Dukefest

[MoparMotel]

Was thinking about going to dukefest this year but had a few questions for you guys.

1. When is it?
2. Where exactually is it?
3. Is some of the original cast there?


Thanks Nick

[BigBlockSam]

oh no Dukefest. thats a joke? i hope

[runningman]

No joke, I am probably going to go as well.  You can get some info on Cooter's site, I think it's cootersplace.com

[greenpigs]

Guys your asking for a royal flaming.

[BlueSS454]

June 3-4 in Nashville, TN.  I went last year, it was hot as hell.  I may go again this year seeing is how I am taking one of my Chevelles to Nashville for the National Chevelle show the following weekend.

[911bear]

 

[THE COLONEL]

Was thinking about going to dukefest this year but had a few questions for you guys.

1. When is it?
2. Where exactually is it?
3. Is some of the original cast there?


Thanks Nick

Yes, it is June 3rd and 4th, and is being held at the Music City Motorplex or Raceway.  One of the two names.  As far as the cast, we have heard that the entire cast will be there, along with the stunt crew.  This will be the first Dukes event that Tom Wopat has attended, and I don't think these events will continue much longer as an annual event.

[Afflyer]

Guess that movie last year really worn down a lot of nerves and made a lot of folks  of the GL?!

[MoparMotel]

Guys your asking for a royal flaming.

Royal flaming for what........sure there are some board members that are not as big of Dukes fans as i am but i am sure there are a few.

[genlee1970]

Guess that movie last year really worn down a lot of nerves and made a lot of folks  of the GL?!

No, I think the show is just getting to big!!! The show is run by "Cooter" and his wife, God bless 'em, but it has just gotten out of hand. Too many people and not enough time. People waited in lines for 8 to 10 hours, each cast member,  to get autographs. I was fortunate enough to get Cooter's (on my sunvisor) while his line was short, and John Schnieder came out and signed all the Generals that made the parade laps around the race track, so I got his on the underside of my trunk. Also got Jeryy Rushings, as his tent was set up right next to my car the first day.  Would like to get James Best's and Tom's this year, but I have no patience to wait in lines like that.
   I met people there from Holland and all over the world. It was nuts. I'll be there again this year, especially if it's gonna be the last one for a while. Despite the hassles, it was well worth the trip.

[MoparMotel]

i would love to take my general lee down there but im from california and it would just be easier to fly out there

[Mike DC]

The show is run by "Cooter" and his wife, God bless 'em, but it has just gotten out of hand.

Actually, Ben & Alma Jones have stepped down.  This year they have turned over "Dukesfest" to CMT and it's 100% their operation now.  We'll see what this means when the dust settles.  (It'll probably just be more corporate.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I go to Dukesfest every year but I never even try for the autographs there.  It's so much of a mob-scene trying to get a DOH cast member's autograph at a DOH event.  And besides, half those actors are known to go on tour for stage plays or other smaller public appearances 6 months later.  Give a little attention to their scehedules and you can often get the same signature for a small fraction of wait time at "Dukesfest."



Tom Wopat will be interesting to see at the "Dukesfest" this year. 

Tom shows up for the Reunion movies & stuff so he doesn't seem like a party-pooper, but besides that occasional nationwide TV stuff he has been totally avoiding the DOH hobby for the last decade or more.  This year will mark the first time he has come to a "Dukesfest," and I don't envy the weekend he will have on his hands.  He's absolutely gonna get an autograph line from hell.  I know so many people who've already been building up signature collections on their trunklid/glovebox/die-casts for the last couple of years, and it's always the same story:  "I've got everybody's signature except Tom Wopat's.  He's the only one who never comes to the fan club shows."

.

[ramit]

i would love to take my general lee down there but im from california and it would just be easier to fly out there

I would think the drive to the show in a general lee would be almost as much fun as the show itself.

[viper r/t]

Count me in but not taking the charger.

[moparjohn]

Dukesfest 2004- got to run my Charger on the Bristol Motor Speedway track and then it appeared in the extras on season 2 DOH!

[MoparMotel]

I'm only 16 and my dad said he isn't really into dukes of hazzard, he is just doing it for me. He said he'd like to see Dukesfest and said we'll hope on a plane and go see it OR he said he has been wanting to buy an enclosed trailor. That would be fun to load the general lee up and drive out there. I am from Fresno, CA 93619. What would that take to get there, about 3 days?

