One Strange Hat: The Deep Dish Sombrero

 April 16, 2024

   Several years ago I ran across one of the strangest hat styles I have ever encountered in my many years of studying and collecting hats. 

A Bad Basket Gone Awry Sombrero?

   At first I thought it was a one-off, some weird byproduct of a basket weaver converting a wicker basket into a sombrero. But then, I started noticing more of these deep dish hats in photographs, like this one:

Deep Dish Sombrero Exhibit B

   And, then I began to spot more. . .

Deep Dish Sombrero Exhibit C

   And more. . .

Deep Dish Sombrero Exhibit D

(the dude in the doorway)

Deep Dish Sombrero Exhibit E

Deep Dish Sombrero Exhibit F

Deep Dish Sombrero?

Or a literal basket on the head of a vendor?

 

   So, what is this strange style of headgear called? Did it have a name? Was it prevalent in one region of Mexico? Did it have a function, besides shade? Who thought it was cool to wear? Why do we not see these styles in Westerns?

"I see by your outfit you enjoy being a basket head."

—Old Vaquero Saying

AI Beauty Pageant? AI-Yi-Yi!

 April 16, 2024

   The 66 Kids is in the can. It's been fun, but it is done.

AI-Yi-Yi

   Get ready for the world's first AI beauty pageant, featuring AI-generated models competing for the title of Miss AI. Unlike conventional beauty contests, this competition evaluates participants not only on aesthetics but on the technical sophistication behind their creation and their social media influence.

Miss Cringy Congeniality

(sorry, too creepy even for me)

   Meanwhile, in analogue news:

BEAUTY PAGEANT SUED FOR CHOOSING WINNER BASED ON APPEARANCE

"It is unrealistic to expect people to see you as you see yourself."

—Epictetus

Another Dan-O-Rama Panorama Orgasma!

 April 15, 2024

   Last day on book. Clean up on aisle six. Plugging holes and fixing orphans. Everyone is a little buggy (we all worked straight thru the weekend) and it doesn't help that we are in our separate silos. We miss the board on the wall in the office and, unfortunately, the chain of emails and disparate texts is a big problem and a rabbit hole of confusion, to say the least.

   Still, I love the process and what is lost in the techno-swamp is still a huge high in terms of creative collaboration. Check out this spread that Dan The Man turned this morning. Could have been a throw away doubletruck, which got left until the end, but look at this cute little puppy!

Another Dan-O-Rama Panorama Orgasma!

   I tell you, that Kingman kid has a future in design. He also colorized both bottom images from badly faded photos. A treasure all by itself. Not to brag (too much) but here's another one, just for grins.

Link Wray Paved the Way

   And, here's a cartoon I have been putting off for a month or two. Finally had the time this morning to knock it out, to plug one of the last holes in the book.

Daily Whip Out:

"When Commie Surfers And Mucous Cowboys Meet!"

   Yes, this is an homage (or, a parody!) of the Charlie Russell painting, "When Sioux and Blackfeet Meet," but you probably knew that. This is my take on the Battle of Perfume Pass, where nothing actually happened, but it just wants to look like this and perhaps in the poster for the Netflix Special it will look like this.

"Everything is historic, nothing is true."

—Old Cynic Saying

When Static Was The Only Sound On The Radio

 April 14, 2024

   With all of us connected 24/7 it's sometimes hard to remember that it wasn't all that long ago when there were sections of Arizona that were out of range.

When Static Was The Only Sound On The Radio

   After WWII, on long stretches of Route 66, radio and music were simply out of reach. When you were on the road you mostly got static and distant livestock reports and sometimes as you got closer to a town you might pick up a high-pitched hillbilly song and country fiddles going in and out. 

The Arizona Wranglers

   In the late fifties, things began to change and a distant rumble, like a coming storm, could be heard on the Mother Road.

Passing Lane Fever on old 66

Daily Whip Out: "Link Wray's 'Rumble'"

Not to overstate it, but Link changed everything.

