THEY CALL IT DETROIT art show & auction-09

and could easily reach 6 figures raised for the Leader Dogs now.

 

Wow, what a bunch of garbage. Too bad Sam is gone. He organized a great event that generated thousands for charity. I know, they're gonna still raise thousands for charity. It's all about who gets the charity money and who decides who gets it. I think that is what it comes down to. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY! I'll say it again. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY! It's not about the great tradition of pinstriping. It's not about the comrodery of being at an event with your fellow artists. All of that was already there. Now that the event is a viable entity generating upwards of $65,000 over a 3 day weekend, people have really taken notice. $65,000 is not chump change. It's more than a lot of us make in a year. I know it's more than I make. Obviously the promoters needed to get in on that. I mean, it is their event after all, isn't it? They can do what they want and decide who gets what, and where the money goes. It's their business, right? What happened to Rescue One? Why are they not a worthy charity anymore? Sure, Leader dogs is a great charity. They are in your top 100 most awesome charities, or whatever. I think that means that they already generate thousands, or even millions yearly. I don't know, but I think Rescue One could probably benefit a little more from the charity event than Leader Dogs. I could be wrong but I am sure it takes a lot of charity dollars to pay the salaries of the top exec's at LD. I'm willing to bet that the Autorama Exec's and the Leader Dog exec's are in the same hotrod club. Maybe they play golf together. There is a reason that the money is going where it is going and it isn't because of anything that Sam or Rescue One did. It goes much deeper. Oh yeah, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. Sure the pinstripers jamboree is a great event. Sam and all of the artists who so graciously donated their time and artwork have made it so. Now it's all about the business of it. So keep telling yourself that it is a great tradition that you are supporting as you donate your art. Just remember that the buerocrats don't care if it's you or me striping panels as long as they are being striped so that they can generate their dollars for their pals. If you go to the Detroit Autorama and stripe, I hope that they are paying you well cuz it's about the cash. I am sorry, but I feel like I would be crossing picket line to go stripe. I have much more integrity and self respect than that. I believe that if the promoters wanted this to be a business venture, that is fine, then it should have been from day one. Not now that it is generating lots of dollars. They are standing on the shoulders of one who has achieved greatness. Sam and everyone who has donated time and art in the are getting slapped in the face. It's really sad. myself and a lot of artists previously involved in the event look forward to it every year and we feel like it has been taken from us. No matter, the show must go on. I understand that they are paying a load of scab stripers to fill in for the old crew of Detroit based stripers. I am sure that they will be the best stripers that money can buy. Enjoy the show just remember where your money and self respect is going. I could be wrong!
JH

 

The Calvacade of Cars in Hamburg, NY is the same weekend and has a great panel jam as well. Just a different venue for someone to stripe at if you wanted, I'm sure you know the contact person in charge of the jam, it's been going on for a few years now.

On a side note the extra advertisement in Detroit from the radio show generates more walk ins, which generates more cash for the promoters. It's not always about the charities.

 

This is easy to see from both sides. Sometimes it feels like someone's pissing in your boot and telling you it's raining, but somewhere along the line the transparency required for a gig like this was blurred. I'll say right now I don't stripe, and have never been a part of it, but really dig what happens there. Charity is supposed to be a good thing. I can see how it looks like add'l benefits are gained for the whomevers and that has to come out after the fact. In fact it's required to come out. Wait n see I guess. We non-participant types still want the event to go on and it looks like it will, whether we like the players or not.

 

You are intitled to your opinion, but in this statement you are incorrect.

 

I do not know anything about this show but I am looking forward to the event coverage

 

Thank you roadstar... this is why people who don't know the facts should keep their mouths shut. I don't know where jharrow got his info, but they should seriously consider writing for The Nat'l Enquirer or The Globe.

 

That part, you got right.

 

They aren't paying them?

 

Just passin along what I heard. It is about the money. The pinstripers jamboree has become a lucrative commodity so the show promoters have taken control. I'm not saying that they can't do that, or from their standpoint shouldn't do that. It is their event. They control it. They decide how it is run. It is a business. Do you think that they hold it because it's fun? It generates money for the event organizers. It's business that's all. It is what it is. When the autorama ceases to make money the event will end. By the way, the Autorama is fun. It's supposed to be fun. That is what the promoters have done as well. They are successful business people. If the pin jam generated under $10K, they wouldn't bother, but it generates too much money to not control it. Everything in this country is about money! I am sure that the pinjam will be a resounding success this year. I don't wish any ill will but you should see things for what they are. The old "They call it Detroit" crew got the short end of the stick where all of the new stripers have a great jam to work. You have stepped onto someone elses coat tails, my friend. The public and the promoters don't care if it's you me or Sam striping panels as long as someone shows up to do it. The stripers should get paid! They do all of the art! Well, that wouldn't help the corporation! So enjoy your pin jam. It will be wonderful. For you, it can be about the joy of striping side by side with your fellow stripers or about preserving the lost art of the pinstripe, because it is all of that, but when it comes right down to it it's about corporate control and THE MONEY!
JH

 

No.
To the best of my knowledge, nobody is being paid to attend.

