Byron Cherry Archives

Dukes of Hazzard Taking Over Knight Rider Festival

Move over, KITT. The General Lee is taking center stage in Las Vegas on May 18 & 19, 2012, during the Las Vegas Star Cars and Knight Rider 30th Anniversary Convention! Once separate events, these shindigs have been combined by powerhouse Vegas promoter Paul Casey.

The vehicles in attendance will include various incarnations of KITT and probably a dozen or more General Lees. In addition to the iconic cars from Knight Rider and The Dukes of Hazzard, you’ll find famous vehicles from Smokey & The Bandit, The A-Team, The Green Hornet, American Graffiti, Ghostbusters, and anything else that shows up.

The event is FREE to the public, but star car owners are asked to pony up for the Children’s Miracle Network. Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider, co-founder of the charity, is participating in the event and will be signing autographs. “Bo Duke” will be joined by Dukes of Hazzard alumni Byron Cherry, (Coy Duke) and Don Pedro Colley (Sheriff Little.) Catherine Bach has also been invited, but as of HazzardNet press time, her participation is unconfirmed.

Some Knight Rider stars will be there too, but hey, this is a Dukes website and we’re just a little selfish. Go to the official Las Vegas Star Cars website for more details about all the celebrities and cars!

We’re willing to bet that Dukes of Hazzard fans and General Lees take the event over by sheer numbers . It would serve Knight Rider just desserts for picking on The Dukes of Hazzard during the 80’s. Odds are, a lot of Dixie horns will be heard in Las Vegas!

Coy Duke’s General Lee is For Sale!

General Lee replicas come and go on the market, but it isn’t often that a cast-owned General Lee becomes available! Byron Cherry, who was “Coy Duke” during the 5th season of The Dukes of Hazzard, is parting with his General Lee. This 1969 Dodge Charger has 71,075 original miles on it and is a numbers-matching car.

This General Lee replica was used for Byron’s promotional purposes. It’s best described as a collector’s item on wheels; there are numerous Dukes of Hazzard cast signatures on the car, and autographs by other celebrities. Byron is also throwing in a variety of Dukes collectibles as part of the deal. As an added bonus, the purchaser will be treated to dinner.

Buyers who are concerned about replica accuracy should note that this car needs a few cosmetic details to be show-ready as a General. See the lettering of “General Lee” in this photo for an example. This car is not being represented as an accurate replia; it was Byron’s own car for his use and has distinctions in this respect.

You can be the next owner on the title after Byron Cherry for $150,000. For details, see the ebay listing. Serious buyers are welcome to make an offer!

Christopher Mayer, “Vance Duke” Reported Dead

Christopher Mayer, who portrayed “Vance Duke” on The Dukes of Hazzard during the strike of Tom Wopat and John Schneider, has been reported dead. The sudden passing of the 57-year old actor is being reported by entertainment media sources, as per the disclosure of his fiancee, Catherine Irvine.

Mayer died unexpectedly on Saturday July 23. The cause has not been released. Mayer was actively working on a new film project at the time. We will share further details as we receive them.

Dukes of Hazzard fans everywhere are expressing heartfelt condolences to Mayer’s family and loved ones. Vance Duke, you were taken away from us too soon.

*UPDATE* Byron Cherry, who played Coy Duke, has made reference to Mayer’s passing in a recent Facebook update. While the Facebook page is private, a copy of the entry has been provided to us:

“I’m so sad to say that my best friend, buddy, pal Chris Mayer “Vance Duke” passed away suddenly. He was so special to me and my kids and family. He will be so missed and I pray that we all just remember him for all that he did to put a smile on our face. He was just 01 great guy and I’m just so thankful that I knew him at all. He taught me so much about life and Jesus and how to live life. It will be hard knowing I can’t just pick up the phone and call him for a good laugh and inspiration. We will meet again.”

Well said, Byron.