Graveyard Boulevard band member and former Kannapolis resident rocks with Danny Trejo and Jason Mewes

Posted September 14, 2012 at 9:02pm by Michael Knox

Scott Cannon's love of monsters and the macabre has served him well.

 He has been working for years in the music industry and now handles bass guitar and vocals for Graveyard Boulevard, a band that has let him meet some top talent in the horror industry, including "Halloween" creator John Carpenter.

 He's even got to meet other movie professionals and gone out drinking with Danny Trejo, the star of, "Machete" and Jason Mewes of, "Clerks" fame.

 Cannon, a former Kannapolis resident, and the rest of Graveyard Boulevard will be playing a free show at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5 outside of the Gem Theatre in Kannapolis, N.C. The band will play during this year’s costume contest and before the 30^th anniversary screening of, “Star Trek: Wrath of Khan” with director Nicholas Meyer giving a Q&A afterward.  Ticks are $4 for the screening. There will also be a costume contest, with a registration fee of $10 that will also get you in to see, "Wrath of Khan."

 Cannon joined Graveyard Boulevard a few years ago and has watched the band's popularity grow to the point they have gotten to open for punk icons The Misfits. The band's popularity has allowed Cannon to enjoy several great experiences.

 "We opened for a few national acts, The Misfits included and we got hammered with Danny Trejo and Jason Mewes at the Spooky Empire convention in Orlando," Cannon said.

 The band's tour schedule has also allowed Cannon to meet horror director John Carpenter, the "Ghost Hunters" team as well as Gary Busey.

 Cannon stays busy enough with Graveyard Boulevard, but his love of the macabre has also lead to him founding his own business with his wife, Stacey, opening the alternative clothing store, Dead Ed's in downtown Salisbury.

 "I don.t sleep, ever." Cannon said with a laugh. "We carry rock, punk and goth clothes, shoes and jewelry, as well as local music, art and some independent publications like Stiff magazine."

 It's as the owner of Dead Ed's that has Cannon involved in the film festival again this year, now as a sponsor. Many of his regular customers will probably hit up the festival. But if you ever go to his store, you'll probably notice the paint scheme right away.

 "Zombie colors, blood dripping and bloody hand prints," Cannon said. 

 It is a business that Cannon is proud to own, and knows how lucky he is to have it.

 Scott and Stacey Cannon lived the dream many Americans wish for --- the chance to win the lottery. But instead of wasting all their money on "toys" like many people would, the Cannons took a different route.

 "We hit the powerball, four numbers plus the powerball, for $30,000 but after taxes it was around $20,000," Scott Cannon said. "There was never any question about what we were going to do with the money. We had been dreaming of starting our own business and that was our golden opportunity to do so!"

 Cannon was glad to open Dead Ed's but he and Stacey did their research before diving in.

 "Stacey went to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and took their REAL small business class, in which she developed Dead Ed's business plan," Cannon said. "We would really recommend that for anyone considering opening their own business. There were no surprises for us and for the most part we've stayed on budget. Our projections have been close, but of course some months we've done better than we expected and some have been worse." 

The two had their business plan finished in November 2010 and signed the lease on the building by the end of Jan.2011. The store opened on April 1st 2011, right on budget

 "Our local alternative store went more main stream and made it easy," Cannon said. "The people love the store and some drive from out of town to see what we have." 

 And the customers aren't the only ones who like the products.

 "We do wear the clothes that we sell but according to our accountant that counts as advertising! It's really hard not to take one of everything," Cannon said. "Our stainless steel jewelry has been a big hit as well as our leather collars, costume jewelry and hair accessories. We also can't seem to keep Dead Ed's T-Shirts in stock!"

 It will probably be hard for Cannon to leave the store without taking something else home, especially as Dead Ed's develops.

"Dead Ed's has been expanding its inventory slowly but surely!" Cannon said. "The economy is pretty rough right now, but we're a niche market with no local competition, so we've fared a bit better than most new businesses in their first year. Facebook has been a valuable marketing tool and our official website is under construction."

 And of course the store's monster motif will grow. It just makes sense with Cannon's love of the genre.

 "John Carpenter's 'The Thing' is one of my favorites. The special effects were phenomenal for the time!" he said. "Also the classic horror movies: 'Frankenstein' 'Dracula,' 'The Mummy' and 'The Wolfman,' They were the originals that started it all!"

In addition to monster related merchandise, Cannon also focuses on local products.

"Most of the other local businesses have been absolutely terrific! It's like being part of a family. We put our business cards in each other's stores and send customers back and forth," he said. "And yes, we totally sell locally made items as well as local music and artwork!"

The combination of hours it takes to run the store and be a full time of Graveyard Boulevard may be a lot, but Cannon said it's worth it.

"I like that I am working for myself on both projects!"

For more information on the Graveyard Boulevard visit http://thegraveyardboulevard.net/

For more information Dead Ed’s visit http://www.facebook.com/deadeds