Cincinnati Biker Misses Chance To Interview Hell's Angel Sonny Barger

Sonny Barger

                                                                                    Keep on reading because there's a good reason this occured. A little background first. I founded a radio show on www.waif883.org called Cincinnati Biker Life. I reached out to interview Ralph Sonny Barger about the book he wrote Dead in 5 Heartbeats on the radio show.
Actually it was to be an interview about the movie that was made from the book by independant filmmaker Jeff Santo. This movie just had its first screening a few weeks ago and I understand it was well received.

I emailed Sonny Barger's web site  and requested an interview. This would be via telephone call to the radio show. A week went by and I did not think I would hear anything. But I did. In the middle of a Wednesday afternoon Sonny's wife Zorana called me. I was shocked.

Sonny agreed to call in to be interviewed on the show set for December 6th , 2012. Although I did not get to speak to him in that call with Z, I could hear him speaking in the background. They wanted to contact Jeff Santo to make sure he would be included in the interview. Jeff sent me an email and the big day was on.

Sonny Barger

I started looking around the web for stuff about Sonny Barger, his life, his books, and the movie. You can find his facebook page. I think he's on google plus as well as the you tube channel where you can see a lot about the movie and some unrelated interviews of Sonny.

I also sent away for the book and voraciously read my autographed copy. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a fun read . And I'm betting an even better movie. I learned a lot about Sonny Barger in the process. He's a peacemaker not a war maker. Jerry Garcia was one of his best friends. He was a veteran. He tried to help the returning Vets from vietnam. He's beaten thyroid and prostate cancer. He seems to have a peace about him and a genuine honesty. He quietly campaigns to save children from cigarettes.

What I found out about the man caused me to want ot find out more. So I was really looking forward to the interview. I pumped it up all over social media. My good buddy Jim Pierce even showed up excited for the opportunity to hear Sonny live and ask a question or two. My friend Jimmy Kay called and asked if I had it under control.

So at the appointed time 8:30 PM EST the phone rang. It was Jeff Santo, the filmmaker , producer, director of the movie Dead in 5 Hearbeats. I asked him if we should wait for Sonny out of respect. He said that Sonny's wife had been feeling sick that morning and that probably Sonny would not be calling. Wow what a disappointment. But Sonny was obviously taking care of Z and, as he puts it in his book, "The Last Love of His Life." He was doing exactly what he has done forever. Taking care of those he loves.

We had a great time talking to Jeff Santo and learning about the movie. Jeff in his own right is a very interesting and accopmlished man. You could tell his love for Sonny and I tried to get the how they met. It was a bit of a blur, but it's really none of my business , although he mentioned he had filmed Sonny for a documentary Jeff did.

As of writing this I have not heard how Z is doing . So hopefully everything will be okay. So I did not get to interview Sonny because he had to take care of something really important, Family. But I don't doubt one bit that I'll get a chanceto interview Sonny about hs book and movie. Maybe we will get some time to talk about the man. To find out who he really is. That would be nice.

    Treat me good I'll treat you better. Treat me bad I'll treat you worse.

These words are taken from Sonny's web site. Yeh I think I get that. Words to live by. Or die by. But so far under the most extreme of circumstances Sonny's made it 74 years. One of a kind that's for sure. A charismatic leader who leads by example.

By Anthony Castelli 
    Cincinnati, Ohio

More Resources and Articles about Sonnay Barger , his wonderful book and movie:

http://sonnybarger.com/index3.html Sonny Barger's Web Site

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCYrxGL0yp4 Interview ith Sonny Barger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CVPpy2y3wY&feature=plcp Dead in Five Heart Beats Trailer

Cincinnati Biker Lawyer interviews Pat Savage on Cincinnati Biker Life www.Waif883.org

As a Cincinnati motorcycle rider and involved in the biker community I started a radio show called Cincinnati Biker Life on www.waif883.org. The show has been on for a year and a half. Lady CJ has capably taken over the bulk of the broadcasting. But you can still find me there the first Thursday of the month at 8PM.

Two Thursdays ago  I interviewed legendary biker and musician Pat Savage. What made it so cool was that right now he is in Thailand. so we hooked up a Google hangout and I ran my computer into the sound board. So although you could not see him you could hear him load and clear.

