The Sturgis Buffalo Chip has released two concert announcements for the 2012 Sturgis motorcycle rally within the past week, and they are quite different than the usual rock and roll icons that take the stage at the Chip.
Lynyrd Skynyrd was the first band to make the list of 2012 bands, though they are now joined by the country music duo of Sugarland and the Grammy Award winning Zac Brown Band.


The addition of the country bands is quite the change for the rally, which usually features classic rock and roll, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, or other rock bands such as Saving Abel or Hinder. Should still be a good time, as always, out at the Buffalo Chip.

Glencoe also recently announced they will be presenting Foghat free during the rally.

John K. Lehman, founder and director of Lehman Trikes in Spearfish, died Thursday, Jan. 5, in Arizona, the company said in a news release.

Read our full story here.

By Amanda Friar

Well, one down, many more to go. Another rally has come and gone and the move out and clean up process is almost complete on Main Street. As soon as I got into town yesterday morning I noticed how dead it was; it was almost like a ghost town compared to how it was this time last week. There are still a few tents that are still up and definitely still some trash that needs to picked up, but for the most part, the little town of over 6,000 people seems to be getting back to normal life. Or as normal as life can get in Sturgis, SD. Great rally year, here’s to the 72nd!

The Buffalo Chip sure does know how to throw a party! Tonight’s concert series featured Saving Abel, Puddle of Mudd, and Tesla. The thing that caught my attention about the crowd at the Chip was that they would rev their motorcycle engines whenever they approved of the band or really enjoyed the song they played.

Saving Abel started the night off and didn’t fail to attract a few motorcycle revs with their hits including a song about the lead singer’s first tattoo and their ever famous hit that made them famous, “Addicted.” The crowd definitely enjoyed Saving Abel’s rocking hits.

Puddle of Mudd took the stage after Saving Able and after the Miss Buffalo Chip competition. I was surprised to discover that I knew more Puddle of Mudd songs than I thought I did. Among their hits, they included TNT, Schizophrenic Psycho, She Hates Me, and Take it All Away. I found myself singing along, which I didn’t expect at all.

Finally, Tesla closed the night out with a hit show that packed the entire Buffalo Chip arena with spectators. I have to be honest, but when they first took the stage, I wondered how old they were. It seemed the age of the show went from generation to generation to generation. I just have to wonder how old Tesla is. While they weren’t my cup of tea, the crowd seemed to love them and I enjoyed capturing these pictures of them.

Overall it was a great night and as I was leaving it got roudier and roudier. I can only imagine that the party went well into the night. Happy 30th Birthday Buffalo Chip!

By Hannah Baker

Well, Sturgis, it’s been fun. I had the opportunity to see a lot of new and crazy things and it’s definitely an experience I’ll never forget.

One aspect of the rally that I really enjoyed was the attitude of most of the visitors. Everyone was really nice and helpful wherever I went, which being a little new to the Sturgis area, so I was very appreciative.

But, for this reporter it’s time to call it a week in Sturgis and head on home to Rapid. I know a lot of other bikers probably have a lot longer to go than the measly 30 miles, and I wish everyone safe travels.

By Hannah Baker

Right now you can buy the 8 issues of the Sturgis Rally Daily and the Wednesday Meade County Times paper in one big bundle for $9! They are a fun way to remember the 2011 rally and commemorate the week full of flashy motorcycles and interesting characters. You can get them on Main Street Sturgis at the Sturgis Rally Daily office or you can order them online at www.rapidcityjournal.com and pay $6 for shipping.

Go see Mischelle at the Sturgis Rally Daily office on Main and get a paper from her!

By Hannah Baker

I realize it’s only 8 a.m. but Main Street is dead. On my walk to the office I was shocked to find that only a handful of bikes were parked on Main Street when earlier this week it was bike after bike after bike all packed together. I guess it’s time for a lot of people to pack it in and head on home. I can’t say it’ll be like this all day, but if you want to walk Main without all the commotion, right now may be the best time.

By Hannah Baker

Instead of having to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic, when you’re coming into town from Junction Avenue, try turning right onto Douglas and then taking a left on Nellie Street when you’re heading out to the Buffalo Chip, Full Throttle, etc. It spits you back out on Lazelle and you skip all the downtown traffic. Then try it the other way around when you head back into town. I’ve found it saves a bunch of time and you don’t have to sit through the agony of waiting ten minutes for a green light while your blood pressure quickly skyrockets.

Believe me, you want to avoid this as much as possible. Below is a photo of the current traffic at the intersection of Lazelle and Junction.

