Greg Higgins (Team TNT Dynamite Sounds) - OH

Congratulations to Greg Higgins from Grove City, OH for his selection as our January 2008 Member of the Month. Greg was the 2006 AS2 World Champion, and Ohio State Champion, with 149.2 dB at the headrest. In 2007, he won the M3 World and Ohio titles with 154.3 dB.

He competes with TNT Dynamite Sounds, one of the hardest working teams in MECA, so you know he's always going to 'bring it' to the shows with a good attitude and a loud SPL score. He was also the 2006 OH State Champ in Drive-by SPL Parade DB2 with 124.8 dB. His M3 score at the Carl Casper show, 153.7 dB, earned first place. He'll be looking to 3-peat as a MECA SPL World Champ this season. Thanks to Greg for being a consumate SPL MECAhead, and congrats on the MOTM honor.

Greg had the following to say about being named the January 2008 MECA MOTM:

I am honored to be the MECA Member of the Month. I would like to thank Steve and the rest of the MECA members for nominating me for this recognition. It has been a lot of hard work and passion to get me where I’m at today. I am still working on getting louder!

Of course, thanks to Curt for helping me reconfigure my system setup 10 times a year and likewise. Also, thanks to my team members and all the MECA community for their advice on helping me accomplish my goals for competing each year. I love being a part of MECA and enjoy the drive of competing. Thank you so much! Team TNT Dynamite Sounds Greg Higgins

Steve McIntyre (Team Zapco) - Clarksville, TN

Congratulations to Steve McIntyre from Clarksville, TN for his February 2008 Member of the Month selection. Steve is an avid SQL Competitor with impressive credentials in Sound Quality and Install contests. Last year's Modified+ SQ and Modified Install World Champion, and TN State Champion in both, Steve is taking it up a notch for 2008 and continues to dazzle the fans with his laid out silver Dodge Magnum.

Steve's daughter, Andrea, is bringing it to the MECA Kids SPL contests in MK2 and MKDB, and having a blast being in on the fun at MECA events. Steve is as serious a Competitor as we have in MECA, but he's also having fun and making friends wherever he goes.

The Magnum scores in the high 80's to low 90's in the Install contest, so it's about as close to perfect as any install in the club. People are attracted to the cool car and when they see the install and meet Steve, I know they walk away with a positive attitude about MECA, Sound Quality League, and our sport. Steve will be very active at the TN, W. KY, and S. IN events this year, and has already qualified for his SQL State Championships and World Finals. Congrats Steve!

Steve had the following to say about being chosen as the February 2008 Member of the Month:
Being selected as Member of the Month is a great honor for me. Last year was my first year competing in MECA and it was a great time. I've also competed with USACi and IASCA and I'll be the first to say that MECA is by far more fun and more relaxed. I made some great friends competing this last season. I want to first thank Steve and all the judges for all the hard work getting MECA to where it is. I'd like to thank my Zapco teammates for all of the help they've given me. I'd also like to thank Zapco, Morel, Hushmat and Matworks for the awesome support they've given me. Competing at this level would be next to impossible without all of the support I get from everyone. I plan on competing in MECA for years to come. Thanks again!!!

Charles "Bud" Ballinger (Team Bangin' on a Budget) - Louisville, KY

Kudos to Bud Ballinger from Louisville, KY for his selection as the March 2008 Member of the Month. The main qualifications for selection for MOTM are participation and achievement, and Bud has them covered in spades. There were 4 MECA events in March and Bud was at 3 of them, including SBN22.

This season he is already qualified for S1 and the top seed at 150.1 dB. Bud has also posted scores of 150.8 dB in S2 and 122 in DB2, as well as 116.4 dB in DB3. He finished with a strong 2nd in SPL S3 with 151.8 dB at the 2007 World Finals Soundfest.

I had many votes for Bud for this award. He is the leader of one of MECA's newest loud teams, Bangin On A Budget, and attends lots of shows. It seems that every time I see him, he's got a new box and is trying something new. Congrats to Bud for being the MECA March 2008 Member of the Month!

Bud had the following to say about being selected as March 2008 MOTM:
Man I have been wanting to be a Member of the Month before I was a member. I have seen many great competitors up here on this board and it is an honor to receive such an award. I would like to thank everyone in MECA for making it what it is. I would also like to thank my team mates (Team Bangin On A Budget) for all of their help and support. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the judges and officials behind the scenes. Many do not know how important you guys are so thanks. Last, but not least, I would really like to thank Shannon for being by my side the whole time even when I spend our grocery money on radio stuff.

