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.)

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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
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