What Happened to Rich on Hardcore Pawn

This story was written by Andrea Blum for The News-Herald Newspapers. Reprinted with permission.

Woodhaven resident Rich Pyle,

formerly of truTV'south "Hardcore Pawn"

reality serial, is carving out a new

niche as an urban treasure hunter

on the National Geographic Aqueduct'south

new evidence, "Meltdown."

Rich Pyle was riding high on a reality TV series for the by few years, simply then information technology all came crashing down.

The Woodhaven resident was featured on truTV'south reality series "Hardcore Pawn," which follows the daily goings-on at American Jewelry and Loan in Detroit. He worked at the shop for 25 years and was a manager before being fired last year.

The conclusion came as a surprise to Pyle, who said he can't legally discuss much of what transpired.

"'Hardcore Pawn' came to an abrupt end," he said. "I was not expecting that."

After kicking around some ideas, a plan began to take shape in his mind that would have him using his skills in precious metals and negotiating in a new mode.

"I decided to accept it on the road and find things," he said. "Everybody is doing these aureate-selling parties at present, so I decided to find a new twist on that."

He started his own gold business organization in Los Angeles, and rather than notice someone to have his precious metals to the refinery, he decided to cutting out the eye man.

"Most people call back jewelry is the upper finish of it, only I found that it just accounts for 3 1/2 percent of the national consumption of precious metals," he said. "I started thinking about where the other 96 ane/2 percent was going, and that morphed into what it is now — finding precious metals in weird, interesting places."

Soon the National Geographic Channel came calling.

"It all twisted into this thought, and shortly afterwards National Geographic called and asked what I was up to," he said. "Information technology's not similar I was out there looking for a new show. … I was just trying to find a way to support my family and information technology all fell in my lap."

As fate would take it, his outgoing TV persona helped him win another starring function.

He's now office of "Meltdown," a new show on the National Geographic Channel that follows him and ii other urban treasure hunters searching for precious metals in unlikely places, hoping to plough junk into gold.

"I feel blessed that all of this has happened," he said. "The support I've had over the by twelvemonth when people realized I didn't piece of work at the pawn shop anymore has simply been overwhelming."

"Meltdown" premiered Oct. 31, with the channel ordering 12 episodes right off the bat.

"That's huge," Pyle said, calculation that most shows initially are picked up for two or iii episodes.

"Either they thought it was a great idea or they're only gambling on a new way to become about their network," he said. "Reality Television set is a newer thing for National Geographic.

Despite much travel to L.A., Pyle said he doesn't plan to become a permanent Due west Declension resident.

"Since the ambulation of the new show, I've been going back and forth a lot," he said. "When I exit in that location, I normally stay a while, but I'm still a Downriver boy and I always will be."

The new show finds Pyle combing the country for precious metals in some very unexpected — and remote — places.

"When I wake up every forenoon to follow the leads I've been putting together, I never really know where they're going to pb me," he said. "Information technology'south not like I'grand stuck in i building anymore; it's almost similar existence a detective of sorts."

The near contempo episode, "Fix to Rock-It," which aired Thursday, sent him hunting for old rocket parts in the middle of a desert.

"One mean solar day I actually spent 16 1/2 hours in the Mojave Desert," he said. "Now I know how people die in the desert."

He visited a rocket launch testing facility and was taken out to El Ranchito Rokete, abode to Waldo Stakes, who's intent on breaking the land speed record by putting a rocket engine into a car.

"He's a rocket scientist for existent," Pyle said. "When NASA tin can't figure something out, they call him."

His new role provides Pyle with a chance to use skills he developed during his 25 years in the pawn trade.

"Yous take to figure out your niche and strop it to the business' best involvement," he said. "Obviously, I've done a lot of negotiating. At present, one time I find who owns the product I'm looking for, I have to buy it from them and I'yard not in a edifice behind impenetrable glass and surrounded past guards anymore."

Researching items that came into the pawn shop also translates to his new task.

"I'thousand using the Internet and looking through books to observe where these products might be," he said. "It'southward not like you can accept an urban prospecting 101 grade; it'due south a day-to-day learning procedure."

That process is an educated guessing game, according to Pyle — whether it'south determining the worth or purity of an ounce of gilded or platinum, how much to invest in tools and equipment or how much to pay for what he wants.

"I'm getting to practise some of the coolest things that near people in the world volition never exist able to exercise," he said.

A drummer for more than two decades, Pyle is keeping decorated on the musical front, as well.

He plays drums with the band SuperLast, performing around the Detroit area with acts such as Kid Rock, The Beastie Boys, Ted Nugent and Clutch.

The group released its cocky-titled CD last year at the Magic Bag in Ferndale.

"I'one thousand e'er going to be working with the band," Pyle said. "It'southward a huge part of my life … and National Geographic has been great most working with my schedule."

SuperLast features lead vocalist Mike Azuri; Pyle on drums; John "Johnny Q" Quiroz on guitar and bankroll vocals; Tim Reamer on guitar, keyboards and mandolin; and Tim Downs on bass.

The group recently hired a visitor to rail its music on radio stations across the country, and plans a national tour adjacent year.

And Pyle has his paw in another new venture to boot — a new clothing company chosen RPM Gear with Darren Hamilton, possessor of Detroit Muscle.

"He'southward a proficient friend of mine and contacted me nearly a year ago most starting a clothing line," he said. "It's not something I ever really thought well-nigh, only it sounded not bad."

The idea for his own line eventually turned into an unabridged visitor.

"So many doors have opened upwards out of nowhere, and I give thanks God for that," he said. "My perspective is that I'm going to walk through every one of them."

"Meltdown" airs at 10 and x:30 p.1000. Thursdays on the National Geographic Channel.

Visit natgeotv.com for more information about the show.