The debut LP by the MeanStreet Riders is due out this summer and I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy to listen to and review.
The MeanStreet Riders are a group of musicians that also love to ride. The members of the band are Shannon Wallace, Dowlin Mayfield, Eric Lampley, Greg Torres, Kevin LaCour, and Fritz Froeschner. They decided to form their band in 2008 when they were riding Highway 129 "Deals Gap" aka "The Dragon". The song "129" tells about leaving a love behind and riding the "129". It's definately a song that any rider out there can relate to. When we saddle up and roll down the highway, hopefully we can leave all the bad stuff behind for a brief time.
The MeanSreet Riders sound alot like the Eagles. I also heard a little Molly Hatchet influence and there was a bluesy Allman Brothers feel too. I would recommend this CD as a travel enhancement for your next ride since the songs are very motorcycle and riding related. It would also be a great cd to add into your next party music rotation. After listening to the cd multiple times I found myself singing along. The song "High on the Hog" is very catchy and it's how I feel every time I ride Sadie. I really feel like I don't need anything else while I'm rolling down those back roads and I truly feel "High on the Hog". The MeanStreet Riders put their love of motorcycles and the open road to music. Their CD will bring out your own memories of past rides and rallies. It will remind you of people that you met along the way and the ones that have influenced your life. It will create excitement in your soul and it will make you feel excitement for your next great ride!
I wish The MeanStreet Riders great success with their new LP. Music and Motorcycles, a combination that sings to your soul. I really love their motto - Remember Life’s too short for traffic so Rock N Roll on the open Road!! I also like that they stand for FREEDOM and our Freedom as Riders!
Visit The MeanStreet Riderswebsite where you can listen to clips of their CD for yourself. The First 10,000 visitors that sign up on their site receive a private screening of their Rockementary.
Iron Cowgirl Missy is an amazing Windsister! This cancer survivor and survivor of a broken soul is determined to deal with whatever life throws her way. She started chasing her dreams while growing up on a farm outside of Monroe, MI. Today home is Jackson, MI where she lives with her children. My interview with Missy has only scratched the surface of this amazing woman. I hope that after you have read about her here, you take the time to visit her websites and listen to her music. What a soul this woman has. She’s an inspiration to me because even with what life threw her way she never gave up and she continues Chasing Her Dreams!
Was there something specific that drew you into the motorcycle lifestyle? Yes, my mother making me ride on back.(laugh). Love of the freedom of the open road, and the people who also lead a biker lifestyle. So real, so down to earth.
How long have you been riding? 30 years. For my eighth birthday, my mother bought me a Honda-50.
Does your current motorcycle have a name? "Mr. Bones" (2008 H-D Deluxe)
What is it about Bikers that you like because you seem to gravitate to playing a lot of biker events? I am one (laugh) I am part of a true family, and proud to be accepted for who I am. I love to ride, and other bikers can relate to the songs, the stories, my music of real life situations, over coming life challenges, and the therapy of the open road. If you have read my story, Iron Cowgirl Missy, Who is She, you'll see that after riding around the country for 15,000 miles, I ended up in Sturgis, SD., for the Annual Black Hills Rally. I found peace, surrounded by so many people who were enjoying life, having fun with strangers and not one bit judgmental of anyone.
Where is the best place in the country to ride? Oh I don't know, our Country is so beautiful it's hard to say. My home state of Michigan is beautiful riding, especially the Upper Peninsula. The Smoky Mountains are beautiful in Tennessee, and the Black Hills of Sturgis, SD. offer a lot to see as well. So many places to ride, I can't pick a 'best' place. As long as I'm riding it's all good (smile)
What is your favorite Rally? I enjoy Sturgis Bike Week, Black Hills Bike Rally in Sturgis, SD., for the fact that it is the largest rally in the world, and so many people and friends from all over the world attend.
What is the craziest thing that has ever happened to you on the road? Tried to out run a tornado in Chicago.
Do you feel that women are finally breaking the glass ceiling in the motorcycle world? I have never witnessed a glass ceiling, I grew up with women riding so I just assumed that those who didn't ride, chose not to.
Do you feel like Men take you seriously when it comes to your love and passion for the motorcycle lifestyle? Men that ride, Yes of course, because we relate to the motorcycle lifestyle because I live it.
Do you feel you are a role model for the women of the motorcycle community? I'm just country girl who loves to ride motorcycles and play music. If you find something that you love to do, then pursue it with all your heart. I'm a good mother, I take care of my family and home, I work very hard, I believe in Karma, and I pay it forward when I can.
