- 6/12/2025
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TravelTranscript
00:00105, I want to bounce Detroit. Still back for your poppin' R&B. It's your boy Showtime, the czar.
00:04I have a special and interesting guest. I'll tell you why I said interesting in just a minute.
00:09In the studio with me, he is the owner of Detroit Respect Clothing, a cyclist, a traveler,
00:16artist, and photographer, right? Yes, sir. So many talents. I'm talking about Colin
00:21McCallum. Welcome to the show, sir. Let's go. Colin is so dedicated to cycling. He rode a bike
00:28to the station, man. The first time I've ever had somebody ride a bike to the station,
00:32everybody pulling up here in cars. Somebody rode in the Benz last week. He's like, no, I'm
00:36going to keep it simple. Keep it simple. He's got a Benz. I got a little felt.
00:41Well, welcome to the show, man. How are you? Yeah, I'm excited. It's finally, the weather's
00:46amazing in Detroit. I get to hang out with you, so I'm super excited. All right, so the reason
00:51I had to ask you here, because we have a friend in common, Big Jim, and he told me this story
00:57about the bike thing where you rode through 25 states. And it was like, what, 5,000 miles?
01:05And he's like, yeah, this guy's in the People magazine. He showed me who you were. I'm like,
01:07why did he ride through 25 states? What the hell was that about? Explain that to me.
01:13So it's during around the pandemic. I don't know if you guys remember that time. It was
01:18wow time. And it's just everything I was seeing on social media was so negative. And I just kind
01:25of wanted to put a little positivity out there. I'm actually visually impaired. That's one reason
01:30why I ride my bike everywhere is I cannot drive because I'm legally blind in most states. And so
01:36I was like, I want to prove to myself and to people who want to follow the journey that if you put your
01:42mind to it, you can do it kind of thing. And so I just set sail basically as I got on the bike
01:50and started riding and creating content along the way. And then I was able to do some really cool acts
01:55of kindness along the way. And I had some amazing adventures and some scary ones, but that was just
02:00a part of the journey. I was caught in Hurricane Ida down in New Orleans. And I even got my bike and
02:06everything I owned stolen in Missouri or as I liked for as misery. And, but I feel all that happens
02:14for a reason because I was able to help people down in New Orleans. I was able to help people down in
02:19the bayou. And in Missouri, I made some amazing friends and was able to do a lot of really cool
02:23acts of kindness in that area that I was in. Plus, uh, I kept the journey going. I could have gave up,
02:29but I want to prove to myself that I was stronger than I think I am. And with the help and love and
02:35support from my followers, they all pitched in, got me a new bike. And I said, set back on the road and
02:42kept it going. How long were you going? That one, uh, that took me about, about three and a half
02:49months. Um, you're away from home for three months. Yeah. Yeah. I missed it terribly. Cause there's
02:55nothing like Detroit. Like I tried, like there's some cities I was like, Oh, I like it here.
02:59Or like, it's funny when you travel. Cause they're almost every city now has a Detroit style pizza.
03:05I was going to ask you about the pizza. I still, I got that in. Yeah. And there's,
03:09I mean, the closest one I had on that journey was like in, in Oklahoma city and it was good,
03:15but it was like, it's not the same. It's not the same. So, uh, it just, it was gone. It was wild,
03:21but it was, it was very mind spirit, just perfect. What I needed. What did you learn through that
03:30cycling or that experience for you, man? What was something that you was like, okay,
03:34this, I didn't know this before. And I was like, or was there anything? Yeah. I think a lot of it
03:38was that a lot of times I felt alone, you know, cause I was on the road by myself and right in
03:44the middle of nowhere. And the thing is, I realized I was never alone because there was people
03:51constantly, the minute I turned on my phone, they were there to support me in any way, just words
03:56of encouragement or, you know, they were doing acts of kindness in their community. And that's kind of
04:01where a lot of my videos at the end, I say, tell them Colin sent you, you don't know who
04:06he is. And that's what makes it funny. And I started that because I was showcasing these
04:11small businesses on my trip. And I would always say, tell them Colin sent you because they have
04:15no idea who I am. And, uh, so then people started doing acts of kindness and they're like, well,
04:20what's this for? They're like, just tell them Colin sent me, you know, and then that kind of
04:24turned to this thing. So people were starting to go and it became bigger than myself. And it was people
04:30from all over the world were starting to do acts of kindness. So, um, it was just really,
04:36really cool. And it, for me, I could have gave up at any time. And there were days that I wanted to,
04:40but I just, in my heart, I was like, I can't just for myself, but then for the people that were along
04:46this journey with me. Nice. Um, I'm going to talk about Detroit respect real quick, the clothing
04:51line, your clothing brand, I should say. Uh, one of the shirts has a saying on here, believe there's
04:57good in Detroit. And then it says, be the good. Um, love that by the way. Thank you.
