Cool SHOT Show People

One of the best parts of the SHOT Show is meeting all of the people you converse with on the phone and by e-mail, and renewing friendships with those you haven’t seen in a while.  This year I had the chance to meet a lot of new people and strengthen relationships with old friends.

In no particular order, I’d like to mention these online media writers, podcasters and publishers who I ran into this year.  Each one does a great job with their projects, and I encourage everyone to check them out.

Safety Solutions Academy

Paul at the Safety Solutions Academy publishes a daily podcast on all things personal safety and defense.  He’s got a great perspective and excellent radio voice.  He’s also a good guy with whom to share a beer and stories about great deeds accomplished and imagined.  Paul’s podcast is excellent, and I encourage everyone to take a listen.

MArooned

Many folks already know Jay G of the MArooned blog for his insightful, humorous and occasionally snarky reporting on all things guns and nanny-state.  Jay and I have swapped e-mails and talked on the phone, but this was the first time I had a chance to shake his hand.  Next year, I hope we’ll have enough time so I can buy him a beer.

Black Man with a Gun

Kenn Blanchard is the original Black Man with a Gun.  An incredible man and podcaster, Kenn is one of those special people that I am glad to say I have met and consider my friend.  Please check out my brother from a different mother at his website.  Also, Kenn just released a new book for the Kindle called Zen of Gun Ownership.

Cork Graham

Best selling author and one of the most interesting men in the world, Cork runs Cork’s Outdoors and is a fellow columnist at Guns & Patriots.  Cork is another person with whom I have swapped e-mails and spoken to on the phone, but had never met in person.  It was great meeting him.  If you have not already done so, consider reading his book The Bamboo Chest, which details his experiences in Vietnam.

Women’s Outdoor News/Babbs in the Woods

Barbara Baird (aka Babbs in the Woods) is a phenomenally versatile Intertubes-media-type.   In addition to her writing at the Women’s Outdoor News, she is also published in numerous other publications, is a contributor to the Black Man with a Gun podcast and is a handgun instructor.  Oh, and she is one of the coolest people I know.

Sportsmans Blog

I had a chance to catch up for a few minutes with Jim Braaten, a friend who I first met several years ago at a writer’s conference at BLACKHAWK!.  Jim writes on all types of outdoor activities, most notably on hunting, fishing and trapping.  A long time SHOT attendee, Jim has embraced the “new” media platforms.  Get over to his site and take a look.

Have I missed anyone?  Yep, I’m sure I have.  I apologize up front for all of my friends and acquaintances that I missed.  The show is very draining, and it is tough to recall everyone who I saw and said hello to.  Feel free to correct my egregious errors in the comments!