Clem's Corner: America's Most Wanted Tour

My work in skateboarding has offered me some pretty rad opportunities over the years. I've traveled to exotic destinations, I've met all of my childhood heroes, and most recently I hung out with some people that I never thought I would even have the opportunity to meet.

How I ended up in a deluxe RV on the America's Most Wanted Tour, AKA the Lil Wayne Tour, still perplexes me. I was referred to Young Money from a friend in the skateboarding industry. He told me that they wanted some help with Trukfit and the skate parks they own.

So after a few emails and a phone conference, Jorge and I drove down to Miami to meet with some of the Young Money management, skate Wayne's TF, and attend the release party for Wayne's shoe on Spectre. It was a fun two days, and while I was excited for the opportunity, I didn't know what sort of impression we actually left with the YMCMB crew.

I put together a short, concise one-page proposal breaking down what I thought we could do for them, but heard nothing back after submitting it. Two weeks later I hit them up again. Still nothing. After nearly two months went by, a check came in the mail for one month's retainer. I was psyched, but we still didn't have any communication.

Finally, on July 3rd, I talked to management and was instructed to have five skaters in Birmingham, Alabama on July 5th at 3pm for rehearsals. I was like, "You mean as in 48 hours from now I need to hire five skaters to be on tour for the next nine weeks and have them in the middle of Alabama for rehearsals?"

My answer back was, "Yep, no problem." That's the answer I always give. Then to myself I say, "Oh $h!t. How am I going to do this?" Ultimately I end up figuring it out.

Flights got booked, the skaters showed up on time, we rehearsed, and I spent a few days on the tour to make sure all went well. Rolling three RV's deep through Alabama and Tennessee with Lil Wayne, Mack Maine, Gudda Gudda, management, security, and a host of about 25 others is an experience that I won't soon forget.

So if you happened to check out the America's Most Wanted Tour in your hometown this summer, the skateboarders thank you for your support. It wasn't easy to do tricks in the dark on slippery ramps with pyrotechnics going off, dancers getting down, and Wayne running around the stage like a kid more excited about skateboarding than you've ever been.