Ken "Grampaw" Evert, passed away from cancer at 6:38 am, April 1, 2008, at the Christopher House Hospice, in Austin, Texas.

Ken was attended by close friends of many years at the time of his passing.

Leonard Kenneth Evert was a Vietnam War veteran; his job was a "tunnel rat."

He was a wonderful character actor.  In addition to his tremendous performance as Grampaw in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre2," he had a score of stage and screen credits.  I particularly recall Ken’s riveting performace as the ancient family retainer in Chekhov’s "The Cherry Orchard" - he brought the play alive.

Ken, you are very much in our thoughts, and you are missed by many who care deeply.

A memorial gathering will take place on April 12th.  For any Fans who wish to send their condolences and/or contributions to help defray medical and funeral expenses, please send them to his oldest and closest friend:

Mike Malone
2109 Brookhill Drive
Austin, TX 78745

Peace Out,

Bill

A big THANKS to all you FANS who came to the Austin Fangoria Weekend of Horrors!  It was Very enjoyable meeting and interacting with all of you. 

I really appreciate your support and I had a fine time seeing your smiling faces, stylin' around in your Horror gear!

It was an especial treat being able to get together with you all to do all this in my hometown, too.

You FANS ROCK and make all the difference!

Looking forward to seeing y'all again, so until next time...

Keep on Buzzzinnnnng!!!

Bill

I'm happy to share with you some of the great things about winding up a busy year visiting all the very cool, fun, and cordial folks at the horror fan conventions attended this year.  

FEARFEST'07 Dallas, TX, A real good first time show hosted by John Gray. Lots of your favorite guests attended including all four Leatherfaces together for that show, Q&A/panels held, and a banquet for the fans and guests so we could sit down and visit over a meal. John Gray might still have some DVD video of that convention for sale, so get yours while you can.   http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=122945977

 
CHILLER in Parsippany NJ: Many say the ultimate 3-ring circus of horror/entertainment conventions, abundantly well attended as per usual by fans and guests. Always a good time at the CHILLER.
This year freaky crazy rainy weather which almost stranded me at the airport for who knows know how long, but literally just made it out of town under the wire, aided by the stalwarts from Josie's Limo Service.  http://chillertheatre.com/gt/gtc4.htm

 FRIGHT NIGHT FILM FEST in Louisville, KY, in its 3^rd year was well done, very social, very friendly.  A combination of a regular horror con plus lots of new horror/action films exhibited and winding up the weekend with an Awards banquet ceremony which wrapped it up nicely. It was touching to see Tony Moran get a little misty eyed during his acceptance speech. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=92745304&MyToken=8a45dcd9-f90e-438e-b228-d05a86aa0dbc

  We had big fun staging the impromptu faux wedding of Ed Neal and his "fiancé". Large cast in the wedding party, along with me were Ed, Gunnar, Marilyn, John Dugan, Alan Danzigger, Tiffany Shepis, Alex Del Monacco and lots more.

 FNFF is expanding its role in the membership of the  Horror Convention Pantheon by creating a much needed and wanted venue for new horror films and film makers.

 CRYPTICON in Minneapolis, MN: their 2^nd show and was even more well attended than the year previously.  Love the vibe in the Minnie-Apple and the show is a very well done friendly "family run" convention and they took good care of us.  If you dig reading horror literature/stories, interviews, horror art then their mag, CRYPTIC MAGAZINE is definitely one to give a look see.

I believe the Organizers are holding the CRYPTICON in a new venue for next year, so be sure to keep an eye peeled for where and when at their MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=252447269

 

ROCK AND SHOCK in Worcester, Mass. Yep, lots going on there. The Organizers put on a strongly diverse show with lots of bands, at the Palladium Theater. And lots of guests and vendors at the DCU to connect with during that driving weekend kept things fun and interesting too. The organizers take real good care to make a real good time for all and that is really appreciated. I asked the fans if they were having a good time, the overwhelming response was that they were loving it, so if you love your horror and rock altogether Rock and Shock is a great place to be.  

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=20881022

 
GEORGETOWN DRIVE-IN: Oct.19^th, Georgetown, Indiana, family owned/run, 2 screens, open on weekends.  Super sweet folks.  And high on the top of the movie marquee is mounted a 1957 Chevy BelAir, tricked out in multi-colored neon. I'm telling you, man-o-man, that is beautifully done. While TCM2 was showing John Dugan and I were signing photos for the fans and having a good time there.   http://www.georgetowndrivein.com/   

 

CHAINSAW ON THE LAWN: Sat. Nov 16, Austin, TX.

 Alan Danzigger, aka "Jerry" from TCM 1 has a B&B (follow the link and see it) and exhibited TCM 1&2 on a very large DVD screen. Hosetess, Ada, served up mighty tasty food,drink and treats. After there was a Q&A with me and Alan. The B&B is an old restored large Southern style house not unlike the one you've seen in certain scary movies, but this one is safe and comforting.  

Had a real fun time because Ada is a terrific hostess and Alan is a very fun guy, he's been running a specialty telegram business, The 3-ring service for over 20 years.  And the buzz is he wants to host this event again so be prepared for future news, because you never know who else from either one of these TCM movies will be appearing there. http://www.ainsworthhouse.com/cotl.html

FINALLY, I'm directing another new one act stage play, written by the brilliant International playwright, Isabella Russell-Ides,  titled COSMO AND GIGI  for the Frontera Fest new play festival in Austin, Texas.  Rehearsals have already started and we'll get going in earnest at the top of January to perform the first week of February. http://www.hydeparktheatre.org/site/index.html

I'm looking forward, as I trust you are to be experiencing the nicest December holiday season and I truly hope every one of you have the best Holidays ever.

Thanks for being such great fans and friends; you really do make all the difference!

Take care and keep on buzzzzinnn'!

 
Best regards,

 
Bill>>>