Gypsy MC Houston Chapter History
The Houston chapter of the Gypsy MC was chartered by TMRA on February 1, 1998. The previous fall (October 1997), Erdin-Erdin, Gypsy MC International President, approved Cowboy's request to establish the Houston Chapter. Ten Charter members of the Houston Gypsy MC formed the Chapter; Cowboy became our first President, Captain Too High was Vice President, Watchman was Treasurer, Miss Bossie was Secretary and Ringer was Sergeant at Arms. Two of the original charter members are still part of our chapter. Although Cowboy retired in 2002, trading his “Houston” town rocker for a “USA” rocker, he’s still felt to be part of the chapter and attends as many events as his old bones allow. Captain Too High reclaimed his patch in November 2004 after being out of the club several years.
We’re actually the third Gypsy MC Houston charter. The first chapter was chartered in the 70’s; we don’t know exactly how long this chapter existed but it was probably only for about five years. Papa Jack’s Black Rockers Mac and Rene closed the chapter and picked up all the patches. Apparently, this Houston chapter was not conforming to the Gypsy’s “family oriented” expectations. The second Houston chapter was chartered in the early 80’s. Several members who were part of the second charter are still active today: Rat, Breeze and Speed Bump have all become Gypsy Lifers. The second chapter was closed over a controversy over the “Queen Gypsy” patch. Some members refused Pappy Jim’s edict to wear this “In Memory Of” patch; those who accepted the patch transferred to Fort Bend, others returned their patches and walked away.
Our Chapter continued from 1998 with Cowboy as President. Additional members joined the chapter and some members left. Big Casino, Little Bit, Mouthpiece and Smirnoff joined in 1998, Breeze came back into the Gypsys in November 1998. We hit some hard times in mid-2001 and our membership dropped to less than eight. We began to grow again as Big Casino became President in November of 2001. Raoul came in during the late summer and fall of 2001. Things really started working in 2002 when Buff-It, Shiney, Eye-Ball, Super Chief and Silent Bob joined our chapter as new members. Gentle Joe and Miss Daisy transferred from Eagle Pass early in 2003. The chapter grew to nearly twenty members by the end of 2003 and, by 2004; it became evident that we needed to spin off a group of members to accommodate two distinct groups that had developed within the chapter. The Bayou City Chapter was formed in October 2004 and was formally recognized at the Gypsy MC President’s meeting that December.
In 2005 the Houston Chapter continued with members, both guys and gals, but began developing a new chapter tradition: one of hard riders and hard partiers. We became far more visible within the Gypsy MC nation when we started attending Gypsy events regardless of how far they were from home. Mouthpiece brought in a new member, High Stakes, in September 2006. In February 2007 we became a “guys only” chapter, not so much by design as by circumstance. That same month we patched in Billy G.; later in 2007 Bill the Cat came back to Houston. We continued our growth in 2008 when we brought Bobby back into the Gypsy MC. Bobby had been a Gypsy in Corpus in the early 70’s and had ridden with his brother, Black Rocker Mac, Papa Jack, Hacksaw, Hombre and many others who we think of as the elder statesmen in the club.
In 2009 two members, Wango Tango and Woody, transferred into the Houston chapter. By mid-year we have begun the process of grooming new prospects for membership in the chapter. Little Billy, High Stakes son, had been hanging out with the chapter for a couple years before declaring his interest in becoming a member. Another prospect, Millhouse, had been a Houston member in the past, but left the chapter for personal reasons in 2006. He’d maintained friendships with several members and was welcomed back in May 2009. By the way, we didn’t just hand him his patch back … he’s prospecting just like he did when he first came into the club. In October, Anthony, who had also been hanging out with us, voiced his intent to become a member. We accepted him as a prospect at our October meeting and had him in his prospect colors for the Calallen Halloween Party.
The Houston chapter has made some notable contributions to the Gypsy MC over the years. Our web site (www.gypsyhouston.com) was unveiled in 2002; it began as little more than a place to post a few pictures but has evolved into an information location for Gypsy events (see “calendar”) and a pictorial history of our club. We’ve developed a photo album dedicated to the club’s history that contains nearly 300 pages of photos contributed by over forty long-time club members. There’s also an “In Memory Of” album that contains photos of members that have gone on to the Gypsy MC “Forever Chapter”. The Houston chapter is committed to continually updating our site with new photos and calendar entries that will maintain the interest of members and guests who visit the site.
In 2002 we designed and produced the t-shirt for our Gypsy MC Mandatory hosted by Area A Gypsy MC. Even though we consider ourselves modest, we believe that our design is the best Mandatory t-shirt of, at least, the last decade. We’ve designed a couple more t-shirts over the years but have settled on producing ball caps and knit beanies that include either the trademarked Gypsy MC logo or “Support Your Local Gypsy MC”. Proceeds from hat sales go to support the needs of Gypsy members that need financial help during the year. We’re committed supporters of the Gypsy MC River City chapter’s Fallen Brother project.
Our chapter is active and strong; our members enjoy riding together and sharing the biker life-style. We look forward to more rides, parties and good times with members in our chapter, Area A Gypsys and Gypsys from all over the world. We are always interested in growing our chapter membership and welcome those interested in the Houston Gypsy MC to join us at our monthly meetings. Check us out, and we'll check you out!!!