Protect The culture

For better or worse, there’s no place quite like ‘GAT.’ The annual Smoky Mountain pilgrimage is one of the community’s most popular events, attracting a staggering variety of builds. Kevin is no stranger to that variety. From a modded 350z and a lifted Chevy pickup, to one of the coolest Volvo wagons I’ve ever seen, his appreciation for diverse styling in his own builds, fuels a unique vision in his photography. So what happens when you place a creative perspective like this in a beautiful location with endless opportunity…
Photos: Kevin Stafford | Words: Matt Gaumont

I was pretty hyped seeing Kevin and our friend Daniel walking up the hill toward the CHROME house on Friday night. Seeing familiar faces 1,000 miles from home just hits different. We chatted for a few minutes, sharing our initial thoughts on experiencing our first GAT and trying to wrap our heads around the sheer scale of it. There was a really good vibe in our little tucked-away neighborhood at golden hour and just before sunset, Kev set off to capture the scene around the neighborhood.

Saturday morning brought something that I don’t think anyone really expected, but I know none of us will forget. We caught up with the CHROME boys just as they were heading up the mountain with Kevin and Lashaun to hit one of the many beautiful overlooks. The guys grabbed their gear, hopped in the back of Dan’s pickup and froze their asses off with cameras in hand…and man did it pay off. We took a 30 minute ride up the mountain, carving through the winding roads, passing by groups of other enthusiasts trying to capture their own experience. Listening to the unmistakable sound of three SRT-4’s amongst such a peaceful and scenic backdrop was a wild contrast to say the least.

Don’t get me wrong, GAT has its issues, and the internet saw them in full view as the coverage rolled out. But what the internet didn’t see were the memories made with old friends and the connections made with new ones. A shared appreciation for a culture that is part of who we are. Truthfully, not every car was great (I’d argue the majority were mid), but that’s not the point. GAT offers a feeling of freedom in an increasingly constrictive world and a much-needed escape. While it’s easy for my generation to dismiss the event as a “shit show” full of directionless kids, the reality is different. Sure, there are bad apples, but GAT is something our culture desperately needs, and I feel fortunate to have experienced it.

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