Sunday, March 1, 2009
a magsters first day...
i saw an ad in the colton, ca newspaper...it said they were looking for 20 sharp young guys and gals to travel the usa...and everything was paid for! well, i was unattached...hadn't been anywhere west of nevada...the girl who interviewed me was very pretty, enthusiastic...and drove a burgundy lincoln town car ANY pimp would love...it was a no brainer...off we went that very day to griswolds inn along the interstate five corridor to meet the crew. they were fun, thought like me, wanted money...and began my indoctrination from the second i stepped out of that car. the other kids warn me right away that before i meet the "big man" i better put some long pants on...i didn't...and he sure didn't seem to care. his name was russel wood...he wore expensive, flashy duds...shiny jewelry that'd make sammy davis blush and drove not just a stutz bearcat...but also had a clenet in his repertoire of shiny lux vehicles. one of the first moments i had alone with him he asked me what i wanted to do in his company...i didn't even breathe hesitation...i said (i was sincere).."i want YOUR job!) it was to be the first day of a two year working relationship between me...an upstart kid who wanted it ALL...and a man who was willing to show me how it could be done...but at that time...i was painfully unaware the toll on others peoples lives, pocketbooks and TIME that would be extracted at both theirs and my expense...more later!
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What a TRIP...i did thi job too. And of course never got paid. A bus ticket home with 10 bucks after a year of this shit. Looking for my old bud Adam Rolly...
ReplyDeleteI did this same work for FRS, and never got paid. Nor did anyone I ever heard from who left them...
ReplyDeleteI worked for Circulation Builders Of America and Mecca Enterprises. I was on Joe De Macy's magazine crew for about 2 years. I was hired in Columbus Ohio in 1985 by Cassie Ehrhart (John Ehrhart's wife) and another girl, whose name escapes me now. The crew was in Detroit Michigan, staying at the Detroit Motor Lodge (still have a post card from the night stand). The day I was hired I gave all my stuff to my parents and then Cassie and I got on a Grey Hound for Detroit. I was assigned a trainer, Ben Atchinson from Erie Pa. That night a sales person from Pitts crew left in the middle of the night (also staying at same hotel). I remember John Ehrhart (another manager) had a silver Porsche 944 Turbo and for what ever reason the sales person beat and destroyed the Porsche before they left. John and Pitts did not travel together from that point on. John, he got a new silver Porsche 930 Turbo Carrera. I did not meet Joe De Macy (and his Excalibur) for nearly 6 months more as he was semi-retired and said to be worth $8M at the time I joined the crew. John Ehrhart, Monte Hagger, Scott Keen, Dan Laumb and Mel were managers that oversaw day to day operations for Joe De Macy. John ran a tight crew, he did not put up with sales people who stole or tampered with orders. Those who did got fired as soon as it was learned of. John always talked up our crew, he said "do things the right way, leave the dishonesty to groups like Summit". I know John did not care much for Pitts. Pitts was known throughout the company as a less then ethical person and his crew were know as thieves. I traveled around America and saw more then I could have any other way, in any other job. GREAT TIMES were had, as were hard times. Some of the best friends I ever had were on crew, I only wish I had stayed in touch. Dave Masters (COWABUNGA!! SURFS UP DUDE!), Joe Madrono (Mad Joe), Monte Hagger, Brad Devining, Scott Keen (Speed Racer), Ken Lawler (just stay out of Mexico!... lol), Tia Bolio (Vavoom), Ginger Olivas (ohhh baby...San Francisco was great!), Ron Hebert (CrAzY MaN indeed or as Devon would say "slut puppy"), Devon Phillips (don't mess with Texas), Brad Burton (BG), Bill Brinkman (nice Nova... or should I say was), Joel Wise (The Doors rule), Vermay Morris (heart breaker...lol).... and the hundreds of others I got to know and like. Here is looking at you folks, where ever you may be.
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