New News! -- HOT BOX -- New News
 


Posted: 6-17-'13

Queen of Koolness!
CONNIE STEVENS
Spectacular Bound!

Text: J. T.

KKOA is happy as a fine tuned 327 Chevy mill to announce that movie & TV actress, film director, screenwriter, singer, CONNIE STEVENS is coming to the 33rd KKOA Leadsled Spectacular, and Run-What'ya-Brung-Drags, July 25-26-27-28, in Salina, Kansas.
Lookin' back!

In 1967 Connie married the singing rage, Eddie Fisher (father of actress Carrie Fisher, of "Star Wars" movie fame), and together had two daughter's, Joely, and Tricia, who, like Carrie became actresses. During the 50's & 60's, Connie had a mega-size successful musical career in the Rock & Roll Top 40 field. Starting with a singing group called the "Fourmost", which later became "The Lettermen" after Connie opt to go on to another group called the "The Three Debs." In 1959, her singing exploded like a atomic blast when the lovely Miss Stevens, with "77 Sunset Strip" TV co-star, Edd Byrnes, charted a monster million selling record that reached #4 on Billboard's Hot 100 for the year, called, "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb." The next year she backed it up by going solo on another million seller called "Sixteen Reasons" that reached #3 on Billboard' Hot 100 , and a follow-up hit titled "Too Young to Go Steady."
Movieland Wanted Her!
Due to Connie' unbelievable beauty and talent, and intense pressure from movie and TV producers and director's, she decided to put her singing career on hold and jump into acting. After a couple of B movies, one being "Drag Strip Riot" (I dig it), comedian Jerry Lewis saw her and cast her in "Rock-A-Bye Baby." Soon after that a contract with Warner Brothers was signed, and the rest is movie history.
Moving On!
With singing, and movie credits in her suitcase, Connie decided to conquer the small screen TV world, and that she did BIGTIME!!! 20 shows from 1959 - 2005 kept her busy. Ranging from "Maverick", "77 Sunset Strip", "Wendy and Me (w/George Burns)", to "The Muppet Show" and "Murder She Wrote." (This editor's favorite was "James Dean: Race with Destiny.)" The show that made Connie Stevens a household name with the TV audience had to be her role as 'Cricket Blake' in the super popular TV detective series "Hawaiian Eye", which ran from 1959-1962.
Supporting Our Troops!
On her off hours, she set her hand prints in the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Palm Springs Walk of Fame, and the Italian Walk of Fame in Toronto, Canada. She also appeared on "The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast", the Broadway production of Neil Simons "The Star-Spangled Girl", and numerous times on the "Bob Hope USO specials", including his 1988 Christmas Show from the Persian Gulf. At'ta girl. And, this is just the tip of the iceberg for her entertainment career. What a beautiful, and well deserving starlet she is.
The King Is Calling!
 
One would think that having such a high energy, exciting, and famous career, not much could get Connie "All Shook Up!" Not true!!! In a televised interview on August 26, 2003, on CNN's Larry King Live. Connie recounted that while she was on the set of "Hawaiian Eye" she was told she had a telephone call. This wasn't just a normal phone call, this was a call from the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley. "She didn't believe it, but in fact it was Elvis, who invited her to a party and said he would like to come to her house and pick her up personally." Connie agreed, and from that point on they dated off and on.
Meeting Hotrodders!
 
Dreams that most every young girl dreams, Connie has experienced, and It'll be a dream come true to have the lovely Connie Stevens come and be a spectacular guest attraction of the Leadsled Spectacular. She'll be at the show daily to meet and greet her many fans, and remember she started her successful movie career in the classic hot rod rockabilly film, "Drag Strip Riot." Check it out on Google.

See'ya In Salina- July 25-28, 2013

Posted: 6-10-'13

AtomicHeads Are Building!!!
The New Life Line Of Kustomizing!


