In August of 2012 I scanned an article with several photos of the Music City Hooters Night Owls because of the unique looking nelson based paintgun that the Captain, Jack Kirby, was holding in the photo below.
Two months later I ended up emailing back and forth with Chuck Link who also played on the Hooters and Paladin with Jack Kirby. Chuck informed me that Kirby’s paintgun was designed by Al Winfree and Jack Kirby and named the Helix.
The article above ads some insight into Kirby’s sponsorship, The Music City Hooters support for the IPPA and the younger players on the team. Unfortunately Chuck isn’t pictured in either photo.
While playing on Paladin, Chuck and his entire squad wielded Helix’s.
Chuck writes “Jack and Al Winfree designed a long barreled Nelson based pump gun that our whole team used for a while, including in one Masters I remember.”
Chuck went on to explain the change from Paladin to Hooters, “After the Winfree’s moved on (Al was in the construction business and an engineer) because of a work location change, Jack formed the Music City Hooters team.”
In the above photo APG writer Hollywood stands with the Music City Hooters in a Hooters restaurant. The article refers to the Music City Hooters as the Night Owls. I would imagine Kirby started the team as the Night Owls but changed the name to the Music City Hooters after receiving his Hooters sponsorship? Hopefully Chuck can clarify.
Find more on the Hooters here:
https://paintballhistory.com/music-city-hooters-vs-badlands-justice-old-school-video