Bubba Blackwell, The American Daredevil

At the age of eight, Bubba Blackwell, of Bon Secour, Alabama (the town noted in the film Forest Gump), saw Evel Knievel on TV for the very first time. From that moment on, BUBBA knew what he wanted to be when he grew up—a daredevil. Eager to start, he devised a jump on his bicycle for the neighborhood kids jumping a line of garbage cans while his Dad looked on. When his Mom came home, his Dad said, "Don't bother going in, we're fixin' to go to the hospital," BLACKWELL recalls. He added, " I made that jump, which I think kind of surprised Dad. I think he was planning I would miss and never do it again."

BLACKWELL'S love of motorcycles dates back to the age of five, when he started on a mini-bike. After growing up and a series of bikes that got progressively bigger, BUBBA gave motorcycle road racing a try. After only on short year BUBBA rose to the title of "AMA/CCS Heavyweight Superbike National Champion". BUBBA actually won at the Daytona Super Speedway twice. A couple of serious accidents on the racing circuit caused BUBBA to reevaluate his future options. That's when he decided to dust off his childhood dream and try his hand at doing stunt shows.

Since taking the leap into the world of motorcycle stunts, BUBBA BLACKWELL, has thrilled scored of audiences around the country jumping cars, semi-trucks, and busses astride his star-spangled Harley-Davidson XR-750. When BUBBA rides into view, with his red, white and blue motorcycle and superhero style leathers, a real "Captain America" comes alive, instantly electrifying any crowd or audience. Recently, The Boston Herald stated, "BUBBA BLACKWELL is the only official Harley-Davidson daredevil to bring back the nostalgia and human drama of the stunt jumping made popular by the great Evel Knievel.

The Alabama Daredevil freely admits that the legendary Evel Knievel is a major influence on his own tailor-made stunt shows. "Knievel was definitely one of the finest showman of his era; not just with motorcycles, but with drawing in the general public's interest," Blackwell said. "No matter how crazy people thought his stunts were, I think that deep down inside everyone admired his courage and his unique presentation."

On April 26, 1998, BLACKWELL, broke daredevil Evel Knievel's 1971 car jumping record of 19 Dodge Colts by successfully clearing 20 cars on his Harley-Davidson XR-750 motorcycle (the only person to beat this record using the same type motorcycle) in front of Boston Harley-Davidson/Buell in Everette, MA. An estimated crowd of 30,000 people watched as BUBBA took ownership of his first World Record. It was a sensation.

Things from that point on happened quickly and BUBBA knew 1999 would be a year unlike any other. He next set his sights on topping all of Knievel's records—car, semi-truck and bus jumps. In the days of summer, BLACKWELL, also proceeded to break box office records, like breaking the attendance record at the Del Mar, California State Fair. BUBBA jumped 14 buses in front of 31,000 screaming fans breaking the previous attendance record of 17,000 set by pop singer Brandy. And he was the talk of Nashville, when he jumped at their Riverfront Park in September. But, the best was yet to come.

A year or two back, Jay Leno from "The Tonight Show" first contacted BUBBA about doing a jump "live" on national network TV. In October, that idea became a reality. The date was October 22, 1999, and before 6.5 million people, BUBBA flew his Harley over 14 semi-trucks, creating a name for himself in the record books and daredevil history." Not only did he jump the 14 trucks, but he won over everyone involved in the feat at their NBC-TV Burbank studios. BUBBA's showmanship, southern charm, and thrill of thrills evoked the head of NBC to comment, 'It was the most exciting stunt on TV I've seen in years."

During the sit-down talk with host Jay Leno, BUBBA showed his sense of humor by saying, "Do I really have to do this? You know, what a country boy won't do to get on TV." When it was rebroadcast on E! television's "Talk Soup" they said, "BUBBA made the jump, but tripped going to his car and broke every bone in his body and burst into flames." BUBBA was the talk of the country.

In November 1999, Bubba was one of the special guests at the annual "Love Ride" which starts at Glendale, California. He joined fellow Harley-Davidson riders like Lorenzo Lamas and Peter Fonda. "Love Ride 16" helped raise over $1 million for the LA Times sponsored child reading program and Muscular Dystrophy. Another milestone.

