Happy New Year! .....30 years ago, seven guys got together to share sign stories, eat green chili, drink beer, and try to uncover what some of the sign oddities that were only in Old Timers Heads, and old sign books. This summer marks the 30th anniversary of Letterheads and I am hosting the meet here in Mazeppa, Minnesota on July 5-9th 2005. It is only fitting to find out where the original 7 are. But first, WHO are they? I believe Mike Jackson has a write on the original seven on his web site www.theletterheads.com I have emailed one of the Original members...Mark Oatis who is in Denver, but no response as of yet. Of course Noel Weber is still active and in Boise, and I beleive Mike Reilly is running the sign shop at Elitch Gardens in Denver......as for Rick Flores, Earl Vehill, Bob Mitchell, and John Frazier...does anyone know? I've heard Bob was in California, I've heard earl was in Denver..Maybe Kent Smith might know....Kent?
Appreiciate the help!
Muster info coming soon......... Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Rick Flores works at Disneyland, Mitchell lives in Escondido. That's 50%
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
thanks Rick! If I would have known, I would have found them while in California....
FranCisco Vargas and myself were talking about a video interview with all of them...
now Earl and John.........
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
Hi Mike, I just emailed Kent's email address to you in case you don't have it.
Posted by FranCisco Vargas (Member # 145) on :
Time flys to fast sometimes. I totally forgot to show you a video I had of Rick Sacks and Rick Glawson in '88 at the Product Sign Supply Meet. Seems like when friends are gone you say to yourself I should of showed this or that, now I look around and say I should have had you paint your name somewhere around this camp. Well I do have you on my collection of sign painter interviews. You did great! I still can't get over the India mints at the Mexican restaurant, bet you'll never do that one again huh! Damn you were lucky!! I would love to do the interviews with you if you get any of the Original Seven
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
I can't add any new info to what those above have already stated. In the early days of Letterville, Mike Jackson wrote a History Of Letterheads Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
I had heard that Webber, moved to the east coast. Last time I spoke to him was 99' we were doing some metal letters for his shop.
CrazyJack
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
CrazyJack
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
Call Kent about Noel Webber. Him or Judi talked with him last year before they came to Detroit.
Try calling Wild Bill Betz. His son Kevin, had Noel's number also so maybe Bill does too. Wild Bill's # 586-469-7676
[ January 03, 2005, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
Posted by Dennis Davis (Member # 4532) on :
Since I reside in Boise, Noel B. Weber (sign painter) is listed in our local directory. Here is his work address and phone number.
412 S. 6th Boise, Idaho 83702
208-336-2769
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
Thanks to all for the nods of help.....I was contacted by Mark Oatis who filled me in on all the remaining 6...I will now pursue my search....stay tuned.....
Posted by Golden (Member # 164) on :
Mike, If Oatis gave you the most recent whereabouts, it will probably be the most accurate. There were seven technically, but Gary Volkman and Mike Moore were probably equally involved.
Noel is active in the sign business in Boise. Mike Reilly works in the sign shop in Denver at Elich Gardens. Bob Mitchell moved to the San Diego area and works as an employee for a large shop. Oatis is active in the Denver area. Earl Vehill...not sure but I think he is still in the Denver area. Oatis probably knows. Rick Flores moved to LA and was selling Real Estate, but occasionally showed up at some of Rick Glawson's Conclaves just to say hi. John Frazier...I don't think anyone knows much about him. He was in trouble with the law off and on. Mike Moore is active in Spearfish, SD Gary Volkman is driving a truck, located out of the Denver area. He called a month or two ago. Kent Smith is still active in Greely, CO
Hope this information is accurate and helpful.
Mike Jackson
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
Thanks Mike,
You're pretty close....I was told Rick Flores works at Disneyland in Anaheim, Earl Vehill is a very reclusive man and has not been heard of since 1987..in Denver. John Frazier is in Denver but I have been warned to just stay clear as he made many enemies. I have heard Griz was an early member, but I did not realize Gary Volkman was there as well. I still want to interview these people no matter if I get a door slammed in my face. Being the 30th, I thought people would be interested in the originals...I know I am!
stay tuned........
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
And then there was that Jackson guy who was one of the early inductees. I think he spends a lot of time fishing now.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
He's probably catching them in the frozen food section and getting there on skiis!
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.....30 years ago, seven guys got together to share sign stories, eat green chili, drink beer, and try to uncover what some of the sign oddities that were only in Old Timers Heads, and old sign books. This summer marks the 30th anniversary of Letterheads and I am hosting the meet here in Mazeppa, Minnesota on July 5-9th 2005. It is only fitting to find out where the original 7 are. But first, WHO are they? I believe Mike Jackson has a write on the original seven on his web site![[Applause]](graemlins/applause.gif)
![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
![[For Your Information]](graemlins/fyi.gif)