Daily Inspiration: Meet D. Striker

Today we’d like to introduce you to D. Striker.

Hi D., so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Every Friday the 13th since 1998, I publish a zine called RR that frequently covers my own country star life through stories, song lyrics, and cartoons and tackles Nashville’s past and present in reverent and satirical ways. The first time I made RR, I lived in Athens, Georgia, and probably printed around 50 copies to give out in the bars. It just so happened to be on Friday the 13th. It was February, specifically. In 1998, Friday the 13th appeared on the calendar three times. The next one surfaced in March. Since the first RR was so fun, I thought I’d do another—and the every-Friday-the-13th tradition stuck. In 1999, I moved to Nashville and eventually started the RR Party as an event to distribute and celebrate new issues of the zine and perform with my band. I don’t remember the exact year of the first RR Party, but we’ve been on a roll for quite some time. Not even the pandemic could stop us. On March 13th, 2020, when the virus was sending everyone into lockdown, we produced what I call Nashville’s first Livestream. We pulled it together and pulled it off in less than 24 hours. The RR zine was sent by mail afterward. Another streaming event took place on November 13th, 2020. Thankfully, we’re able to have the RR Party in person again. I’m still printing around 50 copies of the zine, and, by and large, the only place you can get your hand-numbered copy is at the RR Party.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve found a pretty good rhythm with RR. Friday the 13th can appear on a calendar once, twice, or three times. So my production and party schedule is pretty manageable.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think what I’m most proud of is that RR brings people together. It gets my band together to rehearse for the RR Party, and it brings people together to attend the celebrations every Friday the 13th. Many friends plan trips to Nashville around the RR Party. For the RR last month in May, good friends came in from coast to coast, literally, from Florida and California, plus Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Friday the 13th has become a date for reveler reunions! As for what I’m currently focused on, I’m writing songs for a duets album. I’m about halfway done.

Had we loved to hear about any fond memories you have from growing up?
That’s a hard one! But what immediately came to mind was summers in St. Louis. I lived on what you might call a cul-de-sac in the suburbs, and all the neighbors had kids. There was ample green space in the middle of about 14 homes, where all the action happened, like playing soccer and jumping bike ramps. One time a balloon even landed in the neighborhood. We spent all our time outside and didn’t go in until the street lights came on.

Contact Info:

• Email: daddycadillac@yahoo.com
• Website: www.dstriker.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dstriker
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dstrikermusic/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dstriker
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/dstriker
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/dstrikermusic
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dstriker13
• Other: https://dstriker.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits
Michael Weintrob