Here's How Marshall Saw It

"Hell, I was just a kid working after school at Fred Fegley’s gas station during the glorious heydays of Route 66, filling the gas tanks of the tourists listening to them complain about the high price of gas (31.9) a gallon, never realizing I was an eyewitness to an important chapter in America’s rich history." 

—Marshall Trimble

Funeral for A Friend, Logo Featuring My Mama

 April 13, 2024

   Today is the funeral for Fayrene Hume, the Angel of Ashfork, as Marshall Trimble calls her in our new book, "The 66 Kids." We have dedicated the book to her loving memory.

Fayrene with Marshall Trimble

On The Hood And In The Hood

   My mother came to Kingman in 1933, after her father went broke in the Great Depression (he bought his dream ranch in 1929). And, yes, that is her, above, on the hood of her dad's Dodge pickup at the Diamond Bar Ranch north of Kingman.

   My earliest memory is of being on the road in the back seat with my dad driving, somewhere west of Peach Springs, Arizona. Growing up, it seemed like we were always on the road, actually THAT road: Route 66. As I mentioned in the first volume of this series, every summer we made the trek back to the family farm in Iowa. And, not only were the memories vivid, some were life changing—when I bought a bogus Billy the Kid photo at the Longhorn Museum east of Albuquerque, New Mexico, you can draw almost a straight line from there to owning True West magazine, which is also where I met Marshall Trimble and we have worked together for the past 25 years. 

   About a year ago, Marshall and I compared notes and found out we had a lot in common growing up on 66 and we decided we should write a book about it! So, as you have no doubt discovered, we have.

   And, when that book is finally printed, we are going to do a live version of the show in Prescott at the Elks Theater on May 24. Here is Dan The Man's clever logo for that event:

Dan-O-Rama Panorama

   And, yes, that is my mama ridin' the hood of that Ford Fairlane! What goes around, comes around!

"We are like books. Most people only see our cover, the minority read only the introduction, many people believe the critics. Few will know our content."

—Emile Zola

  

Hitcher From Heaven, Boxlip Darrell Plus The History of The Arizona Historical Society

 April 12, 2024

   Here's a road trip fantasy for all the guys I grew up with.

Daily Whip Out: "Goin' My Way?"

   Yes, this is the ultimate road trip fantasy for almost every guy of a certain age. A long stretch of barren highway and a lone hitchhiker, alluring and innocent, yet somehow road worthy. I must report that this fantasy evaporates completely when these same guys become fathers of daughters who might flirt with the very idea of hitchhiking!

   And speaking of daughters who fall for guys in my tribe.

Daily Whip Out:

"Boxlip Darrell Goes to Prom"

Boxlip Darrell

   He was small but he had a big mouth on him. Actually, he had a very profane mouth. Plus he had a devilish theory: if you said a swear word loud enough—like when you were entering English class for example—nobody would believe you were saying a swear word. So, every day during fifth period in Mrs. Logsdon's class, everyone would wait with baited breath for Darrell to come through the door and shout out some profanity. It sounded like CUN-FUN with a slight distortion, but it was painfully clear if you were in on the joke. I'm happy to say, his theory held for the entire year. Our dear teacher merely smiled and welcomed him to class. Surely, she must have thought, he couldn't be swearing in English class? Of course not.

   He was a devout Mormon, of course.

   The Arizona 1864 legislation about abortion has been in the news lately, but it's also good to point out a positive aspect of that legislative effort:

   "In 1863 Congress passed the Arizona Organic Act which determined that 14 year old New Mexico Territory (Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848 and Gadsden Purchase 1854) would be divided in half. In 1864 the present day boundary between AZ and NM was drawn, a territorial governor named and a legislature elected/ chosen. They met in Prescott in a recently built log building (a replica of this building can be visited at the Sharlot Hall Museum) for 43 days. Among items passed into law; AT was divided into four Counties, a legal code decided upon, a system of schools somewhat established and, recognizing the historical importance of what they were doing, an Arizona Historical Society was formed. Now, 160 years later, AZ is a State (1912), there are 15 counties, the state school system boasts 3 major Universities and AHS is thriving. AHS morphed from what was essentially a social club debating exactly who was a pioneer and keeper/displayer of private collections of things like Apache basketry (in spite of the 1906 Antiquities Act, (cough, cough). In the 1920s AHS transitioned toward the research, educational and research/publishing institution it is today."