    I feel good! No, wait,...I feel better'ern good! I feel the three "S's"! Secure, Safe, and Solid!!! And, I'm not talking about living in a underground bunker to avoid a tornado, or winning the lotto. I've never experienced any of those millon-to-1-odds, and I lived in Kansas for 54 years before finding the Ozarks. And, for the record the last time I gambled was in 1969 when my wife and I went to Las Vegas to see Elvis in concert. During intermission, and on my way to the john, I plugged in a nickel slot and won $15.00 in nickel's. The same cost my ticket was to see the King of Rock & Roll.
    Being luckly enough to be in the front seat and holding on to the steering wheel of Kustom Kemps Of America (KKOA), I'm seeing a noticeable surge worldwide in the young, 30-something, to mid-life 40-+ kustom enthusiast's diggin' on old school kustomizing, or as Geno and Alan prints it in their hot selling rag, "ol' Skool Rodz." The same style of hotrodding us teen angels of the 50's & 60's cut our teeth on.
    I'm talking about the young, strong, full of vim and vigor youth that's building kool rides in todays kustom autobody business's. Let me be a little more specific! The "traditional" kustom bodyshop business's. They're springing up everywhere.
As mentioned above, it makes me feel good that our world of autobody kustomizing has graduate's coming on board to carry on our colorful hobby, or go into business of one-off art. After all that's what a kustom car or truck is. Art on wheels.
    Lets face reality, us 50's teen angels can't live on forever. Bill Hines is forever-mortal, but for most of us we have to check-out sometime. And, to see the many younger kustomizers coming on the scene makes me feel "SECURE" that our beloved kustom world is growing "SAFER" day by day, and building to keep it "SOLID."
KKOA feels so strong about the movement, that it wants to recognize those 21st Century kustom kats that's yielding a mig gun in one hand and a paint gun in the other. Plus we can't forget the young, ol' skool "ragmen" out there sewing those rolls and pleats, one roll at a time.
    Saaaaalute to each and everyone, and we here at KKOA want to hear from you! Let us know about you. Write us, email us, call us, tell us about your business. Send us pictures of your shop, or your project. We'll give freebe space available on our website, www.kustomkempsofamerica.com, and page space in the Trendsetter. A glossy, 32 page full color magazine crammed with hot traditional hotrod & kustom stuff. Like our inside-cover page in our recent Trendsetter profiling 30 year old Aaron Lawrence and his Fast AL's Upholstery shop in Dewey, Oklahoma. Want REAL rolls & pleats, go AL's.
KKOA makes no bones about it, It wants to expose you kats and get the word out about your kustom business. Traditional hotrodding is hot, hot, hot, and guys everywhere are hungary to get their kemps kustomized. 
    Along with any insurgence those who create it are generally tagged something kool, or un-kool to some. Can't make everybody happy. In the 50's a sampling was, "Auto Body Kustomizers", Kustom Krafters, "Bondo Bandits" or "Ragmen" who did upholstery. For most it was just plain ol' "Kustomizers." Regular folk spelled it with a "C", but George and Sam Barris spelled it with a "K", and just like their kustoms it's a one-off word, which fits KKOA just fine. For the record, "Kemp" is a one-off word coined in the 50's in California. Over in the street rod world, they've tagged their young builders "Young Guns." That's kool, so howz about "Atomic Kats" for our world, or better yet "Atomicheads?" Atomic is a traditional 50's word that means powerful and winning at almost anything. Just ask anyone who lived in Japan at the end of World War-Two. Keep the kustom faith, and See'ya in Salina July 25-28. - Jerry Titus - KKOA President

KEMPS ARE KOOL!


Posted: May 30th, 2013

ONE - NIGHT - WITH
___ ELVIS ___
Before Vegas!
Before the Cape!
Before the Movies!
___ ELVIS ___
Was/Is KING of ROCK-a-BILLY!
Lets Relive The Rebel Rousing
Memphi
s, Sun Label Era With
L
egends In Concert Theater Star
(Las Vegas, Branson, Mo., Atlantic City, Hawaii)

Victor Trevino Jr.
w/a unbelievable tribute concert to
ELVIS the early YEARS

Remember These Millon-+ Hit's?
You Ain't Nothin'But A Hound Dog
Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Tryin' To Get To You
Love Me Tender
Don't Be Cruel
Blue Suede Shoes
Heartbreak Hotel
Milk Cow Boogie Blues
I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone

And the Rock Rolls On...
Don't Miss These Once In A Lifetime Concert's
Saturday - July 27th - 8:pm
Stiefel Theatre
Salina, Kansas
___And___
Saturday
September-28th-8:15pm
Rialto Theater
DENISON TEXAS

Tickets: $20 ea.
Both Shows Are General Seating,
(first come first serve)
To Assure Seating
Tickets Can Be Bought In Advance
By Contacting:

KUSTOM KEMPS OF AMERICA
26 Main, Cassville, Missouri 65625

Ph.: (417) 847-2940,
email: kkemps09@centurytel.net

VISA - MASTERCARD WELCOME


Posted: April 9, 2013 
- NEW TEXAS DATES! -

How To Lasso The Chill! 
Due to event scheduling for the drags,
and expressing concern from entrants and spectators
regarding the continuous cool,
and sometimes cold fall weather,
due to the changing of the seasons,

the KKOA has decided to change the
16th Annual Hotrodding Hullabaloo
in Denison, Texas

to a workable, and much warmer date!!! Check'em Out! 
New Dates! - SEPTEMBER 27-28-29, 2013 -
 
New Dates!

