Check out the newest issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated in stores now! Therein turn to page 71 will you see my photo of Ricky Steamboat Jr! Yes, they spelled my last name wrong, but big deal. And if I’m not mistaken, this is the first photo (of many to come I’m sure) of Ricky Jr in PWI in a pro-wrestler capacity!
Be sure to check out our friends, Kirby & TJ, the Mack Brothers on Nsider Select Radio at 8pm Tuesday, 30 December. It will be a live interview with caller Q&A.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nsiderselectradio
Call in at: 646.478.0192
Check out the photo used on the main page of the Mid-Atlantic Gateway…
As I start this it is 10.20 pm on Sunday, 7 December. I am listening to Christmas music on the Sirius player. I am surrounded by bills that are going out in the post tomorrow, a copy of “Mommie Dearest” by Christine Crawford, “Hanover to Windsor” by Roger Fulford, pens, my crystal shamrock from Waterford Crystal, Jabba the Hutt toys and my pride and joy – my magical camera.
I put the camera through its paces this weekend. I wrapped up my Highspots commission for Ric Flair in Greensboro and Charlotte. It truly was a memorable way to wrap up 2008. I am incredibly lucky to have had six opportunities to be in the presence of the “Nature Boy.” Thanks again to Greg Price from the NWA Legends Fanfest and Mike Bochicchio from Highspots for allowing me to be a part of it. Plus – Hulk Hogan. I never thought I would get a chance to shoot him. Also, I was a part of history – Reid Flair’s debut match, teaming with his brother David with father Ric in their corner taking on The Nasty Boys with Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart. Awesome stuff for little ol’ me.
There were ten of us at ringside last night (well 10 that were cleared to be there). A two-person camera crew shooting footage of the Flair reality show, one man filming for the DVD, Hart, Flair, and five (including myself) photographers. It went smoothly though, no “photographer fights.”
The lady working the concession stand at the high school Saturday night had really long fingernails, she has been growing them for over a year. Just thought I would throw that in, I was fascinated at them.
Got to see a lot of familiar faces, old & new friends. Johnny Fairplay was in the crowd. David Ragan, driver of the No. 6 AAA Roush Fenway Racing Ford (yes, I know how to announce a NASCAR driver) stopped in, The Italian Stallion (now with shaved head and a goatee), Bonnie Steamboat, the Flair family – all in attendance.
Early Saturday before the show, I stopped in to check out the new NWA Charlotte arena right off Interstate 85. Great looking facility. The staff of NWA Charlotte are really planning a great debut show, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it. Lots of room in the new building, with planned production facilities, merchandise and concession areas.
-Great seeing the Midnight Express of Lane and Eaton together. This was the first time in 18 years they had teamed. Lane still had the “snake!”
-Flair was presented the key to the city of Greensboro on Friday night.
-Apologies to the guys whose matches I missed on both nights, especially Caleb Konley and Joey Silvia-I heard they had a great match Saturday.
-Mike Lee: the hardest working photo printing man I’ve ever seen!
-My brother Brett did a great job handling the announcing duties on Saturday’s historic show…I’m sure there are other “indy” announcers who would have killed for that.
-Yes, the Mid-Atlantic Mafia was represented at the show, preparing detailed reports for the Boss.
-Good to see my fellow photogs, Matt Roberts and Christine Coons at ringside.
-Brian Knobbs could tell that I am “fat and happy too!”
-I have moved all of my photos off the memory cards and will start getting them up tomorrow.
From the Wrestling Observer www.f4wonline.com:
“WWE has banned all still photographers from ringside ever since going to HD. This affects mostly Weekly Pro Wrestling, the last surviving Japanese wrestling magazine, and George Napolitano’s stuff in the U.S. Kappa Publishing magazines.”
Read this today and thought it befitting:
From 10 Questions with Annie Liebovitz, page 8 of Time Magazine, 8 December 2008.
Q: What can’t be captured in a photograph?
A: A photograph is just a little, teeny-weeny, small piece of life. I feel like I see so much more than what I can actually get. I believe strongly in the power of still photograph; it can say so much, but it really is just a small piece of what actually is going on.