05:02Where did you come up with that? And why is that important to you?
05:04So this one we came up with about 15 years ago and it was, so Detroit respect. We started that
05:12because of, uh, I love Aretha Franklin, you know? And so it was just out of her famous hit respect.
05:19And it was just kind of putting respect on the city for the food, the people, the music,
05:25everything. And it, the, our logo is like an equal sign. And then I was selling at, um, uh,
05:33farmer's market outside of the city. And this guy looked at it and said, Detroit respect. I don't
05:38respect that city. I was like, why not? I'd love to talk to you about that. And he started yelling at
05:43me. And, and I said, well, if you don't believe there's good, then be the good, like come down and be
05:48a part of what we're doing, like come support small businesses and help some of these organizations
05:53that are doing good in the city. And he basically, uh, you know, told me where to go, but I took that
06:00as the, be the good in the world, which was a very common thing, but focusing on our backyard
06:06and in our area. Cause if we can focus here, then it can kind of bubble out. Um, my friend TJ
06:13Duckett, he always says it takes one raindrop to make a flood. And it's just every one of us is
06:19raindrop. If we come together, we can make a flood of goodness and positivity. And that's where I feel
06:23like if we're focusing on being the good, uh, and it's great because people will send me selfies of
06:29someone wearing it at airports or I've seen it a couple of times and I'm just like, where does this
06:35come from bro? And this is such a dope message. Thank you. Yeah. So, um, the art pieces. Yeah. Okay.
06:42Uh, two that I've seen, uh, the tape ones. Yeah. Yeah. The duct tape, the biggie smalls. And then
06:48you got the, uh, the Jason Kelsey. Yeah. The Jason Kelsey one. What? I mean, obviously other than his
06:55brother wanting it done, why did you feel like that was something that you wanted to tackle? I think just
07:00the, the idea that you have this guy who played for the Eagles. Right. And then he went to Buffalo
07:07and supported his brother who played for the chiefs. Right. And just the idea that it's like,
07:12he was in the tailgating, like celebrating with these people. Like, yeah, we might not see eye to eye,
07:17but let's have fun. Right. You know? And that's where it's like, that's where all of us kind of should
07:22be is just, yeah, we might not see eye, but let's find a common ground and have a good time. And he had so
07:27much fun. And granted, yes, he had a lot of libations to make him feel that way, but just how much joy
07:34he put out there and just, he looked so happy. He's so happy. I want to feel that. Yeah. And, uh, so my
07:41friends and I would always send each other memes and like of him being all silly and goofy. And then when
07:45his brother said that, I was like, well, I, I don't really paint anymore, but I do duct tape. And so I
07:51created it and it just kind of took off and you know, you get haters, you know, people said it
07:57looked like a five-year-old did it and whatnot, which is fine, you know, and, uh, when you see
08:03it in person to any of my art and my goals to do my own show soon, but like, it's way different in
08:08person because his face alone, there's five different shades of peach, you know, and you
08:12can't see it really via the camera. So I posted it, it went pretty viral and people were offering me
08:19big money for it. It's a super dope. Thank you. I appreciate that. And, and, uh, so next thing I
08:24know his assistant reached out to me and was like, he absolutely loves it. And, uh, I was like,
08:31Travis or Jason, uh, Jason's. Oh, okay. So, uh, she even like sent me proof who she is. And I said,
08:37listen, you, you can have it. I'd be honored. But the only thing I asked for is if he just takes a
08:42picture holding it, like he doesn't have to post it or anything just for me, like for my followers who
08:46were part of that journey. And he ended up, um, you know, I sent it and I didn't hear anything for
08:52the longest time. And then I messaged her. I said, Hey, she's like, Oh my gosh, I totally forgot to
08:57take a picture. Travis, Jason and Taylor loved it. And I was like, what? Taylor saw it, you know,
09:03it could be life-changing for me and, uh, never sent me a picture. So I thought maybe I got scammed.