January 2000, saw Blackwell complete the longest Harley-Davidson motorcycle jump in history in downtown Las Vegas for the UPN TV show, "I Dare You, the Ultimate Challenge". Bubba made it look easy as he sailed his 400 lb. XR-750, over 15 tour buses with room to spare completing the dream of being the ONLY daredevil to beat all Evel Knievel jumping records using the same type motorcycle, and the same size ramps. Bubba spent most of 2000 focusing on a complete show makeover. Having noticed the Harley-Davidson inspired Buell motorcycle was generating a lot of attention, Bubba decided to add much needed time filler to the jump show, by performing the European style of riding called "Street Fighter" with an American Flare. Acquiring full factory sponsorship from Buell Motorcycle Company, Bubba began the 2001 season with much excitement.

February 10, 2001 Bubba decided to retry the jump performed on "The Tonight Show" 14 semi-truck jump again. If you watched closely, you would have noticed the rear tire landed about two feet short on the safety ramp. Bubba said later, "I gave my word that I would clear 14, so I wanted to try again in my hometown." The event took place in Foley, Alabama with over 10,000 people attending, along with the London England based production film crew for the Discovery Channel. Bubba flew well passed semi-truck #14 this time, and it was a big success as a portion of the proceeds went to finalize the project of a Foley Kids Park where a honorary Bubba Blackwell stone is now placed. With the success of yet another Harley-Davidson world record, the call came to return to Del Mar, CA. Having set the attendance record for a single act in 1999, The management wanted to see what we could do next.

July 4, 2001 Bubba Blackwell almost lost his life while attempting to clear 22 cars on a deeply graded horse track. The surface of the track at first, was acceptable and smoothly packed. After several speed runs, the surface began being chewed up. Unfortunately, it was about 9:30 PM and too dark to notice. Blackwell accelerated toward the ramp and was going very fast and the engine was screaming. However, the traction wasn't there and the bike was robbed of the speed necessary to clear the gap. The result was one of the most shocking crashes ever caught on tape. In a coma and placed on Life Support it was clear that Bubba would be in for a long road to recovery. Bubba Blackwell was in the news around the world. Since the July 4th accident, Bubba has been touring the country performing stunt-riding shows at Harley-Davidson dealers and special events.

2003 marked not only the 100th Anniversary of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company but Bubba Blackwell's return to jumping. The Travel Channel was on hand and filmed a special on Bubba's first jump since July 4, 2001. In a small parking lot at Uke's Harley-Davidson/Buell in Kenosha, Wisconsin. With the help of a 20' high ski-ramp, Bubba sailed his XR-750 Harley-Davidson over 10 Peterbilt Trucks. 25,000 people cheered as Bubba marked his return to the Daredevil World with the successful 100' leap. Two weeks later saw the All American Daredevil clear 15 new Porsche cars in Reading, Pennsylvania at Classic Harley-Davidson/Buell.

The decision was made at the beginning of 2005 to get back on the jump bike more, and offer to the dealers a more exciting option to the stunt shows. Three days after Bubba's first-born child "Regan Faye" was born, Bubba was back at Uke's Harley-Davidson/Buell flying his HOG. The jump was successful and other jumps in 2005 included the Kansas State HOG Rally, Morgan Hill, CA. Rossville, GA. South Padre Island, TX. And the biggest jump of the year over 16 cars near home in Loxley, AL. Although starting his family with daughter Regan Faye, Bubba is still committed to being the most entertaining motorcycle rider currently touring.

2006 saw Bubba performing at over 30 events from coast to coast. 2007 brought a few new changes. 2007 Laramie Edition Dodge Dually, a 2007 44' custom tow trailer, with the addition of a Harley-Davidson V-Rod, and Factory Customized Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson Electraglide. Bubba had one of the most successful tours to date with an early stop to perform for the Riley's Children's Hospital fund raising event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bubba performed along with good friend country singer Darron Norwood, at no charge and even donated a custom painted 1200cc Harley-Davidson Sportster.

After years of traveling and being on the road, Bubba admits that from time to time you think about retiring, but at the end of this year, Bubba was quoted as saying "I've never had more fun than this year and I can't wait for '08 ". Bubba has spent the winter of '07 in the gym everyday accept Saturday and Sunday and is in the shape of his life, riding every day he understands how fortunate he is to make a living, doing what he truly loves.