Chubby Checker has a new motorcoach, and it is de-luxe. I know this because during a regularly scheduled Internet search for Chubby Checker, I found an article about his new vehicle in the Yahoo! business section. Even though Chubby Checker has a snack food business, I didn't expect to find him in the business section. Of course, I never expected to see Chubby Checker at a Blondie concert either, and that is where this whole Chubby Checker interest originated.
I have to say though, somewhere along the line I have become terribly fond of Chubby Checker. Not that I ever disliked the man, but I have spent almost three full years poking fun at his activities. I still think it's hilarious that he showed up at Camp Snoopy, but I'm starting to enjoy the Chubby Checker-based empire that Chubby Checker has created. I think the tides turned when I read about his new motorcoach. It's got some pretty neat features, but the very best thing about it is the name. His new mode of transport is called the Checkerlicious Express.
The Checkerlicious Express was made by a company in Minnesota and that delighted me. I am in Minnesota keeping an eye on his snack empire, he is bringing business to Minnesota. The article told me that it's one of the most elaborate coaches this company has ever made. It's got a real wood interior and sleeps nine adults. That's pretty cool. I figure if he is on the road for most of the year, why shouldn't he be on the road in comfort?
Then I continued reading. Not only is it an excellent mode of transportation, it has another function. It is equipped with some sort of flip down door that when flipped down reveals a store for selling Chubby Checker merchandise. It also contains a barbecue grill and commercial grade freezers. He is a mobile marketing machine in a mobile marketing machine. I really hope he brings the Checkerlicious Express when he comes to town this summer. Since there are no stores in my area that carry his food products, he could solve my shopping issues by bringing the food to me.
Actually, Chubby has a new web site devoted exclusively to his snacks and I have discovered that I can buy the beef jerky in my town. They have it at KMart. I've been meaning to go buy jerky for a couple of weeks now but I've also been on my way to buy a tuning fork since 1990 (or maybe 1991) so I won't hold my breath. Anyway, this new site also features pictures of the Checkerlicious Express, and it is really nice. It's got a sporty snack-related paint job. The link, you say? I sure will give you the link after I give you the warning: turn down your volume. You know, if you're at the library or something. Once you have your volume issues sorted out, go here so you can enjoy his new bus and see if there is a snack retailer near you.
I'm a little bummed that I can only get the jerky, I wanted the popcorn or the hot dogs. But if the Checkerlicious Express comes to town that problem will be solved. I'm wondering though, when did that become a legitimate problem for me? When did Chubby Checker snacks go from extremely hilarious novelty item to novelty item that I want to try? I suppose ever since I started to enjoy the fact that Chubby Checker has turned Chubby Checker into a product.
Even though Chubby Checker is not a one-hit wonder, he is known as somewhat of a novelty act. I don't think that is an entirely accurate categorization, because he was performing dance craze songs when that was the prevailing trend. In spite of the fact that he is lumped into the novelty category, he is turning that novelty-based fame into a snack business. Who else does that? I don't see Bobby "Boris" Pickett out selling a line of snack treats. Bobby "Boris" Pickett is stuck appearing at Halloween-themed events with that guy who played Eddie Munster.
One could argue that Bobby "Boris" Pickett is also capitalizing on his novelty status, but I don't see him expanding his offerings. I just visited his site and all of the merchandise is Monster Mash-related. Not one snack to be seen. Nothing wrong with that, if he doesn't want to be a singer/snack purveyor no one is going to bully him into it. However, Mr. Chubby Checker has taken his singer status and launched a whole new career based on the career that began over forty years ago. I can't help but applaud the effort, and the fact that his bus is called the Checkerlicious Express.