I don't know either guy, or their work, but I wish them both well. I used to be a faithfull monthly buyer, but for some reason just quit buying magazines on a regular basis. I'll flip through a few at Barnes & Noble and buy if there is something that catches my eye, historical features or restorations of famous cars is a sure sale for me.
Soooner or later Jim, someone here would want to know why the guy that helped R & C get popular again would be kicked to the curb...it's all relevant....and typical magazine publishing 'games.' He'll land on his feet but it's always tuff to get the "you're outta here" talk. That was always my take of him, I hope he can change 'my' impression of him in the next year (or however many he gets from the mag suits)... Congrats RF, now it's time to put up or shut up. R-
Thanks for all the kinds words, the speculations, and, the icing on the cake, the Jetter ultimatum that I'm staring at the whole time I type this (which is the second time, as my "session" expired before I could post, thanks in no small part to a li'l 5-year-old shooting Nerf bullets and ballon helicopters at me!). First off, while I'm beyond thrilled to have been given this opportunity, in no way, shape, or form am I proud of the fact that it comes at the expense of Kevin's career. That's the part I could'a done without, but it was something that I had absolutely no say in whatsoever. I do agree that he'll land on his feet, but regardless, wish him the best. As far as all the speculations go, let's just say that I know a good thing when I see--why mess it up. I travel on many highways, so my way is not a one-way road, however, I do expect to encounter many dirtroaders who don't agree with my navigational skills...comes with the territory. I'm looking forward to finally working with "trunks" again. Don't get me wrong, I love "beds" as much as the next guy (girl?), but deep down inside, my passion's always been hot rods and customs. Thanks Ryan--I'll never forget our first night in Wichita! Dennis has never forgiven me for cheatin on him, though!
Not that Rob is to blame but hopefully Rod & Custom will not be going in the same direction as Custom Rodder. When Custom Rodder to to the point of being a really good magazine they did away with it. Rod & Custom has been getting better and better and now Rob is taking over. I do not want to see him get it to a peak and have t go as well. If they were smart the would send him over to Street Rodder, that one needs major help.
We'll miss you Kevin. Good luck on whatever comes next! Congrats Rob. So who's taking over the Classic Trucks mag? You were definitely steering that ship in the right direction. Hopefully things don't change too much there. Rod & Custom has improved tremendously since Kevin took over, but now it can only get better. Congratulations again, Rob.
Most of agree R&C has gotten much better with Kevin in charge. All I can say to Rob is "watch your ass" in this cut-throat corperate world....
Bummer for Kevin. Enjoyed the direction and the quality of late, awesome! R.F. was great in the 90's, great articles in Street Rodder, always wish there was more! Just hope they don't try to reinvent the wheel, you know. Congrats. Ken
I haven't been at this for 16 years cuz I wasn't keepin an eye on my backside, but if it's the pocket in which I carry my foldin money you're a talkin about, they've already got their vise grips locked on that. 55 1ST Series--thanks for reminding me! Good ol' Riz (Jim Rizzo) is at back home at the helm of Classic Trucks. It's definitely in good hands now. One last thing, just to clear some of the stank that still permeates the air, for whatever reasons. Custom Rodder. There are certain people, dudes if you will, that always held me responsible for the content, direction, and basically whatever "didn't" have whitewalls and fuzzy dice. Unlike R&C, which clearly has an established and rightful place in the printed media world, CR was a contradiction from many angles--most all of which I didn't truly stand behind, as I honestly felt that once the "custom rod" ideal they so desperately sought after failed to develop and subsequently form a following of both readers and advertisers, I'd be able to curtail it to a "Custom" version of R&C. Not to be. Fortunately (unfortunately for poor Damon), they pulled me off the sinking ship a year or so before it completely sank. R&C's a whole 'nuther story. Not only do I whole heartedly believe in and stand behind the mag, which is a first for me in my entire career, I have a complete staff (editorial, advertising, and publishers) who stand behind and support what "I" want to do, not the other way around. It'll be an interesting fourth quarter of the year, that's for sure.
I wish all involved the very best. I have to say that just last night I was reading my latest R&C while thinking out loud that "this is a damn good magazine", so good in fact that I purposely decided not to "use it all up" in one sitting . My heart kinda hurts for Kevin. Congratulations Rob! Damn, it is kind of hard to feel so good for one hot rodder, and so bad for another all at the same time... I have to say that it kind of puts a knot in my gut. God bless both of you, and I wish you both the best..
Congrats Rob. I know you'll do a great job. Sorry to see Kevin go as he has done a spectacular job, and left you with some pretty big shoes to fill. The chance to have one of our cars featured in R&C, much less on the cover was a dream come true for us. Both you guys are welcome to our beer and women in our shop anytime. Ok, maybe just the beer.
#1 When R & C let Jim go I thought that was wrong. #2 Now I read this about Kevin & this too is just plain wrong. #3 It looks like the idiots from Primedia are at Source Interlink now. #4 Kevin got R & C up and running in the fast lane and they do him dirty. (Note; I get pi--ed off at stuff like this) #5 The best of luck and prayers to Kevin and his family.
