Full Throttle Saloon
Encyclopedia
Full Throttle Saloon is an American reality television series airing on the truTV network. The series provides an inside look at the world's largest biker bar located in Sturgis, South Dakota
. Owner Mike Ballard and a full cast of characters race against the clock to serve huge crowds at the Full Throttle Saloon, which is only open for 10 days a year in August during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
. More than 300,000 people visit the Full Throttle during the annual event, where Ballard and his team are pressured to make a year's salary in a short time window, all while providing patrons an experience they will not forget. The Full Throttle Saloon series marks the first time cameras have been allowed to capture every minute.
is the lead singer of the rock band Jackyl
and is Ballard's business partner. He oversees all of the entertainment at the Full Throttle Saloon and is also a series Executive Producer.
, Bret Michaels
and Ice-T
. Only open for 10 days a year in August (during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally), the Full Throttle can average 15,000 guests a night.
Aired: 11/10/2009
With just a few days to make his money for the entire year, owner Michael struggles to get the world's largest biker bar ready for the Sturgis Rally. Employees are caught stealing, fires break out, and a mysterious body even turns up. TV-14-LS
Episode 102
Aired: 11/17/2009
In this episode, a star performer is taken to jail, a key employee quits and another gets drunk. Plus, it's chaos at the Korn concert as Michael and Jesse try to stage a separate show in the back while still running the main bar. If it fails, it could be devastating. TV-14-LS
Episode 103
Aired: 11/24/2009
In this episode, a lightning storm hits the Throttle. Plus, late night partying goes way overboard and one employee is sent to the hospital while another may be fired. TV-14-LS
Episode 104
Aired: 12/1/2009
After seeing his profits washed away by the weather, Michael works to get a big crowd for Jackyl's annual Thursday night concert at the Throttle. The only problem? It's raining again. Can Jesse and his Jackyl band-mates save the day? TV-14-LS
Episode 105
Aired: 12/8/2009
When the worst hail storm in the history of South Dakota rips the Throttle to pieces, Michael and Angie do their best to rally the troops and get the bar back in business. TV-14-LS
Episode 106
Aired: 12/15/2009
It's the final night of the Rally and the last chance for Michael to make his money for the rest of the year. Plus, it's "Locals Night" when the younger, rowdier crowd shows up and brings a whole new set of problems.
2008 Special
Aired: 12/22/2009
In this chronicle of the world's largest biker bar during the Sturgis rally, music headliners Coolio and Naughty by Nature miss their flight and may be a no show. Then, as owner Michael Ballard is rushed to the hospital with a mysterious medical condition, a tornado siren sends everyone running for shelter.
Aired: 11/17/2010
The competition makes a shocking move to take down the Throttle. Michael struggles to stage big name concerts, but it may be too costly and too late. The Flaunt girls might be finished after a key member quits and another has a terrifying accident.
Episode 202
Aired: 11/24/2010
It's opening night, but the Throttle may not be ready. The scramble to book a big name act intensifies, as the competition heats up across the street. Plus, Michael catches Angie in a compromising position.
Episode 203
Aired: 12/1/2010
A disappointing start to the rally has Jesse and Angie butting heads. And, security chases a suspected prostitute.
Episode 204
Aired: 12/8/2010
The Flaunt girls threaten to quit. Jesse and Angie's feud hits a new low. And, Michael makes a surprising decision that could change the Throttle forever.
Episode 205
Aired: 12/15/2010
Bret Michaels prepares for his big performance, but backstage problems at the Throttle may prevent him from taking the stage. Plus, Michael's decision to charge at the door has Jesse up in arms. Will the new policy drive away crowds?
Episode 207 | Aired: 12/29/2010
Episode 208
Aired: 01/05/2011
Michael considers selling the bar. An employee is attacked. And, Flaunt learns their fate.
Episode 209 | Aired: 01/12/2011
Sturgis, South Dakota
Sturgis is a city in Meade County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 6,627 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Meade County. Sturgis is famous for being the location of one of the largest annual motorcycle events in the world, which is held annually on the first full week...
. Owner Mike Ballard and a full cast of characters race against the clock to serve huge crowds at the Full Throttle Saloon, which is only open for 10 days a year in August during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an American motorcycle rally held annually in Sturgis, South Dakota, usually the first full week of August.-History:...
. More than 300,000 people visit the Full Throttle during the annual event, where Ballard and his team are pressured to make a year's salary in a short time window, all while providing patrons an experience they will not forget. The Full Throttle Saloon series marks the first time cameras have been allowed to capture every minute.
