Billy Easson Era 3
The End of a Legendary Chapter
The final years of Billy Eason’s leadership were a celebration of tradition and a time of profound transition. Even as the industry began to modernize, Billy kept the show rooted in its history, honoring the "Old School" values that made it special. This era culminated in 2010 with Billy’s passing, marking the end of the original dynasty. It left the community with a powerful legacy: a convention built not just on ink, but on respect, loyalty, and family.
Billy Easson Era 3
The End of a Legendary Chapter
The final years of Billy Eason’s leadership were a celebration of tradition and a time of profound transition. Even as the industry began to modernize, Billy kept the show rooted in its history, honoring the "Old School" values that made it special. This era culminated in 2010 with Billy’s passing, marking the end of the original dynasty. It left the community with a powerful legacy: a convention built not just on ink, but on respect, loyalty, and family.
2006
14th Annual
4th Annual Richmond Summer Show
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.
2007
15th Annual
5th Annual Richmond Summer Show
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.
2008
16th Annual
6th Annual Richmond Summer Show
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.
2009
17th Annual
7th Annual Richmond Summer Show
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.
2010
Billy Eason's Last Show
8th Annual Richmond Summer Show
RIP BILLY ‘THE BULL’ EASON
1939 – 2010
Billy Eason, co-owner of the
Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival
passes away on November 23rd,
2010, just 2 days after the 18th
Annual Show.
RIP DAVID ‘CRAZY ACE’ DANIELS
1951 – 2010
That same year we lost another convention forefather. Crazy Ace took over the convention once Grandpa Groovy stepped down in 1989.
He helped the Richmond tattoo scene coalesce by bringing in the likes of Ed Hardy, Lyle Tuttle and Gil Montie to do guest spots at his shop, Creative Designs. He was a catalyst for mainstreaming tattoos in Richmond, which helped grow with a new breed of really good, young apprentices who were all VCU art students.
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.
Got History?
We want to hear from you!
This timeline is meant to be a living document of this event’s rich history in Richmond, Virginia. It has been made possible with the help of many of you. If you have any additional info, stories, photos, memorabilia to add, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact us at eventcoordinator@richmondtattooconvention.com
2010
Billy Eason's Last Show
8th Annual Richmond Summer Show
RIP BILLY ‘THE BULL’ EASON
1939 – 2010
Billy Eason, co-owner of the
Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival
passes away on November 23rd,
2010, just 2 days after the 18th
Annual Show.
RIP DAVID ‘CRAZY ACE’ DANIELS
1951 – 2010
That same year we lost another convention forefather. Crazy Ace took over the convention once Grandpa Groovy stepped down in 1989.
He helped the Richmond tattoo scene coalesce by bringing in the likes of Ed Hardy, Lyle Tuttle and Gil Montie to do guest spots at his shop, Creative Designs. He was a catalyst for mainstreaming tattoos in Richmond, which helped grow with a new breed of really good, young apprentices who were all VCU art students.
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.
Got History?
We want to hear from you!
This timeline is meant to be a living document of this event’s rich history in Richmond, Virginia. It has been made possible with the help of many of you. If you have any additional info, stories, photos, memorabilia to add, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact us at eventcoordinator@richmondtattooconvention.com
2006
14th Annual
4th Annual Richmond Summer Show
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.
2007
15th Annual
5th Annual Richmond Summer Show
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.
2008
16th Annual
6th Annual Richmond Summer Show
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.
2009
17th Annual
7th Annual Richmond Summer Show
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.
2010
Billy Eason's Last Show
8th Annual Richmond Summer Show
RIP BILLY ‘THE BULL’ EASON
1939 – 2010
Billy Eason, co-owner of the
Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival
passes away on November 23rd,
2010, just 2 days after the 18th
Annual Show.
RIP DAVID ‘CRAZY ACE’ DANIELS
1951 – 2010
That same year we lost another convention forefather. Crazy Ace took over the convention once Grandpa Groovy stepped down in 1989.
He helped the Richmond tattoo scene coalesce by bringing in the likes of Ed Hardy, Lyle Tuttle and Gil Montie to do guest spots at his shop, Creative Designs. He was a catalyst for mainstreaming tattoos in Richmond, which helped grow with a new breed of really good, young apprentices who were all VCU art students.
Convention Artwork by Aaron Fulcher.
Got History?
We want to hear from you!
This timeline is meant to be a living document of this event’s rich history in Richmond, Virginia. It has been made possible with the help of many of you. If you have any additional info, stories, photos, memorabilia to add, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact us at eventcoordinator@richmondtattooconvention.com
