Tattoo Story and Interview with Uncle Kracker

Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo artists and customers alike, love Kenny Chesney and all things country. This interview with Uncle Kracker about his new tattoo is a great chance to hear why he chose it. We're suckers for a great tattoo story.


Uncle Kracker Gets a New Tattoo While Chatting About Kenny Chesney, Tour Grub and Childhood Memories
By: Nashville Kat
April 19, 2011

Uncle Kracker, who’s currently on the road with Kenny Chesney on this year’s Goin’ Coastal Tour and readying the release of new album ‘Cigarettes and One Night Stands,’ is sitting in a chair at a tattoo parlor getting inked while on the phone with Taste of Country … and he says that yes, it does hurt. The multitasking country star — who, by the way, prefers to be called by Matt (his real name) rather than Kracker, as it’s the name he “feels best with” — opens up to us about his friendship with tourmate Kenny Chesney, what he survives off of on the road and some intriguing childhood memories.

Do you have a lot of tattoos?
I have many, and in fact, I’m literally sitting in a tattoo chair as we speak. Right now Jeff Shay, who has been tattooing me for a while now, is doing the table of elements from that chart you may have seen before. It is the atomic symbol. It is the symbol for gold, and the tattoo says “stay gold.”

How did you first meet Kenny Chesney?
I came up underneath Kid Rock, in a way, and Kenny came up kind of underneath Tim McGraw, so we met that way and we really related a lot to each other because of that. That is something we didn’t really put that together ’til years later. Music is the main thing we share a common interest in. He is very generous, and he gave me a car a few years ago when I opened for him, a ’69 Plymouth Roadrunner. He is just a great dude. He is like the Elvis of country, giving presents to people all the time.

What’s one thing we may not know about Kenny?
He still only eats chicken and broccoli Monday through Saturday. He has been doing that for years now. He also scrambles his eggs in a plastic bowl and microwaves them. Not very healthy!

What are Top 3 food items you always have on your tour bus?
Provolone cheese, beer nuts and oats and honey granola bars.

What’s the weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
Pickled pig lips. Apparently these are everywhere in Louisiana. You usually find them next to the quail eggs. I found them in a gas station in Louisiana one time next to the Slim Jims. I don’t recommend them to anybody, though. I went through every emotion known to man after trying them. They are crunchy with cartilage, sort of like when you bite you lip but keep going. I didn’t actually swallow it. I only tried it … so it is not something I look forward to trying ever again!

Of all of the things you’ve bought over the years, what is the best thing you ever spent money on?
Probably the ice machine in my kitchen, but I’m trying to get the kind of ice machine that crushes the cubes like White Castle does. I hear Sara Evans has one on her bus, so I’m going to have to have my people get a hold of her people and find out where she got it.

What is your very first childhood memory?
My parents are still freaked out that I remember this, but I was about 3 and my parents and my cousins and I were at a gathering at my grandparents’ house. I remember there was a big to-do about a tornado that was coming through. They took my cousin Stacy who was just born at the time, and they put her in like this cooler and set her in this ditch. I remember being freaked out about why they were putting her in a cooler in a ditch.

Tell us about a scar you have and how you got it.
I was accident prone as a kid, so I have scars everywhere. I was 4-years-old and I climbed this fence to get in the back of the school yard to play in the playground. It was time to come home and all of us kids were racing to leave, and I got caught in the forked wires at the top of the fence. It slashed both my wrists so I came home bleeding. My mom was at bingo and only my dad was there, and he just slapped a Band-Aid on it and I was good to go. It was clearly wide open so when my mom got home she threw a fit and took me to the hospital where I had a lot of stitches.

Growing up, were you ever in the principal’s office?
I actually ended up there a lot, and it was mostly for falling asleep in class. I would always wake up drooling. When I was a senior, I had government class and I slept so much my assignment was to write “I will not fall asleep in government class” like 250 to 300 times. It was a screwy class!

Who is someone that you look up to?
My grandpa Smith, my mom’s dad. I watched him raise a family of three kids on a shoestring budget, and he was still the happiest and wisest person I’ve ever met. He always had a great way of putting things. He was great with words and he always had a good answer. I think I get my logic from him. I’m a pretty logical cat and I think it’s from him. I looked up to him a lot because he kept a wife, he kept three kids, he was always happy, he worked in a factory and raised them all and that’s really something to look up to in this day and age when people just aren’t happy. I can admire someone like my grandpa who was always happy and proud.

