Hirsute Pogonologist

Moving On

2010-08-09T23:28:00.000-04:00

I'm retiring this blog. It's been a good run. I'm still into bearding, but it has run its course as a hobby. I've merged this blog into my personal blog Toxic Shock Syndrome. To all my bearded brethren I say let it grow. Shock has left the building.

The Big Surprise

2010-07-01T23:40:00.002-04:00

Originally uploaded by chronic-shock

I promised a big surprise when I got back from the Nats. Well, if you take a gander at the pic, the surprise is obvious. I shaved off the beard. It's bittersweet. I loved the beard and the wife doesn't. Nuff said.

Beard bingo!

2010-06-16T20:52:00.002-04:00

While in Bend, OR for the Nats, I picked up the local paper and saw a new game, Beard bingo!

A Hair Raising Experience

2010-06-10T23:06:00.003-04:00

in costume
Originally uploaded by chronic-shock

Wow. Where do I start? The first ever National Beard and Moustache Championships in Bend, OR was awesome. I had a blast. I meet many new bearded brethren with whom I partied my ass off. We all felt like rock stars for a weekend. There was so many people taking pictures and lots of press coverage. OregonLive.com was there, Demotix was there, even the Los Angeles Times was there. There are of course YouTube videos. I'm quoted and featured in a video called Bearded In Bend from the local ABC affiliate station KOHD. I even got my picture in the LA Times. My pics of the event are on Flickr and Facebook. Visit the BTUSA website and Facebook for lots more pics and videos of the event. We even went for a Guinness Book of World Records record for the most bearded people in one place. My traveling companion, two time world sideburns champion and one of the coolest dudes I know, Toot Joslin, won the partial beard category. He also held a grooming clinic. Here's the competitions full results. Bearded badass Jack Passion emceed.

The day before the competition was activity day. I choose the Central Oregon Microbrew Pub Tour. Our tour guide, Amanda Gow from Specialized Meetings and Events wrote in an email "I wanted to extend a huge THANK YOU to all of the tour participants for making today's tour the best one I have ever been on." We were a rowdy bunch. We visited McMenamins Old St. Francis School, Cascade Lakes Brewery and Deschutes Brewery.

The weekend was bookended by my whirlwind tour of the Pacific Northwest, from Reno to Bend and back again!

The Nats are here!

2010-06-02T21:56:00.002-04:00

Originally uploaded by chronic-shock

I'm heading out to the Nats tomorrow. Fifteen months of not shaving culminates into the biggest bearding event of the year. I'm giddy with anticipation. I'm tingling in my nether regions. I'm competing in the full beard category. Check me out in all my curly, fuzzy glory. I'll post all the pics and videos of the event and my misadventures in Bend, OR here on the beard blog. I'm also making a pit stop on my way home to visit my kid bro in Lake Tahoe. When I get back home, I've got a big surprise for everyone!

Less Than a Month Until the Nats!

2010-05-13T09:36:00.003-04:00

Here's the latest BTUSA news:

Magnificent Specimens

Saturday was the opening of "Magnificent Specimens," Dave Mead's exhibit of photos from the WBMC last year in Alaska. The exhibit is at the Chelsea Market in New York City. It will run there through June. There was a strong BTUSA presence at the opening, including a film crew from LA. Details on the exhibit here: http://davemead.com/ magnificent/ Check it out if you can!

Springfield Beard and Moustache Contest

Memorial Day Weekend will see the final, final warm-up event for the Nationals -- the Springfield Beard and Moustache Contest. It's at the Patton Alley Pub on Saturday night, May 29. Organizer Christy Claybaker has promised a great time for anyone with or without a beard. Brighton- and Anchorage-vet Devin Cara and Christy's husband Clay, both of whom will be competing in Bend, will serve as judges. Proceeds go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. See http://www.facebook.com/#!/ event.php?eid=115300261835815& ref=mf Which Springfield? Not the Simpsons' one. This one is in Missouri, Missouruh to some.

Burke Kenny to Judge

And now, announcing another celebrity judge! FBSM former world champ (many say he should be the current world champ) Burke Kenny will be on the judges' panel in Bend. "Beards should judge beards," says Burke. Also it looks like Burke's band, As the Devil Dances, will have their gig in Bend on Friday night, not Thursday as previously planned. This will be at the big welcoming party at the Old Stone Church to which everyone is of course invited.

Judge Applicants

We have several applications for others who want to judge. Go to beardteamusa.org, check them out, and let your opinions be known!

Posters

If you'd like to print out some of the posters for yourself, the full resolution images are available http://beardteamusa.org/nationals/posters-and-logos.

Nametags

Finally, a reminder: If you want a super-cool Beard Team USA name tag to show off in Bend, you need to Paypal me $5 by this Saturday, May 15 at the latest. Let me know how you want your name and hometown to read

Twitter and Facebook

Beard Team USA now has a much more active presence on both Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to become a fan/follower to keep up on last minute preparations for Bend. Also be sure to keep the rest of us posted on your own plans. Twitter.com/beardteamusa and facebook.com/beardteamusa.

See you soon,

Phil Olsen
Founder and self-appointed Captain
Beard Team USA

==============================

I'll be in NYC in June visiting my sister and bro-in-law. We're going to see the "Magnificent Specimens" exhibit. With Burke Kenny judging and Jack Passion MCing, two championship beards are not competing in the Nats, opening the floor for some new blood to be crowned champion. -Shock

Carstache™ | Glorious mustaches for cars and trucks

2010-04-30T18:39:00.000-04:00

I randomly came across the Carstache™ Car Mustaches website in an email. Here's the Carstache story:

Carstache™ is the global leader in automotive facial hair, delivering the industry’s most luxurious in car mustaches.

We made Carstache™ purely because we think it’s funny and it makes people smile. No other reason. When people see a Carstache™ on the streets they laugh, wave, thumbs-up, fist pump, gun flex, wink wink, kiss kiss, you name it.

Some of you will rock Carstaches on a day to day basis, and for that you are awesome. For most, though, the Carstache™ is a sensational flare piece for events and special occasions like tailgates, birthdays, bachelor parties, Bar Mitzvah’s, Father’s Day, weddings, Halloween, Cinco-de-Mustache, etc… When you drive into a tailgate with a Carstache™ you get free beer, hot dogs, and high fives.