Do you have any advice for girls and women if they are thinking about moving to the front of the motorcycle? Yep, go take a class, and if you have a friend that rides, maybe get some good pointers. And… "Ride On Sista" .
If you made it to the Sturgis rally last year and hung out at the Legendary Buffalo Chip you may have had the chance to hear Missy and her band Iron Cowgirl.
What role does music play in your life? Aside from being a mother to my children, music is my life.
You are a celebrity in the motorcycle world. Were you discovered like an actress would be or did you just put yourself out there and immediately begin sharing your passion with the world? (Laugh) Maybe not a celebrity, just a chick who loves to ride and play music. I'm chasing my dreams and there are many out there who can relate to my story and the freedom of the open road. I just put myself out there by sharing my music, which comes so deep from my soul.
When did you know you wanted to be a singer/songwriter? When I was a teenager, I would record myself singing Kansas, Dust in the wind, and to the poems I would write. A boom box, a tape and rewind.(laugh)
Where was the first venue that you played? The first venue I played was Waterloo Horseman's Campground as a child with a wash tub bass.---The First PAYING gig was Duffy's Tavern in Jackson, Michigan.
Did you sing your own songs at first or did you do covers or both? Both.
Where will you be appearing in 2011? So far we have announced three shows. May 10th in Hot Springs, Va. at WCHG 107.1 radio station for interview and performance. August 5-14th at The Legendary Buffalo Chip in Sturgis, SD., for their 30th Anniversary and the 71st Annual Black Hills Bike Rally . September 16 & 17 in Nacogdoches, Texas for The OTT Bike RALLY ("Oldest Town in Texas")
What would you describe your musical style as? I would consider it to be Southern Rock/Rock/Lazy Blues.
What instruments do you play? Grew up playing a wash tub bass, then moved to the guitar, and a little piano
If someone wants to listen to your music again and again do you have a CD they can purchase and where would they go to do that? Currently, we are working on our album, which will be released very soon. For now, if someone would like to listen to our music, then they can go to our website where a music player has some of our demo songs.
Who are your musical influences and why? Gosh, this is a tough one, because my music was influenced by a broken heart. I'd have to say, for male & female, Susan Tedeschi & Bob Seger, and so many more, gosh, I love all music.
Is there anyone in particular that you would love to jam with or maybe you have already...if so who was it? I would love to jam with Susan Tedeschi or Bob Seger. I had the privilege of jamming with the Doobie Brothers last year in Sturgis, SD., at the Legendary Buffalo Chip and their energy is amazing.
When you are not riding, traveling to rallies and events, or promoting your music what do you like to do? Cook, clean and do homework with the kids.(Laugh)(smile) I ride a Tennessee Walker (horse), and enjoy camping with him, seeing all my horse friends, playing around a campfire and being out in the woods on a trail somewhere. I've ridden my horse across the State of Michigan four times, and belong to the MTRA Michigan Trail Rider Association. I like to have family time, go to the movies, take care of my home, shooting trap, 4-wheeling, hunting, and the list could go on and on.(laugh)
Is there a motto that you live by? "It is what it is" & "Life Is Good".
In 2012 Missy will be participating in Freedom Ride. Missy and Iron Cowgirl will be touring the United States, her on her bike and her band following in their bus. They are planning on playing in 38 States. Check out Freedom Ride 2012 for more details.
I have to say that Missy has inspired me to continue chasing my dreams and I hope she has added some inspiration to your life too!
One of the reasons I love Facebook so much is all the new things I've discovered. I ran across Charlie Brechtel and his Bikers Inner Circle Internet Show. He's got everything on this site; music, biker babes,and great interviews with people associated with the culture. There are also great articles about anything from the great barn find to what Billy Lane is doing in prison. It's a one stop shop filled with biker culture.
I would say the section of the site that I enjoyed most are all the live interviews. I love learning new things about the biker world and it's great seeing interviews with people that I admire so much. I encourage you to check out Bikers Inner Circle to watch the many videos that Charlie and his crew have posted.
If you've been around the rallies I'm sure you've probably seen and heard the Charlie Brechtel Band. If not check them out. Great tunes related to the culture that we all love so much!
This morning on my way to work the very first song I hear is Talk Dirty to Me by Poison! I was teleported back to the first time I ever heard that song and I was instantly jamming in my car.
The next song that comes on the radio is Skynyrd...Sweet Home Alabama! I'm in heaven I tell ya!!!
