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January 26th 2008

Linda & I arrived at our usual time, today Mike, N4HHA and Kristen followed us out in the daily driver. Gary was at the gate, setting in the rain but he still had that great smile on his face, you know the one, just what has he been up to? Bratt was at her regular spot to register the Cruisers, she didn't remember "Elvira" our '60 Ranchero that we brought out today. Roger & company were at the bottom of block 3 as they always are. Mike opened the gate for us to cross Florida Plaza and we parked in our favorite spot. Kristen was on the Block 4 side at that gate. The rain started up again after a brief pause. Linda & I made our way to the top blocks of "Trophy Row" many of the "Die Hards" were parked in their favorite spots. John & Teri were out in their Mustang. Russ & Phyllis had their Chevelle near it. Setting near Bob, who had his '41 Buick out was Tony & Marianne! Only 5 weeks since he had the by-pass and there he was, looking good and with friends. They didn't have the "Black Beauty", their '71 Monte Carlo SS out because he isn't ready to clean her up after a rain but I bet we see him out in it very soon! Ralph & Shirley were under the steps along with Bert & 'Ernie", Pep & Nancy and Lynn, ready for tonight's show. We ran into Allan, his Mother Joyce, her husband John, just in this week from Arkansas and "Uncle Bob" by the "Tropical Breeze". Darrell had his Galaxie just where he likes it. Near the top of Block 1 there was that great '54 Mercury pickup, I erroneously reported that he, Bill was a "Snowbird" he isn't. Now the '53 Ford that belongs to the other Bill wasn't out today. Gary & Helene had their '66 Galaxie at the top of Block 1, His cousin Tom & Lynne were in town from PA, he has a couple of cars he cruises up there. Emil still had the big grin on his face and was out in his '48 Ford.

Now usually I give the report on who else we came across on our walks up and down "Trophy Row" but this report will center on the great entertainment that Old Town gave us today. Yes, Graham, G4HFG from Oldham England checked in on the radio and Tony, K4AVD from Wisconsin did as well. The Villages Vintage Car Club had a bunch of cars on the "Bricks" including Dave, W4WNG in a 1967 427 powered Chevy II. There was also a '59 Ford Country Squire Station wagon a great 40's Lincoln just to name a few.

Tonight Linda & I would go up to the stage and take in the entertainment. Allan had been pushing for an "Elvis Weekend" for many years and tonight it would be the start of the first one. Dwight Icenhower was on stage with his "A Tribute to The King" show complete with band. We got there for the "Sound Checks" and had a chance for a few photos of him by a pink caddy and with Old Town Staff. You could feel the excitement in the air so we had to stay and watch his first set. This of course would be the '50's Elvis in the Pink sports coat era. I'm not saying he was in Pink but you know what I mean. This Sea of people crowded the stage just like it was the "King" that was up there. It was really hard to tell when the recorded "Elvis" music ended and Dwight started to perform. Tonight the live music could also be heard on all of the "Old Town Radio" speakers. He captivated the crowd, teenagers of all ages, I mean from toddler to 80. This guy was a dynamo. Linda & I would go back down to our car between the first and second set.

Mark, from Parrish was on the streets by now as well as Nick & Fran. "Big Jim" had ridden out with Jeff & Dan Z in the Edsel. They didn't want to miss this show. Doug & Trish were out in the new '68 Camaro, the GTO has been traded for the '68 Bronco they used to own and this Camaro. We hurried back to see the '60's tribute, Dwight was wearing the leather outfit and the crowd had grown even though the rain came down a little harder. Dwight would "Work the audience" in such a manner that you may have thought Elvis was truly in town. This set ended in time for the "Cruise Staff" to get the cars lined up.