Pat Savage has been playing rock n roll and blues for many years. He's had some great  CD's and his latest Wind and Fire is no exception. My  favorite song is Born to Ride. But here's a bluesy video so you can see the man perform.

We had a great time and learned that he's going to have a biker travel show on TV though he could not disclose too much as it is in preproduction. Pat is truly a man for all seasons as you may know if you follow him on facebook. We learned that Pat will be in Cincinnati in 2013. Can't wait .






So you never know who will be dropping in live for an interview or who we can connect with by phone or on the internet. So every Thursday night at 8pm to 10 pm check out Cincinnati biker Life. you can tune us in locally at 88.3 FM . Or you can hear us over the internet .

By Anthony Castelli Attorney a Cincinnati biker lawyer . I'm always available to help the biker community with support or legal help. You can reach me at 513-621-2345 or find me broadcasting the first Thursday of the month . On the other Thursday's tune in to Lady CJ .

Cincinnati motorcycle Heroes and Free Masons Finish the American Motorcycle Rally

Curtiss Belcher

Greater Cincinnati has motorcycle heroes galore and two of them just completed the American Motorcycle Rally. They are Curtiss Belcher and Bodhi Halsey. Former riders in the Hoka Hey, these members of the Free Masons Motorcycle club decided to ride in the inaugural Ohio Motorcycle Rally.

Here is how the ride was briefly described as what it was going to be:


The American Motocycle Rally™ will encompass a 7000 mile trek, around the United States, over nine days. The ride will not only test a rider’s stamina and endurance, but the mental capacity to follow directions and digest information during the event. Riders will encounter some of the most beautiful scenery in the world; from desert to vast mountain ranges, incredible coast lines, plateaus and scenic farmland that define the United States.

Biker Bodhi Halsey

This past Sturday the ride was completed. Everything went off as planned. This was amazing for a ride that was just planned starting a few short months ago.

 C&A Harley Davidson welcomed back the AMR riders with a celebration that was incredible! There were over 50 vendors in attendance, music, food a bike show and giveaways. The event started at 11am and concluded with the AMR awards and the 2012 Harley Davidson 883 Iron giveaway.

Frank Kelly took top honors and was crowned the 2012 AMR Champion by accumulating over fifty thousand points! Mike Fox and Shaun VanBeber finished 2nd and 3rd with both riders neck and neck going into the final leg of the event. Both riders over came mechanical issues to finish the event. All three riders received beautiful crystal trophies and bottles of Champaign.

AMR will be presenting a check to the Make It Fit Foundation and Nationwide Children's Hospital at the 6th annual Ride for Autism on Saturday July 28th. Please stay tuned as we help find a cure for Autism. This being the final step in our 1st annual American Motorcycle Rally all in the Brother Hood of Giving!

Resource: The American Motorcycle Rally

Both Curtiss Belcher and Bodhi Halsey finished the event which is amazing in itself.  I'm looking forward to hering them talk about their stories when I interview them this thursday July 5th at 8:30 on www.youtube.com/cincinnatibikerlife

by Anthony Castelli Cincinnati motorcycle attorney 

 http://www.castellilaw.com/Motorcycle-Accidents.html

Helpful links if you have been in a Cincinnati Ohio  Motorcycle Accident

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H664bD9iJJk&feature=plcp

10 great reasons to hire a motorcycle accident attorney

Cincinnati Motorcycle Lawyer Supports Bootsy Collins Charity Event For Tornado Victims

As a member of the Greater Cincinnati Motorcycle community I consider it an obligation to support charitable events. The Bootsy Collins foundation is putting on a fundraiser this Sunday, April 15th with proceeds going towards relief for the victims of the recent tornado .  Mathew 25 Ministries will distribute the proceeds. New Richmond Ohio was one of the communities hit especially hard by the tornado.

Motorcycle riders, bikers if you will, often get a bad rap. The truth is that motorcycle riders are big supporters of others less fortunate. Not only do they support their own motorcycle group charities , but  they support charitable causes of all kinds. I bet they come out in force to join with others in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky communities.

Several months ago many bikers attended the Cincinnati Center for Autism charity event. One of the bands was Prizoner, a local favorite at motorcycle events around Ohio.One of the  celebrities giving his time there was Bootsy Collins. Now his foundation is working hard to put this event together. Here is the link to the facebook event page http://www.facebook.com/events/262789587148922/ .

