Rock Star’s 25-Year Road Trip Brings Good TV

by Chris Owen on

If anyone knows about a long road trip, in an RV, its a traveling rock star. In a new Travel Channel series, Poison frontman Bret Michaels will host Rock My RV, and eight-episode series in which custom RV designers and fabricators take standard factory-equipped recreational vehicles and turn them into “the most outrageous, badass, hooked-up mobile mansions on the road,” the network announced today.

“For the past 25 years, Bret Michaels has spent at least nine months out of the year in a tour bus that he personally designs from top to bottom,” Andy Singer, Travel Channel’s general manager, said in a statement reports RealityWorld.
Rock of Love star/Celebrity Apprentice winner Michaels will star in the Pimp My Ride-like series, slated to premiere in 2013, with production beginning next month.

This is not the first travel-related effort from Michaels. Back in December 2010, Gadling covered the Brett Michael’s Super Cruise, a four-day rock fest at sea that was to sail November 10, 2011. Carnival Destiny was to be home to fans of Michaels paying up to $3500 per person for a luxurious Grand Suite package that includes a private party with the rock star.

That was canceled. This one looks to be a natural for the 50 year-old Michaels.

“Between touring and traveling, I spend a lot of time on the road and my tricked-out, custom coach is my home away from home,” Michaels told RealityWorld. “I crisscross the country and live in my tour bus, and I know how to take an RV from ordinary to extraordinary. I can’t wait to put my expertise to use and show people how to make their RVs rock.”

Here’s more:




[Photo Credit: Flickr user Bobaloo Rox]

Ringo’s boyhood home threatened with demolition

by Sean McLachlan on

If you want to see where Ringo Starr was born, you better hurry.

Number 9 Madryn Street in Liverpool, where the Beatles drummer was born in 1940, is one of a neighborhood of decrepit homes slated for demolition. The little Victorian rowhouse was never glamorous, and fell into disrepair years ago. While John and Paul’s childhood homes are now preserved by the National Trust, Ringo’s place doesn’t even have an historic plaque.

Fans are up in arms and are hoping to save the house. They’re even comparing it to Shakespeare’s home. Starr himself had a more measured response, yet nonetheless said he’d love to see his old address saved from the wrecking ball. Currently the house is unoccupied and the windows boarded up. That doesn’t stop a steady trickle of tourists coming to the rundown area to see a bit of music history.

A Liverpool City Council representative offered a ray of hope by saying the city is “currently in discussions” with the city museum about options for the building.

Image courtesy user Tima63 via Wikimedia Commons.

Motel 6 goes for younger image, offers free stays to rock bands

by Katie Hammel on

When you think of edgy, hip places to stay, I’d venture a guess that Motel 6 isn’t the first place that comes to mind. But the budget lodging chain is hoping to change that with a new promotion – providing free rooms to a few up-and-coming touring rock bands. The marketing gurus at Motel 6 have asked the bands to blog and tweet about their stays, hoping that the buzz will build brand recognition and positive association among younger customers.

The bands, which were chosen by a music promotion company called Primary Wave Music, will receive six weeks of accommodation at Motel 6 locations along the tour routes. The bands aren’t being told what to say about Motel 6, but the company is obviously hoping for positive press. Even the budget motel has been hit hard by declining travel, with occupancy rates down 5-7% over the last year. Jeff Palmer, VP of marketing, is hoping the promotion will help get Motel 6 back on track, and earn the company some new, younger customers. “If they stay with us young, maybe they’ll remain brand loyal,” he said.

Rock on, Motel 6.