MAY-JUNE 2022 BRIAN KELLEY FAST, LOUD, AND SUCCESSFUL THE EXPERIENCE SCAN ME RICHARD RAWLINGS THE REDNECK RIVIERA Exploring Orange Beach & Gulf Shores, Alabama PG. 52 THE REDNECK RIVIERA Exploring Orange Beach & Gulf Shores, Alabama PG. 52 FAST, LOUD, AND SUCCESSFUL Has It Made By The Water PG. 46 FULLY LOADED You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks PG. 30 THE FN HIGH POWER THE FN HIGH POWER RICHARD RAWLINGSAre you ready to take in all the goodness found on the Gulf Coast? Find your vacation inspiration and start planning your getaway to Alabama’s beaches by ordering our 2021 Vacation Guide. This 88-page magazine provides everything you need to know about vacationing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach from what to see, do and eat to where to stay. Visit GulfShores.com or call 877-341-2400 to order your copy today. Immerse yourself in the beauty found along Alabama’s beaches. With 32 miles of sugar-white sand coastline and pristine turquoise waters, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are havens for families from all across the country, especially during the spring. From 28+ miles of paved biking trails and scenic waterways for kayaking and paddleboarding, to zipline courses, nature cruises and fishing excursions, there’s much to be explored and discovered on and off the beach when vacationing with your family along Alabama’s coast. All of those active adventures can make you quite hungry. Lucky for you, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to a plethora of locally-owned establishments that have been serving flavorful culinary delights for decades. Whether you’re looking for fried shrimp in a plastic basket or flip-flop fine dining, we have something to satisfy every palate. The variety of accommodations is as alluring as the scenery and includes high-rise condos, nationally- branded hotels, bright and colorful beach houses, as well as campgrounds, cabins and RV parks. GulfShores.com OrangeBeach.com 877-341-2400 ...like hearing the waves lapping the side of the boat, watching the sunset as you cast your line from the pier, or reeling in your first catch of the day. Charter, deep-sea, offshore, and inshore fishing are all some of our favorite ways to reel in dinner.Are you ready to take in all the goodness found on the Gulf Coast? Find your vacation inspiration and start planning your getaway to Alabama’s beaches by ordering our 2021 Vacation Guide. This 88-page magazine provides everything you need to know about vacationing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach from what to see, do and eat to where to stay. Visit GulfShores.com or call 877-341-2400 to order your copy today. Immerse yourself in the beauty found along Alabama’s beaches. With 32 miles of sugar-white sand coastline and pristine turquoise waters, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are havens for families from all across the country, especially during the spring. From 28+ miles of paved biking trails and scenic waterways for kayaking and paddleboarding, to zipline courses, nature cruises and fishing excursions, there’s much to be explored and discovered on and off the beach when vacationing with your family along Alabama’s coast. All of those active adventures can make you quite hungry. Lucky for you, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to a plethora of locally-owned establishments that have been serving flavorful culinary delights for decades. Whether you’re looking for fried shrimp in a plastic basket or flip-flop fine dining, we have something to satisfy every palate. The variety of accommodations is as alluring as the scenery and includes high-rise condos, nationally- branded hotels, bright and colorful beach houses, as well as campgrounds, cabins and RV parks. GulfShores.com OrangeBeach.com 877-341-2400 ...like hearing the waves lapping the side of the boat, watching the sunset as you cast your line from the pier, or reeling in your first catch of the day. Charter, deep-sea, offshore, and inshore fishing are all some of our favorite ways to reel in dinner.TABLE OF CONTENTS MAY-JUNE 2022VOLUME FIVE, ISSUE THREE CAN YOU SPOT THE HOOK & BARREL CRITTER? Each issue, the Critter is hiding somewhere in the table of contents picture. Happy hunting! 40 DRIVEN There is no monkey business when it comes to Richard Rawlings. story and photos by john j. radzwilla 46 BOAT RIDE Brian Kelley is the happiest guy in Grayton Beach, even if the fish aren’t biting. story by matt meltzer 52 MULLETS & MULLETS Experiencing the Redneck Riviera— Air, Land, and Sea. story and photos by john j. radzwilla WISDOM The great outdoors. PIMP MY SUMMER Summertime gear and a chance to win stuff! 