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Boozefighters Motorcycle Club
National Website bfmcnatl.com " The Original WildOnes." |
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THE HORSE SMOKE OUT VII SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA JUNE 23 & 24, 2006 .."EAST COAST 60TH BFMC ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION."
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THE HORSE SMOKE OUT VII
SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA JUNE 23 & 24, 2006
Vern Autrey: One of "The Original Wild Ones"
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Boozefighter
JQ,
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I’ve been to a few Hog Calling’s, Goat Milking’s, Cock Fights, and Biker Rally’s, but I ain’t never been to any thing like a “BACK STREET CHOPPER SMOKE OUT!”
First of all I’ve never been into Choppers.
I’ve always figured them to be basically just a form of art, not a real serious ridding machine. But then I’ve learned that about 20 of those artful creators rode those bone jarring creations all the way from Barstow, California to Salisbury, North Carolina just to enter the chopper bike contest.
That’s impressive.
That’s cohunes! My wife Pat and I started out from Texas on June 19th heading east. We spent our first night in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
On a river-boat Pat showed me how to turn a $5.00 bill into $67.00 winnings and cover our supper plus a good chunk of the motel bill. I’m learning from the “River Queen.”
I’ve never been much into one armed bandits either you know, or one finger gambling machines as they are now days. Second day we toured part of the Natchis Trace. Then Pat said…”this is all very nice and pretty, but couldn’t we see some little towns, shops and stuff?” We got off. Too much serenity can become too much of a good thing to enjoy for too long. We discovered Fort Pain, Alabama where the famous singing group “ALABAMA” is from. We toured Look Out Mountain and spent the night there. Next day Chattanooga proved to be a trucking hub congestion mania and a good place to get lost as we finally worked our way up into the Great Smokey Mountains. We pitched camp in a Day’s Inn in Pigeon Gorge, and then had supper over in Gatlinburg. Damn their lobsters are expensive. Thursday after a few thunder storms and one hail pelting we got to Concord, NC. Where the Boozefighters had obviously taken over the local Holliday Inn. Bikes were every where, especially bunched up at the front entrance.
Those Chapter 9 guys (Soney, Kenny, Terry, Mike, J.B., David, John, Dennis, and their wonderful ladies)
really had this event organized and did a great job being host throughout the whole weekend. And their hospitality suite at the hotel was well appreciated by all.
By noon Friday they had our booth at the Fairgrounds rally site set up with tent and banners.
Thanks to “THE HORSE MAGAZINE” our booth was located near the bike show area so we got lots of exposure and visitation. There our book (THE ORIGINAL WILD ONES) signing was a very successful sell out.
So what attracted Boozefighters from all over the USA to converge on this “Back Street Choppers” event? You may ask. Simple…one common denominator known as VERN AUTERY ! He and Jim Cameron are the last two (living) “Original Charter Members of the 1946 Boozefighters MC. Vern was issued a special 1st class all expenses paid invitation by ‘Hammer’ and ‘Edge’ to be their main celebrity VIP guest at the Smoke Out VII. This relationship started when the BFMC invited Hammer and Eric to visit us at our Fall National Convention in Fort Worth, TX. Last year. They were extended full privileges, to include attending our membership business meeting (normally restricted to patch-holders only), the parties, National Museum, meals, and to take pictures of anyone or any thing at any time as they pleased. They didn’t expect that much openness but as Chaplain Irish Ed explained to them…”our club doesn’t have anything or anyone to hide!” Although they interview numerous club officers and members, their main focus was on “Original” 80 years Vern Autery.
As pictured on pg. 23 of their 8 page story in the March 2006 (vol 57) Vern (pointing)
educated them about club history in the museum. As Hammer wrote in his article, “Vern seemed more like a 30 yr old than a man who was in his prime in the 40’s. Time stood still for a moment as I thought to myself, here’s a legend, a man who helped shape a culture and here he is taking time out for me. It was for me at least, a humbling experience.” Naturally that led to the returning of an invitation for Vern and the Boozefighters to attend their Smoke Out VII. Edge specifically requested we bring our books to sell and autograph. The Chapter 9 folks were kept busy assisting customers while Vern and JQ worked up writers cramps with all those personalized autographs (in each sold book). One surprising highlight was when ‘Katmandu’ introduced ‘Spring’ to us. Kat is the editor that had featured Spring as the model (wearing a blue bathing suite and setting backwards on a bike) on the cover of the March 2006 issue magazine. They were delightful young ladies and we enjoyed talking and having our pictures taken with them. Personally, being from Texas, I really dug that cowboy hat. Additional other folks came around and requested having their picture taken with Vern (and others of us Boozefighters occasionally). And many would sit and visit for a while, asking Vern all kind of questions about how it was in the old school days. Vern was an impressive and gracious celebrity, winning the admiration of many bikers. “He’s the real deal,” one officer of a large MC said to an associate after completing his visit. I thought, if only they knew how real of a deal he really was / and is! His last booze – fight was when he was only 71 years of age and cleaned the plow of a couple of chumps at the same time. They had to call the cops to pull him off, and of course they took him down town. Vern said he decided to quit boozing after that. However I’m not so sure he’s retired his combative demeanor. I’m remembering that last year we were in Hollister’s 58th anniversary of “The American Biker” rally when I got a good clue. Vern and I were walking side by side down a crowded San Benito street sidewalk when we approached what appeared to be a gang of skin-heads that were obviously blocking the walk on purpose. Everyone else was going around them out into the street, in which seemed like a good idea to me. Vern suddenly quickened his pace, moving in front of me, and plowed right into the middle of those young thugs. He shouldered one punk to his left, then another to his right and the rest parted a path for us. I gladly followed my “Sidewalk Captain.” After moving on past them I heard one mutter out, “what’s up with that old SOB.” I was glad Vern couldn’t hear so well because I know if he had he’d of wheeled back around and showed them what’s up and especially what’s going down! Friday 4 PM it was hot and humid and we were melting so we were all making our way back to the front gate. Edge caught up with us and asked that we stay and cool it in their air-conditioned RV for a while.
