Mister History

 
How Rick earned the title Mister History

Rick and Eddie McBee

Rick and Leon White

     Part of Rick's love for history, is the passion he has for antique cars and trucks. While running his advertising agency and marketing firm, Total Business Corporation, he came up with an idea for a publication about the subject titled Dixie Automotive Review. The monthly magazine would also have a large, classified section so individuals and car dealerships could sell their used vehicles. 
     During a staff meeting with editor and chief Eddie McBee and his business partner during that period, Leon White, Rick expressed his desire to find a local celebrity who owned an old classic and do a feature story. Eddie was acquainted with Merle Kilgore, who was the manager for Hank Williams, Jr. at the time. Being a classic car enthusiast himself, Kilgore had purchased a 1948 Packard that was identical to the one that he and Hank Williams, Sr. had traveled in while doing music tours together. Sounding like the perfect story, wheels were set into motion.

Merle Kilgore and his 1948 Packard

Merle Kilgore and Hank Williams, Jr.

      The story not only got Dixie Automotive Review off the ground and running, but it also gave Rick the opportunity to meet Merle and Hank, Jr. With the first edition in hand, he set an appointment and went to visit Merle at his office, which happened to be in the Hank's Williams, Junior's Enterprise office building.

      The picture directly above was included in the magazine, along with the story of how Merle met Hank, Sr. at one of the Louisianan Hayride shows in Shreveport, LA. At the age of fourteen, he unloaded Hank's guitar case out of his 1948 Packard and took it backstage of the Shreveport Municiple Memorial Auditorium where the Hayride was held. Later he would get to ride in the big touring car and become personal friends with the country crooner.                                                    While Merle read about himself in the publication, Rick sat patiently nearby as the office door opened and in walked Hank, Jr. With a huge smile, Merle looked at Bocephus and said, "I want you to meet Rick Revel. He has published this cool magazine and did a story about me and my Packard, and how I met your daddy."                                                                  Politely, Hank reached out and shook Rick's hand and then proceeded to ask Merle a question, before he retreated from the room. Although Rick has never gotten to spend ample time with the superstar, he has crossed his path at least a half-dozen times more, which included sharing a stage at an NRA (National Rifle Association) event.                                                  The relationship with Merle Kilgore however went quite differently. Being entertained by Rick's passion for music and history, Merle broadened the conversation.

Merle reading a copy of Dixie Automotive Review

Merle Kilgore was a guest on Rick's TV show, Music & Entertainment Tonight back in the late 1990's.

       After finding out they lived less than two miles from each other in Henry County, TN and shared several music biz friends and things in common, their visits became fairly regular. Always kindhearted, Merle evolved from being a friend, to becoming Rick's mentor and music business advisor, and he hung on to every word.                                           Knowing each other for nearly twenty years, Merle watched Rick grow and mature in the entertainment business. Throughout that period, Rick shared several of his recordings with the music industry icon. Merle was even present the night Rick performed as General George Washington for the NRA event, so Merle was aware of his historical portrayals.           Shortly after 9-11-2001, Rick went to his mentor's office and played his new patriotic song, These Colors Don't Run. At the end of the tune, Merle folded his hands on his desktop and smiled broadly as he stated, "Hoss, you're just a regular ole Mister History, aren't you?" Quite unexpectedly, the birth of a very prestigious moniker had taken place.                                It would be during this same visit that Merle would ask Rick to record, Johnny Reb, which was a huge chartbuster he had written for Johnny Horton. Being flattered beyond words, Rick agreed and months later he would be in the studio cutting his friend's song. Watch the video below for the rest of the story.