Jesse James Dupree has announced the inaugural AMERICA’S ULTIMATE BIKER competition. The event will be staged at Michael Ballard’s Full Throttle Saloon during the 2012 rally, and filmed for the hit television series on Tru-TV FULL THROTTLE SALOON. Any individual can register on August 3, 4, or 5, between the hours of 1PM and 4PM. Those who qualify will move on to the competition phase that begins on Monday, August 6, with a different event each day of the rally between 1 and 4. Some of these will include riding and agility events, with a focus on mechanical skills. To win, the contestants will need to exemplify in every manner that they display the traits of America’s Ultimate Biker. Following familiar biker games that progressively become more difficult, the finale will feature a cannonball run contest. The winner will be crowned at the end of the rally on August 10, and handed the keys to Dupree’s custom 2012 Harley-Davidson Street Glide motorcycle. To pre-register or request additional information e-mail [email protected].
Jackyl return on July 31st with the release of Best In Show via Dupree’s Mighty Loud label (Fontana). The same day, the company will street the debut from his son Nigel Dupree titled Up To No Good. In celebration of Father’s Day, each issued a single to radio. Both Jackyl’s “Screwdriver” and Nigel Dupree’s “Tumbleweed,” are performing at the rock formats. In front of the single hitting the air, Jesse James Dupree emphasized, “You have to raise them to ROCK.”
Multi-platinum selling Jackyl has long since validated itself as one of America’s most loved rock bands. Specialists in down and dirty blue-collar rock and roll, Jackyl’s legacy of its wild, untamed and uncouth approach to rock ‘n’ roll is well established. The band hit the scene in 1990, and immediately began firing off rock radio hits like “Down On Me,” “When Will It Rain,” “I Stand Alone,” and most notably, “The Lumberjack” during which Dupree performs a chain-saw solo. The introduction of Jackyl’s fifth instrument on album and in concert quickly became one of the band’s many trademarks as the group blazed a path to infamy, sharing the stage with Aerosmith, Kiss, ZZ Top, Ted Nugent and Damn Yankees and working with industry heavyweights such as John Kalodner. C/DC’s Brian Johnson would go on to lend his vocals to the track “Locked And Loaded” which still stands as his only contribution outside of AC/DC recordings. The band has earned two Guinness Book of World Records citations and the designation “The Hardest working Band in Rock ‘N’ Roll” for performing 100 shows in 50 days as well as 21 shows in 24 hours. Staying true to their working band roots, Jackyl is a staple on the summer festival circuit and maintains their commitment to every show being the sonic equivalent to a man being shot out of a cannon.
Jesse James Dupree shares, “This is our 20th anniversary from our first release and we made sure Best In Show would show we have not let up one bit.”
Dupree’s son Nigel grew up in a home filled with music. Immersed in the surroundings of his father’s band, and the sounds of those his father produced when off the road, the 22 year-old steps front and center with the release of Up To No Good. Nigel Dupree presents a glimpse in to his own voice, and sound, that certainly exhibit the impact his father has had on him, but also reveals a presence that is uniquely his own, Nigel offers, “Everyone is a little like their parents. For me, it comes as pure and honest as it gets. There is no question there has been an impact, but I have my own influences, and my own approach to songwriting. The result of which is this new album.”
Jackyl has announced a tour that will keep the band on the road a good part of 2012. The itinerary is still being locked, but the following appearances are confirmed:
7/20 Louisville, KY Jim Porter’s
7/21 Petaconia, IL Breast Fest
7/26 Royalton, MN Halfway Jam
7/27 Rhinelander, WI Elbo Room Lounge
7/28 Wateska, IL Wateska Theatre
8/09 Sturgis, SD Full Throttle Saloon
8/18 Connersville, IN Wounded Warrior Project
8/23 Grand Junction, CO Rock Jam
9/01 Freeport, TX Freeport Summertime Blues Festival
9/13 Ocean City, MD OC Bike Fest
9/14 Ocean City, MD OC Bike Fest
9/15 Howland, ME Seboeis Stream Campground