Johnny Modesto spent his childhood rattling around the Central Valley towns of Turlock, Bakersfield and Modesto. Formerly known as Johnny Modest, he changed his name to Modesto when he took a shot at speedway motorcycle racing and later competition Barbecue. He refined his grilling skills working for a caterer cooking Tri-tips in the Santa Maria style. During this time as a journeyman musician he played bass in various bands for weddings and took some music classes at the junior college. ”Honeymoon in Death Valley” is a song that asks more questions than it answers. ”What bride, now a widow, would want to return to Death Valley when they re-marry much further into life? Is there something that ’the hottest, lowest, and dryest place around’ would offer that would prepare a couple for a long life together? What aspect of this austere place would be the most profound for two people starting out? It might be the views, but I think it is the heat.” -Johnny Modesto.