Year End Rewind 2014 Edition

2014 was an amazing year. I made it to some of the best shows I’ve been to since I started shooting. I had ups and downs finding my own niche in the show scene and parting ways with CookieCutter Magazine, but I will continue to support them in everything they do. With it being the last day of the year, I’m going to rewind through show season 2014!

Jingle Bass (12-06-14) was cold, dreary, soggy, yet completely amazing for the sound competition world. The rain kept most show participants away but didn’t hamper Bass Wars in the least. The ladies learned why it’s important to always carry a hairbrush with you when loud systems are around.

Monster Bass (11-01-14) was another Tint Plus hosted show and did not disappoint. Everyone had a blast getting into the theme of things.

Darren Louch’s Cadillac and Lane Mattison’s Penny Truck

This was my first year making the drive out to WannaGoFast’s Half-Mile Shootout at Heaven’s Landing. (09-13-14) The host’s name is pretty telling on what the day was about. Fast cars being outrun by even faster cars. The vendor area was surrounded with an amazing array of show quality racing machines.

The fundraiser show for JDRF was another great show this year. There’s always a great spread of different vehicles from all different decades, makes, and models.

The annual Clarkesville Antique car show (08-17-14) was a scorcher this year, but with a tent full of friends, it made it worth it. I’ve enjoyed going to the show as a birthday celebration of sorts for 3 years now and as long as they host it, I’ll be there.

I wasn’t able to get any photos at the Bass Benefit Sound-off and show (07-19-14) as I was hosting. It was a first for me to be completely behind the scenes making sure it went off without a hitch. All proceeds went to a close friend’s dad who was having health problems and needed a little help getting back on his feet. I was very humbled to see how many people came to help out where they could. Whether it was entering the show and sound competition or buying raffle tickets. I’m extremely proud to call these folks my friends.
Another first for me this year was Summer Showdown (07-05-14) held in Byron, Georgia. It was great seeing some familiar faces from other shows and meeting new people. Also, seeing the debut of Drop Em Wear’s t-shirt cannon was about as epic as you can get.

There were several benefit shows throughout the year including the Danny Seymour benefit show (05-24-14) held by Billy Wheeler at Tint Plus. They went above and beyond to help raise as much funds as possible for Danny and his family.

Second year for me to attend Formula Drift Round 2. Best mother’s day gift ever! And with Vaughn Gittin, Jr. taking the win at Road Atlanta, it honestly couldn’t have gotten better.

The biggest show hosted by Tint Plus had to have been Spring Bling (05-03-14). There was a huge turn out, and what other show has a WEDDING??

I wasn’t the only one celebrating that we made it through Southeastern Minitruckin Nationals (04-27-14) without getting soaked to the bone. Here’s to 20 more years of an awesome show!

The biggest “first” for me this year was Layd Out at the Park (04-11-14). The park was packed with amazing vehicles of every sort and size. The giant slip-n-slide was a hit and more than a few gathered around the stage for the bikini contest.

The Cruisin’ For Paws (04-05-14) in Clayton, Georgia was another benefit show but for a different sort of cause. Rabun Paws 4 Life had people coming from all over the area to support our 4 legged friends. With tons of concessions, silent auction prizes, and a live band, it was definitely a success.

The Gathering (03-08-14) is the unofficial start to show season in this area. Unfortunately, a camera malfunction kept me from taking many photos. I am thankful that a great friend, who always has my back, helped me get the coverage I needed to make my editors happy. So instead of posting one of my own shots from the event, here’s one of my favorites that he took.

Photo Copyright owned by Josh Carpenter of About 2 Snap Custom Imaging

I’ve realized how special all my friends are. There are a few who are family to me, I can’t imagine life without them and I definitely wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t have them to catch me when I fall. To everyone who I’ve met this year, and those who have been there with me through it all, Happy New Year! See you at the shows!

Billy Wheeler and the Tint Plus Gang

For the past few years, I’ve traveled all over the Tri-State area going to various car shows. Everything from nationally known shows like Layd Out At The Park to smaller charity shows benefiting local animal shelters and food banks. I’ve had the privilege of hanging out with some amazing people and so many clubs that I’ve lost count. My favorite shows always hit close to home and I will do whatever it takes to make it to them. Billy Wheeler hosts some of the most laid back shows that have been my favorites since the first time I made it out to Monster Bass in 2012. There’s never a dull moment at the shows. Everything from 4-way tug-o-war to toilet paper relays to sunburn contests keep everyone entertained. As fun as the shows are, the reason I keep going back is the host, himself. Billy and his wife support the local businesses any chance they can. It’s always a family event no matter who you are, what you drive, or what club you’re in. Recently, Tint Plus held a benefit show for their long time friend, Danny Seymour, who is battling throat cancer. Words cannot express how moving it was when everything was tallied for the final amount raised. This past week, they lost a member of their car family and have gone into protect mode to take care of the final costs for the family. A funeral fund was set up at a local bank and they have set the goal at $3000. in just a few days, they’ve managed to make it halfway to their goal. The way that Billy Wheeler and his Tint Plus family have stepped up to help those around them in their time of need makes such a huge impact on the car world. Faith that there is someone looking out for you and the ones you love is a comforting thing and there’s no one better than Billy and his “family”. 

For information on how you can help with the Tint Plus Funeral Fund, you can contact the Palmetto Bank of Anderson, South Carolina or go by Tint Plus in Sandy Springs, South Carolina. They are having a car wash to raise donations for the funeral fund today (June 3rd) so if you are in the Anderson area, make sure and swing by to get your car washed or make a donation!