It's All In The ’stache
How civic pride grew a mustache
November is a time for civic-minded men to participate in “Movember,” during which they grow mustaches for men’s health causes. But while this follicular fundraiser is a recent invention or even trend… it’s not the first time facial hair has served a public purpose in the USA. In the 19th century, American men grew November ‘staches to show support for something else: voting.
Charles G. Leland's Pipps Among the Wide Awakes (1860) was aimed at Republicans to persuade them to vote for Abraham Lincoln.
Because of the sex and age requirements for casting a ballot – ONLY men who were at least 21 yo could do so – voting was often seen as a rite of passage for a young man. Growing an impressive beard and/or a mustache before Election Day became a way for new voters to prove they were adults and not “beardless boys,” says historian Jon Grinspan, author of The Virgin Vote. An 1860 cartoon drawn to persuade these first-timers to support Abraham Lincoln showed a man getting ready to cast his first vote and admiring his own mustache, exclaiming, “The horns are coming out under my nose bigger ‘n a tumble-bug’s!”
Young men excited to vote would often match their mustaches by dressing up in their best clothes and then celebrating the event by getting drunk for the first time, since liquor flowed freely at the polls. Such rituals began to fade when secret ballots were introduced in the late 1800’s, making voting a solitary act. Many political scientists say the demise of voting as a community celebration contributed to decreasing turnout in the mid-20th century. Nonetheless, it’s clear: growing a mustache has long been about making a statement.
Before ‘Movember,’ Here's Why Men Grew Mustaches in November
Nowadays in November, one might see follicly capable men growing mustaches to show their support for men’s health causes, an annual event dubbed “Movember.” But in the mid-to-late 19th century, men had a different reason for growing out their mustaches in November: to show that they were old enough to vote.
These so-called “virgin voters” or “twenty-onesters” (so called for the voting age at the time, which was 21) would grow facial hair — or “facial foliage” as one Chicago newspaper put it in 1893 — to prove they were adults and not “beardless boys,” according to Jon Grinspan, Curator of Political History at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and author of the 2016 book The Virgin Vote: How Young Americans Made Democracy Social, Politics Personal, and Voting Popular in the Nineteenth Century.
The twenty-onesters made themselves easy to spot in a crowd by dressing to the nines, and by spending the lead-up to the election growing the most impressive beard or mustache they could. Take, for instance, the above cartoon from Pipps among the Wide Awakes by folklorist Charles G. Leland, written in 1860 to persuade first-time voters to support Abraham Lincoln: “Mr. Pipps, having arrived at the age of 21, desires to cast his virgin vote at the coming Election. ‘No use talking—by Jove, the horns are coming out under my nose bigger’n a tumble-bug’s!'” The Dec. 11, 1876, issue of the Milwaukee Daily Sentinel described the phenomenon of the “young man who deposited his maiden vote” after spending the whole morning primping so that he could cast his vote “with dignity and impressiveness.” And, at a time when it took so long to get to the polling place that Election Day was treated like a holiday, these “virgin voters” might also take advantage of the occasion to get drunk for the first time.
The significance of this hirsute ritual is two-fold, according to Grinspan. On the one hand, the visible signal that a young man would be able to vote made voting a “cultural touchstone” that all could see, something that was exciting and meaningful particularly at a time when voter motivation was generally high. (A record percentage of voters turned out in 1876.) On the other hand, he argues that the mustache could also serve as a reminder that “this is a world where not everyone gets to vote,” a signal of who was in and who was out. “By growing a mustache,” Grinspan says, “he’s saying to his sister or mother or African Americans, ‘I’m a citizen you’re not’ — separating people who were considered full citizens and people denied that right.”
The connection between political manliness and facial hair didn’t stop there either, as partisans might slam candidates considered young and inexperienced as men “with a scarce bit of down to shade their chin,” as one Philadelphia magazine wrote.
And the political benefits of a beard didn’t stop there: according to Lincoln lore, one of the most important pieces of campaign advice that Abraham Lincoln ever took—and from an 11-year-old girl—was to grow a beard.
It's all in the 'stache
How does one go about becoming a top finisher in a beard and mustache competition? Suburb(s) of Orlando, Fla., Winter Park & sometime Garden resident John Silva, tells how he did it.
John Silva is used to people walking up to him, asking questions and wanting to take a selfie with him, as a random person. That happens frequently when one sports an 18-inch-long beard and a mustache that measures 20 or 21 inches from one tip to the other.
