Meet Tim & George
How KG & Ringy Met: Even as a kid, Ringy was always interested in coins and coin-like objects. He didn't start detecting until later when he saw someone dig up a silver quarter and was shocked by the realization that there was a whole world of treasure hidden in the dirt below our feet. Ringy bought his first detector soon after, but really never used it much beyond that first summer for a variety of reasons: school, bands, and girls. However, once he moved to Montana that changed in a hurry. Ringy found his old detector during the move, and decided to try it in his "new" backyard. He found three silver coins, and was immediately re-hooked. KG found out through the grapevine that Ringy had a detector, and because KG always wanted one, got Ringy on the phone to talk about it. At that time, they were barely even aware of each other's presence in the universe, but that phone call was the spark that eventually led to their friendship and Anaconda Treasure Company, Team ATC, theExtreme Metal Detecting DVD series, the ATC book Treasure Hunting with Team ATC, and most recently, the television series DIGGERS.
Once they made the decision to get some new detectors and dive headfirst into the hobby, they started watching DVDs on metal detecting that they ordered from the Internet. The DVDs were horribly boring and staged, more instructional textbook-like than anything else. KG and Ringy soon realized that they could make better DVDs on their own, so they came up with the idea to invest in video software, cameras,and a computer. They wanted genuine finds in their own videos, along with some action and fun. They began carrying cameras on all of their hunts, and filmed all of their greatest finds that had real reactions to real finds. They mixed in some ridiculous stunts and eventually created their own language, which they never dreamed would catch on like it has.The "club" Team ATC was really created as a joke,so there are no realdues or requirements to join. If you want to be a member, you are a member. It's more of a state of mind than anything else, but oddly, they ended up creating tons of gear including hats, shirts, etc. for people like them that just want to enjoy the unexpectedness and craziness of the sport. They have always had the mindset that the appreciation of history and a sense of humor are not mutually exclusive.
Ringmaster Tim: Tim Saylor (Ringmaster Tim) was born and raised in Iowa and holds degrees from the University of Iowa in both German and Psychology. He has completed studies abroad at the University of Vienna, and is a certified computer programmer and web designer. While at the University of Iowa he wrote and studied fiction at The Iowa Writer's Workshop. Tim received the German Book Prize from the University of Iowa's German department in 1995 and the Class Third Prize for the Wiener Internationale Hochschulkurse at the University of Vienna in 1994. In 1990, he recorded tracks on the critically acclaimed rock band No Spokes' debut album Way Big. In spite of these achievements, he remains poor, living isolated in a miner's shack in the mountains of Montana with son Ian and dog Brick, where he spends his days avoiding bear attacks and searching for that elusive jar of gold and silver coins.
King George: George Wyant (King George) is a lifelong resident of Anaconda, Montana, where he lives with his wife Lori, and two daughters Emily and Morgan. KG has been employed for years at a major copper mine in Butte, Montana, where he operates heavy equipment and trains as well as oversees shipping of ore products to various ports. On top of that full time job, he runs a local gutter, siding and roofing business. In his spare time, which isn't much these days, KG spends time with his family hunting, fishing, camping, and skiing. KG is an accomplished hunter, fisherman and skier, with impressive outdoor skills that rival any sportsman. Years ago, he worked as a member of the ski patrol at a local Montana lodge. He has survived multiple bear attacks and encounters in the wild, and when not out detecting, he still runs off into the woods with a bow or rifle every chance he gets. Ducks, geese, mountain lions, bobcats, bears, elk, deer, trout, unicorn... None of them have a chance against KG.
