Bloodhound. Red lifted his head slowly as if it weighed 1000 pounds. Cancer had been attacking the cells of the dog and Earl knew each day it was getting a little worse. “It’s ok Red, I’m here for you.”  His knees cracked as he crouched next to the one that knew all his stories, the one that would spend countless days chasing white butterflies at Dogwood Lake. Earl extended his hand and began to scratch between Red’s ears. The black droopy eyes slowly closed enjoying the bliss of the old man’s touch.  Earl reached into the small white bag and pulled out the container with the Palladia. His hands trembled as he attempted to unscrew the white plastic top. Earl lifted Red’s head, pushed the jowels aside and inserted the Palladia into his mouth. Red struggled at first, but swallowed the pill.“That was twenty five dollars, so start feeling better ok ol’ buddy? Oh yeah I’ve got a surprise for you.” Earl started to rise to his feet but the searing pain returned. This was much stronger than the six episodes he had earlier. Earl leaned to one side as he dropped down to the floor. Both hands tightened up into fists. His jaw locked and he gritted his teeth. Red lifted his head and stared at Earl with concern. Earl remained on the floor for several more minutes, then grasping the end of the bed and the mahogany dresser he pulled himself up.

He was carefully cutting pieces of an “Elite Gold Pure Beef Hot Dog” in the kitchen. Several branches from a Dawn Redwood tree scratched and clawed at the window aggressively as the wind  began to blow. Earl shoveled the dissected pieces of hot dog into a small ceramic bowl. Earl returned to Red and once again kneeled down on the floor

“Look what I got for you buddy, Elite Gold Pure Beef Hot Dog. $7.50 for a bag of dogs. Is that absurd?’

Red lifted his head just enough to vacuum up the pieces of hot dogs.  The old man reached up and grabbed a pillow from the bed. He adjusted himself so that he could lay next to Red . He placed his hand on the dog’s belly and could feel the labored beat of his heart. Earl began to scratch Red’s chest. “So I had to sell the truck today. Yes, I know we both loved that truck. I met a decent fella too, named Chris. You would have liked him” Red drifted into a deep sleep followed by Earl. Even the strong winds that howled through the evening failed to wake either of them.

It hit sudden and it hit hard. It was called the biggest tornado to hit the South and it landed at 2:33 am. The funnel cloud flicked homes and cars as if they were pesky gnats. Towns that flourished with small shops, a post office and school, were all reduced to piles of wood and twisted steel. The carnage doubled as the tornado attacked Birmingham then Tuscaloosa. In 36 hours 67 people had been killed and thousands left homeless. The beast obliterated the small town of Dogwood from the map.The homes that dotted the lake vanished. Even the mighty Dawn Redwood trees had been discarded like used tooth picks. Chris heard the report on a portable radio which left his stomach feeling like it was filled with bleach. “The small town of Dogwood had no survivors.”

Earl awoke face down in a grass field. He slowly rolled over and was temporarily blinded by the sun. He was confused. He sat up and found himself on the banks of the Dogwood Lake. The sky had never been so blue. The smells of the Dawn Redwood, never sweeter. A sound in the distance made him spring to his feet. With the agility of a 19 year old running back Earl began running through the waist high crested wheat grass zigging and zagging through the daffodils. Earl was ambushed as the Bloodhound pounced on him knocking him over. Earl lifted his head in disbelief “RORF RORF RORF.”

The rest of the day Earl gazed at the sun’s reflection on the lake. Occasionally turning his head to see Red bouncing through the daffodils failing in every attempt to catch a white butterfly.

Chris made the morning coffee for the customers at Lake Chevrolet. He paused as he read the headline of the Wylie Weekly.

Dogwood Devastated Local Football Coach Killed in Tornado.

         I appreciate your comments

Why I'm messed up and a watered down CATHOUSE History lesson

I know I am very lucky to be where I am. I have a great house,family ,cars and motorcycles and what most people don't realize most of my income comes from my work in NASCAR. That's a whole other story. When you work in the carnivorous world of entertainment your biggest fear is not being relevant.
Add the fact that  actors and musicians are the most insecure people on the planet. Somehow we have found a way to be insecure and conceited at the same time. Don't ask me why but that's just the way it goes.