DENISON, TEXAS

w/the event a month earlier on the calendar
it will assure warmer weather, and use of all event locations!

Every Entry Eligible To Participate In All Activities Shown Below!
-----
Prime & Shine Time @ Forest Park and on Crawford Street
Open To all Pre-'79 Kustom Cars and Trucks. All Post-1980 Cars and Trucks Must be Lowered, and feature either mild or wild body kustomizing change's, and must pre-enter w/a photo. No exceptions. (Over 500 Entrant's Last Year @ Show and Drags)
-----
Sunday Run-What-ya-Brung-Drag-Races

Due to new date changes the drags will remain
 @ North Texas Regional Airport.

Open to all Pre-1979 Cars and Trucks & Nostalgia Drag Machines
No Exceptions

There's No Classes, No Lights, No Clocks,
 just flagmen @ start & finish. It's who rolls up beside you.

And, only one rule! Safety.
Don't be a bonehead or you're out of the show.
-----
Plus, two brand new activities are being added!!!
-----
Vintage & Kustom Bicycle Hullabaloo @ Forest Park
-----
Texas Size 1940's & 50's Style
Cowgirl Pin-Up Beauty Queen Hullabaloo
Sat. Eve. @ The Nostalgic Rialto Theater
All girl contestant's 18 & Older Welcome

-----
And the Action Continues with the;
- Coveted Mercury Ring Of Honor -
- Cruisin the '58 Watson Burger Drive-In -
- Saturday night Rock & Roll Jambore @ the Rialto Theater -
- Vendors and Swappers Welcome -
20' x 40' Size Spaces just $50.00

- Denison High Cheerleader Pick's -
- Rose and a Baby Ruth Award's -
- Christan Rod & Custom Club Church Service -
-----
Headquarters Motel:
- Best Western Texoma, 903-327-8883, $69 + tax 
-

KKOA salutes the City of Denison, the Denison Chamber of Commerce,
the many Denison Spectators, and all the True Stars of the show!
The Guys and gals who enter their kemps to keep the event strong and moving on.
-----
For Additional Info. Please Contact:

Kustom Kemps Of America, We'll Be Happy To Help!
Worlds Oldest Running Kustom Car & Truck Association -
Established October 1, 1980

26 Main Street, Cassville, MO. 65625 Ph.: (417) 847-2940 - Fax: (417) 847-3647 
Website: www.kustomkempsofamerica.com - email: kkemps09@centurytel.net
-----
See'ya-n-Denison-n-September
On the Oklahoma - Texas Red River Border
-----

Ol' Cowboy Wisdom! Always drink upstream from the herd.

-------------------------


Posted 1-28-'13

Say Salina, Say Kool Snooze Pads!

33rd KKOA Leadsled Spectacular

July 25-26-27-28, 2013

Shown below is a listing of
Salina, Kansas Lodging Facilities.
When booking, and to get good rates,
be sure to say you're booking
for the Leadsled Car Show!
All Phone No. Area Codes is: (785)

Helpful Hint!!!


Last year all the motels filled,
so book early.
_________________


EVENT HEADQUARTERS
 

Ramada Inn: 823-1739
________________

Quality Inn & Suites: 825-2111
Country Inn & Suites: 827-1271Rodeway Inn: 827-0356
Candlewood Suites: 823-6939
Americinn: 826-1711
Comfort Suites: 404-6944
Courtyard by Marriott: 309-1300
LaQuinta: 827-9000
Fairfield Inn of Salina: 823-6900
Hampton Inn: 823-9800
Holiday Inn Express: 404-3300
Sleep Inn & Suites: 404-6777
America's Best Inn: 825-2500
Knights Inn: 827-9315
Days Inn: 827-9315
Super 8: 404-2771
Super 8 I-70: 823-8808
Baymont Inn & Suites: 493-9800
Airliner Motel: 827-5586 
Ambassy Motel: 825-7265
Best Inn: 452-9666
America's Best Value: 827-5511
Budget King Motel: 827-4477
Howard Johnson: 404-1870
Log Cabin Motel: 825-4652
Motel 6: 827-8397
Starlite Motel: 825-5439
Travelers Lodge: 827-9351
Village Inn: 827-4040
__________________________

Kampgrounds Of America
1109 W. Diamond, Salina
(785) 827-3182
(KOA Is Giving A 10% Discount)
_____________________

They'll All Be Glad To Leave
The Light On For you!
 