What is something you can do better than anybody else?
I am pretty good at sitting on a couch with a 40 oz. glass of beer. I could waste an entire day doing that, I guess.
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If you are looking for a RI Tattoo Studio that is clean, safe and sterile, visit Inflicting Ink Tattoo Studio in Portsmouth RI for the Best Tattoo in RI. And if you're looking for a way to have Us come to You, consider hiring our Win Traveling Tattoo Studio or hosting a Private Party with the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo Truck.

Japan Relief Efforts Charity Tattoo Events

Japan relief efforts in the world of tattoos continued strong into April 2011, with one supplier of ink offering 100% of the profits on the sale of the three Japanese colors of ink that he sells. Tattoo charity events were happening all over the world, and we would like to take a moment to pay tribute to some of the people who helped out, remembering that the art of tattooing has a much longer history in Japan than here in America, these events also become a tribute to our inspiration from the East.



Japanese Earthquake Relief

From now until June 1st, 2011, I will donate 100% of the proceeds from the sale of all of the 3 Japanese colors I sell. These colors are J. Orange, J. Red and J. Pink.

You can get them on the website at Waverly Color Co. or from me directly at the Baltimore Tattoo Museum. ( Please call ahead of time if you are coming to see me in person.)

The 2 oz. bottles are $ 30.00 and the 4 oz. bottles are $57.00. Thanks for your support as always and dig deep! I can't imagine the lives of people that have been changed overnight by a natural disaster.

I'm heartened by the outpouring of support in the tattoo community and I see this as something I can do to get money there relatively quickly to the people who need it now. All money will be forwarded to the Japanese Red Cross as it comes in to avoid delay.

Have a great day and please repost and pass on this info as you see fit.

Bill


Tattooers for Japan raise funds for disaster relief
by Allison Chorney
April 2011

Local artists give time and talent to help country influenced art form

For many tattoo enthusiasts, walking into a tattoo shop can be like walking into a den of temptation. The brightly coloured flash cards with pre-designed tattoos, the low buzz of the tattoo guns and the beautiful art in the portfolio books can have some thinking: maybe I should get just one more.

That’s what artists at Bushido Tattoo Studio and Deadly Tattoo Inc. are hoping for on May 1, as they donate the proceeds of that day to the disaster relief effort in Japan.

“[We want to] try and fill this place up,” said Dave Fried, an artist at Deadly Tattoo Inc.

Tattooers for Japan, the brainchild of Canadian tattoo artist Dave Allen, brings together tattoo artists from around the world to raise money for the International Rescue Committee.

Modern tattoos have strong roots in traditional Japanese tattoos, said Shawn Hedley of Classic Tattoos, which is also participating in the event. Horis – traditional Japanese tattoo masters – strongly influenced Americana tattoo styles with the full body tattoo suit.

“Full sleeves and back pieces all come from Japanese tattooing,” said Hedley.

“The Japanese had it down on how to design for the body.”

Hedley was approached by Allen to help organize the three events happening in Alberta. Following the Calgary event, Hedley will be at Tattooers for Japan Edmonton on May 7, and the Red Deer event on May 15.

More than 37 shops – one from as far away as Denmark – have committed to give 100 per cent of one day’s profits to the relief effort.

Calgary’s Deadly Tattoo Inc., located at 358 58 Ave. S.W., has the day wide open for walk-in appointments. Though they have small flash pieces prepared for the day, Fried said small alterations to the designs can be made.

“It’s a $50 minimum but don’t be cheap, it’s for a good cause,” said Deadly artist and self-proclaimed “nice guy” James Tex.

Bushido Tattoo Studio, located at 218 17th Ave. S.E., is already booked for the entire day but invites people to come to the studio to donate and connect with people, said Laurel Pilling, the studio’s manager.

The studio has five cherry blossom designs that clients can choose from at the event. The designs were created by Samantha Smith, one of the artists at the shop, and were specifically chosen for their Japanese influence.

“Bushido always wants to support our local and global community. We are very pleased to be involved,” said Pilling.

The May 1 event at Deadly Tattoo will include around 20 artists from several other tattoo studios including: Classic Tattoo located in Red Deer, Eternal Tattoo Calgary and Calgary’s Smiling Buddah.