Production and broadcast history
Full Throttle Saloon premiered in November 2009 on truTV. The first season ran with seven episodes. Season two premiered in November 2010, with new episodes airing Wednesdays at 10pm EST.Michael Ballard, Owner
Michael Ballard, owner of the Full Throttle Saloon, purchased the 30-acre property in 1999 and turned it into the world's largest biker bar. Complete with dreadlocks and a motorcycle of his own, Ballard has made a career out of running a bar that is only open 10 days out of the year during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.Angie Carlson, Marketing Director
Angie Carlson is Ballard's girlfriend, and a dancer at the saloon. She also has her own section of the Throttle known as "Angieland." There, visitors can get their picture taken with Carlson's rear end, believed to be the most photographed butt on the planet. She also helps Ballard run the Full Throttle and oversees calculating nightly earnings for the bar.Jesse James Dupree
Jesse James DupreeJesse James Dupree
Jesse James Dupree is an American rock guitarist and singer.Dupree is the lead singer and guitarist of Jackyl, in addition to playing chainsaw on the song "The Lumberjack". He also started a solo project with guitarist John Hayes and bassist Roman Glick...
is the lead singer of the rock band Jackyl
Jackyl
Jackyl is an American rock band formed in 1990. Their sound has been described as hard rock, heavy metal and Southern metal.The band is probably best-known for its song "The Lumberjack", which features a chainsaw solo by lead singer Jesse James Dupree. On the recording, Dupree alternately revs the...
and is Ballard's business partner. He oversees all of the entertainment at the Full Throttle Saloon and is also a series Executive Producer.
Other Characters
Goat Boy is the Full Throttle emcee. Also helping out at the Full Throttle are Michael's sister, mother and father, as well as Fajita REAL NAME - Michael Todd Garner, the food manager and Chicken Leg, a country boy who does a little of everything.About the Full Throttle Saloon
The Full Throttle is the world's largest biker bar housed on 30 acres of land, which Ballard purchased in 1999. The indoor/outdoor bar includes several large stages, a burn-out pit, a tattoo parlor, zip lines, a wrestling ring, restaurants, dozens of stores, hundreds of cabins for rent and parking for thousands of motorcycles. Famous performers at the Full Throttle include Billy Ray CyrusBilly Ray Cyrus
William "Billy" Ray Cyrus is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist, who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon...
, Bret Michaels
Bret Michaels
Bret Michaels is an American musician, actor, director, screenwriter, producer and reality television personality. He first gained fame as the lead vocalist of the glam metal band Poison. Besides his career as lead singer, he has several solo albums to his credit, as well as one chart single...
and Ice-T
ICE-T
* Ice-T, an American rapper and actor* ICE T , a tilting model of the German InterCityExpress series of high-speed trains...
. Only open for 10 days a year in August (during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally), the Full Throttle can average 15,000 guests a night.
Season 1
Episode 101Aired: 11/10/2009
With just a few days to make his money for the entire year, owner Michael struggles to get the world's largest biker bar ready for the Sturgis Rally. Employees are caught stealing, fires break out, and a mysterious body even turns up. TV-14-LS
Episode 102
Aired: 11/17/2009
In this episode, a star performer is taken to jail, a key employee quits and another gets drunk. Plus, it's chaos at the Korn concert as Michael and Jesse try to stage a separate show in the back while still running the main bar. If it fails, it could be devastating. TV-14-LS
Episode 103
Aired: 11/24/2009
In this episode, a lightning storm hits the Throttle. Plus, late night partying goes way overboard and one employee is sent to the hospital while another may be fired. TV-14-LS
Episode 104
Aired: 12/1/2009
After seeing his profits washed away by the weather, Michael works to get a big crowd for Jackyl's annual Thursday night concert at the Throttle. The only problem? It's raining again. Can Jesse and his Jackyl band-mates save the day? TV-14-LS
Episode 105
Aired: 12/8/2009
When the worst hail storm in the history of South Dakota rips the Throttle to pieces, Michael and Angie do their best to rally the troops and get the bar back in business. TV-14-LS
Episode 106
Aired: 12/15/2009
It's the final night of the Rally and the last chance for Michael to make his money for the rest of the year. Plus, it's "Locals Night" when the younger, rowdier crowd shows up and brings a whole new set of problems.
2008 Special
Aired: 12/22/2009
In this chronicle of the world's largest biker bar during the Sturgis rally, music headliners Coolio and Naughty by Nature miss their flight and may be a no show. Then, as owner Michael Ballard is rushed to the hospital with a mysterious medical condition, a tornado siren sends everyone running for shelter.
Season 2
Episode 201Aired: 11/17/2010
The competition makes a shocking move to take down the Throttle. Michael struggles to stage big name concerts, but it may be too costly and too late. The Flaunt girls might be finished after a key member quits and another has a terrifying accident.
Episode 202
Aired: 11/24/2010
It's opening night, but the Throttle may not be ready. The scramble to book a big name act intensifies, as the competition heats up across the street. Plus, Michael catches Angie in a compromising position.
Episode 203
Aired: 12/1/2010
A disappointing start to the rally has Jesse and Angie butting heads. And, security chases a suspected prostitute.
Episode 204
Aired: 12/8/2010
The Flaunt girls threaten to quit. Jesse and Angie's feud hits a new low. And, Michael makes a surprising decision that could change the Throttle forever.
Episode 205
Aired: 12/15/2010
Bret Michaels prepares for his big performance, but backstage problems at the Throttle may prevent him from taking the stage. Plus, Michael's decision to charge at the door has Jesse up in arms. Will the new policy drive away crowds?
Episode 207 | Aired: 12/29/2010
Episode 208
Aired: 01/05/2011
Michael considers selling the bar. An employee is attacked. And, Flaunt learns their fate.
Episode 209 | Aired: 01/12/2011