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 While
driving to the recent St. Louis show I was chatting w/ Rev. Stacy Groscup
on the phone. He told me that he had recently hit a MUSTARD SEED from mid
air with an arrow! That's right--a mustard seed.
He is 83 by the way. He uses the Bible verse about faith and a mustard
seed to prove his point. After growing up around Stacy and being in hunting
camps, practice sessions and on stage with him I will say that he is the
best that's ever pulled a string.
He leaves Howard Hill, Fred, and all of the other exhibition shooters
in the bleachers. He is the master and has done things none of the rest
of us could ever do.
I wouldn't even attempt a mustard seed. A few years ago I went to a
show with Stacy and I was 34, he was 81. I was going to "take it easy on
him", afterall he was 81.
As I loaded my bow I heard "clink" and saw aspirin dust blowing across
the net. That 81 year old had just put me in my place, again.
Before I could get my bow loaded he pulvarized that aspirin! I have
never minded playing second fiddle to Groscup, afterall, it's been an honor
just to share a stage with him.
We all love you Stacy! Thanks for your inspiration and contribution
to archery. You have been selfless.
News From The St. Louis Deer Classic
A signature archery show One of the true joys in doing what I do is
meeting new faces. This past weekend I was booked at the St. Louis Deer
Classic in Wentzville, Mo. What a great time. This show is in Earl &
Ann Hoyt country and I met a lot of new people that had Hoyt/Sky archery
stories to share.
I too had some new things for the folks to see---my new Mathew's Heritage
Longbow and a Mathews SKY recurve. Matt gave me the very first longbow
to leave the factory and I am very proud of it. The audiences in Missouri
liked it too.
Friday night I got a little choked up when I tried to talk about Earl
Hoyt. For some reason when the giants of our industry pass on it is very
difficult for me to talk about them without getting upset. Some may not
understand but these folks had a HUGE impact on my life.
Every ATA or SHOT show I attend I still find myself ready to head to
that big Kodiak bear and look for my buddy only to realize Fred's not around
anymore. Earl is the same, he was such a gentle giant in our industry.
He forgot more about bow design and how to make an arrow shoot than most
could ever hope to know.
In 2004 I am paying tribute to these guys at every show I do. I want
our new generations to remember and honor those that have blazed the trails
for us all. Rev. Frank Frye, my Methodist minister, bowhunting buddy and
the guy that helped Amanda and I tie the knot went along to St. Louis to
throw for me since his son Eric attends college there. Frank, also known
as "Padre" or "Sky pilot" is a great friend and we had a blast.
We shared all our meals with Bill "BEAR CRAZY" Weisner from Renegade
Archery and his buddy Mike. I also got to visit with Ken Beck from Black
Widow bow company, and met some new friends from South Texas and even a
long lost relative from Missouri also named Frank Addington. He heard my
interview on the radio and came to see the show & meet another Frank.
I also got to enjoy seminars by my friends Steve Bartylla, Bill Weisner,
and Roger Raglin. Three great speakers. Saturday morning I was up bright
and early to do a LIVE 6:45AM interview on the Ray Eye Radio show with
his sidekick Chris Vogler.
We chatted about the deer classic, the exhibitions, and the Earl Hoyt/Matt
McPherson link to the area. My signature show The 1 PM show Saturday was
a huge standing room only crowd. I was very happy and there was an energy
there that day.
The show went off without a hitch---save one small 4" balloon I missed---so
I walked up, put my foot on the balloon, and popped it with an arrow. "That',
I told the crowd, "is a spot and stalk". Laughter rang out. This was a
great audience.
I had some kids come up and try the GENESIS bow in front of the crowd.
You should have seen the smiles on their faces when they popped a balloon
in front of everyone. ((Papa Bear was smiling down too I bet...))
Then I spoke about the ARCHERY IN SCHOOLS program and the fact that
we have locked morals, discipline, and values out of our school systems
and have seen drugs and violence pour in. I spoke about heroes and role
models and the crowd erupted with applause a few times during the talk.