It was parked in a roped off area behind the main activities big tent. He said they had a special programmed event that he wanted us to participate in around 7 PM. Vern, Sonny, Kenny, and I accepted his invitation. While in the RV various key people involved in the rally came in to take a break and visit.
Several were some pretty ladies such as Barb Bennett (Merchandise Mgr.), Catherine ‘Katmandu” Palmer (Feature Editor / Advertising Sales) and Lisa Jay (Promotions Displays). Someone brought in three trays of finger food, two bottles of Jack Daniel, and a case of beer. What more could a Boozefighter want? There were several men that came in too that handled things like Photography, a Technical Supervisor, Asst. Publisher, Editors, and I can’t remember what all. I’m sorry but I don’t remember any of their names except for Geno. Ya see I was a bit preoccupied explaining to Lisa that she (maybe 21 yrs) and I (67 yrs) were actually the same age. That we both started out at the same time during another great event 15 billion years ago called the “BIG BANG” and that it just so happened that my star dust got put together before her’s did. And then with a round of laughter from others I said…”of course Vern has beaten us all!” “Keep it up JQ,” Vern fired back as he raised a clinched fist. We got to watch a band perform, some Smokey burn outs, and a light rain shower while in the comforts of home fit for royalty (the RV).
Then we were called to appear on stage. Sonny and I virtually had to drag Vern. He’s FEARLESS except for a couple of things…airplanes with over 100 people on board, and being on stage with a thousand or so people staring at him.
There was an introduction for Vern as their very
special guest, telling some about how he was an ORIGINAL BOOZEFIGHTER that
had gone to the famous Hollister July 1947 event. And then they added that
they understood it was Vern’s birthday, and then asked me if I knew how old
he was? I responded that with in three days he’d be 81 years old. Vern
said something funny like…”well you didn’t have to tell everyone!”
There were lots of cheers as a big green & white birthday cake, with Vern’s picture on a bike and the BFMC logo on it was presented to him. The cake was cut and a piece given to the birthday boy…and he declared it as good. When asked what he wanted to do with the rest of the cake he said, “Give it to them,” pointing to the audience. That led to a rushing of the stage. Later I said, “Well you could have at least let me have a piece before you gave it all away. “BITCH – BITCH – BITCH,” was his reply. To be continued next month SMOKE OUT VII (Continued) Saturday we cranked up the Boozefighters booth by 10 AM and man there was a constant flow of visitors. Lots of folks saw or heard about Vern and his birthday cake deal (the night before) so they came by to meet him in person, get autographs, and take pictures with the celebrity. They also bought lots of books, cups, and other items. Just after noon the “ICECREAM MAN” and his “HONEY CONES” (two girls – four cones) came ridding around to our booth on their three-wheeled ice-cream cart. They insisted that Vern take a ride with them. To lots of laughter Vern got on the seat and collapsed back into the honey cones. I’ve never seen him smile so delightfully!
At 2:14 PM we sold our last book so Vern and I strolled around visiting many other booths. More autographs, pictures, and chats ensued, and we received a lot of free T-shirts too. Eventually we escaped the heat and a crowd, estimated to be around 10,000 bikers, and went back to the hotel for a shower and some rest before the special Boozefighters party started. At 7 PM the party started (a surprise birthday event for Vern) at the “IRON THUNDER.” CH 9 had the big main area set up with head tables and all. Vern was presented with another birthday cake and two “THE ORIGINAL WILD ONES” books that had been autographed by everyone there. He has bought more books than anyone else…EVER! But he swore he’d never ever let those two books get away. JQ was presented with a green & white hat that had gaudy things on it like; “old age combat hat & survival kit,” “I refuse to surrender,” “wrinkle cream,” “miracle hair dye,” “Efferdent,” etc. JQ put the hat on and wore it with pride. Plaques were also given to various people for accomplishments such as “the longest rider,” “most traveling,” etc. It was truly a great party…one we all will remember forever. Thanks to CH 9 for putting on this wonderful event. Thanks to `HAMMER,’ `EDGE,’ and the “HORSE MAGAZINE” staff for such great hospitality. You have a great “read” and put on an exciting “SMOKE OUT VII.” We’ll be back – ya hear. Thanks to Vern Autrey for attending this festive weekend event. You made us all really – really proud, and we thoroughly enjoyed this special opportunity to socialize and party with you. Hammer was right…you are truly a legend of the biker world culture. We are especially proud that you are also one of our ORIGINAL BOOZEFIGHTERS. BOOZEFIGHTERS UP…JQ
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