From the Hills of Hollywood to the Plains of Panama to the Alps of Awesometown, let it be known that the Carstache™ has arrived. Your car grille has been naked until now. It’s time to ‘stache up and feel the power!

Carstache™ car mustaches became available for retail purchase on April 12th, 2010. Carstache LLC is located in San Francisco, CA, and each Carstache™ is made right here in the USA.

Awesome is as awesome does…

~ Ethan at Carstache™

They come in classic black, firestache orange, legendary blond, so hot pink and wisdom gray. Check out the pictures that illustrates how cool these things are. If I had a car, I'd definitely get a Carstache.

The Trustworthiness of Beards

2010-04-23T22:38:00.000-04:00

My friend Euro Rob shared this Trustworthiness of Beards chart:

It's hard to classify me. I have a full beard, which would make me trustworthy. My beard could be considered unkempt a.k.a. "homeless" which puts me in the threatening category. I'm quite hairy and could be considered a werewolf, which is dangerous. I like it that I can't be classified.

Here Comes the Judge

2010-04-21T23:23:00.000-04:00

BTUSA is soliciting online video applications from beard fans to serve as potential judges at the Nationals. Of course, judges must be unbiased, demonstrate outstanding moral character, and love facial hair. Anyone who wants to be a judge can submit a video. See http://beardteamusa.org/ events/want-to-be-a-judge/ Any nudity should be tasteful.

Who You Calling a Hipster?

2010-04-20T23:24:00.001-04:00

This article from The Daily Texan makes a case for facial hair's comeback and growth (pun intended) into prominence.

Two More Nats Judges Announced

2010-04-16T23:30:00.002-04:00

I bet she waxes her mustache

First it was announced that the man with the world's longest beard would be a judge at the upcoming Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships. Now two more celebrity judges have been named - CC Barber, Miss Oregon 2009 and Captain Hairy Lewis from Deadliest Catch. I'm not sure what qualifies Miss Barber to be a judge, but when your hot and are awarded for it, who cares? This is turning out to be one hell of an event.

look @ that sweet fu manchu

BTUSA News - World's Longest Beard

2010-04-06T21:29:00.001-04:00

There are two months to go until the $5000 Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships in Bend, Oregon!

I have HUGE news.

Have you ever wondered who has the world's longest beard? According to Guinness, it's Sarwan Singh of Surrey, B.C., Canada. Now, here is the HUGE news. Mr. Singh will be a judge at the Nats! Yes, as if the chance to win serious cash were not enough, you now have another reason to come to the Nats. For all the info you need and to register for this event, please go to beardteamusa.org right now. Don't forget to sign up for one of the activities on Friday, since they are first-come-first-serve and you don't want to be left out.

Mark your calendar for May 8. An exhibit of Dave Mead's photographs from the WBMC in Anchorage will be on display at the Chelsea Market in New York City from May 9 to June 30. The opening is at 9 pm on May 8. The exhibit features photos of 54 WBMC contestants including a large number from BTUSA. Learn more here.

If you have any questions, comments, ideas, etc. please reply to me atphil@worldbeardchampionships.com Also stop by beardteamusa.org and leave some comments. I want to hear from you!

See you in Bend!

Phil Olsen
Founder and self-apppointed Captain
Beard Team USA

P.O. Box 800, Tahoe City, CA 96145 USA

My profile on the Beard Team USA Blog

2010-03-27T00:28:00.000-04:00

My profile was just posted on the Beard Team USA blog.

Beard Team USA Nationals News and Updates

2010-03-25T00:52:00.005-04:00

BTUSA 2010 Nationals Logo

To All Members and Fans of Beard Team USA,

Plans for the $5000 BTUSA National Beard and Moustache Championships in Bend, Oregon on June 5 are well underway.

Huge Announcement

Online registration for the Nationals is now available! Just go to http://beardteamusa.org/nationals for everything you need to know. Registration for competitors is $40, which gets you into the competition, two chances to win $1000 (one for winning your category and another in the drawing), and free beer during the event.

Before you register, be sure to check out the options available for activities on Friday, June 4. When you register, you can sign up for a choice of mountain biking, brewery hopping, canoeing, cave exploring, or rafting. All of the activities have limited availability so be sure to sign up soon. Click here for more information about the activities.

Also, note that there are three choices for lodging. The upscale Mt. Bachelor Village Resort offer rooms and condos for a range for prices. Most people will stay at the mid-range Phoenix Inn, which is offering suites to our group for a rate of $109 per night. The budget option is at the Super 8 Motel with rooms for about $70.

If you stay at the Mt. Bachelor Village or at the Super 8, you will probably want to have a car. If you are at the Phoenix Inn, you won't need one, since the Phoenix Inn is right downtown.

Another Huge Announcement

Two-time World Beard Champion (Full Beard Natural) and noted beard book author Jack Passion will not be competing. Jack is going to step aside and give others with full beards a shot at the $1000. Instead, he will be the onstage host of the competition.

Be sure to check beardteamusa.org for the latest information.

See you in Bend!

Phil Olsen
Founder and Self-Appointed Captain
Beard Team USA

========================

I'll be traveling with two time sideburns winner Toot Joslin. I chose the Central Oregon Microbrew Pub Tour as my Friday activity. Bend is home to some of the finest award winning microbreweries in the Pacific Northwest. Guests on this excursion will sample some of the finest brews in Oregon. Stops on the tour will include a tour and a tasting at McMenamins Old St. Francis School, followed by appetizers and pints at Cascade Lakes Brewery and a final tasting at Deschutes Brewery. The tour includes transportation, tour guide, commemorative glass, entrance fees, beer tasting and appetizers. With Jack Passion not competing in the full beard category, I've now got a chance.

Happy Birthday beard

2010-03-13T13:25:00.005-05:00

DSC_1365.JPG
Originally uploaded by chronic-shock

My beard is a year old. One whole year of growth. When I set out to grow a beard, I didn't have any expectations of length or shape. I just let it grow. There are traces of red and grey amongst the dark brown curly hirsuted landscape. The wife and I give everything a name, yet I've never named my beard. If you've got any ideas let me know. The mustache became unruly and was impairing my eating, so I trimmed it a month or so ago. I get lots of compliments, mostly from men, but a couple women have praised the facial follicles. I'm continuing to grow the face rug for the National Beard and Mustache Championships which is being held June 5 in Bend, OR. After that, who knows? This is a pic of me and Fletch at a Texas winery. I believe he is reacting to finding wildlife living in my beard.

