“The best road to progress is freedom’s road.” – John F. Kennedy

Today we remember the day that changed the world. It changed the course, but let us remember that the road we still drive upon, is freedom’s road.

After being bombarded by emails, petitions and outcry from fans of “The Dukes of Hazzard”, along with being lambasted by cast member Ben Jones, Warner Bros. provided the following statement to NBC:

‘We were not, and are not, planning to change the design of the General Lee on merchandise. All reports to the contrary have been inaccurate.”

We’re not so sure they were inaccurate. We think WB stepped back after realizing that popular public sentiment stood against them. Whatever the case, the issue is at rest, and the General Lee will keep his full uniform. But the controversy surrounding pop-culture use of the rebel flag will be an ongoing battle.

We’re grateful that Warner Bros. is leaving the flag on the General Lee. We also acknowledge that there’s gonna be somebody out there who thinks the rebel flag shouldn’t be on a toy car.

Yet, if those objectors would simply watch a few episodes of the show, they’d realize there’s no hate in The Dukes of Hazzard. There never was. It promoted values like helping your neighbors, saying grace before a meal, speaking respectfully to your elders, doing your chores, being kind to animals, upholding justice and standing up against corruption.

Not much to protest, is there?

Thank you, Warner Bros., for hearing the fans.

Warner Bros. has reportedly banned the rebel flag from all Dukes of Hazzard “General Lee” diecast cars, effective Jan 1, 2013. For Dukes of Hazzard fans, this could be the night the lights went out in Georgia.

The change to General Lee product licensing has been in the diecast collector’s news for a couple of weeks. The news originally broke on Supercar Collectibles, then was picked up by Mopar Muscle Magazine, and most recently on HobbyTalk.com.  As the reports began to snowball, we found ourselves compelled to pass along the info.

We hold out a small, slim hope that Warner Bros. will re-think this one and not go through with this politically paranoid decision. Otherwise, what’s next? The complete denial that “The Dukes of Hazzard” was ever on the air? Pull all the DVD sets off the market?

And what of the General Lee being consistently ranked as the number one (01) TV and movie car of all time? We’re just going to pretend now that the flag was never on it? Who ya kidding?

For crying out loud, the car is named “The General Lee”, after all. Is it really that shocking to have a rebel flag on it?

Where does it end?

We don’t know, and we’re afraid to find out. Hard to believe that something as innocent as a country stock car could be in so much trouble for a flashy paint job, after wearing it for over 30 years.

Any controversy surrounding the General Lee has been created by extreme stances of political correctness, and not due to any real problem.  Warner Bros would be hard-pressed to find somebody who has been personally devastated by the General Lee. Except, maybe, for Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane.

Thanks to fan Jason Burnett for the heads up on this story.

Livingston Parish, Louisiana will become Hazzard County for a day on Sept 29, 2012! Most of the original Dukes of Hazzard cast is scheduled to appear in person, including Catherine Bach, John Schneider, Tom Wopat, James Best, Sonny Shroyer, Rick Hurst, Don Pedro Colley and Byron Cherry.

You can expect to see a number of General Lees on site, as well as vintage muscle cars of every make and model. Live music by Billy Dean and Johnny Lee will be featured. Best of all, admission is FREE!

But you’ll still need to pay for autographs and such, and each individual cast member has their own fee and policy. Bring money!

HazzardNet promotes all things Dukes of Hazzard, so we’re happy to pass this news along. However, we have seen conflicting press releases and advertising regarding the cast appearances – namely, when it comes to Tom Wopat and Ben Jones.  Rather than speak for the event, we’re gonna point you directly to the Dukes of Hazzard Family Reunion and Car Show Facebook Page where you can sort things out. Please submit any and all questions you might have about this event directly to the organizers.

As with all large-scale Dukes events, we suggest you book your hotel ASAP and plan to arrive at the event early!

Just the good ol’ boys…and everybody else, appeared at Hazzard Homecoming on August 11 & 12 for Dukes of Hazzard fun! Taking place on a rolling green field under bright blue skies, fans from around the globe enjoyed this memorable visit to “Hazzard County.”

While there were many highlights of the event, the stunt show featuring “Bo and Luke” behind the wheel of the General Lee is the likely favorite. The low-profile jump spared the Charger from damage, while still giving fans a traditional Hazzard County chase!  Here’s a YouTube video posted by “BradNMarty.”

Many fans couldn’t make the trip for this event, so if you have photos, videos or  reports to share about your experience, please feel welcome to post it in our Forums! You can also post on our Facebook page!

