The Time I Met Dolly (RIP)

  Sometimes it's difficult for me to decide what to post about. Then when I do have something to say, there are too many topics that I wan't to speak on all at once. So, with her passing, I decided on Dolly. Hopefully I can recount this well and not get sidetracked.

 It was a while back, My Mom and I went to CMA Fest. (Formerly FanFare) I believe this was soon after it had the change to become CMA Fest. According to the internet this was possibly 2009, but I didn't always post pictures when they happened. Either way, it's been enough years my memory is a little foggy. 

 We were watching Taylor Swift perform and bailed out early to get across town becuase Dolly Parton was doing a signing the next morning. It was very important to Mom to get to go. So we showed up, parked and then camped out in line all night long. Everyone was nice. There were a few people that did this sort of thing often. Not us. We're not "autograph hounds" or anything. So this was the first time to do an all nighter in line. (I think I only ever did it again for Record Store Day when I wanted my Macho Man Randy Savage Record)

 Dolly had a new children's book out and a new record. This was the basic signing with rules. Only get one of the two new items signed. No personal items. Must purchase from book store, Etc. Etc. The process was very cookie cutter. Hello, Sign, Snap, Move on. I wasn't feeling it, but wanted Mom to have her moment so stayed with it. 

 This was back when I had my big chops going on. Almost a beard. As we approached Dolly said, "When I saw you way back in line I thought you were Bocephus." So I told her that was funny because my cousin was Merle. (Hank's longtime manager before his passing in '06) Well that started a long conversation. Dolly held up the line to have a real moment with us. Security was getting irritated and wanted us to move on. Dolly said, "Oh, don't mind him." I did feel bad for the people behind us waiting. I believe the three of us spoke for at least a good twenty minutes. She was everything you expect her to be and real.

 I can honestly say she was one of the truest and kindest people I've ever met. I do not think it was just some act. I know she's touched a lot of people. With her music, her films, her charity and who knows what else. She's going to be missed. I've had a lot of moments with the "famous", but I can truly say that I'm thankful for this brief moment I had with her. Dolly, you were a true treasure and will be missed. R.I.P.

- Christophe

Taking Another Month Off From Shows... (Just Sept. Be Back in Oct.)

  Hello all, I'm tired. I'm not going to sit here and list all the reasons, as  it's no ones business. But I'll be taking September off from hosting shows at NCom. We will still have Film Club on Wednesdays. (The films of the late, great Reggie Bannister) and we have a Comedy/Concert Duo on 9/11. I'm keeping that one going because they will be doing thier own work. I don't need to lug out all the heavy speakers and such. 

 I will be heading out to a few big shows during the month though. So pay attention to my YouTube for some cool video. I'll be seeing Paris Jackson, Suicidal Tendencies, Ugly Kid Joe, I.C.P., Slayer and more at Rocklahoma. Then later in the month I''ve got tix for both Billy Idol's show and Gene Simmons' show. I'll be sure to post a vid or two.

 SHould be back to regular shows in October. I know for sure my friend Ghost Cassette have the night of the 10th and Daeg Faerch will be back on tour and signing Halloween Merch on the 11th. 

  Sadly, my friend Kevin Stark will be closing the doors of his Toy and Action Figure Museum in Paul's Valley at the end of the month. This will be your last chance to check this place out and to see the Evil Knievel/Team America display which includes some of my and my friend Matt Price's toys. Read about the closing in this article from Garvin County New Star.

Pauls Valley Toy and Action Figure Museum closing its doors

By News Staff on Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Pauls Valley’s Toy and Action Figure Museum is closing its doors. 

The attraction will close permanently Aug. 30, according to the museum’s Executive Director and Curator Kevin Stark.

Stark made the announcement Tuesday morning during a press conference at the museum, attended by local media, museum supporters and at least two of the museum’s seven board members. 

Reading from a prepared statement, Stark said the museum’s closure is in response to a lack of support from the City of Pauls Valley, specifically and most recently for billboard advertising.

“The reason the museum is closing is the Pauls Valley Tourism Board and the Pauls Valley City Council have pulled the Toy Museum’s billboard advertising and have decided that budgeting for one-day events is worth more to Pauls Valley than a year-round attraction,” Stark said. “Their budget this year only benefits events and each of those events are run by the city. No outside nonprofit organizations are getting any significant funding help from Pauls Valley Tourism.”

According to Pauls Valley officials, the museum was one of a handful of local organizations to miss a March 1 deadline—which is a new requirement for 2026—to get event funding requests to the tourism board for the 2026-2027 budget year.

Stark acknowledged during Tuesday’s press conference that the museum had not made its annual request before the March deadline, as they were unaware of the new requirement, but said the non-profit museum was not asking for event funding, stating that for the last several years the museum has only received tourism funding for billboard advertising. 

“The Toy Museum relies heavily on billboard advertising to bring travelers to the downtown area and at least 80% of our visitors name the billboards as to why they got off I-35 and came into the downtown area to see the Toy Museum. Without the billboards the museum and the whole downtown area loses a vital part of advertising,” Stark said. “Any business that loses 80%—or even 50%—of its customer base is going to find it hard to stay open. So, in losing the billboards, it is the death knell of the museum.”

