2014 - A Dukes of Hazzard Year In Review

2014 was a huge year for the Dukes of Hazzard and a huge year for me.  Let's take a look back at all the great events and items we covered on the blog.

This year was the 35th anniversary of our favorite show.  CMT surprised the world by bringing the show back to the airwaves.  Are airwaves still a thing?  Not only did they bring it back, but they brought it back converted up to high definition. It started with a marathon and we've been enjoying Dukes in glorious HD for a year now.  Keep 'em coming CMT!

Some of the items released early in 2014 that are pictured above include the 1/43 "JDH" Boss Hogg Caddy, the 1/18 Daisy Plymouth from Auto World, and the wonderful new action figures from Figures Toy Company.

It was also a big Hulk Hogan year for me.  It started out when I wore my Hogan shirt to the Royal Rumble and got on TV with Ben Roethlisberger.  Me and the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback go way back.  Chad is behind me in the "What?" shirt.

Then in February, it got real when a car hauler full of General Lees and updated Hazzard County Patrol Cars was seen traveling the country.  Speculation grew rampant about the production and this ol' blog was in the middle of it.  A lot of people came here looking for more information.  I covered the whole thing.

Inexplicably, I had the fortune of adding the Dukes of Hazzard child's tennis shoes to the collection in the spring.

Auto World then released the 1/43 Resin General Lee.





The entire world took notice of the Dukes of Hazzard again when Auto Trader premiered their #New01 commerical in June.  They released three 30 second spots and a longer mini-movie. Everyone was clambering for another Dukes reunion (and still are).   I posted behind the scenes pictures and videos here on DukesCollector.

Right in the middle of the #New01 madness, Cooter's Place hosted its annual big Dukes event.  I had so much fun and met some great new friends.  I also had the exciting opportunity to host a Q&A session with Daisy Duke herself, Catherine Bach.  What a blast!

I got to bring home the first Dukes of Hazzard item that I designed!  I am responsible for this Dukes of Hazzard beach towel!

Later in the summer, John Schneider and Tom Wopat announced they were releasing a Christmas album through Kickstarter.  It led to all kind of adventures.

After long last, a General Lee Hallmark Ornament was released.

Auto World released their Snap-It 1/25 model.

Then I went to New York Comiccon and Met Hulk Hogan!  No biggie.

Unbelievably, I added a Dukes of Hazzard Swimming Pool to the collection.

Tom and John released Home For Christmas in October, getting us ready for an unforgettable Christmas season.

The Kickstarter backer reward concert led me to an amazing few days in New York with Bo and Luke.  If you haven't checked out my interview yet, I'm really surprised you read this far into this blog post.  Just in case you want to see it again, here is my interview with John Schneider and Tom Wopat.




Yep, I'd say that was a great year.  I wonder what 2015 will have in store for the Dukes of Hazzard and this Dukes of Hazzard Collector.  Happy New Year everyone!

Dukes of Hazzard Christmas Presents!

 

It is very hard to surprise me with Dukes of Hazzard presents.  But each year, my friends and family pull off the near impossible and get me some great gifts.  

My mom blew me away with this poster she had printed of me, John, and Tom.  This baby is huge. She is going to have it framed for me, but thought I might want to have it signed first.  Good thought. I really love this poster.  I can't wait until it's hanging on the wall.  Great job Mom!

Before I show off Jeff's Dukes presents.  I wanted to share this awesome gift from Jeff's wife Sara. Guardians of the Galaxy was huge this year.  Groot was everywhere.  No one has a Groot as cool as this.  Sara crocheted this little guy.  I am really impressed with it.  Thanks Sara!

Jeff's first present was this Movie theater mylar display.  This display was used above the theater door so patrons know which auditorium to go into.  It is in perfect condition.  

The opposite side has a reverse image.  It can be lighted from the back like a movie poster.  This is a really cool item.  Jeff has a long history with movie theaters so this is perfect coming from him.

Jeff's other present is a very ornate, ceramic owl.  It features a nocturnal bird of prey preparing to take off from a small log.

The wings are spread and many colors are portrayed.

It has an artist's marking as well as a number 1114.  I am unaware what the marking means.

Of course, Jeff bought me this piece because it was a prop used on the set of the Dukes of Hazzard.