Unless you’ve been hiding out in the mountains with your moonshine still, you’ve probably heard that Hazzard Homecoming is taking place August 11 & 12! It’s located at the Ben Venue Racecourse, intersection of Hwy 211 and Route 729 in Amissville, VA. This is just down the road from Sperryville.

Hazzard Homecoming will feature personal appearances by the surviving principal cast of The Dukes of Hazzard. Yes, both John Schneider and Tom Wopat – Bo and Luke Duke  – will be there! As will the charming Catherine Bach.

We’ll also have the intrepid presence of the Hazzard County Sheriff’s Department; James Best, Sonny Shroyer and Rick Hurst. Hosting the shindig is Ben Jones, ol’ Cooter himself, with help from his wife, the lovely Miss Alma.

Of course, you can expect to see lots of General Lees too! Along with Daisy’s Jeep, Uncle Jesse’s pickup and Hazzard County patrol cars.

There’s literally too much going on for us to list, so head over to Cootersplace.com for the complete details. There’s a long lineup of concerts, BMX bike stunts, professional wrestling and whatever else they pull out of the hat.

Best of all, you’ll be surrounded by thousands of other Dukes fans just like you, who can’t get enough of the Dukes of Hazzard!

It’s been hinted by the organizers that this could be “the last time the entire cast is together.”  We’re not going to read into that too deeply or speak anything negative into existence. What we will say, however, is that we know just how much time, work and expense go into putting these events together. There’s been some form of DukesFest/Hazzard Homecoming for so long now that we’ve come to expect them.

But you never know.

So, clear your calendar, gas up the car, pack a cooler and make the pilgrimage to Hazzard Homecoming! Oh, and before we forget – YEEEHAAAA!!

Jimmie Best, known around the world as the inept, corrupt, but entirely fun-loving Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, is celebrating is 86th birthday on July 26.  A veteran of Hollywood’s golden era, Jimmie has impressive film work on his resume. But it was his role in “The Dukes of Hazzard” that launched him into household fame and helped create the Dukes legacy.

Fortunately for Dukes fans, Jimmie has made hundreds of personal appearances at car shows and Dukes of Hazzard events.  He has endured thousands of miles of travel, and spent many long  hours of his life signing autographs. He’s done biker gigs, art shows, charity appearances, and bachelorette parties.  We’re kidding about that last one, but if his wife was ok with it, he’d be there! He’s befriended fans of all ages and he knows how to delight a crowd. He’s entertained audiences for generations, and his approachability has created a lot of goodwill for The Dukes of Hazzard.

Please join us in wishing Jimmie a Happy Birthday in our Forums and on our Facebook page! We also strongly recommend that you take the opportunity to visit him at Hazzard Homecoming on August 11 & 12 in Amissville, VA.  Ol’ Rosco might just decide to hang up the badge someday and spend more time fishing, so don’t pass up this chance to meet him!

We love ya, Rosco! Happy Birthday, and God Bless!

Fearless Ray Kohn of the Northeast Ohio Dukes gave the “Hazzard Comes to Galax” crowd a thrilling General Lee jump on Saturday, June 2nd, despite problems with the car’s steering and an unscheduled smash into a parked vehicle.

Fortunately, the vehicle struck by Ray was one of the stunt unit cars belonging to the Northeast Ohio Dukes, but the collision caused considerable damage to both cars and a delay to the show. The Hazzard-ous mishap occurred during a warm-up lap in front of a grandstand audience of over 3,000 fans.

You can see the high-tech repairs to the General Lee – involving a really big hammer – in the video clip below, as well as the successful stunt jump. A big YEEHAA goes to Ray for staying safe and continuing on with the show!

We’re closing in on “Hazzard Comes to Galax” on June 2nd! This Dukes of Hazzard fan gathering is affordable fun, with tickets at the gate running $10 for adults and a mere $5 for kids 12 and younger.  Scheduled cast appearances include John Schneider, James Best, Sonny Shroyer, Rick Hurst, and Ben Jones.

If that doesn’t already grab ya, then go for the Stunt Show performed by our crazy friends, the Northeast Ohio Dukes! If you have never seen the General Lee fly in person, you won’t want to miss it!

This is a one-day only event, Saturday June 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to about 7:00 p.m. Free up your Friday and hit the road! For directions, hotel information and all the details we were too lazy to spell out, visit their official website!

To sons and fathers,
Friends and brothers,
Mothers and daughters,
Sisters and others
Who valiantly served,
And bravely fought
For all Americans – we have never forgot.
Though time may fade your monuments,
And years etch away your names,
No generation shall ever forget
The great sacrifice you made.

THANK YOU
GOD BLESS AMERICA