And the final stretch of my trip I got a little Nickelback and the song Something in Your Mouth.
Thank you Mr. DJ for making my drive to work so great! I didn't have any road rage on this trip because I was too busy singing! :)
I ran across Sasha Mullins’ bookBikerlady Living and Riding Freea few years ago when I was looking on Amazon for books on Motorcycle Clubs. I ordered the book and have thought she was a Kindred Spirit of mine ever since. I have followed her Blog,Down the Road a Peace, and finally got to meet her last year at the Broken Spoke. Sasha is a free spirit like no other person I’ve ever met. She has such an incredible passion for the motorcycle life and opens herself up freely to share it with all that want to take it in. She is a true Chrome Cowgirl! Recently she took some time to do this interview. I hope you enjoy learning more about this incredible woman!
Was there something specific that drew you into the motorcycle lifestyle? >>>Independence. Motorcycles are dream catchers. The motorcycle proves to be the perfect fertile ground for the creative spirit.
How long have you been riding? >>>Ten years.
Have you always ridin Tigerlily? >>>Yes, Tigerlily is my first and only bike. If I could afford it, I would have many bikes in my collection.
Do you think that Tigerlily will always be the motorcycle you ride or do you ever think of purchasing something new? >>>Like I said, I would have many bikes if I could afford it. The new bike I would purchase would be something I could design using the select parts that suit my personality. You are a celebrity in the motorcycle world. Were you discovered like an actress would be or did you just put yourself out there and immediately begin sharing your passion with the world? >>>I was just doing my thing as a budding motorcycle journalist/photographer and ended up with a big fan base. Then I did the Discovery Channel show and all the other shows and that's how it all started. My passion for the lifestyle and art run extremely deep. There is motor oil in my veins. I want to inspire women and men everywhere to saddle up and live the life they always wanted to live no matter how impossible it may seem.
How many documentaries have you done and do you have a favorite? >>>I'm up to eight documentaries but people keep telling me they see me on this DVD that show and I don't even remember. My favorite is all of them because I'm so honored to have the opportunity. I'm working on my own art flick right now which is a women in motorcycles documentary that is extremely artistic and will have some unusually cool elements to it, mixing art mediums, and including a killer soundtrack.
Is there a motto that you live by? >>>S'mile.
What processes do you go through when you decide to write a book? Do you use certain things as inspiration? >>>My motorcycle and the open road is my inspiration for everything. The process for writing a book starts with a concept, then an outline....then, if I can do so, I stick to that outline. Has God always been present in your life? >>>God is present in everybody's life. Sometimes in the chaos it's hard to hear or see the signs. There are always road signs everywhere, daily, that need to be heeded. Right now, I'm facing off with God...I've got questions and I need answers. I need directions. It's a come to Jesus sort of moment, if you will. All of us need this face time.
When you are not riding, traveling to rallies and events, or promoting your books and music what do you like to do? >>>Well, I'm usually creating something and I'm an arts and crafts junkie. I love to make things. I love to draw and paint. I love to sew and make clothes. I go yardsaling usually in my big goofy Dodge b250 Cargo Van; affectionately named Vantastic...she's my other baby. I'm a Van girl, too. Right now my goal is to find a couple of awesome volunteer opportunities and apply my energies towards helping people and animals. I also love being a budding filmmaker.
What role does music play in your life? >>>Music is huge in my life. It's as huge as motorcycle riding is. I dream music notes. I sing all the time when I ride. Songs come to me on the wide open road. I do a bunch of composing on the road. I bring a recorder and compose the melodies and lyrics at truck stops, while camping... My Chrome Charming, Patrick is a motorcycle rider and professional musician. He plays bass and produces. We write and produce together all the time here in our home studio in Nashville. The goal is to get my beloved music project Sasha & Motoroadeo MMC out to the world. It's quite a show indeed. It's all free wheelin' road music, and includes DJing, Vjing, dance numbers, and bad ass musicians who live to ride motorcycles and hot rod cars, too. My first single is Ridelicious. It is available for sale at digital outlets everywhere (I-Tunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, etc) and I'm doing the club remix for that song as my alter-ego DJ Motorella. The debut album will be released sometime this spring. It's been a long time in the making. I tease people and say, maybe I'll be a ten year overnight success!
Do you have any new projects ahead? >>> The projects ahead are my art film, my album debut, and my fiction book.
Where is the best place in the country to ride? >>>My favorite place to ride is out West.