By Hannah Baker

When I was at the Buffalo Chip today I heard a noise in the distance that sounded like “tat-tat-tat, tatat-tat-tat” and knew I wanted to find out where it was coming from and what was making that sound. I followed the sound and it lead me to an open field and saw that machine guns were the cause of the tat-tats. So I grabbed some ear plugs and walked on over and watched as people shot the guns and also launched bowling balls into the air out of a cannon. The bowling balls went sky high and landed at least 100 yards from where they were shot. I’ve never seen anything like it.

By Chris Jessen

Some pretty ominous looking clouds are forming over Sturgis. Word on the street is hail may be coming. So everyone at the rally today, or planning on coming, be prepared for the possibility of stormy weather ahead.

By Chris Jessen

Going out and about yesterday and today, I’ve seen quite a few vendors starting to put things on sale. Talking to various business managers and owners, I can say that starting Sunday a lot of stuff will be on sale, especially dated items. So be out looking for sales today, you’ll never know what you might find out there.

By Chris Jessen

The South Dakota Pork Producers Council is handing out free pork sandwiches today in front of Lynn’s Dakotamart. So if you’re looking for a good, free lunch stop by and pick up a pork sandwich and a free Pepsi Max. I had my lunch there and it was delicious.

By Chris Jessen

On my way out to get some lunch today, I spotted this. Now I love Pepsi Max, but even this would be too much for me. Everyone in town today be on the look out for some ladies pushing a Pepsi cart around, they’re handing out free Pepsi Max.

By Amanda Friar

The Full Throttle Saloon sure knows how to throw a party. For their Throttle Fest 2011, they hosted Blackstone Cherry, Hinder and Theory of a Deadman. It was clear that these were very big name bands because traffic out to the Throttle was absolutely crazy and it took me an hour to find parking across the street.

Once I finally made it into the Throttle, Hinder had already taken the stage and the crowd was soaking in all of their hit songs including Lips of an Angel and Get Stoned. While I’m not sure how long they played before I got there, I was only able to see and hear four or five songs.

After Hinder sang about one night stands, Theory of a Deadman took the stage and brought the audience a series of hits. Something that I love bands doing is involving the audience and Theory of a Deadman did just that. The lead singer took out a Flip Cam and held it up to the audience to record them singing along. It’s  nice to see bands acting like their an audience member and recording the shows they go to.

Check back tomorrow for more pictures from the concert when I can get my camera battery charged.

By Holly Meyer
Journal staff

Chris Mahan, of Rockton, Ill., rode into Hulett, Wyo. Wednesday on his 2004 Road King Harley Davidson sporting patriotic hair. Mahan said this year is his second year enjoying the Sturgis motorcycle rally, but he dragged his day Bill Mahan, of New York, along for the ride.

The father and son were enjoying a couple of beers in the shade on Wednesday afternoon. Chris expected Wednesday in Wyoming to be a little rowdier.

By Holly Meyer
Journal staff

Terrylee Page and Judy Smith of Lakewood, Col. always wear hats to the Sturgis motorcycle rally. I spotted them on Wednesday afternoon on the streets of Hulett, Wyo. Along with Judy’s husband Del, they plan their elaborate hats as soon as they leave the rally and make them in about a day.

By Amanda Friar

Tonight is Throttle Fest out at the Full Throttle and it should be a great concert. Hinder, Theory of a Deadman, Blackstone Cherry, and a handful others. I saw Hinder last year and they were great! Here’s a little preview to get you guys pumped for the show and those hesitant to convince you to come on out to the Throttle.

By Amanda Friar

I had the great pleasure of meeting this man yesterday. Everyone meet Norm Stahl, a chaplain with the Christian Motorcycle Association. He was standing guard over the photo tower on Main Street and I almost missed taking the noon photo because I was enjoying talking to him. Norm said the organization helps out with odd securtiy jobs wherever they are needed as a service to the city. There is a great possibility you’ve seen some of his fellow bikers carrying around a large cross down Main Street. He said the group likes to plant the seed of God’s love into people’s minds and while they don’t know what becomes of that seed it is important that it is at least planted. Such an encouragement.

By Chris Jessen

When I saw this bike during my travels on the Main Street of Sturgis, it instantly made me think of being back on my girlfriend’s farm. This motorcycle is just one of the many amazing bikes I’ve seen here.

By Chris Jessen

On my around Main Street today, I spotted this vehicle. I’m not really sure what it is, but it definitely caught my eye.