Beard Team USA News

2010-02-18T21:08:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

Wow! There is a lot of news!

Most importantly, Beard Team USA is undergoing major changes that affect all members. We are switching to a new email system for team newsletters. This means that, if you want to continue receiving BTUSA news by email, you must confirm your subscription. You will receive an email in the next few days with instructions on how to do so. If you do not confirm your subscription, this will be your last newsletter.

This change comes about because we have grown so big. We now have 1677 members and 56 local chapters, some of which are more active than others. With so many members, my computer just can't handle email blasts going out to all members. Also, I am sure many people are not receiving newsletters because their computers treat them as spam. The change should overcome these problems.

If you know of any team members who have not been receiving emails about BTUSA, please let them know they should go to www.beardteamusa.org and simply click on "subscribe."

Our websites (www.worldbeardchampionships.com and www.beardteamusa.org) are undergoing major changes as well. Both are now much more interactive. Everyone is encouraged to drop by and leave comments on any of the posts found on the site.

Also if you have sent me a picture and asked me to put it on the BTUSA site, but your picture has not appeared, I apologize. Until now the process of adding the pictures has been very tedious and I frankly have fallen way behind. Here is the good news -- at the new site you can upload your own picture and biographical information which will automatically be added to the site. BTUSA reserves the right to edit any content of course. Even if you pic is on the site, I would encourage you to put up a new pic and add or update you bio info.

Coming events:

With four months to go before the HUGE first ever $5000 Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships in Bend, Oregon, on June 5, there are several warm-up events you should know about.

February 13 -- Southeastern Regionals, Charleston, South Carolina, hosted by the Holy City Beard and Moustache Society. Welcoming party Friday night, Contestants and VIP Oyster Roast on Saturday, Competition Saturday night. Further info here: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=152898107&blogId=527608553

February 13 -- All American City Beard and Moustache Contest, Somerville, Massachusetts, organized by BTUSA member Todd Easton and the Somerville Arts Council. Time: 3 pm. Place: Precint, 70 Union Square, Somerville. For more info email Todd atgetyourbeardon@gmail.com.

February 19 -- Msiprint's Fourth Annual Beard and Moustache Competition, Austin, Texas. This is Misprint Magazine's gig, held with the cooperation of the Austin Facial Hair Society, a local chapter of Beard Team USA. This year's contest includes a six-month sprint category. In true Texas spirit, the AFHS is threatening to secede from BTUSA but for now they are still part of America's team. For info on the competition, see http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=280534273809

March 20 -- First Annual Philadelphia Beard and Moustache Competition, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A non-gendered, non-judgmental celebration of a love of all things bearded and moustachio'd! Competition will be in several categories, you can sign up at the door, with the judging by the audience, slam-style. Come share your facial hair, drink some local beard themed-homebrew, and meet the Philadelphia beard community! Location: Studio 34, 4522 Baltimore Avenue. Time: 8 pm. Suggested donation: $5. Contact Roo (werdnus@gmail.com; 540.588.4101) or Mica (mica.bt@gmail.com) with questions.

BEND, BEND, BEND!

Planning for Bend is well under way. Registration, info on lodging, info on other activities, etc. will be online as soon as key decisions are made. For now, here is the tentative plan and schedule. Keep in mind it is tentative:

Thursday, June 3 -- As the Devil Dances (featuring former FBSM world champ Burke Kenny) concludes its tour of the Northwest with a gig in Bend.

Friday, June 4 -- Mountain bike tour ending at the Deschutes Brewery for brewery tour, beer tasting, and the call to order of the Official Somewhat Annual Beard Team USA meeting. Meeting progresses to other breweries for consideration of agenda items.

Saturday, June 5 -- The Nats take place at the Les Schwab Amphitheater. $5000 on the line for America's best beards and moustaches.

Getting there:

The airport nearest to Bend is Redmond/Bend (RDM), served by United, Horizon, Allegiant, and Delta. For most people, it will be cheaper to fly into Portland. We will try to organize a charter bus from Portland to Bend, but many people will want to simply rent a car and drive. It's about 2.5 hours from Portland to Bend.

Hint: Allegiant Air offers non-stop flights between Las Vegas and Redmond for only $49.77 each way but only on Fridays and Sundays. There are always lots of cheap deals from pretty much anywhere to Las Vegas, especially on Southwest. The Friday flight to Redmond departs at 7 am. So you will have to spend a night in V*E*G*A*S on the way to the Nats, but that's not a bad idea anyway. If I were considering this option for myself, I would book right away atwww.allegiantair.com. My guess is the flight will be full of people headed to the Nats. You'll miss As the Devil Dances, unfortunately.

See you in Bend,

Phil Olsen

Founder and self-appointed captain

Beard Team USA

Hirsuted Valentine's Day Present

2010-02-14T22:16:00.001-05:00

For Valentine's Day, the wife got me a cool beard t-shirt from Chop Shop called "Dapper Men". It's everyman's guide to looking dapper on a t-shirt. 141 duds sporting a right gentlemanly combination of hair, beard or mustache with a good majority scoring with all three. The design is from HumanShapedRobot. Can you figure out all 141? Doubt it. If you want to see how well you did, here's the key.

Brand Shock Beard Wine

2010-01-22T00:10:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine sent me this picture with the note "didn't know you had done bearding modeling! ;)". I was young and needed the money. This sweet elixir made from fermented grapes is sold at Trader Joes. He replied "BTW - it was pretty good wine. Good job maintaining "Brand Shock" as a premium brand." To which I replied "When Joe called and asked if he could market "brand Shock" elixirs in his supermarkets, I said my wine is drank by the same demographic as Cristal. He ordered 10000 cases immediately." My friend, who started his career in marketing, then replied "Thats the plan - D&D - Dismiss & Distinguish Dismiss the competition and Distinguish your brand as the top. That is Marketing 101 and that is Brand Shock!" If you're interested, here's the details of "Dr. Jebediah Drinkwell's Meritage".

The Whole Family Is Getting In On the Act

2010-01-20T17:19:00.004-05:00

Our son's photographer, Photography By Marirosa, has a fun project this year. She's calling it the "Mustache Chronicles". She bought some ‘mustaches’ on a stick’ and all her 2010 clients will get to do a personal photo of themselves with one of them. She says "I want silliness, fun time and a bit of goofiness…at the end of 2010 I’m putting together a book about it!" I think the blonde mustache is a great contrast to my dark brown and red (and some grey) beard. My son looks good with a heavy 'stache. It suits him. I hope he grows up to be a great hirsute pogonologist.

