Most musclecar guys are familiar with the name Johnny Hunkins, the editor of Popular Hot Rodding magazine. Each month PHR endeavors to bring us a steady stream of industry and product news, build projects and features both high-end and budget-minded…then of course there is the well-known annual AMSOIL Engine Master’s Challenge. That’s a lot for an editor/photographer/writer to do but like many of us Mr. Hunkins is never quite finished working, even when the normal day’s duties are done. When his 633-horsepower Chevelle and roundy-round ’75 Laguna project are tucked safely in the garage and the camera put away for the night, there is another task to be addressed. Johnny needs to play some rock ‘n roll!
With a serious musical background going back to days as a kid in South Carolina to go along with his automotive writing interests, Johnny is a skilled singer, guitar- percussion- and harmonica player and it’s no coincidence that the music he writes and plays often centers around cars. Three years of patient effort and the help of some great music industry friends (including a personal challenge from buddy Kenny Wayne Shepherd) have resulted in Talledega Pileup, a new CD of some of his favorite songs. If you love what classic thumpin’ guitar riffs along the lines of Lynyrd Skynyrd and other southern rockers sound like,you’ll know the style, and be impressed with the excellent technical work by Johnny and friends.
Driving a high-powered street machine (or hanging in the garage dreaming about it) and rock ‘n roll just seem to go together. We recently spent a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon at Johnny’s checking out car projects and were fortunate to be among the first regular guys to hear his CD through. Each song has a story behind the words and music, rocks for real, and has been among the main tunes going through our stereo since then. There’s lots of guys out there who’s love for music and cars goes hand-in-hand, a few have talent at both…Popular Hot Rodding and Talladega Pileup prove Johnny Hunkins can do it and then some.
Click here to hear some of Johnny’s tunes from the album Talladega Pileup!