Sarah stopped by with the "Flag Winners" just after 8:20 while she was escorting The Villages Vintage Car Club cars off the Bricks. The rain was falling a bit harder now, hardly any of the 160 registered cars left. Mark Inwood in his '56 Chevrolet 210, January's "Cruiser of the Month" was led to block 4  that becomes the staging area at this time, by Bratt, Gary, Dave & Lee. Allan had been so busy with the great mix of music all day long and the "Tribute to the King" show and the V.I.P.s that were attending it. Anyway he was at the controls of the "Blue Room" got word that we were ready to Cruise, he gave the safety announcements, played the National Anthem, "Wolfman Jack" proclaimed, "It's the Saturday Nite Cruise", right on time, for this the 918th running of this tradition. Bratt & Lee escorted the  '56 Chevy driven by Mark, followed by the rest of the 160 cars, rolled up the bricks of "Deac Hundley Avenue", in a "NO WAKE ZONE". delighting a large crowd of spectators, despite the Rainy Weather on both sides of the Avenue, "Rain or Shine" every Saturday night of the year, there is nothing quite like it for the "Cruisers" and it is always a treat for those watching it from the sidewalks and boulevards.

Thank you Old Town for letting us, the curators of this "Rolling Display of Automotive History", the cars that are the "Stars", to be their guests this evening. Thank you to the Old Town Merchants Association and the Sponsors of this event, "Valvoline", the "General Store", the "A&W", "Tags With Class", "Wound and Around", Pepsi, Roberts Brothers, Race Depot & "Flippers" just to name a few. Thank you to, Joe, Ron, Lee, Bratt, Gary, Dave, Nikki and the entire Cruise Staff and fellow Cruisers for making this our 270th consecutive Saturday a fun and safe one. Get Well, Mike Singer, we all miss you!

Because we won a flag and the fact that we wanted to come back and see Dwight Icenhower's last set we made our way back to the stage for part 2 of today's event. It would also be the last set of today's "Part one of the Elvis Weekend", at Old Town. Confused? I thought so. Part two, Sunday, shake, rattle, & roll, with amateur Elvis Impersonators, a "You’re Nothing But A Hound Dog", dress your dog like Elvis contest, and a Cadillac car cruise. Lots of good entertainment! Anyway after the drawings were made and the 50/50 was awarded to the lucky ticket holder.

The "70's" White Jumpsuit wearing version of the "King" extremely well represented by Dwight made his way to the stage, of course he was escorted by the Old Town version of the "Memphis Mafia". You guessed it, Gary & Dave. This performance had hundreds of people standing in the rain, cheering, laughing, crying and having a fantastic time with this young man on stage. I have not been a big fan of Elvis, however I enjoyed his work, his energy and the way he could hold an audience. There was a time that I even worked as a road manager for an Elvis Entertainment act here in Central Florida, "Ron Santulli's A Tribute to Elvis". In fact Ron performed on the old stage nearly 20 years ago right here at Old Town along with many engagements at "Wolfman Jack's" that used to be at the front of Old Town. Ron was good at holding his audience. So I am very familiar with the the "King's" music, movies and anything the we could research to pay the homage that we were trying to convey. After tonight I must admit, I am a fan of Dwight Icenhower, his arrangements of the "King's" music fit his style, and voice and transported the audience to a time long before his birth. His energy on stage is only second to Elvis' and maybe even in some cases excelled the "King" himself. As Linda and I enjoyed his performance we enjoyed watching the crowd respond to him. Dwight held us all "Right There". He was extremely cordial to all that came to the table that was set up on stage after the last set and he must have been very tired after such a performance, he then signed autographs, graciously posed for photo opportunities with all that had cameras and visited with all that wanted to wish him well. He was still there when we headed for home at 11:15. Let's not forget the band. Miles, Mike, Shane, Ted, Josh and the "Scarf master", Bill. Great Show.

Linda got the best quote tonight, from Joyce, Allan's mother. She flew in for this concert, well to visit the family she said but we all know she is like one of the biggest Elvis fans out there, next to our own Laverne, aka "Ernie".  "Dwight is the best Elvis entertainer I have ever seen. The Sound, Looks and his Moves and I have seen the King in concert. This trip was worth it!" Allan I know she came to see you and the kids, really.

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