Campbell grad heads off to the races

AFTER just two months, Gerard Elmore has become an expert on all things NASCAR.

The Campbell grad returns to Arizona tomorrow to resume his duties as a host for Crown Royal Television after a brief visit for Easter. Thanks to buddy Jenny Chang and former Hawaii resident Anita Allison, he's gotten the chance to roam the mainland covering the popular spectator sport.

"I had no idea what this was going to be like, but it's living up to (expectations) and a lot more," he said. "We cover a lot of stuff. Sometimes we cover the actual races, or we'll do promotional stuff for Crown Royal, going to parties in different cities."

Elmore and his partner, Joachim Weise, were chosen from more than 300 applicants for the job. Since February, the two have driven in a Crown Royal-branded Ford Escape from New York to Florida, across the country to California and Nevada, and through Georgia, Tennessee and Texas before taking a break in Phoenix. They'll have covered approximately 30 NASCAR events when their jobs end in November. You'll be able to watch them online soon at www.crownroyal.com/tv ...

THE CONCERTS just keep on coming: Tickets go on sale today for Hootie and the Blowfish on May 26 at the Waikiki Shell ... Dig Lifestyles comes correct with Slum Village and Souls of Mischief at Pipeline Cafe on May 13 ... Thanks to Sick Dog Productions for signing The Alkoholiks to one last Hawaii tour before the group splits up. The O Lounge will host the May 13 show ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mikee Mic, the now 21-year-old human beatbox. He celebrated at the O Lounge's "Black and White Party" on Friday ... I'm glad I got a chance to catch the "Fil-Am Comedy Jam" at the Hawaiian Hut on Saturday. Joey Guila was funny, but Mel Cabang brought his A-game (plus a few props) and just killed it. Jason Scott Lee, Robert Kekaula and Da Braddahs' James Roache were also there ... Passing showers might have dampened things last weekend, but "Omni Saturdays" is picking up steam downtown at Spada. I was impressed when the Architechs crew hosted a party here, so I'm glad to see management bringing back a club night to complement acoustic guitar and salsa offerings. Spada's Erin Bunda is helping to promote the weekly, with 102.7 Da Bomb's DJ Kool E spinning on the outside lanai ...

In the Mix drops Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Star-Bulletin.
Reach Jason Genegabus at jgenegabus@starbulletin.com.