It's going to be 12-9pm at Newport on the Levee. Don't let forecasts of  rain keep you away. There is an indoor venue as Jefferson hall. They will be rocking the house with some great music. I was honored to have Wendy Oakley and her Posse come out to Cincinnati Biker Life Radio show to promote the event. they will be one of the bands at the show. Don't miss it!

Cincinnati Biker Life Great Radio Show For Motorcycle Events, guests and Music

Cincinnati Biker Life is a radio show about greater Cincinnati biker life on www.waif883.org . The radio show is on every Thursday night from 8-10- PM. If you are in the greater Cincinnati radio listening area you can tune into the 4000 watt station at 88.3 FM.

Or if you are anywhere in the world you can go to the WAIF web site shown above and listen live over the internet or to this link http://www.facebook.com/CincinnatiBikerLife/app_185896168140328  to listen live on the internet. Cincinnati Biker Life is the brain child of Cincinnati motorcycle lawyer Anthony Castelli. That's me. I thought it would be cool to explode myths about bikers, bring on interesting guests, talk about events past and future and play great music.

I am always looking for guests and events to announce. If you would like to be on the show or have an event to promote just contact me at tony@castellilaw.com or go to www.facebook.com/Cincinnatibikerlife and like us and put your information on the wall.

This Thursday night Jimmy Huffman will be talking about the great American Ohio Motorcycle
Rally endurance ride that is having its first annual event . First prize is $250,000. The ain't chump change.
They will be leaving out of Columbus, Ohio and returning to Columbus Ohio.

So this riding season should be a joyous one. Listen in for Chopper Charlie's safety tips each week and a little of this a little of that .  Call us Thursday night between 8-10Pm est at the station 513-749-1444. We would love to hear about your biker life, story, tall tale, event , ride, organization, club .It's s your show. So please check us out.

Here is a link to a few of our past guests.   http://pinterest.com/injurylawyer/cincinnati-biker-life-radio-show-guests/ We hope you can join us. Every Thursday night 8-10 pm 88.3 FM Cincinnati .

Motorcycle Music Pat Savage Comes To Cincinnati

As the creator of Cincinnati Biker Life Radio show, host ,  motorcycle rider and motorcycle injury lawyer I've gotten to meet a lot of cool motorcyclists from all walks of life. The latest is Pat "Doc" Savage. We tried to bring Pat Savage to Cincinnati on Cincinnati Biker Life .

Unfortunately Pat could not negotiate through the phone lines from Thailand to Cincinnati. However we got to "talk" with him through the medium of facebook on the Cincinnati Biker life facebook page. And we played 5 songs off his new CD Wind and Fire. The title cut is my favorite song

Then when I got home I learned his album was #1 at Totalbikerfm.com - Total Biker FM - 24 hour rock, punk and metal music. In Pat Savage's own words here is a little insight into Wind and Fire.

 Wind & Fire is inspired by the literally thousands of firefighters all over the world saving lives selflessly. As you here by the words it starts at the firehouse as they race off to the fire to save some life if they can get them out it in time. I represent Wind & Fire MC as International Celebrity Ambassador to help spread the word about what firemen do every single day and how they put their lives at risk for us.

    So we never did get to talk to Pat but someday that will change. Either we get him on the phone or I'll tape a skype interview or maybe he'll come riding through this way. Plus I want to hear about that Motorcycle riding TV series on riding he's involved with. You can tell from what he writes and how he plays music he's one cool down to earth good man.

Anthony Castelli Attorney is a Cincinnati personal injury motorcycle injury lawyer and can be reached at 513-621-2345. You can also find him on thursday evenings from 8-10 pm on Cincinnati Biker life radio show.

 

 

Cincinnati Motorcycle Community Events Active even In Winter

The Cincinnati motorcycle community keeps active even in winter, Just today the Iron Samaritans held a polar bear ride. I hope everyone had a a great time.

 Cyclefest cincinnati passed through here in November down at the convention center. The sons of anarchy were freatured as well as many local bike builders like donny Loos and also my friends from Cycleworks.

Comin up soon is a meeting of all the biker groups that care to participate in organizing their events so they all don't fall on the same day in the summer.