[THE COLONEL]

I'm only 16 and my dad said he isn't really into dukes of hazzard, he is just doing it for me. He said he'd like to see Dukesfest and said we'll hope on a plane and go see it OR he said he has been wanting to buy an enclosed trailor. That would be fun to load the general lee up and drive out there. I am from Fresno, CA 93619. What would that take to get there, about 3 days?

Probably with stops and overnight stays, i don't think it would be any longer then that.  Weather you bring the General or not, stop on by The Colonel.  I'll have a cold Mountain Dew with your name on it.  I'll be the only guy with a yellow Charger amoung the sea of orange.

[MoparMotel]

Will do Colonel!

[genlee1970]

i would love to take my general lee down there but im from california and it would just be easier to fly out there

I would think the drive to the show in a general lee would be almost as much fun as the show itself.

It was a 16 hour drive for me in my General and it was fun. Hell, it's fun going anywhere in the General!!! Did get a little hairy going through the mountains, about an hour before the Tennesse border. The sky opened up and I couldn't see two feet in front of me. Met alot of cool people on the road. I'm planning on hooking up with the Hot Rod Power Tour the day after Dukes Fest, in Perry, Georgia. Anyone know how far Perry is from Covington. It would be neat to stop there as well.   
   As far as Tom Wopat, yeah his line will be long, but think of the coin these people make at 10 per autograph!!! Why wouldn't he go every year!!!
   Btw, thanks Mike DC for the heads up on the "less time in line" autograph technique!!    Al

[Mike DC]

No problem man.

Catherine Bach & John Schneider have done "World of Wheels" tours several times (there are still some decent wait lines at W.o.W. shows,  but it's nowhere near as bad as Dukesfest and it's always indoors).  Jimmy Best doesn't do many shows these days but he can still be found outside Dukesfest from time to time.  Sonny Shroyer, Ben Jones, Rick Hurst . . . a lot of these guys will also show up to smaller Dukes shows (like the yearly "Dukes Day" down in Arkansas).  Tom Wopat is a harder nut to crack but he loves Boradway-type theater acting and he still talks to people after those events regularly.

Yeah, they sure make some profit on these tours.  John Schneider isn't a total sleaze but he definitely likes to make some money from these things every year.  And Ben Jones is definitely motivated by the money lately.
Tom Wopat actually doesn't seem to be as concerned with it, given his life since the TV series.  Since "Dukes" he's actually been known to turn down some decent TV jobs in favor of just doing more live theater that he enjoys.  He'll probably be charging money for signatures at Dukesfest with the rest of them, but in general he hasn't tried to milk his DOH role very much since the 1980s.

.

[69_500]

Hey John, I just watched the extra's on the Season 2 DVD the other day looking for the oddball Charger with a hole in the roof. Loved it.


Something about a sunroof charger that always catches my eye at a show. Can't miss them.

[topduarte]

My wife and I are not even big Duke's fans but she got Tom Wopat's autograph on his CD at the Chicago Broadway show a few months back!!

She said he was very nice and courteous!!!

[genlee1970]

No problem man.

Catherine Bach & John Schneider have done "World of Wheels" tours several times (there are still some decent wait lines at W.o.W. shows,  but it's nowhere near as bad as Dukesfest and it's always indoors).  Jimmy Best doesn't do many shows these days but he can still be found outside Dukesfest from time to time.  Sonny Shroyer, Ben Jones, Rick Hurst . . . a lot of these guys will also show up to smaller Dukes shows (like the yearly "Dukes Day" down in Arkansas).  Tom Wopat is a harder nut to crack but he loves Boradway-type theater acting and he still talks to people after those events regularly.

Yeah, they sure make some profit on these tours.  John Schneider isn't a total sleaze but he definitely likes to make some money from these things every year.  And Ben Jones is definitely motivated by the money lately.
Tom Wopat actually doesn't seem to be as concerned with it, given his life since the TV series.  Since "Dukes" he's actually been known to turn down some decent TV jobs in favor of just doing more live theater that he enjoys.  He'll probably be charging money for signatures at Dukesfest with the rest of them, but in general he hasn't tried to milk his DOH role very much since the 1980s.

.

On one of the fanclub message boards they've actually got dates for some of the cast appearing this winter. None near my area yet. I'd be willing to travel a little to make it happen.
    It sounds like Tom has some integrity, doing what makes him happy, which is cool. Can't really blame the other's for thinking of the money, it is their job after all. I'd do the same thing. Besides $10 is chump change, it's carrying the decklid around all day that sucks!!! Do you think Tom will come out and sign the Generals like John did last year. I had heard from people that had gone to other Dukes Fests, that in prior years, the whole cast would come out after hours and sign the cars, but last year they were wrapping up thier lines pretty late.