Even Celebrities Are Getting Into the Act

2010-01-14T20:35:00.001-05:00

From People.com (the wife sent it to me -Editor): From Goatees to Full Facial Hair: Are Beards the New Leading Man�Must-Have? – Style News - StyleWatch - People.com

Your Soul Patch Ain’t Got Soul

2010-01-14T15:47:00.001-05:00

Before becoming a member of Beard Team USA, I wore a soul patch exclusively. It was facial calling card. Here's a repost of The Beard Coach's research into why it's called a 'soul patch'. I'm going with his recommendation and going to call it a 'jazz patch' from now on.

Your Soul Patch Ain’t Got Soul: "

Seriously… why is that little dab of hair called a soul patch anyway? I’ve just finished trying to research this and I can’t find any satifactory etymology of the phrase anywhere. Here’s what I have been able to gather:

“Soul Patch” was first included in the Miriam Webster dictionary in 1991
According to a source on the Wikipedia entry, jazz trumpeters of the 1950s and 1960s grew them for increased mouthpiece comfort.
Also according to Wikipedia, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, called the first soul patch he saw a “poor, frustrated beard.”

So my theory on the history of the soul patch goes like this. It was the height of the 1950s jazz movement. African-American jazz musicians were getting freaky and white counterculture ate it up. They felt so cool and progressive hanging out at the club and grooving on the new sounds that were being made up on the spot. In the midst of that jazz-induced euphoria, these kids noticed their idols wearing this little patch of hair under their bottom lip, not knowing what reason it served. In an effort to be as cool as the cats on the stage, the guys that were caught up in the scene grew out a little patch to match… and the soul patch was introduced to the non-musicians of America.

That still doesn’t explain why it’s called a “soul” patch. Soul music isn’t really an offspring of jazz. Instead, it grew from African-American gospel crossed with rhythm-and-blues (R&B). And while R&B and jazz can both claim the blues as a parent, it’s hard to detect any resemblance between the siblings. An audible connection is even less present between soul music and its uncle jazz. So, there’s just no soul in a soul patch. I’m going to start calling it a “jazz patch.” You should too.

Real soul music was made by guys with real beards. Evidence:

Marvin Gaye?

Barry White?

Isaac Hayes?

There you have it. There is simply no denying the soulfulness of the full beard. You may think that little spot of hair under your lip gives you soul, but I’m pretty sure that the ladies aren’t feeling it. You want to see a woman feel the effects of a full soul beard? Play “Let’s Get It On” at your next house party. I guarantee that at least one of the girls in attendance will swoon and start turning her mind toward certain things…

You want to look like you’re a lovin’ man? Fill in the rest of your beard around that “poor, frustrated” jazz patch.
"

The Beatles Moustache Index

2010-01-14T15:25:00.002-05:00

Reposted from Beard-Revue:

The Beatles Moustache Index: "

It’s not uncommon for me to look at photo of myself and instantly recognize when it was taken because of my facial hair. So too is it true that I see Beatles photos and know what year or recording session it was. The moustachery and bearding of a fellow is as much a clue as their surroundings or the suit they wear.

Thankfully, for folks out there with little bearing on the long-faced Beatles, there is at least this guide.

---

Beard posters make awesome gifts!"

Influential Beards Throughout History

2009-12-16T23:22:00.001-05:00

Influential Beards Throughout History
Originally uploaded by Inkspills & Bloodsprains

Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships

2009-12-01T22:02:00.000-05:00

To all members, fans, and friends of Beard Team USA:

The first ever Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships will take place on Saturday, May 36, 2010, in Bend, Oregon [I got the state right :0) -ed].

Bend was selected from over 25 communities, resorts, and hotels -- ranging from Las Vegas to Peoria -- submitting bids to host the championships. Bend has pledged full community support for this extraordinary event.

Located on the Deschutes River in Central Oregon, Bend offers fly-fishing, rafting, golf, canoeing, mountain biking, hiking, and possibly even late season skiing and snowboarding at nearby Mount Bachelor. Did I mention beer? Bend is the home of seven microbreweries including the famous Deschutes Brewery practically next door to the Les Schwab Amphitheater where the competiton will take place.

There will be competition in four separate categories designed to include everyone. The winner in each category will walk away with a cool $1000. So that everyone gets a shot at the cash, the fifth $1000 prize will go to a contestant selected at random.

Here are the categories:

1. Best moustache. Beards are allowed in this category but the contestants will be judged on their moustaches only;
2. Best partial beard. Includes goatees, van dykes, sideburns, musketeers, etc.;
3. Best full beard. Styling aids are permitted;
4. Freestyle. Anything goes. Anything. Be creative.

The date?? It's May 36. Purists will insist that it is actually June 5, but since I have been promising for months that the Nats will be in May, I am sticking with May 36 for now.

The championships will take place in conjunction with the 8th Annual Balloons over Bend hot air balloon festival.

Stay tuned for information on registration, lodging options, transportation from the airport in Portland, and everything else you will need to know.

For now all members of Beard Team USA are asked to:

1. Make plans to be in Bend on May 36;
2. Tell everyone they know about the BTUSA Nationals;
3. Keep growing their beards and moustaches for America.

Cheers,
Phil Olsen
Founder and self-appointed captain
Beard Team USA

Beard Team USA News

2009-11-27T16:55:00.001-05:00

Here's the Thanksgiving message from BTUSA's Founder and self-appointed Captain, Phil Olsen:

Hi Everyone,

Here is the latest from Beard Team USA.

Beard Team USA Nationals:

I am still waiting for confirmation of a few important details before I can announce the firm date and location of the first ever Beard Team USA Nationals. I should have confirmation in the next few days.

Meanwhile here is a hint. BEer. The community that has been selected has one brewery for every 11,500 residents. This may be the highest brewery-to-resident ratio in the known universe. I am hoping to hold the Official Beard Team USA Somewhat Annual General Meeting as a progressive meeting, starting at one brewery and then progressing through each brewery in town. Stay tuned.[Spoiler alert: the city with the most breweries is Portland, OR - editor]

Wanna be in the movies?

This summer Epic New Era Productions will be filming a film about beards. Epic needs beards to be in the pic. For more info, contact the Producer -- Joshua Trujillo, josh@eneflix.com, 218-839-9242.