Cincinnati biker life the radio show started this summer by Cincinnati accident injury lawyer Anthony Castelli is going strong with guests from all corners of the world. The Hoka Hey riders led by our local favorite Curtis Belcher was an amazing call in show that night with riders from all over the country calling in including the first place finisher the last two years..

There is so much more to mention but my daughter is kicking me out of the basement with the arrival of her girlfriends for a New year's eve party.  So to find out more action in the Cincinnati Motorcycle community keep up with us on Cincinnati biker life on www.facebook.com and have a safe and Happy New Year .

PS:  Remember to contribute to the Ohio biker medical clinic or use it for your uninsured medical needs. Call John Preacherman Harris. I will be announcing about the clinic most every week. Make sure you call ahead

Hoka Hey Motorcycle Riders Their Story On Cincinnati Biker Life

As a Cincinnati Motorcycle rider , motorcycle lawyer and programmer for the radio show Cincinnati Biker Life it was a great honor to do a show on the Hoka Hey Challenge . What the hey is the Hoka Hey you may ask. Many seasoned motorcycle riders have not even heard of the Hoka Hey.

I thank Jimmy Kay of Two Wheel Thunder TV for turning me on to the Hoka Hey and a local rider from Greater Cincinnati Curtis Belcher. A 50 year old postal worker and Free Mason. I learned from Jimmy that the Hoka Hey is the longest motorcycle challenge in the world. Last year the ride went from Florida to Alsaka.

This year the ride was close to 14,000 miles. It started in Phoenix and ended in Nova Scotia. Will Barclay was the winner both years. Last year the first place price was $500,000 and Will pocketed the money. This year although Will was the first one to finish no winner has been declared. There is plenty of controversy surrounding this. But the essence of the ride remains pure and the Spirit of the ride transcends any controversy.

Last night on Cincinnati Biker Life we had the Hoka Hey call in. Hoka Hey Riders from all over the country called into WAIF Cincinnati studio to tell a little of their story. I started taking calls live at 8:28 PM and the last one ended at 9:58 PM.

The callers included Blacky, a 58 year old former Texas game warden that finished this years ride, as well as Will Barclay who collects adventures and did not even reveal his status as first place finisher both years. Junie Rose rider extraordinary crashed and got back up and finished this year. She's trying to get blankets to give to the Sioux. please give her a hand

This is what Barclay wrote on his first year experience:

The Hoka Hey, with all its imperfection, was a breath of fresh air in a world where destructive political correctness and unrealistic expectations and blaming others has become almost universal. As I rode it I was surprised and pleased to see that there are great swaths of North America, even in the lower 48 where there is still abundant wildlife and green space. Where people still socialize from their front porch instead of watching TV. The overwhelming majority of the riders, (though not all) especially those who stuck it out, cherish the experience and want to do it again. Don’t take my word for it. Ask Mark Storey, the rider from Australia who finished second. Ask Ben Hudak who suffered a terrible accident in Canada and came on to Homer in a truck to be with the other challengers. Ask Alex Hood from Colorado who was badly injured in an accident in Arizona and who is signed up to ride again this year. Ask Greg Darby from Florida who used the Hoka Hey to raise many thousands of dollars for lieukemia. Ask them to give up their coins. Read the rider’s stories and blog comments in their own words on the hokaheychallenge.com website. No one fooled these people and they are not conspirators. They are teachers and police officers and retirees and middle managers and students and day laborers who had the experience of a lifetime. An experience they could not have duplicated on their own.

Junie says a big part is raising the consciousness of the plight of the American Indians especially the Lakota. Here's an exerpt from Wikepedia about the Hoka Hey:

The inaugural 2010 challenge took participants along a mandatory route on back roads across the United States and Canada. The route scrossed numerous mountain ranges, 33 Indian reservations, 25 national forests, eight deserts and six national parks. Challenge routes travel secondary roads with directions revealed at a series of specific checkpoints. The event guidelines prohibit speeding and require contenders to sleep outside throughout the entire course.

Many of the riders talked about the sleep deprivation and the sprituality they experienced as well as the bond between riders which was evident from all the callers many names I just can't recall.  Here's two video's that give some flesh to the experience though I would not profess to even be close to the experience having just talked to those who did.

Anthony Castelli is a Cincinnati personal injury lawyer the rides a Harley Dyna Low rider