Winter Reflections on Legends of our Sport...

     2006 marks my 21st year on the road doing instinctive archery exhibitions.  It also marks my 35th year in archery and I often joke that I'm one of the youngest old timers in the sport!

Frank, all grown up and shooting great

    Anyway, during winter months we often find ourselves contemplating and reviewing days gone by.  Just the other day I was thinking about some of those "days gone by."  The good ole days...

Little Frank Jr riding the range during the 'Good Old Days'

 I can remember going to the big trade shows like the SHOT show in the old days and being able to spend an entire afternoon camped out in the BEAR archery booth beside Fred Bear.  I was only about 12 when we attended a show the first time I met Fred and I didn't leave the Bear booth the entire weekend that the show was open.

    I can remember several shows like that.  I'd listen to Fred talk to other dealers, hear his stories and enjoy the times when his huge shoulders would rock with laughter.  It was always fun to hang out around Papa Bear.  I'm just glad Dick Lattimer and the other brass at Bear didn't run me off! 

    I remember one year we attended a private Bear cocktail party in Atlanta.  My folks walked around the festivities but I stayed close to Fred all evening.  It's funny now to think about a 12 year old kid hanging out at a reception in the shadow of Papa Bear but it happened!  I even have a snapshot I took that evening of Dick and Fred walking to the elevator after the party.

  

A young Frank with everyones favorite archer, Papa Bear

 I also remember Earl & Ann Hoyt at the big shows.  My father always had tremendous respect for Earl Hoyt.  He & Earl would often walk the show isles going booth to booth and looking at new bow designs and discussing the pluses and minuses of the new stuff.  I have photos from those days too. 

 

A young Frank with Earl Hoyt

  Earl & Ann were great friends and were also legends in the sport.  For the record, Earl was a gentle giant and preferred the backstage area while someone else had the spotlight.  He'd often have a tool box at the trade shows and would be back behind the curtains of the Hoyt or Sky booth tinkering on something rather than signing autographs.     I remember having dinner in New Orleans once with my father, Jack & Dottie Lyons, Jay Barrs, and the Hoyts.  It was a great meal and good company.

 

Ann Clark, Frank and Ann Hoyt Hall of Fame Ladies

   Another person I always enjoyed seeing at the shows was Tom Jennings.  Tom is another giant of the sport and in the 1970's and early 1980's his bow line dominated the sport.  Jennings was a great bow designer and a fun fella to talk to. 

    I remember one time Tom was at my folks place here in West Virginia and he & Rev. Stacy Groscup had a big time visiting with each other.  Tom is a great man and did so much for our sport.

 

The late Rev Stacy Groscup

  The late Rev. Stacy Groscup had a huge impact on me.  Most of you know that he got me started in exhibition shooting.  He remains a hero to me and was the real deal.  You can read more about Stacy and see photos of some of these other legends on my website.   www.frankaddingtonjr.com

    If you missed some of these archery legends don't worry!  We have a new crop coming along and they are going to follow in the legend's foot steps and perhaps even go one step further.

 

Matt McPherson with Frank

   Matt McPherson of Mathews Archery is one name that comes to mind.  Like Earl Hoyt he is a gentle giant.  I once nick named him the "Bill Gates of Archery".  Matt is quiet, soft spoken but don't let that fool you.  Behind that soft spoken man is a very creative and very persistent drive.  Matt's impact on our sport is already huge and he is a young man!  I like Matt a lot and always enjoy talking with him. 

  

The Addingtons with Uncle Ted

 I also enjoy Uncle Ted Nugent!  Like Fred Bear he gets a lot of main stream media exposure for our sport!  Recently Ted did some media interviews in New York City on programs like CNN, MSNBC, and the like.  That was one week.  That does not count his concert appearances, his award winning, #1 rated  tv shows, or the other media and appearances he does in a year's time. 

    When people find out Nuge is a friend they often ask me what he's "really like."  I reply that he has two speeds, there's Ted asleep and there's Ted awake.  If he is awake he is going full blast ahead at whatever he is doing. 

    Trick shot artist Byron Ferguson is the modern day Howard Hill and he has a huge fan base around the world.  His show with a long bow is fascinating and one you need to see for yourself.  He also does a lot of TV and promotes archery across the country and abroad.  Byron is a southern gentleman and already a giant in the sport.

    My friend Tony Dukes is probably the "best connected" member of our sport.  For years he ran with the rock and roll bands of the day, he is a well known bass guitarist.  Now he focuses on archery and helping our wounded soldiers.  He does a lot of TV work and spends a majority of his time promoting either archery or helping our brave veterans.   Dukes is a great fella.

Two more guys that are doing so much for our sport are Bowhunting.net's Robert Hoague and Rich Walton.   These two pioneers have created the first archery only website on the net.  This site reaches a HUGE audience (hunting and non hunting) on a daily basis.  This site has done so much for our sport and I know that Papa Bear would be proud.  Well done gentlemen.

    In addition to the names I've mentioned we also have some youngsters that are coming along to help carry the ball.  Randy Oitiker, Michael Waddell, and my friend Mike Luper at Hoyt are three young men to keep your eye on!  I look for big things out of these guys as they continue to promote our sport.

    So if you missed meeting Fred Bear, Earl Hoyt or one of our sport's other legends don't worry.  There are plenty of modern day legends to meet.  I am glad my time in the sport over lapped Fred Bear's time here and Ted Nugent's.   From Fred I learned to promote the sport and from Ted I learned to speak up and speak out when you feel strongly on an issue.

    I am anxious to see what the future holds for our great sport!  Enjoy your winter break and take the time to read up and get ready for Spring's turkey season and trout fishing.   

 

Ernie Akins, Jim Strader, and Frank at Jim Strader Hunting & Fishing Expo in Louisville, Ky.

   If you get a chance visit a sports show or hunting & fishing show.  Maybe, just maybe you will run into some guy doing archery shows on stage that claims he can hit baby aspirins from mid air from behind his back....

 until Next time, adios & God Bless.
Shoot Straight,  Frank

For more on Frank Addinton Jr go to : Asprin Buster