Ray Alexander welcomed our team manager early in the morning. Ray mentioned his first gamecock strain of chickens is the Jap and that he worked for Elmer Griffin whom became his friend and mentor.

Elmer Griffin walked cocks for John Madigin in the past. Thus, Elmer was able to breed his own strain of Claret by linebreeding to John's cocks year in year out. Elmer owned Shawlneck strain of gamecocks which he used for the hen side. In the end, the Shawlneck blood is the infusion blood to the Madigin Claret and which is to become the Griffin Claret.

Today's Wine Red Lacy Roundhead of Dan Gray is said to have Claret blood. Joe Wolcott in an interview mentioned that his foundation is (Dan Gray) Claret-Roundhead. Joe Wolcott has beaten Sammy Ramsey for the 2004 Cocker Of The Year award at Sunset Recreation Club with just a fraction of a percent. Joe Wolcott become 2005 Champion of World Slasher Cup I.

Dan Gray, 1994 Champion of World Slasher Cup, is a close friend of Ray Alexander.

Champion of World Slasher Cup:

1. WSC 1994 May - Stingray 
   
2. WSC 1995 Jan - Thunderbird
   

Brian Corkren entertained our team manager very well.

Aside from the Blackwater bloodlines which Brian campaigned successfully including Sunset Recreation Club, Brian is also known for his old time Whites. The cross of his Blackwater bloodlines and his oldtime White might be his best battle cocks.

Bruce Barnette is truly a gentleman both in person and in business. That is the thought of our team manager.

Chris NeSmith made the day of our team manager. Many others helped out including Cris' son, Hunter.

It was in the middle of the day and the back of the neck of our team manager was burnt by the sun even though it was windy.

Champion of World Slasher Cup:

1. WSC 1995 Jan - Two Raffy's Blackwater
   
2. WSC 1997 Jan - KGB Carol NeSmith
   
3. WSC 1998 Jan - One Raffy Blackwater
   
4. WSC 2006 Jan - Raffy Blackwater/WRV
   

Sammy Ramsey was on time to meet our team manager early in the morning. Many stories from Sammy will be cherished by our team manager.

Michael Ramsey mentioned he was a professional cockfighter since childhood and did not finished high school if our team manager remembered correctly. Michael is married with kids and cockfighting is his career. Raising chicks and fighting roosters.

Some of the Cocker Of The Year awards of Sammy Ramsey and Michael Ramsey: 

1. COTY 2000 in Del Rio Club
   
2. COTY 2000 in DO-OK Sportsman Club
   
3. First Runner Up COTY 2000 in Dan Valley Sportsman Club
   
4. COTY 2003 in Sunset Recreation Club
   
5. First Runner Up COTY 2004 in Sunset Recreation Club
   

Perennial champion in long heels until Louisiana banned cockfighting in August 2008.

Jeff Hudspeth welcomed our team manager on short notice.

William T. Greene, son (in-law), and grandson are all happy to welcome our team manager.

William is purist propagator of Blueface strain and Grey strain. Both strains of gamecocks were gifts from George Herman "Sweater" McGinnis. McGinnis is the originator of both strains.

Perfection Greys of McGinnis as William told our team manager.

Frank De Guzman and his family welcomed our team manager in their home.

Frank bought from Carol's wife, Linda, the Blackwater Farms - Mississippi which was Carol NeSmith's residence in the past. All contents of the residence and of the farm including original brood stocks and framed photos of the original 5000 cock, leiper cock, and possum cock.

Carol is with Cris now at Blackwater Farms - Alabama.

Blackwater Farms of Carol and Cris NeSmith's are Champion in World Slasher Cup:

1. WSC 1995 Jan - Two Raffy's Blackwater
   
2. WSC 1997 Jan - KGB Carol NeSmith
   
3. WSC 1998 Jan - One Raffy Blackwater
   
4. WSC 2006 Jan - Raffy Blackwater/WRV
   

Blackwater Farms - Mississippi of Frank De Guzman scored 6.5 last 2011 World Slasher Cup using Carol's original bloodlines.

Our team manager enjoyed his visit to Johnnie Jumper. Especially hearing from Johnnie the history of Radios and Kelsos.

Champion of World Slasher Cup:

1. WSC 1996 May - Sarangani King I
   
2. WSC 2006 Jan - King Cobra Farm