—Greg Scott

"Our school was so small, we had Driver's Ed and Sex Ed in the same car."

—Boxlip Darrell

The Black Cat Swerve

 April 11, 2024

   Here's someone you are going to meet and admire in the next volume of The 66 Kids.

The Black Cat Cowboy

   He grew up in Kingman, then cowboyed from Oatman to Winona (don't forget Flagstaff!)

Cowboy Danny Romero on A Snow Day

The Black Cat Swerve

   As the story goes, one of the only times Route 66 swerves going thru a town is when the road builders came to a full blown party going on in downtown Seligman and when they tried to run a straight survey line , the cowboys from the Black Cat Bar said, firmly, "Can't you see we're dancing here, go around." And, so the road jogs to the south to go around the Black Cat dancers and has become known as the Black Cat Swerve.

The Black Cat Swerve, 1930s

The Black Cat Swerve Then And Now

   Yes, the Black Cat Bar in Seligman is a storied and classic cowboy honkytonk and one of the musicians who has kept it rockin' is Danny Romero.

Black Cat Cowboys Climbing

The Black Cat Sign

   You'll read more of Danny's incredible story in the book.

   Remember who checks up on you when you get a little quiet. Those are your people.

On The Other Hand

   In the "Good friends call you on your BS, then go on listening to your BS" department: I asked The Top Secret Writer for a quote on the new book and here is what he came up with.

"Only Bob Boze Bell would dare update a memoir. This is the price you pay for living too long. But it's a great ride to accompany him on."

—Paul Andrew Hutton

The Class of 66 In The Flesh And the Power Over Nothing

 April 10, 2024

   I'm on the hunt, in the trenches, covered in blood, sweat and tears and blinded to all outside influences by the deadline. Turned over the first 32 pages of the book today. And that is for editing, not the printer, which is a week away and closing fast. Been here before many times. It's not fun, but it is very, very satisfying to complete. Hate the process, love the outcome.

   Here's a spread just for grins.

Recognize anyone? Oh, and I did a rough for a certain mapmaker:

Daily Whip Out:

"The Long Way to Perfume Pass"

"The worst pain a person can suffer: to have insight into much and power over nothing."

—Herodotus

Still Kickin' It!

 April 9, 2024

   Would you take a gander at this!

The Goal of An Artist 

    Matisse, old and bedridden but still painting—on the wall—for heaven's sake!

Until you pry my paintbrush, from my cold,

dead fingers!

Perfect Teases:

   Here are a few sneak peeks at the forthcoming second volume of The 66 Kids:

The Life of A 66 Cowboy: Danny Romero

   He partied and cowboyed from Oatman to Winona and other than losing his leg, he has no regrets. Hell, he doesn't even regret that!

Ben Burch and Danny Romero

in the Black Cat Bar

The Battle of Perfume Pass

   Where Commie Surfers met Mucous Cowboys in a dangerous confrontation that, to this day, still stinks to high heaven.

Mr. Zips

   Just down the street from the Der Wienerschnitzel in Flagstaff where Jackson Browne spied a girl in a Datsun while hitchhiking in 1970, and then later, when Jackson couldn't come up with a second verse, Glenn Frey, of the Eagles added the line, "it's a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford," and the rest is pop history.

And, yes, Glenn moved the action to Winslow.

Lucille, Don't You Do Your Daddy Wrong!

The Beehive

   A legendary cafe, hairdo and meeting place. The owner, Lucille Banegas served up the best coffee and dished the best lip in two counties. The Kingman cowboys were crazy about her and so was every trucker on Route 66. Her hashbrowns were to die for.