While in a Hilton Downtown Brooklyn, NYC, he was invited to attend his first beard & 'stache convention, by a promoter since he oblivious was eligible.
The Winter Park/ Garden resident received plenty of attention recently when he traveled to Houston / Austin, Texas, area for a competition dedicated to the art of facial hair. He and his lengthy natural beard, coupled with a sculpted mustache, came in first place in the Full Beard Styled Moustache category of the 2017 World Beard and Moustache Championships.
There were approximately 41 competitors in this category. His winning prizes included a cash prize, plaque, ribbon, handmade knife and belt buckle. A total of about 728 bearded and mustachioed participants entered this year’s contest.
PREPARING FOR JUDGMENT DAY
The rules are specific in this competition, and judges are looking at the smallest of details, sometimes checking closely for split ends or measuring to make sure the contestant qualifies for the category.
Overall, density, color and shape play a big role, Silva said.
“Some colors are more rare; mine is one of them,” he said. “Whenever I see someone with this same color, we have to get a photo together.”
Judges also are looking at how well a beard looks on the person. Does it detract from your look or enhance it? In the Full Beard & Styled Moustache category, Silva’s beard — which he started growing circa, four-and-one-half years ago — had to be natural with no added products such as hairspray or wax.
To prepare for the competition, Silva typically starts about two weeks prior.
“I would use like beard balms that have some conditioning stuff in it, and I keep it braided so I don’t mess with it too much, come it to distribute any natural oils ( sometimes add 'stache oil, if it gets to dry and brittle )” he said. “I don’t really practice the style beforehand. Usually a few days beforehand … I let it get as natural as it will, on it's own.
“The night before the competition, I will wash it with an organic shampoo,” he said. “They make shampoos that are specific for beards and mustaches. Regular shampoos damage the beard.”
The day of the competition, Silva applies the 'stache bees wax. It takes about an hour to shape the mustache into the perfect curl, something he has done for contests for the last three to four years. There has to be enough product in the mustache to make it stay in place all day.
“In that category, it’s all about symmetry,” he said. “The way the brim of the top hat folds is the same way the mustache curls.”
Once Silva walks out on the stage, he has just a few seconds to do something in front of the crowd before going before the judges.
“I'll take my top hat off, bow and shake my beard,” he said. “And I can wiggle my mustache. I just kind of go out, and here I am." Call me Mr. Wiggles...
In the beard competitions, contestants can wear what they want. Some dress up, others wear costumes. Silva’s props are minimal; he likes to let his mustache and beard do the talking. He appears in a top hat, black - grey stripped pants with suspenders and coat with several unique rings on his fingers, including one that once belonged to his grandfather.
For his next competition, Silva, 66, wants to mix it up a little and enter a freestyle category. But that will be at least two years from now. He will hold his world title for the next 24 months. In the meantime, he will stay busy judging competitions.
“It’s fun to judge,” he said. “It's a little nerve-wracking because … there are so many good ones. And it’s such a close community that everyone becomes close friends. You can't be biased, you know.”
To be asked to judge a contest is a big honor because it means you are respected, Silva said. “We’re looked on like celebrity judges.”
15 champs' beards on full display
HIS OTHER GIGS
When Silva isn’t grooming his facial hair or traveling to another competition, he is tending bar part time at Cheers the Bull, Finch & Bush pub in Orlando’s Milk District. He also works at The Chocolate Factory - The Eatery, Drinkery & Confectionery at City Walk that takes you back to the 1890s in costume .and/or. Sells 'stache care products at the Farmers Market, Downtown Orlando at Lake Eola on the weekends - like Sunday. If NOT him, one of his odd friends is filling in for him, while he is out traveling ans attending contests and competition. And he blogs as well at blogspot.com
He’s also working on getting his band back together. In 1970s, he, some friends and his brother, Tony, started The Lonesome City Travelers, King 'o The Roads at least a two-piece acoustical duo which grew into an electric band whose songs concentrated on traveling and relationships. Through the years, as mentioned they added a few more band members, worked on their old-country bluegrass-with-modern-influences music, crossed over to rock 'n roll -- self-released an album and toured.
After a hiatus, the group, now a six-piece band, is working on new music and changing its name to reflect its new style. They hope to settle on a name and play their first gig early next month.