It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.  This owl is so cool.  Now that the Dukes is in HD, we have to be able to find this bad boy.  Come on internet, help me find this owl on a shelf in Uncle Jesse's kitchen.  Jeff has added some great props to the collection.  First the bowl from last Christmas, and then the train pin for my birthday.  You are awesome Jeffrey.   

Non-Dukes, but we have been discussing Hulk Hogan a little bit around these parts.  Mattel released their first Hulkster figure and I had to jump on it.  This is the best figure to date of the best wrestler ever.

Mom made another really cool printed item for me.  I am not a coffee drinker, but I do love cookies and milk.  Now I can split my servings between my Dukes mug and this great "Me and Hulk Hogan" mug she made me.  Thanks again, Mom. 

I don't want to toot my own Dixie horn, but I got Jeff a pretty cool gift this year.  It is a brand new Thing hoodie, that I got from 80stees.  I think he likes it.  He didn't really clobber his dog.

Have A Very Merry Dukes Of Hazzard Christmas

Not since the Golden Era Of Dukes have we had such a Hazzard filled Christmas.  With John and Tom spreading holiday cheer all over with their album "Home For Christmas" and Hallmark finally releasing a General Lee Keepsake ornament, this has been a Christmas to remember.

The last time we had this much Dukes Christmas was with the 1980 episode "The Great Santa Claus Chase."

And who can forget the Dukes cartoon episode from 1983, "A Dickens Of A Christmas."

And of course the 1987 movie that reunited Bo and Luke, "Christmas Comes to Willow Creek."

To all of the Dukes of Hazzard family, fans, collectors, and the rest of the world, have a Larry Christmas!

John Schneider and Tom Wopat at Barnes & Noble December 3, 2014

The night after the big Kickstarter concert, John and Tom performed a small concert in the Barnes & Noble on the Upper East Side in New York City.  It was another magical night.

Getting to see two small venue Bo and Luke Concerts in two nights would be great enough, but I got to see two sound checks on top of that.  Each sound check was like a personal concert.  Man, sometimes I wonder how I get so lucky.  Before the show started, I was just hanging around the store when John walked in.  He called me over, and we hung out in B&N for quite a while.  We talked about Nooks and cell phones, you know, normal tech talk.  It was pretty awesome.  I'm glad to report that John is an Android guy, and not an Apple guy.  It's the little things that make me happy.  I also showed him a picture of my Dukes of Hazzard swimming pool and he was quite impressed.  Man, did I have a great time!

The Barnes & Noble store had several levels.  The small event center was on the bottom floor.  John was pleasantly surprised at how nice the venue was.  He said he expected to be playing at the top of the escalator.  Tom knew what he was doing when he set this gig up.

It was a smaller musical ensemble than the night before, and Tom's musicians sure are talented.  He had his bass player, drummer, and  piano player, all fabulous.

The boys took some press shots before the show.

The photographers told Tom to do Zoolander, and he did.  He said he knew someone would use the picture.  

 The room sat around 75 people.

It filled up pretty quickly.  I was surprised that only Eric Kabakoff and I made it to both shows.We figured a lot of the Kickstarter backers had probably traveled for the show and then just went back home.  Or they just didn't know about this one.  I tried to let everyone know.  Eric is a new friend of the blog who  lives in NYC.  He is a baseball fanatic and has written several books on the sport. which were on sale in B&N. Cool.  Very glad I met Eric.  

John and Tom only sang five songs, but they were good ones.  They really brought the house down.

It is obvious that they really enjoy performing together.

The crowd loved the show.

Tom closed the show with his solo of "Home For Christmas."  It is a wonderful rendition filled with emotion.  An easy choice for the title track of the album.

After the show, the Dukes Boys hung around and signed a bunch of stuff, especially the Christmas album.

Everyone was very excited to get their autographs.

The family that loves the Dukes together, stays together.

There were a lot of great Dukes collectibles floating around.  You know I love talking to fellow collectors.

John mentioned that he enjoys signing records because they still play perfectly even if signed.  I never thought of that.  Good point John.

John even got Tom's autograph for his mother, Shirley.  John had a few other family members there and they all seemed to really enjoy the event.

I had to grab one more picture with my heroes.  It was another very successful event to promote "Home For Christmas."  With only a week before Christmas, you really should get the album if you haven't yet.  It is great.  I had so much fun hanging with John and Tom in New York.  Christmas came early for this Dukes Collector.