BTUSA nationwide discount at Red Roof Inns:

All members of Beard Team USA are entitled to a 15% discount at any Red Roof Inn in the country! Just click here to book:

http://www.redroof.com/partners/beard-team-usa

Thanks to John Murray, National Account Executive for this generous offer!

Coming events:

Organizational meeting of the New England Chapter of Beard Team USA.
December 10, 2009, 8:00 p.m., Flat Top Johnny's, 1 Kendall Sq., Cambridge, Massachusetts. Everyone is invited. Just show up. For further info, please contact Matt Quierey (btusanewengland@gmail.com) or Kevin Smith (madeofmedal7727@gmail.com).

St. Croix Chapter Beard and Moustache Contest, Christiansted, Virgin Islands.
January 16, 2010 -- See http://www.bigbeards.com/scrapbook.htm#Events

Southeast Regionals, Charleston, South Carolina.
Valentine's Weekend, 2010, hosted by the Holy City Beard and Moustache Society. http://www.myspace.com/holycitybeardsociety

All-American City Beard and Moustache Contest, Somerville, Massachusetts.
February 13, 2010. For more info, contact Todd Easton (todd.easton.gmail.com).

Third Annual Misprint Beard Contest, Austin, Texas.
February 20, 2010 -- Hosted by the Austin Facial Hair Club. Special three-month and six-month sprint categories.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Phil Olsen
Founder and self-appointed Captain
Beard Team USA

Beard Interview: Michael from Beard Revue

2009-10-16T09:52:00.004-04:00

Most of the content of my beard blog comes from other beard blogs and Beard Team USA news, save for my beard progress photos. I'd like to welcome the newest member of the beard blog community, The Beard Coach. The Beard Coach recently interviewed the founder of my favorite beard blog, Beard Revue. I actually discovered The Beard Coach through Beard Revue. I like Beard Revue's perspective on all things beard. The interview is reposted below.

Beard Interview: Michael from Beard Revue: "

The next installment in my series of interviews with other Internet-using beard-loving people is with Michael from the popular site Beard Revue. His site is just bristling with beard goodness. First Thursday Beard Art is a highlight as well as some quite indisputable beard ratings.

The Beard Coach: What was your inspiration for diving into the world of beard blogging?

Michael: Beard Revue is the result of a convergence of three main interests: my unflagging admiration for beards, snobby indie hipster music and social media. My unflagging admiration for beards is self-explanatory.

The hipster music bit comes from my love of the assumed authority with which Pitchfork approaches its reporting and album reviews. Pitchfork is often divisive—a lot of folks hate their reviews. But I think they’re witty, and often way to serious about themselves for me not to laugh. (They recently rated every Beatle album on their arbitrary 0.0–10.0 scale. Was that necessary? No. Was it informative, amusing and incredibly pretentious? Yes.) And my interests in social media stems from my friend Joshua’s challenge to maintain a blog longer than three months. I did, and now it’s popular.

TBC: From what I can tell, Beard Revue is a pretty darn popular beard site. What kind of traffic are you getting?

Michael: Find out for yourself at alexa.com. (Editor’s note: Beard Revue has an Alexa rank of 735,874 as of today.)

TBC: Has Beard Revue panned out the way you had planned it? Or has the road taken some unforeseen twists?

Michael: No. It’s become more popular than I initially thought and the format has changed as my interests and goals have changed. In fact, I’ve recently partnered with a crack team of developers to see how Beard Revue can accommodate more user generated content. I can’t really say more than that, though.

TBC: Your beard poster is fantastic! Any other handcrafted beard art lying around the house?

Michael: Thanks! Probably the most rewarding thing from Beard Revue is the community of artists to whom I’ve been exposed. I love all the little things that beards and moustaches inspire (thus, First Thursday Beard Art). I love that tattoo trend—the one where you get a ’stache tat on the side of your index finger and hold it up over your lip. Sometimes it’s just some one with a Sharpie and not a tattoo. It’s benign and it makes me smile every time I see a photo of one.

And so then there’s everything else. I’m a print designer by trade. So I have beard posters, prints and even Jack Passion’s first book in my collection of all things beardy. And the library affords me the opportunity to bone up on some beardage from time to time. Who knew there was so much beardstuff out there?

TBC: What is your take on the state of the beard today?

Michael: Save for the Victorian era, same as it’s always been. The beard is for the fringes of society. The artists, intellectuals, vagrants and anyone who’s willing to wear the badge of being different. Recession and playoff beards are fleeting moments of solidarity, but don’t really mean much in the grand scheme of things.

TBC: Name your 3 favorite bearded people.

Michael: Abbey Road and All Things Must Pass era George Harrison takes the cake. I just saw Kyp Malone last week, so I’ll say him. And my father, of course.

TBC: Name the top 3 people you wish had a beard.

Michael: James Beard (that guy totally wasted his name). I’d love to see Barack Obama don a beard like Malone’s. And anyone I’ve ever met who said they would grow a beard but just weren’t capable of growing one.

TBC: Why do you think people enjoy beards?

Michael: They serve such a wide range of functions for the wearer and the viewer, it’d be difficult to pinpoint one thing. That little bit of rugged panache can go a long way. I like that they’re natural. Since they’re both manifestations of our mature states, this might be an apt analogy:

Beard : Naked Face :: Natural Breasts : Implants

TBC: Please briefly tell your favorite beard-related story.

Michael: People do some funny things for facial hair. I had a wicked awesome handlebar moustache for Moustache May which garnered a lot of attention. Some one photographed me for their scavenger hunt, a gentleman almost got hit by a car crossing the street just to say “hi, nice moustache” and BT Livermore gave me a complementary tin of Man’s Face Stuff moustache wax. My favorite compliment was when a sweet young lass called me a walking sex toy.

TBC: Much of my site is devoted to beard-growing motivation. What is your best advice for guys who are currently growing a beard?

Michael: Have fun with it.

Jack Passion redux: The Facial Hair Handbook

2009-10-05T11:42:00.001-04:00

Below is Beard Revue's review of the Facial Hair Handbook by Jack Passion. This is the book I left on a jumbo jet airliner to Albany, NY in early September. I hope Santa brings me another.

Jack Passion redux: The Facial Hair Handbook: "
Jack Passion is no stranger to Beard Revue. In fact, he lies somewhere between mascot and honorable diplomat of the world beard community, which is why it’s only too appropriate that he would one day serve as a docent into all things beardy.

