Florida is in the shape of a gun. Donny Myhre is from FL and he is 50 years old
Posted
on
on Monday, June 08, 2015
by Leonard
Words and photos by Leonard Trubia. A drained swamp ornamented with several handles that contradict one other: The Sunshine state. The Redneck Riviera. The South (geographically). The thawing table for Canadian snowbirds (unbelievers of service gratuity).
Donny is 50.
Florida is a strange place. Riddled with trigger happy Bull sharks, blood thirsty Mosquitos, Red Ants that have collectively killed babies, and Alligators in every lake. It is also the Flattest state in the country. That being said, it is a great place to Retire. There was a birthday cake.
Growing up here, I often felt like it was the waiting room for the decaying undead Blue hairs with limited neck rotation in orthopedic shoes no less, inching their way into darkness. 50.
Yes, the place I call home. As a Floridian and a part-time patriot of the red white and blue, I can’t help but draw some metaphors and analogies from our nation’s humble beginnings and our nation’s weirdest state. Bear with me. 50.
Pretend you’re a foodie. You love to savor and graph the pleasures of the palette. Now let’s use the culinary arts and that sophisticated tongue to help understand the origins of the state of Florida. Cooking Culture 101. If the good ol' United States of America is the melting pot of the world, surely Florida is the porridge of the country. A soup with ingredients imported from several not so exotic regions of the country. A goulash garnished with a dash of hops from Toronto transients. An accent of impatience from fast talking New Yorkers. And a puffy lip filled with Copenhagen snuff kicked and shoveled down from Alabama. All when heated to a summer boil of 100+ temps compounded with tropical humidity, this medley can taste and appear more of a horrid goulash than anything Campbell’s can seal into a can. As a Brooklyn born Tampa native, I can attest to the stark differences that define regions of Florida. In an attempt to emphasize regional significance, I’ve compiled a list of Florida talents and referencing their hometowns. Here is some history on FL: Lets start at the top. Jacksonville, FL
Buck Smith, Todd Johnson, Bob Reeves, Barry Floyd, Marty Ramos, Donnie Griffin, Kevin Lambert, David Calhoun, Bill Hubbard, Brian Childers, Neil Mims, Pensacola, FL
Scott Stanton Gainesville, FL
Rodney Mullen, Monty Nolder, Donny Myhre, Sam Myhre, Billy Rohan, Phil Hajal, John McGuigan, Rob Bjorkland, Michael Martin, Trip Walker. Daytona, FL
Team Glug: Lenny Byrd, Bruce Martin, Frog, and a bunch of fun loving beer sucking machines that I wish I could recall. Hey, Mark Lake is from somewhere around this area, Even Tom Groholski moved here, along with Bob Umbel. Lakeland, FL
Mike Speranzo, Rodney Mead, Billy Beauregard. Tampa, FL
Brian Schaefer, Ed Selego, Kevin Coss, (Seasonal) Rob Mertz, Ken Sigafoos, Bill Weiss Justin Bokma, Kyle Randall. St. Petersburg, FL
John Grigley, Cleo Coney, Bruce Whiteside, Paul Schmitt, Mike Daly, Lance Conklin, Scott Conklin, Bo Turner, Brian Drake. New Port Richey, FL
Mike McGill, John Montessi, Nick Matlin. Clearwater, FL
Mike Frazier, Mike Daher, George Daher, Ralph Holjes, Jerry Giaradina, Jimmy “the Greek” Markus, Tony Simotis. And then there is also Allen “Ollie” Gelfand. So what I’m trying to say is that the state of FL has raised a healthy crop of skateboarders. And some of us still keep in touch. The following images are a direct product of Donny Myhre’s 50th Birthday Jam in Nashville, Tennessee. I know the Tampa Pro is a blast, but if you are from FL you might appreciate some of these faces. -Leonard Trubia
Donny may be old but he's got style. Style can't be bought or sold.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Cake.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Donny, a very good dude.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Donny - layback rollout.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Cincinnati Max - Andrecht.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Cincinnati Max is an original Andrecht reverts. And he has never heard of Dave Andrecht.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Ben Fox, my attorney.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Sam Myhre. Some say Gonz was inspired by Sam.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Sam Myhre.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Sam and Donny Myhre.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Pete Layton.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Nashville Billy.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Nashville Billy entered Tampa Am 2001 - anonymously. What a earnest man.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Rodney Cassell is a lifer. I know you've never heard of Madrid, but Owen Nieder, John Lucero, and many others had boards on this label.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia
Rodney Cassell - Deathbox.
Date:
June 08, 2015
Photographer: Leonard Trubia