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The World According To Dutch/Tales From A Dirt Road Book Reviews
Professional wrestler/manager/booker “Dirty” Dutch Mantell has written two books, and is writing a third one.
I am reviewing his first two books here.
Dutch’s first book The World According To Dutch, was released in 2009 and his second, Tales From A Dirt Road, was released in 2010.
Both of these books are not full on autobiographies, per say, but do have many stories from throughout Dutch’s life and career.
If you are a fan of Dutch or just of wrestling in general, then you will love these books.
Tons of great stories, some funny, some serious, but all worth reading.
I should have bought these years ago, but I just had not gotten around to it until last year.
It took awhile to receive them (I bought them from Dutch personally and due to health problems, it took him awhile to send them but most importantly, he’s OK now.) but once I did, I started reading them very quickly.
Both books are great and again if you’re a fan of his or of just wrestling, you will enjoy Dutch’s storytelling and humor very much.
Thank you Dutch for these great books (and thanks for signing them for me!!!!) and I can’t wait for your third book.
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Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs Of The Mistress Of The Dark By Cassandra Peterson Book Review
I’ve been a fan of Cassandra Peterson (Elvira) for many years, and I knew she released her memoir, Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs Of The Mistress Of The Dark a few years ago (2021), but I had not gotten around to reading it yet.
I’m sorry it took me awhile to get to it, but once I did, it was hard to keep down.
I wish all books were like that. Hers definitely is.
In her memoir, Cassandra talks about growing up in Kansas and Colorado Springs, getting accidentally burned as a child, becoming a groupie for a brief period (stories about Jimi Hendrix, The Yardbirds, Tom Jones, which is not a flattering story on Tom’s part), meeting Elvis Presley (amazing story), becoming a singer/dancer and later a Las Vegas showgirl, and becoming an actress.
She talks about starting work in The Groundlings troupe, which included Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman), Phil Hartman, Edie McClurg, and others.
And she talks about becoming Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark, in which she became a household name, and many more stories.
Cassandra, like all of us, has had a lot of ups and downs. Some of it is hard to read, but it’s her story. But even throughout the bad times (and the good), her humor stands tall.
She is tough and has not only survived, but thrived.
I’m very glad that she put out this memoir and I’m even more of a fan of hers now.
Thank you for all the entertainment you have given us fans over the decades and you are always appreciated.
And everyone: Please check out this book.
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Sheldon Lettich: From Vietnam To Van Damme Book Review
Sheldon Lettich: From Vietnam To Van Damme, written by Corey Danna (in collaboration with Sheldon) was released on July 22 of 2022.
Sheldon Lettich wanted to be a cinematographer, but ultimately ended up being a photographer, then a radio operator in Vietnam, then later became a screenwriter and director, just to name a few things.
He ultimately has worked with many movie stars, particularly Jean Claude Van Damme (before he was a star and beyond and ended up being friends with him), Sylvester Stallone, Charlton Heston, and many others.
He’s written and/or directed movies such as Bloodsport, Cyborg, Rambo III, Lionheart, Double Impact, Only The Strong, Legionnaire, The Order, and many others, and even created the play Tracers.
Corey Danna is a fan of Sheldon’s (as am I) and even though Sheldon did collaborate with Corey on this book, Corey is really telling Sheldon’s story.
I think it’s a good book with lots of great stories and information.
My only complaint is there is a lot of repeat information when it’s not necessary.
Having said that, I still liked it and I recommend checking it out.
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Perpetual Conversion By Dave Hofer Book Review
Perpetual Conversion: 30 Years & Counting in the Life of Metal Veteran Dan Lilker, written by Dave Hofer, was initially released in 2016, but went out of print for many years.
However, a second printing was released on October 18 of 2024.
I ultimately got it as a Christmas present.
If you’re a fan of Metal music, you probably at least know the name Dan (or Danny) Lilker.
He is the original bass player of the Thrash Metal band Anthrax. He actually came up with the name Anthrax.
He also is the bassist of S.O.D. (Stormtroopers Of Death), Nuclear Assault, Brutal Truth, and many other bands.
Danny is a Metal guy thru and thru and has always played heavy music.
This book tells Danny’s tale, and includes many quotes from Danny and many of his bandmates, family, and friends.