The last year has just been brutal in the magazine world. I've gone from feeling extremely honored to get my (freelance) stuff published, to feeling like I need a shower every time I see the little corporate logo at the bottom of the page. There's a lot of very talented good hearted people walking around with knives in their backs, thanks to the fear based suits. People who really deserve better... I don't really know Kevin, but he gave me some breaks and really helped my career - thanks, man. Good luck to you and Rob both. Keep your motives pure and the Karma will probably protect you where it counts... Scotty
Maybe in the long run, it's for the best. Let me explain. When SORC let Courtney Halowell go from the bike side (Hot Bike, Street Chopper) he landed at Beckett and took over World of Rods and that magazine is getting better every issue. Maybe a similar fate will befall Kevin and some other 3rd rate book will benefit, which means we will benefit.
I've got every issue since December '88, and have rode out the many changes in this mag. I'm looking forward to what Rob brings, but as I re-read my latest issue, I can't help but wonder who Kevin pissed off about not featuring, and if that had to do with the axe falling down. I wish Kevin luck, he certainly gave the mag a HAMB influence, as well as Jim A.
I have every issue of R&C, and the first big issue was responsible for permanently derailing my life into '32 Fords... It has been through some very bad times in the last few decades, but has been one of the best for quite a while now...I sure hope the "New Direction" is a good one. A smallish magazine with a history of closing down, now run from above by accountants and speculators, in a shaky market in a time of rapid decline of print media can't afford many mistakes! Those guys above are going to go on changing editors like lightbulbs whenever they think they smell a saleable trend. I would love to know what they think the new trend is this week... Best wishes, and don't even think about screwing up the magazine that I regard as practically a third parent...
I had 4 friends working for those cut-throats and now I have only one. The other 3 got the unexpected axe not for screwing up but my guess is for $$ reasons. Those guys worked hard and were loyal but I guess that doesn't count for anything...
Condolences to Kevin who leaves with his head held high , great magazine & much respect. Congratulations to Rob, we've known each other for many years He will take the mag to the next level,he has a great team to work with . I know the Hot Rod industry is a tough one to be involved in but even I'm glad I'm not in the Hot Rod Media , that's brutal .
I could never repay the debt of gratitude to Kevin for allowing me to shoot some cars for him at R&C. When he was standing by the van at the Fort Worth Good-Guys show waiting to talk to me about my work. I tried not to act to excited(or pee my pants)while I talked to him. I wish him the best, and if he ever needs anything from me I will do whatever I can. Hopefully he finds his dream job after this one I know thanks to his help I am living mine. Rob on the other hand has been a big influence on my work while I was starting out. While the Gary Howard built Jimmie V owned Riviera may have warped my outlook on cars forever it was flipping through the pages of Custom Rodder that fueled that fire. When Rob from Rob's chop shop asked me to shoot his truck, and that Rob F was behind him asking me again I tried to not act to excited(or pee my pants). Again Kevin will be missed, but I look forward to working with Rob, and seeing what he can add to a already great magazine
Congrats Rob, I look forward to seeing what you have in store. Kevin, I really enjoyed your efforts with R&C and thank you for that. Best of luck to you and yours.
Rob, congratulations on getting R & C, but I really enjoyed your work at Classic Trucks. Now see if you can get Ganahl more involved I guess if I had to pick your replacement at CT, it would have been Jim Rizzo. He always seems to write at my level...and that's a good thing... I will miss Kevin at the R & C helm and I wish the best for him. R & C and CT are just two of the mags to which I subscribe.
I have Subscribed to Classic Trucks mag since 2002 and had to let my subscription go when I got laid off. I really enjoyed Rob's editorials the most. I felt I could really relate with him and his project accomplishments and struggles. Especially with small children in the house and their project money/time stealing ways. I was recently enjoying his "Dirty Thirty" build. I had already told myself when I get back on my feet job wise (Just started a new one 7/09)that I was going to subscribe to R&C and now that choice has just gotten sweeter. Congratulations on the new job and I hope I can thank you with handshake one day for all you great insight.
No warning, no thank you, no nothing except "don't let the door hit ya where the Good Lord split ya"... that's the Primedia/McMullen Argus/K-III way... saw it happen quite a bit when I worked for a magazine published by them. Best of luck to Kevin, I agree with Jim Aust, he's a good, solid guy and someone will grab him quick. I wonder if Steve Stillwell is still publishing high-quality car mags with "gently used" ex-Primedia guys?....
Nope Stillwell recently took over the Trade Magazine Hot Rods & Restoration and his sidekick at the other deal, Courtney Halowell recently took over the Editor chair at World of Rods.
Yea, now that you mention it..... the editorial..... hmmm... Well, IF that is the case, I hope the a-hole is happy...
The Jalopy Journal