[THE COLONEL]

I hope so Al.  Is that a seperate deck lid you have to get signed other then the one on the General?

[gnrl01]

This will be the first year I can actually take my General. I got it completed spring 2005 and have had a blast with it. I took my General around the Kansas City Speedway with about 20 wingcars. That was a blast! It should be a good time, you don't have to be hardcore to enjoy it. I love all makes of cars and think it would be cool for everyone...just my two cents!

Don
midwesthotrods.us

[Charger_Fan]

I never knew it was that big of a gathering.
That must be some sight to see all those GL's running around. I wonder how often someone hops in somebody else's GL, thinking it's theirs? "Suzy, where did we park"?

[69_500]

I can't believe that it is as big of a show as it is yearly. I mean I figured it would just balooon with the new movie and all, and then fall off a tad. But it appears to be growing still this year.

[genlee1970]

I hope so Al.  Is that a seperate deck lid you have to get signed other then the one on the General?

Nah Jason, I was just kidding. I usually carry my passenger side sun visor to get signed. I did meet up with people who were wheeling thier deck lid around with a hand truck and we met a family on the road to Dukes Fest last year who had thier decklid with them in the RV. The rest of the car wasn't finished, but they figured they'd finish the decklid and get a jump start on signatures. Pretty slick. Saw them at Carlisle as well. I guess alot of people get the glove box door signed but the ones on the 70 models are too textured to accept a signature well.

[genlee1970]

I never knew it was that big of a gathering.
That must be some sight to see all those GL's running around. I wonder how often someone hops in somebody else's GL, thinking it's theirs? "Suzy, where did we park"?

It is pretty cool to see 70 or so Generals all together in one show , or better yet going around the track, but it's even more fun to drive around town and see them all over the place, in car washes, restaurants, hotel parking lots. I think that's the one place where you could use a General as a bank robbery getaway car a stand a good chance of not getting caught.
   As far as the popularity, I think it has more to do with the reruns on CMT than the movie. I got so much more attention at the Nats this year, alot of it by kids under 10, so I doubt they saw the movie. Kids love the General. People were offering me money to take thier kids around the parking lot at our hotel at Dukes Fest. I did it for free, just the look on thier faces was worth it. Oh and seeing their little necks snap back into the seat when I gunned the throttle brought a tear to my eye......you know they were thinking "Mom's Windstar doesn't do this!!"

[THE COLONEL]

I never knew it was that big of a gathering.
That must be some sight to see all those GL's running around. I wonder how often someone hops in somebody else's GL, thinking it's theirs? "Suzy, where did we park"?

It is pretty cool to see 70 or so Generals all together in one show , or better yet going around the track, but it's even more fun to drive around town and see them all over the place, in car washes, restaurants, hotel parking lots. I think that's the one place where you could use a General as a bank robbery getaway car a stand a good chance of not getting caught.
   As far as the popularity, I think it has more to do with the reruns on CMT than the movie. I got so much more attention at the Nats this year, alot of it by kids under 10, so I doubt they saw the movie. Kids love the General. People were offering me money to take thier kids around the parking lot at our hotel at Dukes Fest. I did it for free, just the look on thier faces was worth it. Oh and seeing their little necks snap back into the seat when I gunned the throttle brought a tear to my eye......you know they were thinking "Mom's Windstar doesn't do this!!"

I did see the a couple people there with the trunk lids.  I could not imagine carrying that around for hours upon hours.

It's amazing, I have even had people ask me about The Colonel, if the car was originally orange and I painted it yellow, just because of the trunk lid.  Some have even asked me if my doors were welded shut.  I always leave my doors locked, even though the windows are down, but I had this 9 or 10 yeard old boy ask me that, and I told him to try to open the door.  You should have seen the look on his face when it didn't open.  I had to tell him it was just locked.

The amount of people at Dukesfest and the number of Generals there is amazing.  I remember Dukesfest 01 you only had to wait in line a matter of minutes for an autograph, now it is almost 7-8 hours.  I have seen it grow, and man has it.

[MoparMotel]

Well looks like were gunna be headin out there   Don't they jump a General every year out there?

[Mike DC]

Yeah, they have been doing it for the last two years now.  The driver will probably try to beat his 2004 jump distance (193 feet) if the situation allows.  Depends on how much good space the promoters can provide for the jump, and how well the car is set up & running.