"A perfect day is the open road at sunrise, discovering a little diner where the coffee is hot and the pie is fresh, and closing it out with a cold beer and lively conversation with old friends."

—Jim Hinckley, quoted in The 66 Kids, Volume II, going to the printer next week

Learning How to Be Old

 April 8, 2024

   I'm getting some experience at being old. Here's what I have learned so far.

"I can't live where I want to, I can't go where I want to go, I can't do what I want to, I can't even say what I want to. I decided I was a very stupid fool not to at least paint what I wanted to."

—Georgia O'Keeffe

An old, weathered page of a book.

See how superior it is to a new page.

"It's great being old. I can be eccentric, self-indulgent—even offensive."

—Lynne Reid Banks, author of "The Indian In the Cupboard," who died last week at age 94

San Fran History Lesson

   Several years ago I walked down to Old Town San Francisco to find Maynard Dixon's art studio. As I was walking back to meet Kathy at Sam Wu's in Chinatown I stopped and asked someone to take my photo in front of this old saloon.

BBB outside the Comstock Saloon

   Here is the significance: "This building was originally the Prescott House—a Hotel opened by my great grand uncles (last name Becker) in 1867. My great grandfather (Baltizar Becker) worked there as a cook when he first came to America."

—Robert Ray

The Prettiest Girl On Our Stretch of the Mother Road Inspires New Book

 April 6, 2024

   She was a Looker from a long line of lookers.

Janine Marie Prefontaine

(1947-2019)

   Every guy I knew growing up had a crush on her, and later, had the hots for her and we all suffered for it, except for one or two lucky bastards who I hope burn in hell for all eternity. Not that I'm jealous or bitter. I was actually both. And, on that account, I wasn't alone either. By all rights, she should have a road named for her. Call it Prefontaine Lane, or The Kingman Babe Bypass, or just Jan Drove Us All Nuts Here Drive. Anyway, you get the point and the bottom line is she's gone, but not forgotten.

   Speaking of immature guys who never grew up. . .

The Family of Gas

   Who would go all the way to Paris, France to make a gas joke? Well, that would be these two guys.

Dan The Man and BBB Yucking It Up

   Yes, here we are posing in front of the Edgar Degas (pronounced Day-gah) crypt in Montmartre (a suburb of Paris). As you can clearly see, it says "Family de Gas". We laughed and laughed as only two rubes from Kingman who grew up on Route 66 can laugh.

   So sue us.

   And, for the record, it was Dan who prompted me to do the follow up book to "The 66 Kid." That book, which was published by Voyageur Press in 2014 did okay, but not great. I told Dan I think I made a mistake because it was half memoir and half road trip and if I had to do it over again, I would have stayed on the road. The very next day I got this layout in my inbox.

   And, so here we are, ten years later and some of us are still kickin' and that includes Marshall Trimble who joins us on this second romp down memory lane. And, as for the girl who we all were in love with, this ones for you, Jan!

"I have waited a lifetime spent my life so foolishly.

But now that I've found you together we'll make history. It feels like the first time. It feels like the very first time."

—Foreigner

Elvis at The City Cafe & Archival vs. Hoarding

 April 6, 2024

   Because of our prime location on Route 66 which also intersected with Highway 93 to Vegas, many performers stopped in Kingman back in the day. One of my prettiest and vivacious classmates worked as a waitress at the City Cafe on Hilltop.

The City Cafe

   One night, just before closing Elvis Presley came in and ordered cheeseburgers—with extra cheese—for him and his roadies who waited out in the car.

Daily Whip Out:

"Elvis Snags A Cheeseburger at The City Cafe"

   Boxlip Darrell always joked that Elvis ordered a cheeseburger with a hunka-hunka extra cheese.

   One of the guitarists I know wants an outlaw look and I told him he should emulate the very best land-locked pirate I have ever seen on the screen.

Curly Bill Brocius (Powers Booth)

   Speaking of good looking outlaws, my Kid Krazy artist friends, Buckeye Blake and Thom Ross are planning on a joint art show, with me, at a very historic site in Lincoln, New Mexico and I was looking for something we might use for invites and T-shirts and this Dan the Man design came into view.

