The Cure Entertainment Network is proud to present the First Annual I Am King of Cali Car & Bike show, July 19th at Hollywood Park Raceway & Casino in Inglewood, California, to benefit the United Care, Inc. Foster Family Agency and the West Los Angeles Fisher House.
The show is the brainchild of Johnny "BJ" King, CEO of The Cure Entertainment Network and builder of the 9/11 tribute car '63 Impala convertible, "My Heroes", featured in LRM, along with Lowrider Hall of Fame member Ted Wells of Old School Hydraulics and United Care, Inc. board of director's member Mitchell Preston.
The event will bring together scores of the top lowriders, hot rods, customs and motorcycles from throughout Southern California, and beyond. It will also feature a first-ever "hop for pinks," where the winner of the hop-off competition will be crowned The King of Cali-and take home the loser's car. A raffle for a full-custom Harley Davidson motorcycle will also take place and the bike will be awarded to one lucky person at the event. Entertainment, celebrity guests and vendors are also featured.
"We first came up with the idea of putting on the show to bring to light the work of United Care Group Homes and Foster Family Agency in Los Angeles that provides safety, permanency and well-being for at risk foster children placed in their care," BJ said. "They also try to reunite children with their birth families when appropriate or support services to facilitate adoption."
BJ first became aware of the West Los Angeles Fisher House, which provides housing for the family members of Veterans while they are undergoing long term care at the VA hospital, a few months after his new neighbor, 29-year-old Marine Staff Sergeant Octavio "Tavo" Sanchez moved in next door. Sanchez is the victim of a makeshift roadside bomb in Ramadi that cost him his right hand, the use of his left hand and resulted in third-degree burns over 70 percent of his face and body in July 2005.
"When Tavo moved in I was a little apprehensive about having a Latino family living next door to me, because of the problems that sometimes exist between Blacks and Latinos" BJ said. "But I quickly learned that Tavo and his family were wonderful people and 'O' as I call him, has become a good friend; he's the best neighbor you could ask for."
Then on the afternoon of February 6th this year, Tavo came home all dressed up and BJ asked him what was going on. "I told him I had just come back from giving the pledge of allegiance at the opening ceremonies of the West L.A. Fisher House, so he asked him to tell him more." BJ was immediately interested in partnering with the Fisher House and made the decision to have the show benefit both worthwhile organizations.
BJ drew even closer to Tavo when he learned that he had bought his brother's '62 Impala hardtop lowrider. "The car is pretty straight with a clean interior but it's not really up to lowrider par," BJ said. During recent discussions with LRM editor Joe Ray and publisher Rudy Rivas, it was decided that, with the help of Lowrider magazine, the Tavo's Impala would be redone and presented to him at the show as a small way for the lowrider community to say thank you to Tavo for the sacrifices he has made for his country.
For sponsorship, show or hop participation, vendor or other information contact Johnny "BJ" King, The Cure Entertainment Network, (310) 968-4052, IAmKingofCali@gmail.com.