The Spamarama began behind the old original Soap Creek Saloon off Bee Cave Road back in 1978.  Jimmy Carter was President and America had just turned over the Panama Canal back to Panama.  Two Popes died that year and the Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl. Hotel California was the Record of the Year and three men got together to begin a tradition now known as the Pandemonious Party of Potted Pork.

     David Arnsberger, Dick Terry and George Majewski got together and came up with the idea of a Spam cook-off, sort of a weirder Austin version of the chili cook-offs which were really taking off back then.  The first contest was tame in comparision to the uber-event of today with entries like the foot long Spam submarine sandwich, but it showed flashes of the brillance to come with the entry of the Spam Daquiri.  It came in two flavors: peach w/Spam and lime w/Spam.  In both cases you had the fruit throw into a blender with copious amounts of Spam and the resulting sludge was served in a cup garnished with a wedge of Spam on the lip.  I remember seeing those cups sitting all around the site there behind the SCS where people had taken one sip, set it down and left it there.

     Over the years, the creativity that had gone into new Spam dishes has blossomed by the addition of world-class chefs and the world has been offered a pletheora of wonderfully tempting Spam creations as they all vie for the coveted Spamerica's Cup.  We have seen: Spam Parmesan, Chicken Fried Spam, Spam Stew, Spam on the Half Shell, Spam Ribs, Homemade Spam Pasta, Spam Flautas, Spam Nachos, Spam Tacos, Spam Enchiladas, Spam Bavarian Creme Pie, Chocolate Spam Cake, Spam Biscuits, Filet Of Spam Mignon Wrapped In Bacon, Curried Spam, Spam & Cheese Casserole, Peking Duck Stuffed With Spam, Fried Spam Rings, Spamwurst, Leg of Spam, Spam Cheeseball, Spam Ravioli, Spam Tartare, Spam Ceviche, Spam Fondue, Spam Mousse, Deviled Spam, Spam Crepes, Spam Banana Bread, Spam Meatloaf, Spam Alfredo, Spam Tofu, Toxic Shock Spam Tampons, Spam Brownies, Spam Ding-Dongs, Spam-Chip Cookies, Spam Flan, Green Eggs and Spam, Spam Stuffed Fried Jalapeno Poppers, Spam Pizza, Spam Cobbler, Spam Wings, French Toast with Spam, Spam Sculpted Into A Statue of A Pig and Glazed With An Apple In Its Mouth, Spam Cordon Bleu, Spamikopita, Kung Pao Spam, Spam Ice Cream, Twice Cooked Spam, Spam Dumplings, Spam Eggrolls, General's Tso's Spam, Girl Snout Coookies w/Spam, Spam Ice Sculptures, Neon Spam Signs with Flying Pigs, Steaming Spam Pu-Pu Platter, Spam Chili, Barbequed Spam, Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Spam, Sesame Spam, Spam Mole, Spam French Fries, Spam Consumme,Spam Won Tons, Spam & Corn Chowder, Spam Mararitas, Spam Pina Coladas, Sweet and Sour Spam, Spam Banana Splits, Spam Milk Shakes, Spam Gumbo and, of course, Moo Goo Gai Spam.

     The Spamarama is normally held on the weekend closest to April Fools Day unless that weekend contains Easter.  Last year was the first time that Spamarama was held on Easter weekend and it was colder than whatever euphemism you can name.  I went, but not before beginning my outfit with long underwear and then layering heavily; I was still chilled as I stood out there in the rain and blowing north wind.  It was an Easter colder than almost any Christmas I can think of here in Austin during the last fifty years and the turnout of people to Spamarama 2007 was closer to 200 than to the 20,000 than normally show up and help celebrate one of the primal events that help to Keep Austin Wierd.  The Uranium Savages couldn't play because the weather was so miserable that the PA system was never set up for us, but we'll be there next year, so come hear the Uranium Savages at Spamarama 2008 as we celebrate thirty years (!) of Spamarama.  No other band or musical group in the known universe knows as many song about Spam or using the word Spam than the Uranium Savages.  I'd give a list of all our Spam songs now, but I'm still tired from making the list of Spam dishes and typing the letters S-P-A-M in order over and over.