In August 2000 The GYPSY had the honor of cleaning up and re-coloring the tattoos of "Slaughter" guitarist and back-up vocalist Jeff "Blando" Bland and Slaughter's chief sound engineer Don Obenauer, the man that cranks it up!

The GYPSY was working the Sturgis Rally and Races 60th Anniversary event in his mobile unit on LaSalle street when Blando and Don approached him about cleaning up their tattoos before their concert at the "Camel Pyramid" that evening. A great friendship based on artist appreciation and mutual respect was formed between the three men that afternoon.

In October of 2000 Blando and Don paid a visit to the SACTE studio, which at that time was located in Baxter Springs, KS., and The GYPSY finished the clean-up of Blando's tattoo's. Blando and Don gave The GYPSY and his wife Debbie all access passes for their concert in Tulsa the next night. Not only did The GYPSY and Debbie get to rock out back stage to the music of "Slaughter" they also got the thrill of a lifetime when they were invited to sing Slaughter's hit "Up All Night" on stage with them.

In 2002 The GYPSY and Debbie were again invited to hang with Slaughter at another concert date in Tulsa, OK. The GYPSY has tried to convince Mark Slaughter to get a tattoo but as he says, "I just can't decide what I want...." That's all right Mark, we just want you, Dana Strum, Blas Elias and Blando to continue to rock out and that's more than enough!

RIP Tim Kelly.

For more on Slaughter Please visit www.slaughterweb.com

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Shriners are men who enjoy life, fun is a large part of the shrine. Shriners, along with their ladies, their families and friends have many opportunities to enjoy the fun the Shrine has to offer. Activities such as parades, dances, circuses, and parties offer something for every member of your family. Many of these activities help support the Shrine's philanthropy ... Shriners Hospitals for Children!

Every August 750,000 Motorcycle enthusiasts descend upon Sturgis, South Dakota for the annual Sturgis Rally and Races. Making this yearly pilgrimage are The GYPSY and Richard "Dick" Gudowski. The two men became acquainted in 2000 and have become fast friends over the years.

Every year Dick and his lovely wife Mary seek out The GYPSY and satisfy their tattoo cravings. Dick who is a Shrine Clown, Horseman and was the 2006 Grand Potentate of the Aad Shrine of Duluth, Minnesota has an ongoing Oriental motif across his back.

If you met this man on the street you would never know that he is as heavily tattooed as he is but what you would know, within a matter of seconds, is this; The man's heart is as big as he is.

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If you ever plan to motor west,
Travel my way, take the highway that is best.
Get your kicks on route sixty-six.

It winds from Chicago to LA,
More than two thousand miles all the way.
Get your kicks on route sixty-six.

Now you go through Saint Louis
Joplin, Missouri,
And Oklahoma city is mighty pretty.
You see Amarillo,
Gallup, New Mexico,
Flagstaff, Arizona.
Don't forget Winona,
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino.

Wont you get hip to this timely tip:
When you make that California trip
Get your kicks on route sixty-six

Tattoo collector Ron Jones will soon make history when the Guinness Book of World Records proclaims him the man with the most Route 66 themed tattoos. To date Ron has 57 tattoo's and all of them represent a spot in the road on the famous road. The GYPSY has had the honor of doing approximately half of Ron's tattoos.

Ron's own father does not even know the extent of his obsession. "My 85 year old Father does not know I have tattoos," Ron has said, "If he did it would kill him." Some day Ron may be able to roll up his sleeves in the summer time but for now he'll just have to pray that his father never sees the numerous magazines, newspaper articles and television documentaries that Ron has been featured in.

 *Copying or reprinting of copyrighted material is expressly forbidden by law, is an infringement of intellectual rights and is professionally unethical. Theft and unauthorized copying of our items, photos or art will be dealt with to the full extent of the law. Please note that a true professional will not copy a tattoo that was done exclusively for another person.

WE DO PROSECUTE AND LITIGATE FOR DAMAGES!