Page 4 - Issue 46

Editor’s
Editor’s Notes
Editor’s

ver been in a position where you have to make a decision you wish you er been in a position where you have to make a decision you wish you
v
didn’t have to make?
didn’t have to make?
I fi rst got into the magazine business back in 2008 when my wife and I
I fi rst got into the magazine business back in 2008 when my wife and I
started working for a free to the public regional motorcycle magazine based
started working for a free to the public regional motorcycle magazine based
out of St Louis Mo. It wasn’t long before we were promoted to the Illinois
out of St Louis Mo. It wasn’t long before we were promoted to the Illinois
Editors. In 2011 we resigned from our positions never thinking we would
Editors. In 2011 we resigned from our positions never thinking we would
E miss it. We were wrong. In the spring of 2012 we launched our very own
E miss it. We were wrong. In the spring of 2012 we launched our very own
magazine called Ride Hard. The response was overwhelming as the bi-states motorcycle
magazine called Ride Hard. The response was overwhelming as the bi-states motorcycle
community not only embraced us, but took us to a level we could never have imagined. I
community not only embraced us, but took us to a level we could never have imagined. I
still get goosebumps when I think about it.
still get goosebumps when I think about it.
It was during those Ride Hard days that I fi rst met Steve Thamert at an event here in
St Louis. Something with us clicked and he became not only my mentor… but my best
friend. It is because of all he taught me and the time he invested in me, that I sit here
today as Editor in Chief of not only this great magazine, but his creation. I do not have
the words to express how serious I take that, or how much it means to me for someone
to trust me that much. Knowing that, is what makes this decision so hard.
I love a good challenge. But the challenge I’m faced with now is going to take an awful
lot of my focus away from my job as Editor in Chief. I don’t feel I can give this job the
devotion it requires and still meet the challenge ahead of me. So, it is with great regret
that this will be my last issue as Editor in Chief of Rat Rod Magazine. I hope that what I’ve
done here was well received by you all.
In my time here with this magazine I have made some of the best memories of my life
and met some of the best people. I can’t begin to describe to you how good it feels to
make someone’s dream of being featured in a national magazine come true. Many times,
I’ve had the opportunity to go a step farther and actually shoot the features myself. One
that comes to mind is shooting Justin Taylors Death Rat out in Vegas. The excitement on
his face alone was worth the stress and long hours spent on that issue.
To each and every one of you that I have met through this magazine I want to
thank you. Thank you for accepting me, supporting me and thank you for your
friendship. It’s truly been a pleasure.
To my staff here, I’d like to remind you all of something that I have never one time
forgotten. We are the voice of hard working people who until this magazine came
along.. was looked down on in the car show culture. Because of what we do here, that
rat rod scene is now mainstream. We give rat rod builders a chance to show off their
blood sweat and tears to a national audience. Yes, it takes long hours, time away from
our families, mile after mile of travel often alone. But it’s worth it. Look at the fun we
have all had, the friends we have made and the extended family we have gained. My
hat’s off to you all and I bid you a fond farewell!

-Jerry

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