Posted: 12-18-12
IN STOCK NOW!
KUSTOM WARMER'S!!!

Our latest shipment of Kustom Kemps Of America, light-weight jacket's has arrived at the clubhouse, and the KKOA gang is ready to ship'em out to you the same day, (or next day @ the latest) after we get your order.

They're a high quality, super kool winter-beater you'll be happy to wear at your next club meeting, car show, cruise night, or just hangin' out at your buddy's garage. The jackets come in one color, kool Khaki

Grab'em while the supply lasts. Price is right too!  S-XL  $40.00 size guys (gals to). For "Hoss" Cartwright size's it's $45.00-XXL, and $48.00-XXXL. These prices DO include the S & H charges (Shipping and Handling to the square kats reading this).
 

So don't delay, order yours today! Call us at (417) 847-2940, and charge it on Visa or Mastercard and we can get it headed your way. If ordering by U.S. Mail send check or M.O. to: KKOA, 26 Main. St., Cassville, MO 65625. For additional info.: call, or email us: kkemps09@centurytel.net .

KEEP KOOL, WHILE KEEPIN' WARM!!!

 

Posted: 12-12-12
Kustom  Kemps  Of  America
2012
32nd LEADSLED SPECTACULAR

Salina, Kansas
DVD'S ON SALE!
Check out ALL the hotrodding action!
Run-What'ya-Brung-Drags
Thursday Evening Spectacular Cruise
Watch Bill Hines Chop A Top!
Prime and Shine @ the knocked-out
Oakdale Park
Live Stage Entertainment
Pin-up Beauty Contest
One-on-One Interviews
See the "Backyard Boys" Section a Merc!
Nighttime Activities
Over 1,600 Kool Cars & Trucks
Vintage Bicycles
Kustomizing legends
Model "Kustom Cars" & Trucks
Hours of ol' Skool enjoyment
just
$15.00 + $3.00 Shipping
 

To Order by mail: Send Check, or Money Order to: KKOA, 26 Main St., Cassville, MO 65625
To order by Visa or Mastercard call: (417) 847-2940, or E-Mail to: kkemps09@centurytel.net
Beat the Winter Blues! Be the hit of the next club meeting! The super bowl of ol' skool rodding!

Don't Delay, Order Yours Today. 
Next Day Shipping!

Posted: Nov. 1, 2012
You're Askin' For It!!!
So Herrrre's The Facts!

e
2013

33rd Annual

KKOA

LEADSLED

SPECTACULAR
&
Run-What'ya-Brung-Drag Races
will be

JULY 25-28

in
SALINA, KANSAS
(America's Hotrodding Playground)
Open to all old school, traditional style
hotrods-kustoms-leadsleds-dragsters
models-bicycles-vendors-swappers
kool kats & kittens
Keep checkin' this site as new,
hot spectacular news unfolds!
If you need a entry or more info.
call us at the KKOA clubhouse!

(417) 847-2940

Inside Tip!!! 

We suggest booking early at the
Ramada Inn Salina
785-823-1739 - just $58.00 + tax
Ask for Meridith in Sales



USE THE ONLY ON-LINE "KUSTOM" CAR LOT
IN AMERICA!...AND IT'S FREE!!!
 

If you're a current KKOA member you can advertise your kustoms for sale on-line, for free. All we need is your ad/photo e-mailed to us at, kkemps09@centurytel.net, and we'll place it on-line in less then 48 hours (most of the time within 24 hours). Also, if you want a picture with your ad, simply scan it in jpeg format and send it w/your ad. Or, if you want to U.S. Mail us a ad w/photo we'll get it on as soon as we get it. Non-KKOA members can also place a ad w/a picture for only $10 per ad, w/a photo.
All ads will run for a minimum of 30 days, or longer w/space available. For even quicker service, Visa, or Mastercard is accepted on either of our security-safe membership page, or events page of this website. Once on, in the bottom "comment" box, simply type in "Ad for 4-Sale Page." Mailing by postal service send to: KKOA 26 Main St., Cassville, MO. 65625. Additional info. can be obtained by calling KKOA at: (417) 847-2940

Extra bonus! All ads received will also be placed in the next immediate issue of the Trendsetter magazine that's mailed to every KKOA member.

To see what's currently for sale,
go to the "4-Sale" page of this website.





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