     We are all terrified of becoming a "Where are they now". We don't want to live in the past even if the past is really fuckin cool. I realize that even though the show ended in 1995 to many I will always be "The guy from Headbangers Ball" I used to hate the fact that no matter what career I ventured into I was still that guy from Headbangers. These days I wear it like a badge of honor. I am lucky that I have been able to move forward in my career rather than hang on like a relic, having nothing else but my past "Hey do you know who I used to be".

    I had told the story so many times I thought everyone knew it but what I failed to accept was how many years,no decades have gone by. I received several posts on twitter asking if the Cathouse was still open.

  The answer is no and for those of you that do not know what the Cathouse is here is a very watered down story. One day I will tell the whole story or at least what I can remember. Yes I am pasting this from the www.cathousehollywood.com website so even this was written 7 years ago

It was 1986, 4 years before I hosted Headbangers Ball on MTV or began to work on the radio. With no money I persuaded a bar to let me turn it into a dance club that would only play rock n roll. I wanted a place my friends could hang out at and hey if my roomate Taime and I could meet a few new girls that would be ok. Yeah lame but Im honest. The club said yes and the Cathouse was born. The Cathouse was opened in 1986 in Hollywood I threw some vintage burlesque videos on the wall and asked Taime Downe (from Faster Pussycat) if he could help get the word out. I found Joseph Brooks of Vinyl Fetish fame and he became the DJ with his blend of 80's rock 70's glam and punk a mood was set. The club at that time was held at an old Disco on La Cienega. The club was a wreck. It was a risk just walking up the stairs but once up the stairs you found yourself in a Shangra la's of Decadence. The original idea was to just have a DJ.

The GRAND OPENING........sucked. However Lita Ford puked in the bathroom!

I kept it going to crowds of about 70-80. Every Tuesday night the crowds got a little bigger. Among that small crowd was Guns n Roses, Aerosmith, Motley Crue, Ted Nugent and more. So a bunch of girls heard that the bands were hanging out at the Cathouse so the woman began to show up actually outnumbering men. When that got around more bands started showing up....then some friends asked if they could play at the club for their EP record release party... I said yes. That band was called Guns n Roses. Then Taimes band Faster Pussycat wanted to play that night and so did LA GUNS and Jetboy! My first live performance at the Cathouse and those 4 bands played. Taime started focusing on his band and all I had was the Cathouse. With its reputation more and more bands wanted to play this so called rock dance.  It was getting out of hand. The Cathouse became the cool place to go. Axl would mention the club in interviews. Faster Pussycat recorded a song called Cathouse. Then media picked up on our little club  LA TIMES did a cover story called GUNS N ROSES and the CATHOUSE SCENE , Would you believe even NEWSWEEK wrote about the club. Many of the local bands were now selling millions of records but kept on playing at the Cathouse. Soon other bands asked to play here. Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Motorhead, Megadeth, Alice Cooper, Danzig, Pearl Jam, Black Crowes, Junkyard, Primus, LA Guns, White Zombie, ICE T, Suicidal Tendencies, Pantera the list goes on and on.

For some reason we always had more women than men at the club. Believe it or not fashion magazines saw the women in their decadent attire and thought we were starting a worldwide trend. The Cathouse was featured in Women's Wear Daily and California Apparel News. When the movie the "Decline of Western Civilization 2 - the Metal Years" wanted to capture the rock scene they did a whole segment on the Cathouse. BAM. More media attention. We also had a rule of not letting anyone take pictures in the club. That way everyone could feel at ease and not worry about it in the paper the next day. Does anyone remember the night Axl chased David Bowie down the street? How about Malcolm Forbes showing up on a Harley or Christina Applegate working coatcheck or Slash falling down the stairs taking a fake tree with him while he was wearing a Cathouse security shirt or how about Depeche Mode going to the Cathouse when the instore they had planned turned into a riot. They knew nobody would bug them at the Cathouse. Needless to say the CATHOUSE truly became a part of rock history. The funny thing is the bands that played at the Cathouse are only a small part of what made Riki Rachtman's World Famous Cathouse...World Famous