   I would wear that shirt with pride and joy. Would you?

"Archivists may not always know what they have, but they never throw anything out."

—David Brown

On The Other (Uno) Hand. . .

"There is a fine line between archiving and hoarding."

—Kathy Radina

Link Wray Sways & Some Sample Song Lyrics for Jugs Iced Free

 April 6, 2024

   I never realized just how much influence Link Wray had on Rock 'N' Roll until I heard and saw Jimmy Page play Wray's signature instrumental with total reverence.

Jimmy Page Does Justice to "Rumble"

Daily Whip Out: "Link Wray Slays"

A Tune With "Profound Attitude"

   "Rumble" is is the only instrumental banned from the radio! And someone online described it as "short, loud and raw." It has also been pegged by some as the birth of heavy metal. Jimmy Page said it has "profound attitude." Amen.

Mix Praise

   "Stuart, the Tom Mix article you and BBB finished for your father (I wish I'd known him) and published in the March/April of TRUE WEST is the most informative and interesting piece on the Straight Shooting, Straight Riding, and Straight Driving (with one fatal exception) hero of some 400 B-Westerns I've ever read. The art accompanying the text is almost as interesting as the writing.

   "Together, such essays keep TRUE WEST on top of the stack of Western magazines in our country. No article since the one on The Lone Ranger and Bass Reeves has engaged me as much. Thank you from one Western fan to another."

—Dr. Jim Vickrey, professor emeritus

Montgomery, Alabama 

Some Sample Lyrics to "Jugs Iced Free"

We were out on the Mother Road, cruising for the West Coast

Heading for the promised land, gonna make a last stand

The dashboard's sizzling, radiator's fizzing  

all the windows down, the air is like a furnace

Dad is drivin' faster, tryin' to hide his grimace

the dog is close to heatstroke, the backseat is smokin'

mama spies the billboard, gives us the whoop sign

Saved by the Flying A, what else can we say

Jugs Iced Free, a lifesaver for humanity

Jugs Iced Free, saved from insanity.

Daddy's goin' bonkers, dodging all the honkers

Passing 20 semis, on narrow, scary roadways

two-lane blacktop shimmers on the horizon

heatwave highways and blisters on the dog's paws

But then Mama spied the road sign

And we were saved from calamity

Jugs Iced Free, we were all insanely happy.

Repeat, as needed.

"Always go too far, because that's where you'll find the truth."

—Albert Camus

On My Beast Behavior

 April 4, 2024

   Drove into the Beast today to drop Kathy off at Sky Harbor so she can fly to Rome and veg out in a monastery before meeting Thomas Charles and his Thai family for five days in Rome and five days in Paris. I stayed home to finish the 66 Kids book.

    From there I drove over to Arizona Art and dropped three Benjamins on scratchboards and tubes of gouache paint, oh, and a sketchbook. 

"You spent three Benjamins on THAT?"

   Then I fought the stupidest traffic out to Scottsdale and landed at the Scottsdale Museum of the West where I met with David Sholefield about doing a 66 Kids Road Show. He is sympatico to the concept. 

   I also met Rob Mathiasch at the museum to oggle over these beauties and to discuss music for the 66 Road Show.

   Then I walked over to Bill Welch's Legacy Gallery on Main where I traded war stories with Bill and he posed in front of two magnificent Lon Megargee woodcuts he has for sale ($1,200 each). A steal.

Bill Welch shows off his Lon Megargees

  Then I chatted up the Van Arsdale twins who played for the Phoenix Suns back in the day and now have a gallery behind Bill Welch's. 

The Van Arsdale Twins take the court

Then I tried to drive home to Cave Creek but it's "Bike Week" and it took me an extra fifteen minutes to get through Cave Creek.

Bike Week Mess

   But I made it home and I have the Arizona Highway Department to thank for that.

"The greater the artist, the greater the doubt. Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize."

—Robert Hughes