A lot of people would like to see them stop doing it.
But it really draws a crowd, and the event promoters are in it for the money so there's not much we can do.  At least the stunt crew uses some pretty worthless cars to start with.  They're just rusty bare Charger shells dressed up to look good from 30 feet away. 

(The last time the crew jumped a car, they started with a bare rusty 1968 Charger shell that they got just 14 days before the jump.)

.

[Ghoste]

Maybe one positive side effect of the skyrocketing prices of musclecars means that short of Hollywood, all of these car smashing thrill shows will end. 

[THE COLONEL]

Yeah, they have been doing it for the last two years now.  The driver will probably try to beat his 2004 jump distance (193 feet) if the situation allows.  Depends on how much good space the promoters can provide for the jump, and how well the car is set up & running.

A lot of people would like to see them stop doing it.
But it really draws a crowd, and the event promoters are in it for the money so there's not much we can do.  At least the stunt crew uses some pretty worthless cars to start with.  They're just rusty bare Charger shells dressed up to look good from 30 feet away. 

(The last time the crew jumped a car, they started with a bare rusty 1968 Charger shell that they got just 14 days before the jump.)

.

I agree with Mike.  To tell you the truth, even though the jumps are cool in person, some of the Duke faithful say it is getting old, but Mike is right...it does draw a crowd.

[genlee1970]

I never knew it was that big of a gathering.
That must be some sight to see all those GL's running around. I wonder how often someone hops in somebody else's GL, thinking it's theirs? "Suzy, where did we park"?

It is pretty cool to see 70 or so Generals all together in one show , or better yet going around the track, but it's even more fun to drive around town and see them all over the place, in car washes, restaurants, hotel parking lots. I think that's the one place where you could use a General as a bank robbery getaway car a stand a good chance of not getting caught.
   As far as the popularity, I think it has more to do with the reruns on CMT than the movie. I got so much more attention at the Nats this year, alot of it by kids under 10, so I doubt they saw the movie. Kids love the General. People were offering me money to take thier kids around the parking lot at our hotel at Dukes Fest. I did it for free, just the look on thier faces was worth it. Oh and seeing their little necks snap back into the seat when I gunned the throttle brought a tear to my eye......you know they were thinking "Mom's Windstar doesn't do this!!"

I did see the a couple people there with the trunk lids.  I could not imagine carrying that around for hours upon hours.

It's amazing, I have even had people ask me about The Colonel, if the car was originally orange and I painted it yellow, just because of the trunk lid.  Some have even asked me if my doors were welded shut.  I always leave my doors locked, even though the windows are down, but I had this 9 or 10 yeard old boy ask me that, and I told him to try to open the door.  You should have seen the look on his face when it didn't open.  I had to tell him it was just locked.

The amount of people at Dukesfest and the number of Generals there is amazing.  I remember Dukesfest 01 you only had to wait in line a matter of minutes for an autograph, now it is almost 7-8 hours.  I have seen it grow, and man has it.

Locking the doors? Pretty slick. I'll have to try that. I was at a local show in 04 and returned to my car to find the door ajar. At first I thought someone was messing with it, then I figured they were trying to see if the doors were welded and were likely to embrrassed to get caught slamming the door closed. Pretty ballsy, opening the door on someones car, if you ask me.
    No kidding, they asked you if you repainted it. That's cool. Still on the fence about redoing it. I can see why John Schnieder told you not to, I mean, it's a done car. Then again, you could keep it yellow, use the flag and
and have "The Colonel" graphics made up. Hmmm, what to do about the door numbers.....ever wonder what a yellow General would look like? Anyone out there want to re- color the General on their computer. I'm a technological neanderthal, otherwise I would do it myself. That would give you a idea of how it would look without spending all the coin on graphics.
   Kind of wished I had been able to go when the autograph lines were short. Then again, my car wasn't finished til the 04 season, and Dukes Fest 04 was 2 weeks after Carlisle and 2 weeks before the Nationals. No way I could scam that much time off work in one month.
   As far as them jumping more cars, I have to admit, it was cool to see once in person, and sickening at the same time. These cars aren't getting any cheaper or easier to find and they'll not likely re-issue bodies like they did with the 69 Camaro. I don't think they'd lose an appreciable amount of attendance if they didn't do the jumps, and I'm sure the public would understand not wanting to waste a non renewable resource as valuable and coveted as a second generation Charger.

[Shakey]

As far as the cast, we have heard that the entire cast will be there, along with the stunt crew. 

I'd be quite impressed if Boss Hogg & Uncle Jesse show up!