Toy and Action Figure Museum Board President Ryan Mayberry spoke to the city council during the July 14 regular council meeting regarding the billboard funding. The museum requested $18,000 to pay for annual billboard rental and new vinyl for two billboards located on I-35, one south of Pauls Valley in the Springer area and another north between Pauls Valley and Norman. 

During that meeting council members told Mayberry the $18,000 was a “big ask,” and was more than half of tourism’s budget for FY2026-2027. 

“We all agree it’s a wonderful spot and a unique addition to Pauls Valley,” Councilmember Bonnie Meisel said, but then pointed to the missed funding request deadline.

The council agreed during the discussion that funding the request would be unfair to other organizations that had also missed the tourism board’s deadline. Tourism director Tawni Huggans added that tourism board guidelines require tourism-funded advertising to be outside a 60-mile radius of Pauls Valley and questioned whether the billboards met that requirement.

During the meeting, Councilmember Jonathan Grimmett offered to consider options for at least partially funding the billboards with non-city funds, telling Mayberry to bring information about the billboard rental to him at his place of business.

Stark said Tuesday while the museum itself will close at the end of August, the collection could eventually morph into a virtual or traveling museum. He said it could also be relocated if another community is interested in supporting it and it was the right fit.

View Tuesday’s press conference here.

Look for additional coverage about the museum’s closure in Friday’s issue of the Garvin County News Star.

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  Toy and Action Figure Museum Executive Director Kevin Stark announced Tuesday the museum will close permanently Aug. 30.

You Can't Win

  I worked on this film so long ago that I can't really remember much. I couldn't even remember when it was filmed, but the internet told me it was around 2012. Having already given up on this film actually being released, I was quite surprised to see it pop up on my streaming services this week. This film is based on the novel by Jack Black. (not that one) It's worth checking out. I didn't get to work with or meet Michael Pitt, Will Patton or James Hong but I did get to work with Hannah Marks and Ted Rooney. Ted happens to be the same height as me so I was a stand-in for him as well as being an extra.  

 You Can't Win is currently available for rent on Prime & Fandango or Streaming free on Kanopy & Tubi or you can purchase a DVD from Amazon. Use my Amazon Affiliates link here: https://link.amazon/B02tv8s8m 

Christophe on You Can't Win.

                                                                                                                                                      

Christophe with Hannah Marks.

Christophe with Ted Rooney.

  

Team America Racing SIgning at Toy & Action Figure Museum!

Writer Matthew L. Price will be on hand for the debut of the Evel Knievel/ Team America Racing toy and comic-book exhibit at the Toy & Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley!

Exhibit includes toys from the collection of local musician and artist Christophe Murdock!

At Saturday's event, Matt will be signing the comic book "Team America Racing: Full Throttle," the 2020s reimagining of the 1980s characters!

Get either a Howard Chaykin or Javier Saltares cover as you celebrate the new issue, with art by Josh Hood ("Star Trek") and Lorenzo Scaramella ("Space Ghost").

A high-octane revival of a cult-favorite toy line, Team America Racing delivers pure adrenaline with a modern edge. When rising motocross star Nicki “Ghost” Randall hits the circuit alongside teammates Buzz and Ram, the thrill of competition quickly turns dangerous. A mysterious saboteur targets racers, while a shadowy figure known as the Highwayman lurks just beyond the finish line, unraveling a conspiracy that threatens the entire sport.

Blending breakneck racing action with character-driven drama, this debut captures the spirit of classic ’80s licensed toy comics while delivering sleek, contemporary storytelling. It’s a story about legacy, teamwork, and pushing past your limits.For fans of G.I. Joe, Transformers, and high-speed action, this “Stranger Things meets X Games” one-shot is a fresh start to a franchise built for collectors and readers alike.

Birthday Celebration 2026

 As I write this, it's officially my Birthday month. We're not having an official party or anything this year, but a few friends and I will be celebrating at a concert coming through to the Diamond Ballroom. So, if you want to help me celebrate come out to Diamond Ballroom on Wednesday May 27th! We'll be rocking out to The Hu, Apocalyptica and The Rasmus!

R.I.P. Moon Dog!

  Longtime Norman Music Resident Bob Moore passed away recently. His house caught fire and he didn't make it out. This was sad for a number of Norman area musicians and residents. He was a friend to a lot of us. We always used to talk about Punk Rock and GG Allin, as we both would cover Warren Zevon's "Carmelita" which GG was known for. 

 A while back I came across one of Bob's records from 1982. Since it's not easy to find I uploaded it to YouTube and here on my website as a free download for everyone that knew Bob. Links below.

 We're all gonna miss you Moon Dog!

Click To Download:

https://christopheonline.com/files/1394919/vidiots.mp3

https://christopheonline.com/files/1394920/the-futures-dream.mp3

NCom Closed For January

  I'm closing the doors for the month. Nothing serious. I'm just tired and want a break. I have a VHS & Chill event on the 11th and then I'm going to rest a couple weeks. February I'll start up Film Club, Concerts and Drag Shows again. Just feel like I need some sleep before I start this new year.