When Tom Cheshire, the man behind the beverages in the interview asked me to join him in El MYR for a sit down with Dave Railey, the man behind Corndogorama, I figured I would witness a one of a kind conversation. There is something undeniably surreal about the idea of ??throwing down the shot and have a frank discussion about a festival that focuses on deep fried tube steak on a stick.
Besides, it is always a privilege to hang out with someone as kind and very down-to-soil as Railey.
Tom and I arrived at El MYR on a Friday late afternoon. I noticed Railey black cruiser bicycle with red rims parked next to the entrance. Within, Sat Railey having drinks with some friends in Table Two. He ordered a round of the Jameson shot for me, and Tom, and himself. The following is an excerpt of a conversation that we have in El MYR, just before the three of us moving in two distinct wine bar, and hours before Railey back to El MYR take his bike. Rumor has it that Dave will participate in boxing in a Mercedes Benz station wagon, which was parked outside of El MYR. The car won, and the driver gave Dave, his bike and Tom a lift home.
Dry Ink: Let’s start by talking about the history of Corndogorama. How and when it all begin?
Dave Railey: Hang on. Let the real start of the shot.
I: Excellent. Cheers.
DR: Yeah, so the first Corndogorama Dottie took place 12 years ago. It was a birthday party for me, from me. My band played at the time. We plastered the bar with Chinese decorations, and served up a ton of shit of corndogs.
In: Chinese decorations! I like your style
DR: Ha! Thank you. Yes, it was a blast. So, we made it again next year, and it just kept going from there.
I: So, from Dottie of, Corndogorama went to Earl, right? When does that happen? And you can talk about how it evolved from a birthday party in your own celebration it is today. I was ready for a cider. You?
DR: I’ll take a draft of PBR, thanks. Dottie we have for the first four years, and then it just outgrew the space. Earl has just opened up. They are still working out the kinks of the new establishment, but we decided to take the opportunity here. And really, only it has grown year after year to the point where I actually go legit here. Just last week I went before the events of Neighborhood Planning Unit Committee for the Fourth Ward. It had Atlanta Police Department sergeant on board. I do not remember his name, but he has this big mustache that curled at the tips. He is really fucking cool. I think he could tell we were ready.
I: That’s awe-inspiring. So if you’re not cool talking about, we move on. You have to Earl for six years. It is no secret in this town that your departure from the Earl is not exactly on friendly terms. What happened?
DR: Oh, it’s subtle. There is a loyalty to the Earl, and I understand it. They’ve got it going on. And I’m happy to say that Patrick and I made a truce. We really can not stay mad at each other. But the issue I have is not Patrick, but with a manager that I felt there was a different set of priorities for the festival than I, or, rather, a different measuring stick for the success of it. Him, it became a question of turnout. Time. And I understand that this area would make some money. But for me, where the requirements of the entertainment, and choosing the band lineup and fit the spirit of celebration.
I: And what that can mean the spirit or heart of the festival?
DR: It’s really just a big party around some great music. We started introducing the fun stuff early, like two or three years. Most of them are thinking about how you can have fun drinking beer. Items such as 40-Yard Dash Flip-Flop, Bobbing for Sea Life, and the crunch of Cricket. Winners usually get a $ 50 bar tab or something similar. Oh, this year, there’s added incentive: The lost Crunch Cricket have to shave my back.
In: Sounds like a Mexican standoff!
DR: And of course the Corndog Queen, the corndog eating competition, and The Brothers Swinks Stunt Show. I think you can keep it simple and still make money. But this manager Earl saw it differently. And then things started to get ugly between us. I guess I felt like, to keep Corndogorama true to what it was all along, I will take it elsewhere. Lenny would have just moved to new location and I talked to Bean about booking holidays in there. He was really helpful. It was a homecoming, in a sense.
(Note: Until three years ago, Lenny does the space that was once home to Dottie)
I: So, what do you think went well in the last year of Lenny, the first year there? What do you think you can improve this year? Because, honestly, and it’s nothing personal, the bottleneck at the door and the main bar last year was kind of a pain in the ass.
DR: I really appreciate the feedback. We hope we have addressed the issues of crowd control at this time. For what it’s worth, I got thrown off the door. I was letting too many people free.
I: I totally remember seeing the 18 strippers follow the edge of the door.
DR: Huh?
I: I’m totally joking. But, seriously, I tried to get my father, but the Samoan anger is like “no way!” I received on his face, I was like “what the heck!” I thought he was going to kick my ass. So I settled for Frankie.
DR: I have no idea …
In: we order some Jameson!
DR: Excellent. Then we should go drink some wine. It was me.
I: This interview is going much better than I imagined possible. So, you’re getting in to wine lately?
DR: Yes. My girlfriend and baby mama is from Germany. I spent some time there with his family. I started learning German, and I began studying wines. The thing I love about wine is that it is all in your taste buds. It is intangible, such as music. I still have much to learn, but I think I have a good discerning pallet.
I: Right on. Have a baby girl, right?
DR: Yep. He is almost 16 months old. German speaking his mother to him, so he be bilingual, and he’ll dual citizenship. He just starts to call me by name, too. He reached for me and try to say ‘Da-Da,’ but he kind of Struggles in getting the ‘D.’ And it’s going to sound a little juicy, maybe, but we all have some shot, and we’re here to talk about the festival, so fuck it. But being a father, obviously, your perspective and your priorities change. And I was thinking about how, for the past 12 years, the festival has become my baby. And I’m beginning to feel like you can stand on its own. I do not know if that makes any sense.
I: That was not enthusiastic at the least. And, true man, of great ups and paternalism Corndogorama success. It really has grown up.
DR: Thanks, but I feel like I should also say that I do not want to take credit for the celebration. It’s really not about me. I mean, last year, moving and all that went on here, I was really owns it. But I think it went well enough that the festival itself owns. The people will decide whether it is good or not.
I: Which acts are you particularly excited about?
DR: Specific Zoroaster. These guys work so fucking hard and they completely tear the stage. And Dan Deacon is one of my favorites, so I’m stoked that he’ll be playing. The list goes on.
I: Another question, then let’s end this circle and go try some wine. What will you see the future of Corndogorama?
DR: Well, obviously, I want to keep it in Lenny as long as they see there. But I also throw the idea of ??taking it to the type of road, such an entity tour. We will see. I always open to new options. As long as it stays fun and have a home.
In: any word of farewell?
DR: No matter what happens in the future Corndogorama, I suppose I’d just known as a man with a good run here.
In: Thanks for the chat. You still buy alcohol?
DR: we go!
(Corndogorama 2008, Year of the King Mustard: 2 late 2 hate!, Is scheduled for June 26 to 29 at Lenny’s Bar in Atlanta. Visit www.corndogorama.com for the band and additional information.)