06 08 EDITOR’S NOTE Introducing the Hook and Barrel experience. 04 13 17 21 26 GOOD GRUB Shota Nakajima finds a refuge from fame and the kitchen on a suburban pier. HAPPY HOUR A guide to pairing seafood and artisan beer. JAMMING OUT Is Country Rap finally the next big thing? PROFILE Guy Harvey uses his artistry to promote conservation. FULLYLOADED The FN High Power HOW TO An angler’s primer on sashimi, sushi, and crudo. THE WILD LIFE Desert island survival hacks you can’t live without. 59 30 35 THE GUNDIES Saluting the big guns of the online community. TROPHY ROOM Cali girl Gianna Goots is fishing in brand-new waters. 64 70 72 LAST LAUGH In Florida, Salt Life isn’t just a window sticker.HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 03 DEER UNCLE TED ell Hallelujah John and family! We so appreciate your support and united celebration for all the best America has to offer. Yes! Us old Bronco nuts sure do love the ultimate Ford offroaders, don’t we! There are early Bronco clubs and organizations all across America serving our cult celebrating the ultimate offroader, and there is no limit to the upgrades and customizations available for these killer trucks. Though I have gone over the top full GONZO on some of my Broncos, a more pragmatic approach will ultimately serve your family’s needs when it comes to tweaking the old girl. A moderate liftkit in the neighborhood of two to four inches is quite practical, with 33- to 35-inch tires and the appropriate augmented suspension to match. Bronco mad scientists like Jeff Trapp at Bronco Graveyard in Michigan, Gateway Bronco in Illinois, Wild Horses in Arizona, and many others are masters at such upgrades and can steer you good to make the offroad beast even better. Good luck, and enjoy the Great Spirit of the Wild outdoor lifestyle in your Ford Bronco. –Ted W Where do you get all that energy sir! I’ve watched you rock-n-roll and hunt nonstop for more than 60 years and can’t believe how you never slow down! Very inspirational MotorCity Madman! I love killer music, and my whole family has enjoyed every episode of Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild on Outdoor Channel all these years, and we really love your beautiful Ford Broncos that are often featured. We love our 1967 Bronco and were wondering what upgrades you would recommend to get the best off-road performance from the old girl? Keep doing what you’re doing Uncle Ted, and keep raising hell for we the people! JOHN D. ELGIN, ILLINOIS To ask Ted Nugent your question, simply email him at UncleTed@hookandbarrel.com. Maybe you’ll see his response in a future issue! Ted Nugent is an award-winning musician and writer, with numerous best-selling books including Ted, White and Blue: The Nugent Manifesto, God, Guns and Rock ‘n Roll, and Kill It and Grill It. Also, his popular television show, Spirit of the Wild, has aired over 500 episodes. All material is strictly copyright protected and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the copyright holder. All prices and data are correct at the time of publication. The views and opinions expressed in Hook & Barrel are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the advertisers. Any images supplied are at the owner’s risk and are the property of the Hook & Barrel Magazine. All content is owned in full by Hook & Barrel Magazine. Proudly Printed in America Hook & Barrel is a proud partner in the PrintReleaf program. PrintReleaf guarantees every sheet of paper we consume in the production of our magazine will be reforested. New trees are planted on our behalf in PrintReleaf Certified Reforestation Projects across the globe. Richard Rawlings poses in front of his prized Ford Mustang modeled after the car from The Thomas Crown Affair. Photo by John J. Radzwilla ON THE COVER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF John J. Radzwilla CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Natalie Radzwilla MANAGING EDITOR Lee M. Hurley CREATIVE DIRECTOR Claire Cormany COPY EDITOR Barry Wise Smith OFFICIAL FFL Black-Tie Guns EDITORIAL OFFICE 1012 W. Eldorado Parkway P.O. Box 183 Little Elm, Texas 75068 214.997.1118 hookandbarrel.com CONTACT THE EDITOR editor@hookandbarrel.com FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@hookandbarrel.com EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Materials to be considered for use in Hook & Barrel Magazine should be emailed to editor@hookandbarrel.com or mailed to editorial office. Not responsible for the