“We’ll tattoo as long as our eyes can take it,” Hedley said.


Kat Von D On Japan Relief Fundraiser, Marrying Jesse James & More
by Casey
April 2011

Kat, along with many other tattoo artists, will be volunteering their time this Thursday (April 14th) and giving 100% of the proceeds to Save the Children Japan, an organization that helps the children and their families following the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Being so far away from a natural disaster can leave people wondering what they can do to help. Kat and some of her fellow tattoo artists are putting their tattooing skills to good use this Thursday at her High Voltage Tattoo shop. From noon-10pm, you can head down to High Voltage Tattoo and pick one of the designs inspired by Japan, and be tattooed for $200.

High Voltage Tattoo is located at:
1259 N. La Brea Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90038

It’s a great way donate to a worthy cause, while also taking home a piece of art that is a constant reminder of the devastation and the charitable camaraderie that followed.

Each of the designs is unisex, and about 3″ x 3″ in size. Tattoos are done on a first come, first served basis.


Tattoo Community Rallies for Japan
March 17, 2011

The global tattoo community has been mobilized to help relief efforts in Japan.

One group, Tattooers for Japan, is encouraging artists worldwide to raise funds by donating a day's tattoo fees to a specific charity. Here are more details:

"The goal is to unite tattooers globally to show their compassion and gratitude to a country and culture that has influenced most of us artistically and personally. All of us owe a large debt of gratitude to Japan for its contribution to tattooing and the trade we are all so passionate about. The idea is for each tattooer/shop to schedule a walk-in day in April with all proceeds going to relief efforts in Japan. Choose your own day, advertise to your client base and community, pick a theme if you'd like. Please invite any tattooers you know to join this effort. [...] Let the Japanese foundations of respect, compassion, and integrity inspire you to help!"

A charity has yet to be officially chosen but, according to their Facebook group, it looks like the money could go to the Red Cross. They are still waiting to hear from artists in Japan about more direct methods to help. Their FB group page also has instant updates on the exact days some tattoo studios will be holding their fundraisers.

Tattoo Revolution Magazine and Tattoo.tv also have lists of relief efforts.

We'll be posting updates as well including the release of specially designs tees by Horitaka and Chad Koeplinger, the proceeds of which will be donated to charity.


Inking out help for Japan relief efforts
By Richard Vivian
Apr 18, 2011

Like many artists in his field, Citrus City Tattoo owner Keith Winterbottom takes a lot of inspiration from his colleagues in Japan.

That’s why he wants to assist relief efforts there in light of the massive earthquake and tsunami that hit on March 11, as well as the many aftershocks that followed.

This Friday (April 22), the shop is offering an array of Japanese maple leaves and cherry blossom tattoos in exchange for a minimum $50 donation. All proceeds will be given to Peace Winds Japan and the International Rescue Committee.

“They’ve been tattooing for a lot longer than a lot of us, and there’s quite a few Japanese artists that lost their shops and stuff in all the mess,” Winterbottom said of his inspiration to join a fundraising initiative known as Tattooers for Japan.

“I actually have a guest artist from Sarnia coming to work with me because I think we’re going to be so slammed.”

Similar events are taking place at tattoo parlours throughout the world during the month of April.

With two tattoo artists working all day — Winterbottom and his guest, Dan Fowler — the shop owner hopes to see 50 or more people turn out for some Japan-themed ink. If that comes to fruition, he’ll bring in upward of $2,500 for the cause.

“Usually our minimum charge here is $80 to do anything, but for the event here, we’re doing $50 for a single blossom,” he said.

“It’s a walk-in day — first come, first served all day long,” Winterbottom added. “We chose the holiday (Good Friday) because everybody’s off, nobody’s working.”

Citrus City Tattoo is located at 155 Broadway. For more information, call 519-943-0161.


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If you are looking for a RI Tattoo Studio that is clean, safe and sterile, visit Inflicting Ink Tattoo Studio in Portsmouth RI for the Best Tattoo in RI. And if you're looking for a way to have Us come to You, consider hiring our Win Traveling Tattoo Studio or hosting a Private Party with the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo Truck.

Norman Collins Work Preserved as Historic Art

What great news for the history of tattooing in America! One of the nation's most loved early tattoo artists, Normal Collins, will have his life work preserved and forever linked to the history of tattoos.
An article discussing his life and contribution to this artform follows in its entirety below.