Rachele Cochran (Team H.B.I.C) - Marion, IN

Congrats to one of our most active members, Rachele Cochran from Marion, IN, for her April 2008 Member of the Month selection. Rachele attended 3 events in April, including the 2 Crutchfield contests in VA, racking up points and creds in SQL and SPL. Rachele is a dedicated Ride the Light Competitor. She does the install work herself with help from friends and has put together a very impressive vehicle.

Rachele was the 2007 Indiana SPL DB3 Champ with a high score of 122.3 dB. She was the 2007 Indiana SQL Street Champ. Her hard work and participation in the club has been evident to many over the past 2 years. We recognize her efforts, sportsmanship, and achievements with this honor.

Kudos to Rachele and good luck in SPL, SQL, and Ride the Light contests in 2008!

Rachele had the following to say about being chosen MECA Member of the Month:

   

WOW! Never could of expected this. I have tried so hard for 2 years and I have done it. I love going state to state and competing and making great friends. Everyone in MECA has been so supporting and helpful right from the beginning. Thank u all members for turning this into a great accomplishment for me. Thanks judges and Steve Stern you're great. I will continue to put my all into competing, getting louder, and show others the kindness you have all shown me!

   

Thanks,
    RACHELE COCHRAN

Cory Bradley (Team Innovative) - Evansville, TN

Indiana merits another Member of the Month for May. Congratulations to Cory Bradley from Team Innovative in Evansville, a dedicated SQL Competitor and one of our best Judges. Cory attended 3 events in May and helped with judging at the E-town show. He won the SQL Best of Show in Bowling Green, KY at the Best Buy sound-off. This is Cory's 3rd season in MECA He competes in his 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse that is Modex+ with metal cut for door speakers, but the install has the look of factory. Cory won 2nd place in Street+ at the 2006 World Finals Soundfest. He was the SQL Modex+ Indiana Champion in 2007. He is leading the Modex+ points race for 2008 and has posted a high score of 83 points.

Cory is one of our most active members. As Competitor and Judge, he has earned credentials that speak for themselves. Part of the SQL Judge Team at last years Finals, on the SBN22 team, he is a highly qualified and experienced trusted member of our Judge corp. He also was Event Director for the first time at the June 8th show hosted by Innovative Car Audio and did a great job. He helps maintain all of the numerous Team Innovative systems, which is a big job in itself.

Cory's involvement and passion for MECA is evident with every interaction, in or out of the lanes. Willing to do the work, he is part of the backbone of the club. He's made a lot of friends in MECA and gets all our respect.

Thanks to Cory for being the consumate MECA member! You are a role model for MECA and May 2008 MOTM is well deserved.

Cory had the following to say about being selected May 2008 MECA Member of the Month:

I, in all honesty, don't know what to say, I have always hoped I would be considered for this award. So to actually receive it has me a little awestruck and makes me realize how exciting our club is. I would like to think everyone who believed I deserve this honor. All the kind words are appreciated and lets me know my efforts in the judging lanes are appreciated. So thanks again to everyone.

Cory

Oran Barkley (Team O.S.C.) - Athens, TN

Congratulations to third year member Oran Barkley, our June 2008 Member of the Month. Oran co-owns Elite Audio in Athens, TN and is an SPL Competitor and Team O.S.C. leader. Team O.S.C., that's Odd Squad Customs, is serious about competing, but they are having fun and adding to the MECA spirit at each event. Many of the team vehicles compete in Show & Shine contests and Oran's vehicles are top contenders in their classes.

Team O.S.C. has been a big part of the Best Buy events in Eastern Tennessse. Oran was at the June Jams in Kentucky earning SPL Phat Truck and 1st Place in MX3 with 148.2 dB. His 1998 Ford Expedition is loud, and he also has a van that he hopes to bring to Finals in November.

We appreciate Oran and his attendance and participation at our events.

Check out www.myspace.com/thejuicedone to see Oran and what he's up to.

Oran had the following to say about being chosen June 2008 MECA Member of the Month:

Man, what an honor...to be chosen as Member of the Month. I never thought in my 3 years competing in MECA that someone would look at me as a candidate for MOTM!! I've been competing off and on for years in all sanctions, and I have to say, MECA is by far the most fair and definately the most fun. Just seems like everyone is a lot friendlier and easier to get along with here. Keep up the good work, guys, and look forward to seeing a lot more TEAM O.S.C members in the lanes!!