loss of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or other materials. Returns only when accompanied by return postage. We do not recommend sending original photography or artwork. SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe or manage your subscription to Hook & Barrel Magazine, visit www.hookandbarrel.com. PH OTO B Y JO H N J. R A DZ W IL LA THE EXPERIENCE An exclusive video just for you that brings this article to life! SCAN ME It’s not all about fishing for Brian and Brittney Kelley. Sometimes the couple just enjoys a boat ride, giving them time to soak in the beauty of the water.04 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM EDITOR’S NOTE THE EXPERIENCE An exclusive video just for you that brings this article to life! SCAN ME06 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM BEGINNER SALTWATER FISHING As a first step toward learning to perfect your saltwater fishing skills, go where you can practice alongside more experienced saltwater anglers. Fishing party boats can be good. Their staff will be glad to help you through each step of the process. Hire a local fishing guide for a half or full day of one-on-one instruction and catching fish. Public fishing piers can also be a good place to pick up basic skills by observing the local fishermen and how they do it. Most of them will also be happy to answer any questions you might have. WEAR SUNSCREEN No matter what time of year you are out in the sun, always make sure you use the best sunscreen and lip balm you can buy. Wear a large bill or wide-brimmed hat and lightweight breathable items for your head, neck, arms, and hands. Wear good sunglasses that absorb damaging ultra violet rays. Fish early or late before the sun gets high and hot. These are the best times anyway. Remember, the sun can kill you fast or kill you slow. Fast by heat exhaustion or heat stroke due to not having enough liquid, shade, and rest. I don’t care how young and healthy you are. The slow way is skin cancer, and it doesn’t care who you are either. It can happen to you. DEADLY LIGHTNING The chance of you being hit by lightning in your lifetime is about 1 in 600,000. Still, anywhere from 500 to 1,000 people in the United States are struck by lightning every year. When you are outdoors and see a lightning flash, count the seconds until you hear the thunder and divide by five. Sound travels about one mile every five seconds. That will give you an approximation of the storm’s distance from you so you have time to take cover from the lightning. I’ve got a great idea for you. Why not combine a fishing trip with a tent camping trip? Both are an escape from this crazy world we live in today. Coming back to your campsite instead of driving back home from fishing allows you the opportunity to experience the simple pleasures of life. No sitting at a traffic light, no negative news, no work to be done, no bills to be paid. Sounds good doesn’t it? Modern equipment makes camping a whole lot easier than it was when I first started camping. Tents of all sizes and shapes go up easily in minutes. My tent pops up in the bed of my truck. Camp cots with pads and sleeping bags are as comfortable as your bed at home. You can even enjoy a solar-heated shower, and portable repellers keep the mosquitoes away. Today’s camp coolers will keep your food cold for days. Camp stoves, some that even have ovens, make preparing your food a whole lot easier. You can even take along a portable espresso maker. Food just tastes better when you’re on a camping trip. Portable solar-charged generators give you power to run lights, charge your cell phone, and even plug in an electric fillet knife. Two things haven’t changed from my early days of camping. I still use my cast-iron skillet to fry up the fish I catch. Also, I still love sitting around the campfire at night watching the flames dance and flicker as sparks float hypnotically upward into the dark night sky filled with thousands of twinkling stars. What are you waiting for? Start planning a fishing/camping trip. by larry whiteley The great outdoors. WISDOM GO CAMPING SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT “Real freedom lies in wildness, not in civilization.” CHARLES LINDBERGHWe’ll Show You Around Springfield! Whether it’s enjoying a refreshing beverage at one of the many local craft breweries or dropping a line from a kayak in a local lake or river, we love our city and know the best places to eat, drink and play. See you in Springfield, Missouri! Point your smartphone camera at this QR code to find out more about things to do in Springfield.Next >