09:08And then one day my friend was watching his podcast online and she's like, your picture's on his
09:14fireplace. So whenever you watch his podcast, it's over his shoulder. Nice. And it just kind of
09:19is to me, that's awesome because the people who are part of that journey, it's kind of like an
09:23inside thing for them. Plus like seeing like him interview Adam Sandler. And then there's my art
09:29is just kind of dope. Yeah. What made you want to do the duct tape thing, man? Why'd you start doing
09:32art out of duct tape? So I would make, I was, my friend's daughters helped make me these like
09:40duct tape flower pens to raise money for charity. And I told him if they raised so much,
09:45I would make one of those giant checks. Uh, at the time I was, I did a dwarf versus celebrity
09:49basketball game. And it was my, my good friends, Martin Clubbo from pirates, the Caribbean is a
09:55local guy. And we would play local celebrities and we fly a few other celebrities in. And I told
10:01them if you guys can sell 50 pens, you know, raise $500 and I will give you one of those giant
10:07checks. You can present at halftime. And they were selling so many so fast. They taught me how
10:12to do it. And they ended up selling, I think like 80 pens. So over $800 to the cause. And it was,
10:18and they used us, these tiny little, little girls now. And I kept doing it and I was selling them
10:25and raising funds for different organizations. So I was at work, I had a store, a Michigan made store,
10:31and it was very slow. And I was listening to Dilla and I had this idea for an art piece to do of Jay
10:38Dilla. And I didn't have any paint, but I had a canvas and I had duct tape. And so I just used the
10:45duct tape as, as if it was the paint. And then it came out as good as I thought, cause I didn't know
10:51what I was doing at the time. And then, uh, I ended up giving it to his uncle Herm. And then I got to
10:57hang out with Ma Dukes and see her hold the picture of her son. It's just like, I still get goosebumps.
11:06Yeah. And I was like, you know what, I need to keep doing this for myself or like for people like who can
11:12enjoy a different, different style of art than they're used to and a conversation piece. How long does it
11:17usually take you with one of those pieces? Uh, it all depends. Like, um, normally I could do one in about
11:24four to five days, but then there's some like, uh, I just did one of, I don't know if you guys
11:29watch hockey. There was a viral video of this little kid, George at the Red Wings game, you know,
11:33where they show the opposite team, they boo, and then they show him and they all go crazy.
11:37So that one took me over four weeks cause it was so detailed. Um, and that one was the longest one
11:44I've ever made. So I've, it could range from anywhere from a week to four weeks. Okay, nice. Um,
11:50you brought up uncle Herm, you were just in Portland not too long ago for the Dilla's donuts.
11:55First of all, how are the donuts? They're amazing. So he, he closed his shop downtown,
11:59like during the pandemic. So I haven't had one of his donuts in a while and don't get me wrong.
12:05I like a lot of different, you know, like donut Villa in Southwest is probably my favorite,
12:11but he, once I took a bite of one of his donuts, I was like, Oh, okay. Yeah. This is,
12:16this is what it's about. And you know, Detroiters, cause I, I would like to say you are
12:19one of the ultimate Detroiters. Um, thank you, bro. Dutch girl. Yeah. Yeah.
12:24Now he said those are the best donuts in the city. Dilla's donuts, Dutch girl.
12:28Is that a competition in your mind or like? No, it's no competition for me.
12:31I think Dilla's is, and I'm not saying that cause it's uncle Herm, but like,
12:35I mean, I love Dutch girls. Don't get me wrong, but like, yeah, don't have,
12:38I mean, uh, Dilla's lights better. Yeah. But my goal out going out there because he moved
12:44out to Portland to help out other donut shops. And my goal was to support him. And he did,
12:48he did it for national donut day and he was spinning Dilla and people,
12:54we had like 60 people from Michigan all come out that transplanted to Portland and
12:58they came out wearing all the, you know, great Hill jerseys and everything. It was so much fun.
13:02But my goal is to get enough money where we can bring him back to Detroit, open Dilla's again.
13:06Yeah. Or even just do a pop-up here. But I think it's time for him to come back home.
13:12Yeah. A hundred percent, man. J Dilla is such a staple in the city of Detroit, man. And I love
13:15to see that his uncle is still doing his thing, man. So that's amazing. Uh, I see you are a super
13:21fan of J Dilla. What is it about J Dilla that you like, man, this guy is? Uh, to be honest,
13:26I think a lot of it like behind the scenes, it was from talking to his family, like Ma Dukes and
13:32Uncle Herm, a lot of it's just his attitude, you know, because a lot of it, from what I understand,
13:37there was a lot of very, uh, influential people in hip hop that have stolen his beats and he could
13:45have went after them, but he's, he just have a donut, keep smiling and keep moving. And it just,
13:51it kind of was this vibe of, well, it was meant to be theirs and I'm going to go spin and make
13:56another one and even better one. And I mean, there's some hits that you hear on the radio,
13:59even today where you're like, it sounds like it's a deal to me and it actually is,
14:03but they never credited him. But I think I unfortunately never got to meet him, but from
14:08all the stories and keeping his memory alive, the impact of the people that he like loves and that
14:14loved him, it's just, it's so powerful. And he just, he had a good soul. And to be honest,
14:19like a lot of the music is just, it's when I go in sometimes in a dark place in my mind,
14:25I throw on a lot of his beats and it just kind of puts me a little more at ease. And that's when I
14:31first really started, I mean, don't get me wrong, there's obviously some bangers and the things
14:34he did with, you know, Tribe and with Slum Village, like, yeah, you just, some days you just got
14:40to get with those, but some of his just normal beats, I just need sometimes to get me back in
14:46my, my same flatline space of happiness. Nice. All right, man, I'm going to ask you two more
14:52things. I ain't going to hold you too much longer. Detroit style pizza. Got to ask you about that.
