Nate Drew & CJ Starkey
The Metropolitan Expansion
Following the loss of Billy Eason, Nate Drew and CJ Starkey took on the monumental task of carrying the legacy forward into a new decade. To accommodate the growing crowds, they made the bold move to the Greater Richmond Convention Center in the heart of downtown. This shift introduced a massive, festival-style atmosphere, proving that the event had outgrown its humble beginnings. It was a time of modernization that showcased tattooing to a broader, more mainstream audience than ever before.
Nate Drew & CJ Starkey
The Metropolitan Expansion
Following the loss of Billy Eason, Nate Drew and CJ Starkey took on the monumental task of carrying the legacy forward into a new decade. To accommodate the growing crowds, they made the bold move to the Greater Richmond Convention Center in the heart of downtown. This shift introduced a massive, festival-style atmosphere, proving that the event had outgrown its humble beginnings. It was a time of modernization that showcased tattooing to a broader, more mainstream audience than ever before.
2011
A New Era & the Doc Dog Roast
After the passing of Billy ‘The Bull’ Eason, Nate Drew & CJ Starkey take over The Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival and move it to the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Crazy Philadelphia Eddie receives the first ever BILLY EASON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The DOC DOG ROAST had an impressive roster of tattoo icons: Lyle Tuttle,
Crazy Philadelphia Eddie, Jack Rudy, Tony Olivas, Frank Mills, Oliver Peck, Bob Tyrrell, Terry ‘Tramp’ Welker & Mike Parsons
RIP TOM PAINTER
1953 – 2011
A staple at the convention, the second of 3 generations of tattooers passes.
Convention Artwork by Brian Bruno.
2012
Year of the Dragon
Notable attendees: Doc Dog, Oliver Peck, Mike Skiver, James Vaughn, Rodney Raines, Jon Mesa, Shahn Anderson, Jesse Smith, Jason Stephan, and so many more!
Convention Artwork by Brian Bruno
2013
Big Slick
Some notable attendees: Jack Rudy, Tony Olivas, Crazy Philadelphia Eddie, Bob Tyrrell, Scott Sterling, Shanghai Kate Hildebrant, Doc Dog, Big Gus, Marshall Bennett, Chris Longo, Jess Yen, James Vaughn & Big Jaz
Convention Artwork signed by KEETSST.
2014
Nevermore
Notable attendees: Jack Rudy, Scott Sterling, Doc Dog, Tony Olivas, Mike Skiver, Shahn Anderson, James Vaughn, Jesse Mule, Rodney Raines and so many more!
Convention Artwork by Rodney Raines.
2015
End of an Era
Nate Drew & CJ Starkey’s last year. Kenny Brown and the Jack Brown’s Tattoo Revival crew helped organize the show.
Notable Attendees: Oliver Peck, Jack Rudy, Tony Olivas, Shanghai Kate, Jess Yen, Chris Longo, Jesse Smith, Mark Longenecker, Rodney Raines, Mike Skiver, and many more!
Convention Artwork by Kenny Brown.
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
2011
A New Era & the Doc Dog Roast
After the passing of Billy ‘The Bull’ Eason, Nate Drew & CJ Starkey take over The Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival and move it to the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Crazy Philadelphia Eddie receives the first ever BILLY EASON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The DOC DOG ROAST had an impressive roster of tattoo icons: Lyle Tuttle,
Crazy Philadelphia Eddie, Jack Rudy, Tony Olivas, Frank Mills, Oliver Peck, Bob Tyrrell, Terry ‘Tramp’ Welker & Mike Parsons
RIP TOM PAINTER
1953 – 2011
A staple at the convention, the second of 3 generations of tattooers passes.
Convention Artwork by Brian Bruno.
2012
Year of the Dragon
Notable attendees: Doc Dog, Oliver Peck, Mike Skiver, James Vaughn, Rodney Raines, Jon Mesa, Shahn Anderson, Jesse Smith, Jason Stephan, and so many more!
Convention Artwork by Brian Bruno
2013
Big Slick
Some notable attendees: Jack Rudy, Tony Olivas, Crazy Philadelphia Eddie, Bob Tyrrell, Scott Sterling, Shanghai Kate Hildebrant, Doc Dog, Big Gus, Marshall Bennett, Chris Longo, Jess Yen, James Vaughn & Big Jaz
Convention Artwork signed by KEETSST.
2014
Nevermore
Notable attendees: Jack Rudy, Scott Sterling, Doc Dog, Tony Olivas, Mike Skiver, Shahn Anderson, James Vaughn, Jesse Mule, Rodney Raines and so many more!
Convention Artwork by Rodney Raines.
2015
End of an Era
Nate Drew & CJ Starkey’s last year. Kenny Brown and the Jack Brown’s Tattoo Revival crew helped organize the show.
Notable Attendees: Oliver Peck, Jack Rudy, Tony Olivas, Shanghai Kate, Jess Yen, Chris Longo, Jesse Smith, Mark Longenecker, Rodney Raines, Mike Skiver, and many more!
Convention Artwork by Kenny Brown.
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
2011
A New Era & the Doc Dog Roast
After the passing of Billy ‘The Bull’ Eason, Nate Drew & CJ Starkey take over The Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival and move it to the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Crazy Philadelphia Eddie receives the first ever BILLY EASON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The DOC DOG ROAST had an impressive roster of tattoo icons: Lyle Tuttle,
Crazy Philadelphia Eddie, Jack Rudy, Tony Olivas, Frank Mills, Oliver Peck, Bob Tyrrell, Terry ‘Tramp’ Welker & Mike Parsons
RIP TOM PAINTER
1953 – 2011
A staple at the convention, the second of 3 generations of tattooers passes.
Convention Artwork by Brian Bruno.
2012
Year of the Dragon
Notable attendees: Doc Dog, Oliver Peck, Mike Skiver, James Vaughn, Rodney Raines, Jon Mesa, Shahn Anderson, Jesse Smith, Jason Stephan, and so many more!
Convention Artwork by Brian Bruno
2013
Big Slick
Some notable attendees: Jack Rudy, Tony Olivas, Crazy Philadelphia Eddie, Bob Tyrrell, Scott Sterling, Shanghai Kate Hildebrant, Doc Dog, Big Gus, Marshall Bennett, Chris Longo, Jess Yen, James Vaughn & Big Jaz
Convention Artwork signed by KEETSST.
2014
Nevermore
Notable attendees: Jack Rudy, Scott Sterling, Doc Dog, Tony Olivas, Mike Skiver, Shahn Anderson, James Vaughn, Jesse Mule, Rodney Raines and so many more!
Convention Artwork by Rodney Raines.
2015
End of an Era
Nate Drew & CJ Starkey’s last year. Kenny Brown and the Jack Brown’s Tattoo Revival crew helped organize the show.
Notable Attendees: Oliver Peck, Jack Rudy, Tony Olivas, Shanghai Kate, Jess Yen, Chris Longo, Jesse Smith, Mark Longenecker, Rodney Raines, Mike Skiver, and many more!
Convention Artwork by Kenny Brown.
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