“We wanted to grow with our sound, look and style of playing,” Silva said. “We’re more like The Band, mixed with some more ambient stuff like Pink Floyd, Grand Funk & 10 Years After. This is something that we think will be a really good live show.”
Silva is currently talking to the owner of Willies’s Pub somewhere on Mills Avenue about his establishment debuting the new band.
CHOOSE A CATEGORY
There is a variety of judging categories in the World Beard and Moustache Championships:
• Moustache — Natural, Dali, English, Imperial and Hungarian
• Partial Beard — Musketeer, Imperial Beard, Fu Manchu, Alaskan Whaler, Natural Sideburns and Natural Goatee
• Full Beard — Verdi, Garibaldi, Full Beard Styled Moustache and Full Beard (in four different length categories ranging from .1 cm to more than 60 cm)
• Freestyle — Moustache, Cheekbeard (Bakenbart), Sideburns, Partial Beard and Full Beard
• Craft/Fantasy (women’s category) — Realistic Moustache, Creative Moustache, Realistic Beard and Creative Beard
JOHN’S CHOICE, as Illustrated
Full Beard Styled Moustache
The mustache is distinct from the beard but may not include hair growing from more than 1.5 cm past the corner of the mouth. The mustache may be styled as in the Dali, English, Hungarian and Imperial moustache categories. The beard appears as it grows and left natural; the more natural the better. Styling aids are permitted on the mustache but not the beard.
The Interview
I was experiencing a rare bit of downtime when he phoned into The Magazine: MentalFloss for a Last Word interview in late October 2017. The Band just postponed their remaining 2017 dates while bassist Rusty Gill dealt with what a press released called a "tummy ailment," and Gibbons Guitarist had yet to begin his current solo tour. That gave him plenty of time to reflect on his long life and share some wisdom as he barreled down the highway on his way to a recording session in Nashville. "This was an unexpected treat," he said at the end of the hour-long conversation. "Thank you for giving me something to think about on this ride."
What's the best advice you ever received?
B.B. King laid quite a simplistic statement on me: Learn to play what you want to hear. When you're trying to learn an instrument, chances are you find yourself at the feet of a teacher who may have an idea of what you should learn. But if you learn to play what you want to hear in your head, you are steps ahead.
What do you do to relax?
I have had the good fortune to be invited into the secret world of Jimmy Shine, a California hot-rodder who really knows which way is up. He lets me tiptoe into the garage and pick up a wrench and a torch once in a while.
What's your favorite city in the world?
Las Vegas. One of my favorite houses is located there. I'm on musicians' hours, and Vegas rolls 24/7. Also, everything is square, nothing is round in Las Vegas. When you live this kind of uncertain life from being on the road, you don't like sitting in chairs with a round arm. You like sitting in a nice square chair because it has identifiable corners.
Do you gamble?
Oh, yeah. We throw them bones. We like to step up to the craps table and look for that 7/11.
What was your favorite book as a child, and what does it say about you?
Junior's Fun to Draw. I think it was originally published in 1944, and if you're lucky, you can find one on eBay. That book taught the left hand to watch the right hand. It teaches you how to draw page by page. It starts out with circles and squares and ovals, and then you put them together. Very informative.
What's your favorite book of all time?
It's a surreal book by Haruki Murakami called Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. I find myself rereading it every couple of years. Definitely a bit on the creepy side. It's effective in dragging you out of incessant thinking, because the creative mind, it will not leave you alone. There's a great saying: "For the artistically inclined, just remember you don't have to swing at every pitch."
What's your favorite movie of all time?
The Passenger with Jack Nicholson and Maria Schneider. I am a big fan of Michelangelo Antonioni, the director, and this is one of those disturbingly quiet type films, but it is really thought-provoking. It's very soothing and it was shot in the deserts of North Africa. It has all these elements of intrigue that has the quiet feeling.
What's the most indulgent purchase you've ever made?
I bought a Cadillac Eldorado convertible with my first royalty check. Triple white. This fascination with cars, old, new and everything in between, started with that really indulgent purchase.
Gene Simmons says rock-n-roll is dead. Do you think it is?
Maybe in his head. In my head it's still quite a robust way to express yourself. You can really let go of the stress, which is really healthy.
Do you like hip-hop?
I quite like it. That's a great thing about growing up and hanging out in Houston. The hip-hop and rock scene was something that we really enjoyed. We would run into the hip-hop guys at Digital Services Recording. They wanted to know how to play the guitar, and all us rock guys wanted to know how to create those crazy backbeats. It was a nice exchange.