Danny has done a lot over the years, and even though he’s not a household name by any means, I think he has a cool story and I recommend reading this book if you can find it. Especially if you’re already a fan.
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Two Wolf Album Review
The band Two Wolf (featuring Blackfoot/early Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Greg T. Walker) released their first album in June of 2025.
Titled Two Wolf, what can I say other than it rocks!!
The band features Greg on bass and vocals, Lance Lopez on guitar and vocals, Chris Bell on guitar and vocals, and Rusty Valentine on drums and backing vocals.
The album features many originals and several re-recorded Blackfoot songs.
This whole album is really good and I cannot recommend it enough for any rock/hard rock/southern rock music fan.
And please go see the band live (review here).
They are just as good live as they are on album.
Keep on rocking guys and thanks Greg for signing it for me when I met you at the show!!
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I Got To See and Meet Another Member of Blackfoot!!
- Date of Concert: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Location of Concert: The Gallia County Fairgrounds in Gallipolis, OH
- Opener: Southern Mules
I knew that Blackfoot/early Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Greg T. Walker had a band called Two Wolf for the last several years, but I recently discovered they finally released a new album.
Called Two Wolf, it is a really good hard rock/southern rock album.
The whole band, consisting of Greg on bass and vocals, Lance Lopez on guitar and vocals, Chris Bell on guitar and vocals, and Rusty Valentine on drums and backing vocals, are a very tight and rocking band.
The album has lots of original songs, but also has Blackfoot songs too, which are all great re-records of the band Greg co-founded and was in for many years.
I found out Two Wolf were going to play at a charity concert (called Southern Rock Woodstock) a little more than an hour from my house.
I could not resist.
I’m not big on being outside for a festival type of show, which this was, for 12 hours, so I went much later in the day.
In fact, I didn’t get there until after 7 PM, although it was perfect timing because the sun was trying to go down, temperature wasn’t as hot, and the band that played before Two Wolf, a cover band called Southern Mules, was playing.
They did a great job playing many covers, including songs by Molly Hatchet, Styx, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and others. Even a Blackfoot classic, which Greg played with them on.
The song was Highway Song, which I consider Blackfoot’s Free Bird.
I saw Greg was walking towards a beer stand, so I followed him over, but another fan was talking to him. Soon afterwards, I was able to ask him if he would sign my Two Wolf CD, and he said he would, but to just give him a minute. I waited and then he motioned me towards the band’s merchandise tent.
I told him how much I loved the Two Wolf album and that I bought a band shirt at the show and he said “Good!”. I then asked him if he could sign the CD and he did with my sharpie.
I then asked if I could take some pictures with him, and he said yes.
I got some nice pictures of us, I must say.
I then got a fist bump from him and let him be after that.
Thank you sir for allowing me that moment of meeting you!!!!
Later, Greg and his band Two Wolf played and they really rocked.
They’re just as good live as they are on album.
They played most of the album, and some other Blackfoot songs.
Really good set and they were really loud and rocked!!
Thank you guys for the great album and show.
Keep on rocking!!
Two Wolf Set List:
- Highway Song (Southern Mules played this with Greg earlier in the night so I’m including it here.)
- Keep On Movin’
- Too Hard To Handle
- Wishing Well
- Wild Country
- Wrong Road
- Tell The Truth
- Diary Of A Working Man
- Fox Chase
- Left Turn On A Red Light
- Will I Believe
- Great Spirit
- El Paso Sugar
- Romeo
- The Blessed And The Cursed
- Train Train
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
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38 Special Still Rocks!!
- Date of Concert: Saturday, August 9, 2025
- Location of Concert: New Barn Theatre at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky
- Opener: Kolby Oakley
I’ve been wanting to see the band 38 Special for a long time, but have just not gotten around to it.
I finally rectified that when I saw them in Mt. Vernon, KY at a really cool venue called New Barn Theatre at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center.
38 Special still consists of lead singer/guitarist/songwriter Don Barnes (who still sings amazingly well) and the band also consists of Bobby Capps (keyboards/vocals), Gary Moffatt (drums), Barry Dunaway (bass/vocals), and Jerry Riggs (guitar).
38 Special are on their 50 Year Legacy Tour and have a new album coming out September 19th called Milestone, which I have preordered.
What can I say? They really rock live!!
Loud, but clean. You can hear everyone and all the vocals, especially from Don, are just phenomenal.