The Facial Hair Handbook: Every Man’s Guide to Growing & Grooming Great Facial Hair, Passion’s first book, was released earlier this year.

The book is not about the history of facial hair nor its place in culture. Instead, Passion focuses on the context in which and how to wear facial hair. Simply stated in the introduction, “this book is for the man who is ready to look like one.”

The Facial Hair Handbook includes musings on the stumbling blocks of the metrosexual movement, instructions on how to get through the early stages of a baby beard and tips on which shampoos and conditioners to use. “In the throes of Passion, your hard work will pay off,” Passion advises.

Humorous gems are generously sprinkled throughout, like “sex is the rain dance of facial hair” and “every one of my beard hairs is an antenn to the bearded world.” A few Franklinesque aphorisms like “healthy man, healthy beard” and “if you’re going to wear it long, wear it strong” are also offered up from time to time, lending to the book’s incredibly endearing quality.

The Facial Hair Handbook is a perfect companion for both expert and novice pogonolgists. Whether you read it on a sunny afternoon in Walnut Creek or on a brisk day in Berlin, it is sure to make you smile. This book makes for a great, affordable gift for your favorite beardy.

So pick up a copy of The Facial Hair Handbook and then write to Jack Passion and tell him his book changed your life.

Take THAT Jack Passion! from sarah sporik

---
If you enjoy Beard Revue, please visit the site, post your comments and tell your friends. Thanks!

Sesame Street does ‘Moustache’ with Jonah Hill

2009-09-27T00:07:00.001-04:00

Sesame Street does ‘Moustache’ with Jonah Hill:

Elmo and Jonah Hill team up to briefly explain the wonders of the awesomely sweet moustache. Oh my gosh!

Sesame Street does ‘Beard’ with Edward Lear

2009-09-27T00:02:00.002-04:00

Sesame Street does ‘Beard’ with Edward Lear:

Here, we have an old-school Sesame Street animation for b-for-beard featuring a limerick by Edward Lear.

There Was an Old Man with a Beard

There was an old man with a beard,
who said, ‘Alas, it is just as I feared! —
Four larks and a wren, two owls and a hen,
Have all built their nests in my beard!

—Edward Lear

Fletch and Furry Daddy

2009-09-24T22:57:00.003-04:00

64/365: Fletch and Daddy
Originally uploaded by chronic-shock

I thought this would be a great beard progress pic. It's just me and my son chillin' on the couch. Check out how huge my face fur is. Damn! Seeing my beard in a different medium rather than the regular looks in the mirror really puts it in perspective. I might have competition worthy facial hair. A couple months back I bought The Facial Hair Handbook by fellow BTUSA member and world champion Jack Passion in preparation for my next beard competition. I didn't get very far into reading it before leaving it in the seat pocket on a plane during a flight to Albany, NY a few weeks back. I've asked Santa for another copy.

BYU WTF?

2009-09-12T16:21:00.001-04:00

If you know me, you know I grew up a Mormon (a.k.a. LDS). Why am I bringing this up on my beard blog? Well, because I found an interesting post on Beard Revue-you can't have a beard at BYU! Under the Dress and Grooming Standards section, the Bringham Young University honor code clearly states: “Men are expected to be clean shaven; beards are not acceptable.” That's totally bogus. Beard Revue suspects this code is in reaction to rise of the counter culture movement in the US and the rise of popularity of long hair and beards in the 1960s.

Still, if you’re a Cougar, there is the option of a beard waiver. You must “visit a BYU Student Health Center doctor by appointment. The doctor will fax his recommendation. The student then needs to come to the Honor Code Office to fill out some paperwork and receive the letter allowing the growth of the beard, if approved. If a yearly beard waiver is granted, a new Student ID will be issued after the beard has been fully grown, and must be renewed every year by repeating the process.”

Ironically, many of the early LDS leaders had beards. Even the man the school is named after was adored with facial folicles. See the links below for pics of the hirsuted Mormon brethren.

Brigham Young: http://tinyurl.com/qgt9rc
John Taylor: http://tinyurl.com/r6nx3s
Lorenzo Snow: http://tinyurl.com/qtqztn

A future Shock beardsman

2009-07-22T19:16:00.002-04:00

First bath at home
Originally uploaded by chronic-shock

It's been awhile since I've posted. But I have a very good reason-my son Fletch was born on June 28! Fletcher "Fletch" Owen was 7lbs 15oz and 21" long. I hope he becomes a competitive beard grower just like his dad. I just hope he didn't inherit the weakass Shock moustache. The pic is Fletch's first bath at home. I've been growing the fur on my face since mid-March. More pics of Fletch. Follow Fletch's saga.

BTUSA...On A Boat!

2009-06-16T22:46:00.006-04:00

This is a video of 85 members of BTUSA on their cruise to Alaska to the WBMC.

Video is rated R for language and excessive facial hair.

More Grooming

2009-06-13T10:17:00.003-04:00

Back in April, I did some blog "grooming". Now it's time for a whole new look. It's a beard friendly redesign. The new layout really helps to accentuate the theme of this blog. You can find a blog layout for almost any theme. Tell me what you think.

Beard Team USA News

2009-06-06T11:10:00.004-04:00

Here's the latest from BTUSA's founder and self-appointed captain, Phil Olsen:

Report from Anchorage:

Wow! America is the new world superpower in international bearding, thanks to Beard Team USA! For the first time in history, Germany failed to dominate the World Beard Beard and Moustache Championships held in Anchorage on May 23. BTUSA members succeeded in capturing 19 trophies including 10 world championships.

What a great time we had in Anchorage! If you were there, thanks for coming and participating. If you weren't there, we missed you. If you won a trophy, congratulations. If you didn't win a trohpy, I am sure you will agree that you won just by being there.

As you can imagine, our membership numbers have soared in the wake of the WBMC in Anchorage. America's team now has over 1200 proud members growing beards for America.

Splitting Hairs:

Splitting Hairs, the documentary film about the world championships in Berlin in 2005, has been accepted for showing at the prestigious Silverdocs film festival in Silver Spring, Maryland (Just outside Washington, D.C.) on June 18. After the screening, I will be presiding over a fun beard contest (three categories -- moustache, partial, and full) for the entertainment of those at the screening. Any members who can make it should plan on being there. Email me if you are considering coming. Check out www.silverdocs.com. [I'm gonna try and attend the screening; it depends on Shock Jr.'s status -Shock]

Beard Team USA Nationals:

Plans are under way for the Beard Team USA Nationals next May. Possible locations include Las Vegas, Austin, San Francisco, and New York. Plan on being there! [I do plan to attend! -Shock]

WBMA:
I still have not heard from the WBMA about our proposal to allow the participants in the WBMC to vote on association matters. I will keep you posted.