What is your favorite Rally? >>>My favorite rally is Sturgis. That's a homecoming experience to me. I love the spirituality of Bear Butte and the Black Hills. It's a spiritual vortex out there. The wide open prairies and the Badlands call to me all the time. I've met some of the best friends in my world during my journeys to Sturgis. I love riding there every year. It's a special pilgrimage for me.
Do you have any mentors or people that inspire you and if so who and why? >>>There are many inspirations and in no particular order: Cris Sommer Simmons for her in-depth representation of the female rider spirit and her love affair, too, with motorart and how she always encourages others; Becky Brown for creating the definition of a strong sisterhood; Effie Hotchkiss for just doing it and getting on her Harley and riding cross country when there were no roads...she's a trail blazer; Pepper Massey for her leadership and passion for innovation on our motorcycle industry; Betsy Huelskamp for representing truth in the culture and the essence of the rider Goddess spirit set free in the wind; Michael Lichter for his extreme ability to tell stories through his lense; Sara Liberte for her extreme ability to create art concepts and blend mediums based upon her passion for motorcycles and interpretation of motorcycles as art; Samantha Morgan for that beaming smile of truth and magical enthusiasm for riding motorcycles as if it were a unicorn flying in the air, that was so infectious RIP; St. Teresea of Liseux for her interpretation of being the Little Flower and her perspective on the tininess of ourselves, Dena and Connor Sheets for their example of hospitality and being true windbrothers and windsisters;Pat Lassiter, my beloved, for his constant generosity and genuine ability to encourage others to be the best and how he lifts up the hearts of all he comes in contact with, and for his ageless attitude; my Daddy Poppi for sacrificing his love of art and passion for travel so that he can take care of his family...he considered me as his wild child; Cher for her agelessness and for being true to her craft and for keepin on keepin on no matter what; Ann Wilson for her stellar and unique interpretation of song; the Rolling Thunder vets and chapters for their persistence and strong messaging to love, protect, honor and remember those who fight and have fought for our freedom; women who have sacrificed so much including their very lives for women's rights and freedom; Jesus for walking a mile in everybody's shoes and gifting us with compassion and providing gentle insight into how deep the soul river runs within us all...there is a tap we all have access to where we can be creative geniuses and experience a life greater than we can ever know and it starts with simply being true to ourselves and our gifts...and to accept the fact that we are spirit having a human experience so we need to go through the movements of life like a symphony. Anne Deli, for her leadership in the motorcycle industry and generous heart, and Keith "Bandit" Ball - is one of my greatest mentors...he believed in me when I was just a little budding journalist...from that spark of encouragement I kept on going....to this day he always encourages me! If you could change anything about yourself what would it be? >>>I'm always changing. I'm always trying to be a better soul and a better human.
What is the craziest thing that has ever happened to you on the road? >>>There are so many. I flagged down a rich dude hauling his fancy bike and siphoned gas out of the fancy tank because I ran out of gas.
Do you feel that women are finally breaking the glass ceiling in the motorcycle world? >>>Yes, I feel that we are breaking the glass ceiling, but we need to unite, us females in the motorcycle industry. I believe there is way too much "ownership" of the idea of being a female rider, a female industry pro -- meaning there is too much judgment about how a female rider ought to be, what's the right definition and all this other stuff. It's too cliquish. We need to unite as more of a sisterhood and support one another's efforts and passion for riding. Leave no female rider with heart and soul for the industry and culture behind to fend for herself. Everybody has a gift to bring to the table. And it the lady entering the industry/lifestyle is all about truth and not trying to use the culture as an opportunity to get ahead such as the artists and actors that claim they are bikers, throw their leg over a Harley, make celebrity appearances as representatives of the culture, shakily ride a few miles, wear the sponsored cool clothes, talk the talk and then the next thing you know you never see them again...that ain't right. It's all kinds of phooey and phony and robs the opportunity of a real female rider with an art passion in those areas. That is another form of glass ceiling for those who don't have the big representation...any form of suppression is a glass ceiling because you're watching others up above climbing the ladder of success having missed all the due paying and miles ridden to achieve their dreams. Or because they have a certain status, financial resource, or simply gender. Do you feel like Men take you seriously when it comes to your love and passion for the motorcycle lifestyle? >>>Oh yes, most times men take women very seriously regarding their love and passion for the motorcycle lifestyle...I should say men who are true bikers/racers in the lifestyle. The poseur crowd sometimes will huff and puff stinky words like, a girl can't handle riding a motorcycle... I was filming a spec project once (which meant I was doing this for nearly nothing but the passion I had in my heart, and to help someone realize their dreams) and rode off the set when the director who claimed to be a biker and acted like a disrespectful jerk the whole time, rolled his eyes and sighed "girls" and shook his head and smirked referring to me trying to paddle walk my bike backwards over a huge concrete water block and then up a small hill onto the road ... I had asked him for a push to get myself over that hump and up onto the street. He didn't play well with others...