Saving 'Sailor Jerry'
Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts preserves work of legendary tattoo artist Norman Collins
April 12, 2011
By NATALIE POMPILIO

TO MANY, he's the godfather of American tattooing, the original outsider artist.

Between 1940 and 1973, Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins inked his distinctive tattoos on the flesh of visitors to his Hawaii shop. His distinctive style combining bold lines and careful coloration is still imitated today and can be found today on thousands - perhaps tens of thousands - of people.

"It's pure folk Americana and it has a rich history," said Erich Weiss, of Philadelphia, who wrote a book and directed a documentary about Collins. "People now consider tattooing as an art form, but back then they didn't see it that way. "

Now Center City's Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts is preserving Collins' work for prosperity with the same care they've put into historic documents and other masterpieces of art. They're finishing up the project in time to mark the 100th anniversary of Collins' birth this year.

The center is a nonprofit conservation laboratory that focuses on works on paper, ranging from paintings to rare books to photos. Among the historic documents that have crossed the center's tables: Ben Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack, abolitionist Frederick Douglass' diaries and a copy of the U.S. Constitution.

The conservators have painstaking, sometimes tedious, jobs. They must maintain the integrity of the original works while repairing obvious damage. Tools of the trade include fragile Japanese paper, brushes, erasers and gentle solvents.

The center handled three types of Collins' work: drawings on tracing paper, stencils on acetate, and "flash art," the designs that the artist displayed in his studio.

"This gave me a really wonderful opportunity to do some research on the man and his contributions to the tattoo art," said Samantha Sheesley, the conservator who headed the center's 10-person team that restored Collins' works.

Younger people may associate "Sailor Jerry" with the brand of clothing and other commercial items such as rum that bear his name. They may also be familiar with Collins' style as designer Ed Hardy was one of his proteges. Once based in Philadelphia, the Sailor Jerry brand is now headquartered in Ireland.

But they may not know that "Jerry" was a real person, a grizzled former sailor who plied his craft for years in a Honolulu shop that had lines of patrons stretching out the door.

Copyright http://articles.philly.com/
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If you are looking for a RI Tattoo Studio that is clean, safe and sterile, visit Inflicting Ink Tattoo Studio in Portsmouth RI for the Best Tattoo in RI. And if you're looking for a way to have Us come to You, consider hiring our Win Traveling Tattoo Studio or hosting a Private Party with the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo Truck.

Traveling Tattoo and Travel Tattoos

We thought it only fitting here at Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo, that we pay a little tribute to those with wanderlust in our ranks - the wearers and bearers of Travel Tattoos.

Travel tattoos are, as the name implies, tattoos that relate to travel. Far from being the sole enchantment of gypsies, bohemians, and road-trip junkies, travel tattoos are a way to commemorate a time in your life when freedom and seeing the world might have been the only thing on your mind.

Like the scrapbook that you carry with you, travel tattoos go where you go, and are the epitome of light traveling for those with the wandering spirit. At a time in your life when taking photos meant more luggage, the idea of an indelibly inked memory for each special locale could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Many wandering folks see this as a way of life and shun the conventional idea of settling down in one place for long periods of time. For those who embrace this way of life as a companion rather than a visitor, the idea of documenting the journey through their lives is that much more appealing and poignant.

Oddly enough, those who have ink done as a way to commemorate traveling are also the least likely to experience tattoo regret and later wish to have the tattoo removed. Unlike the ex whose name you simply cannot take another day looking at, or the ill-planned tattoo ideas around 'we'll be friends forever', travel tattoos signify a time in our lives when there was perhaps nothing but our own ingenuity and friendship upon which to rely.

Rarely if ever, are the locations you visit while traveling and memorialize through your body art, the kinds of tattoos that will bring you sorrow down the road. If anything, these are the inspiration for campfire stories, and enhance the wrinkles of old age with their nostalgia and recollections of life on the road.
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If you are looking for a RI Tattoo Studio that is clean, safe and sterile, visit Inflicting Ink Tattoo Studio in Portsmouth RI for the Best Tattoo in RI. And if you're looking for a way to have Us come to You, consider hiring our Win Traveling Tattoo Studio or hosting a Private Party with the Inflicting Ink Traveling Tattoo Truck.