14:55Yeah. Yeah. Um, first of all, what is your favorite Detroit style pizza here in the city?
14:59Uh, whoever's buying. No, uh, so Detroit proper. Um, honestly, I lean more towards,
15:06I mean, the original buddies. I mean, I know some people who work there will say, no, we're
15:10all the same, but going to the OG buddies and getting that experience, the one on six mile,
15:16but I like Michigan and Trumbull and grandma Bob's. Um, they're really solid pizza and a lot
15:23of people sleep on Nicky's like down in Creektown, but I, I love Nicky's man. Yeah. Nicky's is,
15:28they have really good pizza. Yeah. Wednesday is half off. So go take advantage of them. But,
15:32but outside the city, I mean, I get people, whenever you talk pizza, people get like angry
15:37and like really defensive, but Louie's pizza is probably my number one over, uh, nine mile
15:43and a quinder. There is, it's, it's a solid pie. I mean, like one slice is going to do me
15:50good. I can't eat more than two normally, but yeah, that's my number one by far.
15:54Nice. All right, man. I see you are much like me at Detroit lions, like fan fanatic. Okay. Um,
16:02got close to last two seasons. Real, real close. Is this the season where these Detroit lions,
16:08they go to the Superbowl? You know, the lions win again. I, you know, I'm, I don't want to jinx
16:14anybody. Cause if you play this back, you know, now nowadays with receipts, right. But I just,
16:19one, I've just been enjoying the ride. Oh man. Especially from the 0 and 16 to now.
16:24Ooh, it's such a turnaround. Yeah. I mean, I, I actually brought your shirts to start from the
16:28bottom. Now we're here and it's got the paper bag. And then it's, you know, it's got Kirby,
16:33uh, given the salute. Yeah. But it, I think it's just, it's going to enjoy the ride. I can't wait
16:38to see for next year. I don't want to sound like I'm, I was doing, but I mean, to be honest,
16:42I put money down that they're going to win it. So I mean, that's not a bad bet, man. The only thing I
16:47don't like is that now because we're winning, everybody's betting on us to win. Right. You
16:51see what I'm saying? So that does kind of jinx us, but I think we got it, bro. Okay. I want us to
16:56have it because the city looks good when we come together and that people always saying like,
17:01it's, you know, it's the loudest stadium. So I love that about the city, man. I think
17:05we're so close so many times. The one thing I do love, and I, I, I credit Dan Campbell for a lot
17:11of this too. And a lot of people say it's because the Pistons in our downtown now, but
17:17it doesn't happen until recently, in my opinion, is where all the sports teams and the players
17:22are supporting each other. So you'll go to a Lions game and you'll see some Pistons and
17:26Red Wings or Tigers and vice versa. You go to a Pistons game and there's, you know, Red
17:30Wings and Lions and the support, they always wear each other's Jersey. You always see like
17:35rocking the old English D and the, that is to me is what's helping. And how you see all
17:41the teams. I mean, the Red Wings, but you still with the colors is nice. People still
17:45wear it. So yeah, never thought the Tigers would be where they are today, but a lot of
17:51that's because the culture of the city and it's amazing and it's fun to watch. It is
17:55man. Especially now that Pistons is winning too. So yeah, it is fun to watch. Colin, man,
17:59I appreciate you for stopping into the show. Thank you. Tell people real quick, something
18:03that, um, that they can be looking forward to, you know, cause you always on social media
18:08doing stuff, man. So is there something that people should be on the watch out?
18:11Yes. Uh, I'm editing a video right now, uh, for Armani. Uh, it is a new, um, restaurant.
18:19It's an Asian soul food hybrid restaurant down by harmony park. Uh, it's really cool. And
18:25then, uh, for national pizza day, which is June 23rd, I'm working with a pizza organization
18:32and I'm working with jets pizza and it's exclusive and we're going to be helping a different organization
18:38that's doing good in the community and look out for Detroit's birthday. Cause I'm going
18:42to put on a big party. So nice. All right, man. Colin McConnell, the ultimate Detroiter.
18:47In my opinion, man. 105 on the bounce. Showtime. This is our piece. Let's go.
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