Because Knoppmyth does what I want I am looking for a way to create a bootable cd that starts up Linux and then automatically starts an application (VMware)
My goal is to have a list of VMs that I can open. without having to logon to the linux GUI.
The trouble I am having is trying to figure out the right question to ask but this is closest I could get.
Any help would be appreciated.

Check knoppix.net, I believe there is a remaster that does what you want. Else, you can read the remastering docs.