Keep on rocking guys. I can’t wait to hear the new album.
They are playing the first single from it now in concert “All I Haven’t Said”, which is a good first start to the album.
Opener Kolby Oakley and his band were solid and started the night off well.
Another great concert for me.
Next up is Two-Wolf (Blackfoot/Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Greg T. Walker’s band) on August 16.
Rock on everyone.
38 Special Set List:
- Rockin’ Into The Night
- Wild-Eyed Southern Boys
- Back Where You Belong
- The Sound Of Your Voice
- Back To Paradise
- Honky Tonk Dancer
- Rough-Housin;
- All I Haven’t Said (New Song)
- Teacher Teacher
- Somebody Like You
- Second Chance
- Like No Other Night
- Heart’s On Fire
- Radar Radar (Riggs cover song)
- If I’d Been The One
- Fantasy Girl
- Good Times (The Easybeats cover song)
- Caught Up In You
- Chain Lightnin’
- Encore: Hold On Loosely
Kolby Oakley Set List:
- Who Do You Love
- He’s A High Roller
- I’m Better Left Alone
- If That Ain’t Country
- Instrumental Medley: Welcome To The Jungle/Man In The Box/Sad But True/Fire/Immigrant Song/Crazy On You/The Boys Are Back In Town/Tom Sawyer/Bohemian Rhapsody
- Sober Side Of Me
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
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Freakier Friday Movie Review
Freakier Friday, released August 8th of 2025, was a movie I was not going to miss in the theater.
It is the sequel to Freaky Friday, released in 2003.
Once again starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, this movie is quite similar to the first movie, in which both of them end up going into another body.
Although unlike the first movie, Lindsay goes into her daughter’s body and Jamie goes into Lindsay’s daughter’s rival’s (soon to be step-sister’s) body.
If you like or love the first movie, you will like or love this one too.
It’s a lot of fun and I had a great time watching it.
Check it out.
Great job to everyone who made it.
Fun movie!!
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The Naked Gun (2025) Movie Review
My girlfriend Mariah and I went to see the 2025 version of The Naked Gun on Friday, August 1.
For anyone who doesn’t know, The Naked Gun is a sequel to The Naked Gun movies starring Leslie Nielsen from the late 1980s/early 1990s, which are followups to the show Police Squad, also starring Nielsen.
These movies are spoofs, so they are not meant to be taken seriously and they’re strictly meant to be fun and funny.
They are and this one is no different.
Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr. (Leslie Nielsen’s Frank Drebin’s son), an L.A.P.D. detective who is very good at his job, but also bends and breaks the rules big time to get the job done.
In this movie, he ends up helping Pamela Anderson (who plays a detective novelist and does a very good job in this movie) solve the murder of her brother.
Let’s just say a lot of funny things happen throughout and you will laugh a lot watching this movie.
We need more laughs these days, and this movie certainly delivers on that.
It’s very funny and it’s just fun.
Go see it.
You won’t regret it.
And also stick around for all the end credits because there is more that goes on all the way to the end.
And there are funny references in the credits too.
See if you can find them.
Mariah and I loved it and I think you will too.
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Pat Travers Band Rocked Columbus, Ohio!!
- Date of Concert: Friday, July 25, 2025
- Location of Concert: The King Of Clubs in Columbus, OH
- Opener: Terry Davidson & The Gears
Pat Travers Band rocked Columbus, OH.
The Pat Travers Band consists of Pat Travers on vocals/guitar, David Pastorius (Bassist Jaco Pastorius’ nephew) on bass (also phenomenal), and Alex Petrosky on drums.
What a great rock trio.
I really don’t have much more to say on this show, except it rocked and to quote Pat Travers “I’m Pat Travers, and this is my band! And we’re gonna kick your ass!”.
And they did!!
Also the opener, Columbus favorites Terry Davidson & The Gears, started the show nicely.
Pat Travers Band Set List:
- Rock N Roll Susie
- Life In London
- Crash And Burn
- Off Beat Ride
- I’ve Got News For You
- Ronnie
- Gettin’ Betta
- Born Under A Bad Sign
- Spinning Wheel
- Makes No Difference
- Racing The Storm
- Snortin’ Whiskey
- Boom Boom Out Goes The Lights
- Encore: Drum Solo
- Bass/Drums Jam
- Come On Pt. 1
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