You, almost toured with Jimi Hendrix when you were young. What did you learn from him?
He was a real technical wizard. He was inventing things to do with the Stratocaster guitar I am confident the designers had no clue would unfold in later years. Jimi had the talent to make that work for him. there will never be another like, given his skills and talent. He's a genius man. His technique was very peculiar in that he was playing a right-handed guitar in a left-handed style, upside down. To look at it and try to figure out what he was doing was very daunting. But we got to share opposing hotel rooms always at the end of the hall and the doors were always open. He had a record player delivered each and every afternoon, and he would motion to me, "Come on over here. Lets see if we can figure this out." And we wound up listening to Jeff Beck trying to figure things out. I said, "Jimi, chances are that Jeff Beck is sitting there listening to you saying the same thing. 'How do we do this?'"
Everyone always talks about the negative aspects of the collapse of the recording industry. What are the positive aspects?
It's now up to the individual to invent the kind of business offer that he thinks will work. You no longer are you slave labor to someone else’s wishes. I think it's a glorious awakening to know you have the opportunity to step up and control your destiny.
Do you think if you started today you guys would still make it?
If we embraced that same youthful enthusiasm that brought us together in the first place, it might just might well work. We threw caution to the wind and jumped into it with both feet, but all we wanted was to make loud noises, get free beer and chase the girls after the show.
You didn't get married until 2005. Why did you wait so long?
I could have gone down the aisle a number of times, but I came to the conclusion that this life is too short and you got to do everything you can while you can. I finally said, "OK, let's try it out." It's been a splendid thing.
How would you rate Trump as a president?
It's a hard job to fulfill. You got to let the guy who holds that place do the best they can. And it's a topsy-turvry position. It's very challenging no matter who is in the chair. But I don't mind the guy. I mean, I have never been politically motivated one direction or the other. I am glad I don't have to do it as I said it's a challenge that really quite a great bit of fortitude and stamina. We will see. Frankly I don't care. Just make sure we keep this country in a forward direction.
Do you have any thoughts on gun control in the wake of Las Vegas?
That was a tragic example of just some total insanity. It's very difficult to predict, I don't know if it's so much control of guns as it might be control of idiots. It's a challenging topic that really demands some insightfulness. Can we learn from an event like that unfolding? I don't know anything more than I think we should remain vigilant and carry on and enjoy the world. We are really not sure who controlling the design over all of this thing we call life.
Have you ever been tempted to shave your beard?
Years ago, we were approached with a rather sizable sum to take a razor to the chin whiskers. We thought about it for a second. But we're not sure what's exactly under here, so we perhaps wisely passed. What was once a very peculiar physical appearance seems to have become a trend, which makes it a little more easy to walk down the street. In the past, we were taken for either an escapee from a Western movie or some kind of religious nut.
You drink beer through a straw to avoid getting suds in your beard. What else does the beard force you to do? The one constant question is, "Is the beard under the covers or over the covers?" I guess that depends on the weather. If you take to sporting famous chin whiskers, keep in mind it goes where you go. It's always important to keep your eye on the grooming shelf, make sure you bring along plenty of conditioner.
I've read that you sleep on the floor of hotel rooms rather than the bed. What's up with that? These days, they make these mattresses so soft and squishy, and it can be a bit unnerving if you are looking for something trustable. Throwing a pallet on the floor for me is just that. I make sure to make friends with housekeeping. They find it unusual that I ask for half a dozen extra comforters and half a dozen extra pillows and a blanket on top.
How does your wife feel about this?
She finally gave up. I mean, she will come down to what I call the picnic zone. And she says, "Oh, it's sleepy-sleepy time. I have to get the biscuit." So we got a good thing going on. If she needs a little attention, a little loving, I will crawl up and snuggle up. Gotta do that.
To wrap up, do you still want to be in Jammin' at age 80? Well, yeah, I could do it. We are smack dab in the middle of a technological breakthrough that is making life extension quite a bit of the day-to-day norm. I read a prediction the real fireworks get underway about the 366 day cycle starting in the year 2024, in which 10-to-the-75-power seconds at the conclusion of that cycle will reveal scientific breakthroughs comparable to the creation of language or the experience of life itself. And then the last 10-to-the-75-power seconds of those seconds will reveal all that is knowable, but is unknown. That is quite a mouthful. It's only seven years away, so let's go for it.
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