Car Show at Hammerstone's in Soulard Features Classic Cars, Hot Rods

John Corbett is a car collector, and his Holy Grail is a 1934 Ford Coupe hot rod with a 327 Chevy engine providing the kick.

Corbett had the coupe in his hands once, got to jam on the accelerator and feel the wind in his hair while cruising the town. It was his first car--his first in a lifetime love affair with automobiles--but it slipped away.

"I had to sell it to get married in 1969," he said, a little wistfully. "I’ve always wanted that car back. I’ve been searching for the right car, and I’ve had over 200 of ‘em since then...A car has a certain connection to you."

But his wife must appreciate the sacrifice, right?

"I’m on my fourth wife," he said, laughing.

Corbett, 62, lives in Dogtown and is a member of the Dogtown Motor Club that will participate in the 12th Annual Car Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Hammerstone’s, Ninth Street and Russell Boulevard in Soulard. The show, which also features the blues music of the Jeremiah Johnson Band with the Sliders, is a benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Cars on display will include antique, classic, hot rods and more. Other participating clubs are the Original Corvette Club, the Fabulous Fifties, the PT Cruisers, the Misfits and the Outlaws.

Organizers expect about 100 cars to be part of the show, with a section of Russell closed to display them. The show got rolling because Hammerstone’s owner Denny Hammerstone loves classic cars.

"He’s a car guy," said Hammerstone’s general manager Cory Hammerstone, Denny’s daughter. "He always liked to go to car shows. He thought Soulard would be a really neat setting with all the old buildings."

Weather permitting, the Dogtown Motor Club should have about 15 cars on display. Corbett has a 1940 Oldsmobile black sedan and a 1968 VW "shorty" bus, cut down from it’s normal 16-foot length to 10-feet long.

"It’s a really crazy-looking car," Corbett said. "I did the whole interior in a salmon color of leather, and then I put album covers all through it--‘70s and ‘60s album covers. I put a Cadillac bench seat in it. It’s really wild. It’ll pull a wheelie straight up into the air. It’ll pull the front wheels off the ground. The wheelbase is only 3-foot long."

Corbett, a retired University City firefighter, tries to spend about two hours a day tinkering on cars. He is a self-taught mechanic, frequently swapping or selling cars to get something different to work on.

"I always have a project car," he said. "It keeps me busy."

Corbett bought his first car--that Ford coupe--in 1966, when he was 17. It was an orange hot rod that looked similar to the car John Milner drag raced with in the movie American Graffiti. He saved for several years and bought it from his friend Ed Domijan, now another member of the Dogtown Motor Club, for $1,000.

"I knew I was getting a good deal," he said. "I sold it three years later for $1,500."

Domijan has quite a collection, including a rare 1965 Ferrari, plus a classic Mercedes and a Cobra. Other members have such vehicles as a 1932 Chevy coupe, a ‘49 Plymouth sedan, a ‘32 Ford, a 1946 Army jeep, an old woody wagon and even a T-Bucket, called such because of its exposed engine.

Corbett likes nothing better than to get an old car in working order so he can tour the town in it.

"I’m always running around in my cars," he said.

The reaction from other motorists is always very positive.

"They love my cars," he said. "They all stop traffic."

Jeremiah Johnson Sings the Blues

The five-member Jeremiah Johnson Band will play a mix of originals from noon to 3 p.m. on an outdoor stage in front of Hammerstone’s.

"We’re kind of a blues-rock band, with horns," guitarist-vocalist and group leader Jeremiah Johnson said. "We’re sort of a Texas honky tonk with St. Louis big horns. So it’s an interesting combo."

The group will play three sets interspersed with 15-minute breaks. The playlist includes music from previous CDs and their latest release, the aptly titled 9th and Russell.

"That corner is not just to represent Hammerstone’s, but it represents that area of Soulard that inspired me to want to become a blues musician," Johnson said.

Johnson, 38, was in a rock band in his 20s. But he kept crossing paths with the blues, getting nudged in that direction by musicians like the late Benny Smith.

"Benny Smith is a St. Louis legend," Johnson said. "He was really cool to me and let me come and sit in with them quite a bit on his Wednesday shows at the Venice Café."

Vocalist Stacy Johnson was similarly encouraging, and also let Johnson sit in with his band.

"That group of guys pretty much defined my future," he said. "They basically said, ‘Hey, you’ve got talent, you ought to stick with it.’"

Soulard was and continues to be a hotbed for the blues.

"The thing that inspired me most about the Soulard area was the fact that not only are there so many music venues in one small area, but it’s got a nice mix of horns and guitar. It’s a mix of Chicago-style blues and southern blues, which I think is kind of a neat deal. You’re getting sort of the Memphis and Texas styles mixed in with the Chicago style. That’s pretty much what got me fired up."

Blues has a wide appeal.

"The thing I like most about it is it inspires everybody to have a good time," he said. "It’s not a sad music, although it can be. It seems like no matter what age group you are, everybody can enjoy the music."

The band also includes Jeff Girardier on bass and vocals, drummer Brad Martin, plus the Sliders--saxophonist Stuart Williams and Jim Rosse on trumpet. The Sliders were blues legend Johnny Johnson’s horn section until he passed away. Johnson said the band is gathering momentum.

"Last summer, we opened for Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and that’s kind of what got us started in the right direction here in St. Louis," he said. "We’re looking to do quite a few festivals and things."

They are getting a lot of air time on KDHX 88.1 FM, which has helped.

"Without them, I don’t know what local musicians and independent artists would do," Johnson said. "They do a wonderful job of not only exposing my music, but all kinds of original bands out there that you’re never gonna get on commercial radio."

This weekend is typical of how busy the band will be. After the car show, Johnson will do a solo gig, followed by getting the band back together Saturday night for a performance 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 61 Roadhouse, 34 South Old Orchard Avenue, Webster Groves. Sunday the band plays 3-5 p.m. at the Tremayne Shelter off Marine Road at Creve Coeur Park as part of the festival.

"It’s a busy weekend," he said.

As the lead vocalist, that’s a lot of singing in one weekend. Johnson said he has a "tough voice" from years of singing, which makes it easier. It’s kind of like being in shape as an athlete. His other secret is to stick with non-alcoholic drinks while performing.

"If you sit there and start drinking beers, you’re not gonna make it," he said, chuckling. "So I avoid the alcohol until I’m done playing."

But busy trumps idle any time, especially when an event like the car show comes along.

"One of the things about this event that’s special is it’s for a good cause," Johnson said. "We’re really happy to be a part of it and help out with the car show, and hopefully everybody will come out and donate some money and everybody will have a good time."

The Jeremiah Johnson Band CDs are available through the band's web site, at iTunes and CD Baby, and locally at in University City and CD Warehouse in South County.

Getting There from Wentzville

Take Highway 40 east to the last Missouri exit, turn left off the exit ramp and drive one block to Broadway, go right on Broadway, which becomes Seventh Street, turn right on Russell and drive two blocks to 2028 South Ninth Street.

For more information, call Hammerstone’s 314-773-5565.