Monthly Archives: June 2010

Jack Pierson’s new show of folded photographs opens tomorrow at Bortolami Gallery, NYC.

THUNDER MOUNTAIN

One of those head turning “did I really just see that” speeding by on the road moments. Some dude build sculpture and shelter out of junk and cement for the coming apocalypse. When arson came in the early 80s he moved on. Here’s what remains of Thunder Mountain, Nevada…

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FLORENCE ALABAMA MUSIC ENTERPRISES

Once, I dreamt I was in Alabama with Mordechai Rubinstein and Michael Williams to hang out with Billy Reid. He threw music shows for us all weekend and fed us a steady diet of cornbread, sour balls and moonshine. We stayed in a lake house and rode jet skis and  he introduced me to his friend Butch Anthony who sold me some of his art and showed me his special project that looked like Louise Nevelson. It got really weird when we were brought to FAME recording studio to meet the legendary Rick Hall and Sassy boy of the year Ian Svenonious showed up in a three piece suit. Oh and at one point I trashed the Governors Suite at the local hotel.  Such a strange dream…

UNITED RECORDS PRESSING, INC.

I was lucky enough to squeeze in a tour of this epic record pressing plant in Nashville just before my flight back to San Franskippie last week. I had no idea of the process, the amount of hands on work, the heavy machinery – none of which has been manufactured new since the 80s. Truly a beautiful factory, untouched by time. Even the old living quarters remain unchanged, originally set up so black recording artists could stay there in a time when they couldn’t get a room in the South. The best was watching the a hockey puck-sized disc with a label already on it be squished into a 12” memory maker. Jay, thanks so much for the tour.

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MONDAY MORNING IN

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

BING’S TUX

Lynn Downey has a pretty killer job as Levi’s archivist. I visit her and the vault any time I can think up an excuse. Recently I was chewing the fat with her about my visit and subsequent fascination with Elko and North East Nevada. She told me all about the history there with Bing Crosby and the Levi’s denim tuxedo. I asked if she would write a piece on the subject for One Trip Pass and she agreed. The following is her story on the subject. Thank you, Lynn!

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DEALER’S HAND

SURF AND TURF

BIG NOSE GEORGE

On a recent drive across the country I stumbled upon a the Carbon County Museum of Carbon County, Wyoming. Aside from a native american statue depicting how you can catch a bald eagle by hand  the Big Nose George display definitely takes the cake…

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