Cheers
Phil Olsen
Founder and self-appointed captain
Beard Team USA

Beard & Moustache Poetry

2009-06-06T10:51:00.005-04:00

Some dudes were shooting video outside the NYCBMC event. The volunteer participants read poetry related to beards and mustaches. I was one of them. My reading didn't make the final cut of the three minute video, Behold This Swarthy Face. It only took three months for them to finish the project, which is a blistering pace of one minute per month. But it is in HD.

Behold This Swarthy Face from Room5Films on Vimeo.

Final Results - 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships, Anchorage, Alaska

2009-05-28T20:05:00.006-04:00

http://www.akbeardclub.com/resultsworldbear.html. I should have been there. WBMC 2011 here I come! Other coverage:

National Beard Registry

2009-05-10T15:21:00.001-04:00

My beard has been officially registered on the National Beard Registry. The National Beard Registry has been established to encourage men in all walks of life, from every continent, to resist conformity, corporate culture, and androgyny by embracing the beautiful, unique and utterly personal habit of growing a full beard. If pictures weren't enough, now my beard is official. #7043.

A Clockwork Orange

2009-05-04T22:53:00.003-04:00

Mr Orange
Originally uploaded by chronic-shock

Coordinating my shades with my shirt. That's how I roll. Check out the "new" beard. Goes with the outfit.

Grooming

2009-04-18T18:09:00.003-04:00

The blog was getting a little scruffy. It was grooming time. I've removed some gadgets, rearranged some gadgets and renamed some gadgets. Refreshing!

Time/CNN Cover the NYCBMC

2009-03-28T20:15:00.004-04:00

Time/CNN sent a reporter to the NYCBMC. Check out the clip. I have a small, but significant, speaking part in the video.

Beardzzz Breakdown of the NYCBMC

2009-03-23T20:52:00.003-04:00

http://nycbeardmoustachechamps.blogspot.com/2009/03/beardzzz-breakdown-of-314-nycbmc.html

Thanks Beardzzz for a great party!

MSNBC @ NYCBMC

2009-03-23T20:31:00.004-04:00

Can you spot The General?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

WBMC 2011 in Legoland!

2009-03-21T16:52:00.003-04:00

The 2011 World Beard and Moustache Championships are being held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The date is to be determined. Denmark is home to The Lego Group, the company that makes the popular plastic interlocking toy bricks, and Legoland Denmark. Lego is also my favorite hobby. So combining my love of bearding, Lego bricks and traveling around Europe is a dream come true.

The Iron Sheik @ the NYCBMC

2009-03-16T22:40:00.003-04:00

CIMG0280
Originally uploaded by chronic-shock

I just got back from the New York City Beard and Moustache Championships. I had a blast. It was a killer party. I've never gotten so much attention or had my picture taken so much in my whole life. There were at least three documentary teams filming everything. I was interviewed and even read a beard poem for one of them. It being NYC, there were tons of press-NBC and NY Times to name a few. That's me in the pic, #33. I stepped it up this time and went all out-I wore my authentic Middle Eastern outfit. The people in the crowd referred to me as "The Iron Sheik", an homage to the popular '80s WWF wrestler. I lost to the dude standing beside me in the picture, #32.

Phil Olsen, founder and self-appointed captain of BTUSA, was in attendance and was one of the judges. He sent an email to all the BTUSA members:

BTUSA member Beardzzz Saccoman and his very capable assistants (Cindy, Justin, and Sue) raised the bar last night for facial hair competitions in the USA as hundreds of screaming beardsmen and their fans sardined into the Public Assembly building in Brooklyn for hours of raccous [sic] fun and facial-hair camaraderie at the New York City Beard and Moustache Championships.

The big winner was BTUSA's Burke Kenny who walked away $500 less poor after the audience chose him as the people's favorite. Burke also took home first prize for full beard freestyle. Other winners were were Nate Stahura for the best recession beard, Kevin Byrne for the best patchy beard, and Ben Davidson in the moustache category, Leon Lutz in sideburns, Steve Cline in goatee, and Jack Passion in full beard natural. I am sorry, I do not have the name of the winner in the ladies' artificial category.

There were representatives of at least nine local chapters of BTUSA in attendance, including Branded by Beards (Connecticut), Life Behind Beards (New Jersey), the Albany Beard and Moustache Federation (New York), the Gotham City Beardsman Alliance (New York City), the Rochester Beardsmen Society (New York), the Lancaster County Bart und Schnauzer Friendship Society (Pennsylvania), the Western Pennsylvania Beard Alliance (duh), the Holy City Beard and Moustache Society (South Carolina), and the Alexandria Chapter of BTUSA (Virginia).

Be sure to watch, record or TIVO Live with Regis and Kelly tomorrow, March 16, for more on the competition [there was also coverage on The Today Show -Shock]. You just might see some people you know.

Once again -- thanks, Beardzzz, for a job well done!

I couldn't have described it better myself. Here are the few pics I took. I'll post more pics and video of the contest when they become available. Let me know if any of you come across any coverage of the NYCBMC. You can post the links in the comment section. Let it grow!

Alexandria, VA Beard & Moustache Contest

2009-03-07T21:27:00.004-05:00

I participated in my first beard contest on Friday, the Alexandria, VA Beard and Moustache Contest. It was a local contest hosted by the local beard team lead by "The General". It's one of many "warm-up" events for the world contest. It was a small contest. There were only about a dozen contestants, including a couple kids in the "artificial" category. I entered the partial beard category, which had a total of three contestants. I ended up third of three. Hooray for me! That's me holding my third place certificate and trophy in the pic. The judges were two random women picked by The General. They had never judged a beard contest before. I was robbed. I should have been second. I clearly had a better beard than the rasta dude who came in second. Wyatt Earp came in first. He had the best goatee with styled moustache I've ever seen. It was no contest. Here are pics of the event: Jennifer's pics and a set by another photographer.

On Saturday the local beard team marched in the Alexandria St. Patrick's Day parade. We were the novelty act. It was the first parade I've been in. Jennifer held the banner. Picks of us are on page 20, pics 350 and 351.