Once a few even stood up... I was on a roll. I offered to pass the plate
after the mini sermon but the crowd declined.
When Padre brought out the baby aspirin I felt it was going to go quick.
Sure enough we drilled the tiny pill the first shot--from behind the back.
It went "click" and some orange powder drifted across the net and the crowd
was in shock. So was I. (LAUGHING)
As I closed the show the audience took every card, photo and hand out
that I had. There was nothing left after the show. It was perhaps one of
the finest shows I have ever conducted in my 18 years of exhibition shooting.
I have hit the pill many times the first shot. What set this show apart
was my connection with the audience. The way they responded to the oral
part of the show. I wondered if this is what Ted Nugent must feel like
after nailing a concert and giving it all he has on stage...you feel drained,
excited and at the same time wiped out.
After the crowd went away I just sat around. I think the audience reacted
so warmly because they want to see values, morals and discipline back in
our schools. They want to see 4-H, Churches and Scout groups and public
schools get kids into archery and off the streets and away from the cowardly
drug dealers that prey on young kids.
Finally the ARCHERY IN SCHOOLS program comes along and lets a kid who
may not have made the football team or a kid that cannot qualify for the
cheerleader squad find a sport they can be good at and compete in year
round. I am not ashamed to say that I am a huge Ronald Reagan fan. Reagan
often spoke of a shining city on a hill. I am afraid that we have not provided
today's young people with enough leadership and positive role models. In
order to fulfill this destiny we must do better.
We need to turn the TV, computers, and video games off and get kids
interested in the outdoors and in hobbies such as archery, fishing, and
other related sports. Hollywood doesn't give us many Gene Autrys anymore---so
it is up to us to help kids find the right trail. Well, enough preaching.
Two days later and I am still pretty excited about this performance. I
would gladly let that show be my signature show and contribution to the
sport of archery. If I never ever have another like it then I will never
forget that 1 PM Saturday show in St. Louis. God, my wife Amanda, my folks,
her mother and my friends make it so easy for me to be able to travel and
do what I love to do. PROMOTE ARCHERY. If they didn't pay me to shoot I'd
probably pay them. (Promoters, disregard that last statement please. Amanda
runs Rocking A Productions and also runs the books. Since she likes to
have food on the table she will probably edit that last sentance out.)
BASS PRO SHOPS HOUSES FRED BEAR COLLECTION
Some archery retailers do not like huge chain stores, marts, or other
mail order outfits. I've always been of the Fred Bear/Joe Johnston mind
set---just get them pulling a string. You can sell them your brand if they
stick around in the sport long enough. I think that the project that will
be housed at the main Springfield, MO location of Bass Pro Shops will be
a destination to see all the great archery collections from around the
US including Fred Bear's museum, Jimmie Ryan's museum, the Archery Hall
of Fame, and much, much more. From what I have heard this company will
be preserving these collections for all to see and they have the financial
ability to do the collections justice. It sounds like a pretty exciting
project! I had hoped to go there while in St. Louis but did not have time.
I would like to see the progress they are making. I will pass along more
information as I get it.
Next Stop---Novi, Michigan
The show must go on My Suburban is in the garage, my thrower got sick
and canceled on me late in the day today, and I am still tired after getting
in from St. Louis at 2AM last night BUT I will be at the MUCC event Wednesday
evening in Novi, Michigan. I have shot with food poisoning, viruses, and
was in New York shooting last July a week and a half after having gall
bladder surgery. I rarely miss a show.
I am excited to hear Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the the NRA, speak and will
be jumping on a plane to make this show. If you are near Novi I will be
shooting Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night. There is a link to this
event from my website.
SEND ME YOUR INDUSTRY NEWS, LATEST ADVENTURES, OR JUST A QUICK NOTE.
AMANDA AND I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! Email: Aspirinbuster@aol.com
Web Site: FrankAddingtonJr.com
See you at the show! Adios & God Bless Shoot Straight, Frank Addington,
Jr.
Until then, Shoot Straight....
<-----------------------------((((
Frank Addington, Jr.
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Email: Aspirinbuster@aol.com
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