“Somebody’s Gotta do it” hosted by Mike Rowe

April 9th UPDATE!

April 16th! — 9pm eastern — CNN

*UPDATE! Just got word that we are actually set to air on April 16th.  Though I would recommend watching Somebody’s Gotta Do It anyways as it is a fun show.  Sorry for any confusion and check back here for any latest updates!

 

Dragon Forge LTD was contacted by a production company for an interview to be featured on a program.  They had the opinion that we, Craig and Rory May, fit the mold for their new kind of “reality” TV show.  Though it is not hard to think of Dirty Jobs when Mike Rowe is mentioned, this show gets a little more intimate than the previous presentation. A few phone meetings later we were unsure what we were going to make and how long the crew of  “Somebody’s Gotta Do It” were going to be at the studio.  After a weekend of the brainstorming ritual and discussions of what to forge, we decided to do a business sign for the show. “Go big or go home” was our attitude. If we were going to be part of this we wanted to leave our mark. The day before the filming a small team came out to scout the area and meet us.  As per our last phone interview, they had suggested to be at the studio for only a couple of hours.  They stayed at the shop for four hours interviewing us, getting b-roll footage and a constant roll of questions. We also gave a small demonstration of what are known for doing, forging.  After putting on our little show they said they would arrive at the studio the next morning and stay how ever long they needed to do the episode.

The next day Mike Rowe showed up ready to do what he does best: talk, crack jokes and participate in some work. During the interview, we shared some forging techniques with Mike and let him have a hand at some equipment, such as 250lb Little Giant power hammer, torches, forges, hand hammers, etc. We had a few tasks left to forge for the sign and had him help with the final touches.  We could see Mike’s perspective broaden as the day went on and the term “blacksmith” had a wider grasp of what all can be done; yet the many venues of specialties a smith could pursue in this craft, as it is much more than just swords and horse shoes. We were excited for the opportunity to not only be able to represent a modern blacksmithing studio, yet to also share what that means through the demonstration of our daily effort to keep the tradition alive in the form of custom railings, lighting, fireplace doors, kitchen stove hoods, custom hardware and the list goes on.

They stayed for the whole day and it never slowed down.  The sign was packed and delivered to their office in November, and the show is set to air early spring of 2015 on CNN. Latest udate: We are to be in the premier of season 2 which airs April 16th!

 According to the CNN press release on the show, the show will bring “viewers face-to-face with men and women who march to the beat of a different drum. In each episode, Rowe visits unique individuals and joins them in their respective undertakings, paying tribute to innovators, do-gooders, entrepreneurs, collectors, fanatics–people who simply have to do it. This show is about passion, purpose, and occasionally, hobbies that get a little out of hand.”

 

The sign was 5′ long, 6.5′ from the end of the points, 34″ tall and weighed 110lb.  The orange “somebody’s” is copper and the rest is metal.

 

Mike’s SGDI Show Page: http://mikerowe.com/shows/somebodys-gotta-do-it/

Mike’s other page: http://profoundlydisconnected.com/

You can also visit Mike Rowe’s facebook page here about the day:  https://www.facebook.com/TheRealMikeRowe