At least two two HAMB members are helping organize this years event.
Maybe they will chime up.

 

sounds like a slap in Sam's face to me thats how I see it

 

What's stopping any of the "Old Crew" from coming and painting? I don't know about you guys, but I go to hang out with my friends. I also enjoy meeting new people to learn from, no matter who's running the panel jam. I've heard a lot about you guys in Detroit and this is the first time I'm able to attend. I was really hoping to meet a lot of you. Too bad you're going to let what you think is coprorate greed stop you from having a good time. Who cares who running what. Man (or woman) up!

 

I don't know anything about this particular situation, but it sounds like a petty turf war.

The fact is, while World of Wheels may be a corporation, it's always been the Larivee family that controls and runs it. They are decent, honorable people and should not be maligned in the way that some of you are implying it's some big sinister organization.

 

I'm sure a lot more information will be forthcoming in the weeks and months after Autorama for the drama fans. As I've mentioned a few times before, this is a sad, controversial situation and there is no middle ground, artists will either come to stripe or they won't.

I have attended Autorama since 2000 and have striped there and brought finished panels for the past three years. I have also striped at the Pinstripe Legends event in Milwaukee (IMHO the premier striper's event in the USA) for several years and I'm one of six "founding-fathers" for the Chicago BrushMasters. It takes us a year to plan and execute a striping display and charity auction. Chicago preceded Milwaukee this year, ours the last weekend in January and theirs two weeks later in Mid-February. We support each others events, attending workshops throughout the year to prepare panels for both auctions. Motivations differ between artists but mine has always been meeting fellow artists first and foremost. That rapport is a relatively new concept among stripers, they have a long history of keeping to themselves. To meet and work alongside stripers you've only read about is an amazing experience, not to mention the stories and the whining. To be able to expose our art to the public is an important factor as well, and to have them actually buy our pieces and have the funds go to a charity is a great feeling.

At the Milwaukee event several of us were summoned to Bob Larivee,Sr.'s show-office where we were informed about the complicated and untimely "problem(s)" in Detroit and asked if we would help him continue the event. We had several immediate concerns. First, who was the charity and did THEY have the ability to handle ALL the money - we wanted no part of that, period! In Chicago, the Ronald McDonald House Charities sends an entire team of volunteers to handle all the funds including credit cards. We were next concerned about the short time-frame, remember, we had each just finished our annual events within two weeks of each other and the LAST thing we were up to doing was to start a show from scratch in a city four or six hours away!!! Milwaukee and Chicago own their own displays, as I understand it the Autorama fortunately owns theirs and will be setting it up and taking it down. The final concern was next year's event - we had no interest in that whatsoever, we have our hands full with our own gigs (no petty turf wars here). So we decided to attempt to help out, successful or not. No, we are not getting paid, and we don't view ourselves as "riding in on white horses" either. We hoped it would be low key with the focus on the artists, the artwork and having fun. We hope anyone choosing to attend will abide by the unwritten Milwaukee and Chicago rules: Check your egos at the door.

Obviously, I can't speak for the others on the committee but I felt it was important to keep our craft in the public eye at the most-prestigious car show in the country, that helps all of us whether attending or not. This year's event has become a reunion of sorts with many stripers who have been absent for a few years returning for what may be the last opportunity to visit and share. You see, for most of us it's NOT about the money, it never was.

 

Larry, thanks so much for adding your valuable insight and knowledge in a clear and consist manner and clearing up a few rumors as well.

Looking forward to seeing everyone next weekend... I've got some money saved for artwork that's buring a hole in my pocket!

 

Thanks Larry, I will see you at the show.

 

See Ya there jammin for a good cause at a great car show. Maintain AJ

 

Man, Larry really has a way with the written word! My hats off to him and may I bear witness to everything he said as, TRUE!

As one of the six "Founding Fathers" of the Chicago Brushmasters myself, brother Larry has given the artists everything anybody needs to know concerning our partcipation in this years "Motor City Auto Arts" charity panel jam.

Sam Radoff is ok with me. He's been a gentleman to me. There's alot to this and I'm going to let history and time judge his situation. Not me!

We need to continue our support of this very worthy event at the most prestigous custom carshow in the country, preserve our friendships, make new friends, do our charitable duty, create art if anything but, for art's sake and just plain have FUN together.

Keep an open mind and heart, everyone! I'll see you all in Cobo Hall....

Joel

 

Hi,
I am the bicycle guy traveling along running the custom bicycle shows. I really like Sam and what he always does. There is something there that has him not involved. I will miss not talking to his lovely wife and himself at the show. I have learned lots hanging arround these stripers over the last couple of years, and have some kool art wark too. I now carry my camera arround in a kool pinstriped 60s hushpuppy purse that I bought in Grand Rapids this year. Any way stop by and check out the bicycles this year in Detroit. There are 60 bikes in the show.
peace,
Bicycledon

 

By the way, When is Toronto Panel Jam, I have friends there and need the excuse to visit.
peace,
Bicycledon

 

Toronto is the week after Detroit.
http://www.performanceworldcarshow.com/index.php

 

I've been involved They Call it Detroit for the past 3 years with Sam and have seen it grow into an excellent event that like-minded artists enjoy attending. I know i do. It really has brought this art form (and that's what it is) into a new spot light with a higher profile and more magazine coverage. Many of the attending artist love the social atmosphere and seeing so many talented people converge for a weekend in cold Detroit to hang out and create some artwork for a worthy charity auction. For those who have been there, you all know that the talent level there is the best in the nation. I've loved everyone of the shows because it was done for all the right reasons and i think that is how a lot of other artists feel also.

