I first met Jackyl in the summer of 1992 as they were promoting their debut album.  We had dinner before the band tore up the stage at a club on the south side of Pittsburgh. 

I can recall the main course interrupted when the song “Tequila” was blasted through the restaurant sound system.  Jesse James Dupree grabbed a long, black wig (from where he was keeping the prop, I never asked), jumped on the dinner table and did his best Pee Wee Herman impersonation.

(Later that night following their set the band members insisted I wear the wig backstage. I was too drunk to ask why or debate it, but relieved that smart phone cameras weren’t popularized just yet)

My intoxicated state from that night took days to get over but my friendship with the band remained.  I’ve been a guest at Jesse’s home in Georgia (aptly named “Disgraceland”), hosted band web chats from my home, been mentioned on future LP credits and nobody (I repeat NOBODY) could ever been a better “wing man” for a 20-something, single male than the wives of Jeff and Chris Worley.

Jackyl continues to rock with unapologetic, power-driven, AC/DC influenced riffs.  And Jesse Dupree continues to expand his brand with a new whiskey and another season of his reality show. Tonight (3/6) is the season 4 finale of “Full Throttle Saloon”, based from the world’s largest biker bar (by the same name) in Sturgis, South Dakota.

Some highlights from last week’s episode…

Listen to our interview with Jesse Dupree and watch “Full Throttle Saloon” on truTV.  And don’t miss “Throttle Fest” this summer coming once again to Toyota Park in Bridgeville, IL.

I was there last year as Jackyl headlined the final night of the festival.  And here’s one picture I took that I don’t mind being shared…