Page 26 - ION Indie Magazine SeptOct 2022

This year I went alone but I did meet up with my brother, world-famous Paparazzi Rick Mendoza.
Rick and I would meet at the lobby and then we would start our exploring. Again, this year was so
different, with 3 days instead of the usual 5 days. The B-Floor (bottom floor) was closed off and
dark. Usually, the up-and-coming companies and music gear would be set up there. Half the main
floor was also closed off and dark. The rest of the other top floors did have activity going on as
most of the big-name brands were upstairs. Another thing I did notice was that the crowds were
much smaller than previous years. So, there was much more walking space whereas it would be
elbow-to-elbow in the past.

Vendors were smaller and not as many artists this year. I did hang out with some musicians,
including Teddy 'Zig Zag' Andreadis of G N'R, Actor/musician Sean McNabb (called me out by
name – I was thinking I was special but he read my name tag), the boys from Armored Saint, Jeff
Duncan and Phil Sandoval, The Pumps, Mariachi Divas, Kavanjo, Artifas, Elliot Easton of the
Cars, and Bunny Brunel.

I ran into actor/musician Corey Feldman. In fact, I ran into him many times throughout the day.
Super cool cat. I also was fortunate to attend two master photography classes -- one with Henry
Diltz. He has worked with The Doors, The Monkees, and was the official photographer at
Woodstock, Monterey Pop Festival, and Miami Pop Festival, and has photographed over 200
record album covers.

Also, I attended another class with Neal Preston again (my third). Neal has worked closely with
such artists as Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, Michael
Jackson, Whitney Houston, and many others. Those were once- in-a-lifetime opportunities! I’d
like to give a special thank you to the Anahiem Police department. Every year I get to chat with
the different officers and every year they are so welcoming to talk a bit about nothing and about
everything. This year, I got to chat with Sgt. Liest and Officer Diaz. You'll never know when a
crazy guitarist needs to be reminded to calm down.