Nathan Apodaca’s truck had already logged some 320,000 miles. One morning last month, it couldn’t go a mile more. The truck broke down on a highway in Idaho Falls, Idaho, about 2 miles from the potato warehouse where Apodaca has worked for nearly two decades.
Luckily, he had a skateboard in his truck, along with a bottle of Ocean Spray’s Cran-Raspberry juice. So he grabbed his juice and his longboard and started heading to work. As Apodaca rolled down a hill listening to Dreams by Fleetwood Mac, he turned on his TikTok account, @420doggface208, and created a video that would become a viral sensation.
In its first hour on TikTok, the video gathered some 100,000 views. It now has more than 46 million views.
The video propelled the 1977 song back onto the charts, landing at number 29 on the Rolling Stones top 100 Songs list, with sales tripling and streams doubling.
There have also been over 100,000 tribute videos made including ones from the Governor of Idaho, Jimmy Fallon, and even the band’s drummer, Mick Fleetwood.
Ocean Spray bought him a new truck, shown up top, in the appropriate color of cranberry red. It was delivered to him packed full of jugs of the brand’s juice.
Fan donations have also have poured in. He will put them toward a down payment on a home. Right now, he’s living in an RV in Idaho Falls, where he doesn’t even have running water.
Apodaca still has his potato warehouse job. There is, however, something new in his life: a publicist. Unsure how enduring his moment in the TikTok limelight will be, he’s taking a couple of weeks off to see.
“Just a week or two,” he said. “But I told my boss I’ll be back probably sooner.”
I think what I’m most impressed by is that Apodaca can skateboard, drink some juice, and film himself all at the same time. I’m happy when I can walk down the street and have a conversation with someone.
And finally, this gives me an excuse to play the full video of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac performing Dreams. Not that I ever need such an excuse…
I guess you just never know when lightning’s going to strike.
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I’m happy he’s getting his 15 minutes of fame, and a new truck…
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Yeah, those aren’t small potatoes.
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π
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Oh, wow, lucky break! Love this song.
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it is one of my favorite Fleetwood Mac songs…
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Amazing! I saw the video a couple of days ago and thought the guy must be hanging onto the back of a truck. Nathan Apodaca is one cool cat! The song is pretty darn good, too. I love this post!
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I thought the same thing – that he was hanging on to the back of a truck. He seems like a hard-working, fun-loving guy. I’m happy for him…
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I hope he posts more videos like this.
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if you have Tik Tok, he’s got a lot of videos… π
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Fun post and yes I would so not be able to do that! I trip over air! π
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I don’t think I’ve ever just stood on a skateboard…
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Wow, what a feel good story. What a great brand to support!
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and they taste good!
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This is a great video, he certainly made the best of the situation.
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I agree. I am happy for Nathan.
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I’m waiting for the Jim Borden Tik Tok compilation video. Cruise into class on a skateboard drinking some cranberry juice. I have a feeling it will be a big hit with your students. Frankly, I don’t think it will matter what your song choice is. π
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I’d be happy walking into class and drinking some cranberry juice without stumbling or spilling. There’s no doubt that the song choice would be Springsteen… π
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Every once in awhile, the stars and planets turn in just the right way and something wonderful happens to the right person. I am thankful I got to watch it happen. Great post, Jim!
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Thanks, Brad! And Nathan seems to be the right person for all this to happen to…
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I love this story, for so many reasons. Thanks for sharing it with us, jim .
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it is a wonderful story…
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This is such a great story. Iβd heard about it but not seen the video, or knew of what has happened to him since. I love the way Mick Fleetwood joined in: you can never get too much Fleetwood Mac in your life, can you?
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How true. Fleetwood is one of those bands I regret never having gotten to see in concert…
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I share that regret. Their ticket prices are ridiculous now, though, given that you need a telescope to see anything.
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yes, hard to justify most concert prices any more…
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I guess bands justify prices with all the pyrotechnics and trickery on stage – Iβd rather listen, and be able to see whatβs going on…
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I am there for the music as well…
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Love all of this, Jim. Beautiful share. As a side, I have a friend who briefly met Mick Fleetwood in an LA restaurant … said Mr. Fleetwood was the most accommodating and engaging celebrity dude ever.
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it is a wonderful story.
that’s great to hear about Mick. I can call him that because I am just two degrees of separation from him now… π
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I shared it at the office today. The marketing department appreciated it. Off to see Dougie in accounting …
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I think you need to share it with Dougie too… π
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π
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Thank you for this, Jim. Instant smiles. π π π
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glad you enjoyed it SnapDragon!
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π
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Great positive news to hear!!! Always good to hear Fleetwood Mac
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it was a wonderful story, with some wonderful music!
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What a great story, Jim
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thanks, Peter. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I thought it was wonderful…
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Woah, if only every one got get such a lucky break haha π
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wouldn’t that be nice!
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That’s quite a story.
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it’s a feel good story…
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It sure is.
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