Very few people attending these events really know the amount of work that goes into making a show like Detroit come to life. Working with Sam, he tirelessly did everything in his power to create a show that was successful not only for the artist but more so for the charity. With no budget except what he could get in donations, Sam has created this show almost single handedly from nothing each year. As an artist myself, i donated my time to Sam for the lone reason that he was so passionate about the cause and also about helping evolve this art form. I never got paid for anything but designed the posters, the website and most other associated materials that he needed. I think these items all turned out well and helped make the show what it is today.

None of that would have been done if Sam hadn't asked me to donate my time and help him with the event. He was upfront with the fact that there was little or no budget to do anything. Many artists would come from across the country, at their own cost, usually because Sam had personally called them up and asked them to join in.

What i'm getting at is that aside from the drama that has been recently unfolding, i really think that the amount of work that Sam has tirelessly put into this event should be recognized. I'm sure all of you who have met Sam know that he's got a heart of gold and wouldn't do anything to jepordize this event unless he felt strongly about it. I'm sure it hurt him the most to step away.

At the end of the day its about doing things for the right reasons. Sam will move on and undoubtly put this energy into another event at another time that will benefit another charity.

Until then, use your own judgement and keep striping!

j

 

I have tried 3 times to state my further opinion but this ragged ass message board keeps logging me off. Just passin along some needed info...Sam got screwed by the promoters.. they booted him because he would not drop rescue one in favor of leader dogs. the radio station gave larivee free air time in trade for using leader dogs as the charity. sounds like the big guys scratching each others backs while they dump on the little guy. larry says " it's not about the money, it never has been." yeah, for the artists and the public, most of us, it is not about the money. But for the promoters it is. sam did no wrong nor did rescue one. rescue one's "employees" take no pay, they are volunteers. leader dogs execs have 6 digit annual salaries. Sure they are a charity and they are so successful because they are also a business. If there was a artist union you would support sam as you would want the support of your fellow artist. I don't agree with the way the promoters dealt with the situation, but hey, it's business. So support as you would want to be supported I say. The panel jam has been a huge success due to all of Sams efforts to make it so. Now that it is successful and generating thousands, the promoters need to have their control of it. I am sure it will continue to be successful as long as there are artists to donate their free time to the corporate cause. There would be no panel jam without the artists. they will manipulate you as long as you let them! Maybe it should be about the artists. They could stand to benefit from the event more than anyone else. Crazy, they could benefit from the sales of their own work. That wouldn't generate much money for the promoters so that probably wouldn't work. Someone should mention it to them and see what their response is. Maybe they can change the name from"they call it detroit" to "they screwed detroit" It's too bad that Sam got booted. maybe he will organize a new panel jam in the future. You have my support, Sam, I know that you are up front with everything.

 

Did they boot him or did HE walk? Why was Sam (and others) so attached to Rescue One? It sounds like a great charity, but why dig in your heels a few weeks away from the show? Are you guys related to someone that works for Rescue One, or what?! I remember getting together at Letterhead and pinstriping meets just to get together, no charity at all! It sounds like there is more to the story.

 

Don't get mad at the message board just because you can't type fast. Type your message up in notepad and copy and paste it into the message board.

You've been a member here for barely a week and are already bitchin about what you're using for free... Not a great way to start. And before you start in on me, stop and think about it. Would you go into a stranger's garage and start slamming his car or the beer that he offered up? I doubt it.

I'm just trying to help you pal. You've said some things that really torqued me the wrong way, but I held back and said nothing.

 

I don't stripe but I love watching and bidding. I think the point is made in your question, "why dig your heels a few weeks away from the show?" Why would something you've worked on for this hard and this many years be so easy to change by the promoters when they don't have any input other than to push their show? Why would they allow WRIF (who USED to be the #1 station in Detroit and may still be but who CARES!!!) to push them around like that and not say "you can have Leader Dogs next year" out of respect for Sam and the group that started it all? It wasn't THEIR charity to start with, it was something the stripers did.

I'm glad that there will be striping going on this year but I am very disappointed in WRIF for using their muscle this way and I won't be making a big effort to go up there. The whole thing has gotten too corporate and maybe Sam should start it back up at another venue to get it back to what it was all about, volunteering to make a difference.

 

No doubt, seems like there always is.
But how many will ever know the whole story ?

 

I posted an O/T message of interest regarding this thread over on the HAMBstriper's social group. It keeps the drama off the main board. Nifty little tool.... thanks, Ryan!

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=107

I think it is a public forum, anyone can view the messages.