In your latest book you touched on health and fitness. What do you do to stay looking so beautiful? >>>That's a sweet compliment. How do I stay beautiful? Well, I should pray more firstly. And not get anxious. Okay, let's see, lots of face cream. Try to eat as healthy as possible, Cardio to expand the breath and doing fun things like jump roping and hula hooping. NO big fitness routine with all this labor involved. Separate yourself from energy draining people and liars. Establish boundaries. Turn a frown upside down as much as possible. Never suppress your feelings...be sure to go through the motions of emotions in a safe, private and nourishing manner. Life is a symphony of movement at all time...Don't stop and give up. Course correct if you must. I was very disappointed that you were not selected Miss Sturgis 2008 because you are a true Chrome Cowgirl and your passion for the life is so genuine. What did you learn from the Miss Sturgis experience? >>>I learned that it was a waste of time.
Do you feel you are a role model for the women of the motorcycle community? >>>Yes. And I didn't intend to be. But now that I am, this role is so important and is my life passion. I need to encourage other gals to ride and follow their heart's desires...I'm honored that this concept could be tied into God's purpose for me on this earth and S/he's using the "vehicle" of a two wheeled freedom machine in order to do so. Righteous. I want all girls who ride or passenger to know, you are all role or "roll" models. You are, too, Stephanie.
Do you have any advice for girls and women if they are thinking about moving to the front of the motorcycle? >>>Move to the driver's seat if it is something you truly desire in your heart. Go buy the DVD Ride like a pro, get the book Proficient Motorcycling. Get my book Chrome Cowgirl to get the insight on the joy of riding. Take the rider safety course in your area. Respect the machine. Find a bike that you feel is your riding style, Sport or cruiser. Go sit on a bunch of bikes at dealerships. Ask questions about what kind of bike is best. I immediately wanted a Harley-D and I could afford a Sportster. So I bought a new Sportster as my first bike because I wanted a bike that would be my own without anybody else's energy attached to it. And I'm a little thing at 5'2" And my training ground was NYC so it was a very hairy experience. But I did it...I prayed really hard. Had a great motorcycle safety instructor to teach me and I took extra lessons past my rider's Ed class that I passed and got my license, but I still went for extra classes. Then I practiced riding on my own. Keep on learning because there is so much to learn. I would also suggest joining an organized motorcycle group, like HOG, or maybe Women in the Wind, the Motor Maids, Women on Wheels, Leather and Lace, or another local group of riders. I would also tell them, to know that they can do anything they put their hearts into....if they want to ride, they will ride and do very well at it. Bessie Stringfield the legendary female rider speaks about how she learned to ride in prayer...she wanted to ride so bad (and this is back in the late '20s) that she prayed to Jesus to teach her...
If someone would like to purchase your books, music, and Chrome Cowgirl merchandise where do they findit? >>> Go to http://www.bikerlady.com/ and there are links to the places to go to purchase things. And I'm super honored when someone buys my art and merch. My friends are doing a small investment into my merch line so I'll have a few new pieces of merch soon. I can't wait!
Do you have a favorite swear word? >>>Yep. Fu*k. Because it's so powerful and sums up the power of your feelings. But it can only be used sparingly, which is why I have my Filthy Penny page: http://www.bikerlady.com/portfolio/The%20Filthy%20Penny.htm
What are you currently reading? >>>Victor Wooten's The Music Lesson
What music are you currently listening to? >>>Pink, and I'm listening to lots of DJ mixes, like Junior Vasquez. I want to be a DJ for my live shows. I’m also listening to Chris Cornell’s “Scream”…Awesome!
Do you have any pets? >>>Four: Two kitties, GypZ JingleZ and JazZ; and Two poodles (Patrick's), Roscoe and Sammi.
Sasha has two great books that every biker chick needs in her library.
I'm searching for songs to put on my play list player and I typed in Paul Simon. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover was one of the songs that populated on the website and it brought back this hilarious memory of me being about 7 or 8, standing in my Uncle's den, singing 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover to him. Oh wow...the power of music and the fact that I knew the words by heart...LOL!
