Author Archive: Chris Murphy
Chris Murphy is the President and CEO of Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group and Publisher and Founder of ModestoView Inc. Chris worked globally in the cycling industry returning to Modesto in 1996. He is also the founder of the Modesto Historic Graffiti Cruise Route, Legends of the Cruise Walk of Fame, Modesto Rockin’ Holiday, the Modesto Music History Organization and co-founder of the Modesto Area Music Association. Chris is married to his artist wife Rebecca since 1985 and has two daughters Madison and Abigail, both graduating from Modesto High and UC Berkeley. He is lead singer and guitarist for his band, Third Party that donates their performances to non-profits.
GreetingsView – It’s Going to be a Fabulous July
Greetings Friends This is going to be a fabulous July here in Modesto. We have just come off of a great Graffiti Summers last month. There were cars and people visiting Modesto from all over the world, enjoying our community, checking out our cars and feeing right at home. I love sitting on my deck […]
ThankYou Flying Turtle
By Chris Murphy I want to give a huge shout out to the crew at Flying Turtle for making the Legends of the Cruise Walk of Fame Markers. This is an absolute labor of love for them to do this for our Cruise Legends and our city. They are a busy company, making cool concrete […]
FoodView – Bubble Tea & Funnel Cakes for All
By Chris Murphy T Cups Café By Chris Murphy From Saigon to downtown Modesto, Bubble Tea has never tasted so good. Bubble tea is very important to Thanh “Joe” Dong. This was one of his favorite things growing up, and when he was trying hard to woo his eventual wife, Lucia Tran, he would travel […]
AllAgesView – Markets and Music
Hey Modesto! I hope you are all enjoying this hot summer. Recently, I visited our Farmers Market, one of my favorite activities, especially in the summertime. The Modesto Farmers Market has been around since 1979. The locals who grow fresh produce for sale are there. You can also find fun homemade items for sale. My […]
Fabulous 4th of July Celebrations
By Chris Murphy For nearly 150 years, Modesto has had a 4th of July Parade and that continues in 2022. Modesto has one of the longest running 4th of July Parades in the western USA. Even during the pandemic, there was a scaled down parade through 10th St Plaza with a proclamation from Mayor Brandvold. […]
MoBand Season July Finale
By Chris Murphy Besides the 4th of July parade, there is probably no greater Modesto tradition than MoBand’s Concerts in the Park. Since the 1940s and 50s, the Mancini Bowl in Graceada Park has been home to MoBand. As long as I can remember it has been a tradition and I was fortunate to play […]
FranceView – Bastille Day
As America celebrates our independence from Great Britain, we need to take time to remember that it was the support of France, both diplomatically and financially that allowed us to win our independence. The French Monarchy recognized the independence of the United States and George Washington had a good relationship with Marquis de Lafayette and […]
ModStockView
ModStock12 is Coming! Modesto’s best summer festival is back for 2022 and you will be amazed! This is a showcase for the VMI School of Music and features many of the newly formed bands that that will be the foundation of our musical future. This year, Modstock be back and bigger than ever in Mancini […]
PerformingView – July Peformances
PerformingView By Chris Murphy It is the top of the summer and there are some great shows happening in these air conditioned places. From great Broadway shows, to cool intimate performances to some classic rock and roll, and even a red carper premier, we have it all. The new Gallo Center season is out now […]
CoolView – Stay Cool 209!
Stay Cool 209! By Chris Murphy We are off to a warm start in 2022 and as I write this, the faint smell of smoke is in the air. There are a few ways to beat the heat this summer. With this drought, we need to be careful for the fire risk and watch our […]
KFRC Sturgeon in Modesto USA
AM Radio! The 610 KFRC Mobile Studio, “The Sturgeon” comes to Modesto on 6-10 Growing up in Modesto, the “other” AM radio station we listened to most in the 60s, 70s & 80s was 610 KFRC from San Francisco with Dr. Don Rose, Bobby Ocean and more! The KFRC Sturgeon was a mobile broadcasting studio, […]
Legend of the Cruise: Jenny Kenoyer
Jenny Kenoyer Modesto High – 1953 Jenny has been honored by the North Modesto Kiwanis as the Grand Marshal of the 2022 American Graffiti Festival Cruise Parade. As Modesto High’s first woman yell leader, Jenny has been a champion for Modesto’s Graffiti scene for as long as she can remember. Born in Patterson, she moved […]
Legend of the Cruise: Ron Pippin
Ron Pippin Downey High – 1975 His high school car was a 1929 Ford Model A with a Flat Head 8BA V8. After high school, Ron went to work in the construction industry while attending what would become the Construction Management Program at Sacramento State. Ron would continue his career in Institutional and industrial construction, […]
Legend of the Cruise: Bob Rose
Bob Rose Downey High – 1973 He got his love of cars and street rods at a very young age from his father, Luis Rose. His first car was a 1947 Ford pickup. Bob married his high school sweetheart Jackie and will be married 47 years in August. His first “ground-up” street rod build was […]
Legend of the Cruise: Dan Vierra
Dan Vierra Our Lady of Mercy High, Merced – 1961 Dan grew up on a dairy east of Turlock and attended Our Lady of Mercy High School in Merced. One of his earliest memories was receiving his first car – a pedal car – at age four. Since then he’s owned Studebakers, Pontiacs, Chryslers, Corvairs, […]
