What do you get when you take four lowrider legends, place some jewelry on them, along with plaque awards at a dance floor podium, drop down a spotlight, mix in a crowd of 400 friends and car club supporters, and throw in an excellent dinner, along with music and a dance celebration? You get the experience of the annual Lowrider Hall of Fame banquet/awards dinner.
It was a great honor to be present at the most recent Hall of Fame banquet and witness the gratitude that was portrayed for the accomplishments and sacrifices of the 2007 crop of inductees. Jesse Valadez of Imperials Car Club received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Joey Abeyta of Groupe C.C. was recognized with a special Memorial Award that was accepted by his brother Chris, Ted Wells of the Professionals C.C. received the Craftsmanship Award, and Ricardo Alvarado of Oldies accepted the Leadership Award. The memories that each of these great individuals have made upon us, as well as their impact on lowriding, will live on forever. Take a trip through the pages of our special March issue and experience it for yourself!
On our cover this month is Sean Rosser's "Voodoo Lounge." This '68 Cadillac Coupe DeVille represents a very different body style that's entering the lowrider game. These '60s body-style Caddies are popping up all over the place, including Kentucky, where Sean hails from. Try not to let his teal blue/green beauty put too deep of a spell on you!
We also cover the annual SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center-the automotive aftermarket super-store. It takes three days to walk the entire show. The latest in custom car trends, appearance, performance, technology and accessories are all in one building. If you couldn't be there in person, Saul Vargas' report is the next best thing. Check it out!
There are now 10 of us inducted into the Lowrider Hall Of Fame, and we must give thanks and praise to "Texas Ed" Zamarron and Richard Ochoa, the LHoF Executive Committee members, for their hard work and the endless time that they dedicate to our cultural automotive sport. And let's not forget the "keeper of the castle," who three years ago established the Hall in order to recognize those individuals who helped lowriding become the most recognized motorsport in the world. I heard that it might be some anonymous Associate Publisher.
Look out for our Armed Forces Special issue coming out this summer.
Soldier'sLetterHey, how you doin', Mr. Joe Ray? My name is SGT Brian Cornwell. I'm 33 years old and have been reading Lowrider Magazine since I was a young punk kid. I changed my life when I joined the U.S. Army. I'm from Phoenix, Arizona, born and raised, but now I live in Salt Lake City, Utah. I'm currently serving in Iraq at a base called Q-West, which is in northern Iraq. I'm always on the road running convoys and here are some pictures of my "lowrider." Hey, thanks for Lowrider Magazine. If you could give a shout-out to all of the United States from "Big Daddy" Cornwell. Peace and I'll be home in a minute. | |