This Saturday me and The General are heading up to NYC for the NYC Beard & Moustache Championships. The NYCBMC is going to be a major event. Beardzzz, the host, was a participant in the Alexandria, VA contest. He drove down from CT.

"Beards...They Grow On You"

2009-02-15T19:29:00.006-05:00

The title of this post is my new motto. Lots of "beards are back" in the news of late. MSNBC looks at the current full-grown trend (pun intended) in this article. My favorite quote in the article epitomizes why I'm a 'beardsman'-

“For some it’s a trend, but for others it’s a way of life and simply self-expression,” [Paul Roof, assistant professor of sociology at Charleston Southern University in South Carolina] says. “At the heart of the revival, I think, is the ‘reclaiming of masculinity.’ Beards are a direct backlash against metrosexuality and the feminization of modern man. But beards are also the only accessory route that men have — the only way men can change their looks.”

Be sure to check out the video featuring MSNBC's Willie Geist with Beard Team USA member Matt Saccoman who is organizing the New York City Beard and Moustache Championships in Brooklyn on March 14. I've also submitted this post pic to the MSNBC "Return of a Hairy Trend" First Person gallery. I'll keep you posted when it gets posted.

Fellow hirsute pogonologist and blogger furface posted a comment to this very blog regarding the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships. Furface is member of the Alaska Beard and Moustache Club and host of this years competition. He's also created a blog where he encourages beardsmen and wannabeardees to "lay some smack about the event".

I've added a whole host of new beard links in the links section.

Check out the cool WBMC logo:

Progress Report 1/22/09

2009-01-21T21:20:00.006-05:00

I decided to change it up this time and went with the beard ponytail to showcase the length. The moustache was becoming unruly, getting in the way of all mouth activities, so I got it trimmed at my last haircut. Other than the moustache the rest of the goatee is untouched. Seven months and counting. As a warmup for the World Beard and Moustache Championships, I'll be participating in a local beard contest in March at the waterfront in Alexandria, VA. The contest is part of the Old Towne St Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday 7 March 2009.

Speaking of the World Championship, something big has come up and I won't be able to participate. Mrs. Shock is pregnant! My baby's mommy is due July 5. Momma Shock can't travel in late May, and I'm not going without her. I'll compete in the next World Beard and Moustache Championship in 2011. The beard world can wait for me to conquer it later. For now, I'm taking one for the home team.

P.S. I'm not shaving anytime soon so I'll keep updating this blog with my beard growth progress and the results of the local beard contest.

P.P.S. If you are one of the awesome contributors to my beard quest, I'll be in touch with each of you separately to discuss a refund.

Hierarchy of Beards

2008-12-19T21:34:00.004-05:00

Wondermark's latest print, the "Hierarchy of Beards," depicts the evolutionary history of our facially hirsute brethren. You can buy the print here. View the full size image.

Meet the Beard Team

2008-12-05T20:38:00.004-05:00

Meet Beard Team USA. Click on the pics for details. I've got a detail page of my own. It links to this blog. Thanks to Phil Olsen, self-appointed captain of BTUSA, for putting the team page together.

Expanded Beard Index

2008-11-12T19:38:00.006-05:00

Back in July we posted the Beard Index, which is a poster of beard types. A couple of weeks ago, someone posted a comment to that post, which was a link to an expanded beard index. Check it out. It was created by a fellow beard enthusiast, John Dyer. Check out his comprehensive Beard Pages. It contains a FAQ, grooming tips and his quest to demonstrate every beard type on the index by shaving himself. During my pogonology session I stumpled upon another beard blog, the Beard Revue. Enjoy. In contributor news, we have our first Hairy Bastard, my good friend Euro Rob. He's a good man.

9/29/08 Beard Update

2008-10-01T18:11:00.004-04:00

We are up to 5 centimeters and counting! Atom decided to play with the mustache wax the other night, so we decided to go ahead and do a progress picture. The fuzzy chin is coming along nicely. This has been growing since his sister's wedding in June. Personally...I think he should wax that sucker every day!

2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships Categories and Judging Guidelines

2008-08-18T23:25:00.004-04:00

Here are the beard and moustache categories and judging guidelines for the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships. Study them closely if you plan on participating. If you pull any of the that bush league amateur stuff at the championships you'll get disqualified.

Beard Progress as of 8/7/08

2008-08-11T11:01:00.002-04:00

Here is the first beard progress photo. Atom decided that for the competition, he would like to compete in the Musketeer category. This style is a long, curled mustache with a long goatee. We have come up with a costume/outfit to go with this style, but we can not divulge that information. It will remain a surprise until we get to Alaska. So he will be growing a full goatee, which will look some-what normal for a while...until it becomes an unruly patch of fuzz. Next beard progress photo, I will include a ruler so we can start measuring growth.

Hair on Display!

2008-07-09T16:01:00.007-04:00

After a year and a half of collaboration, the "Facial Hair Art" is going to be on display. Angela Kleis has decided to put the "Atom" series on display for the world to see. Well...the DC area anyway. Please come out and support the arts!

July 9- August 2, 2008

“MY SPACE on 7th”

Opening Reception and Wine Tasting
courtesy of Washington Wine Academy

Friday, July 11, 6-8:30 pm

My Space on 7th, a new tradition (second year) at Touchstone Gallery fulfills two perpetual needs: that of artists for exhibition space, and that of collectors for work they don’t yet know, often at bargain prices. The beginning artist has the chance to be discovered, while the established artist has the opportunity to go in a totally new direction.

Opening July 7th, this explosion of art will fill the main gallery. Building on the success of last year’s show, three-dimensional works will be included this year as well.

Due to an overwhelming response all wall spaces sold out within the first half hour of registration, which was by e-mail only, on a first-come, first-served basis.

50 ARTISTS PARTICIPATING:
Bill Abel, Cynthia Angeles, William Atkins, Karen Baker, Marilyn Banner, Andre Barnett, Sophie Bethune, Thor Berglie, Harmon Biddle, Sharon Burton, Alexander Feshenko, Olga Weiss,Tom Drymon, Larkin Goff, Philip J. Gross, Kurt Godwin, Alexandra Goldschmidt, Nathaniel Hester, Sandra D. Humphrey, Leslie Johnson, Angela Kleis, Lauren Shea Little, Mila Kagan, Peter Karp, Kay Layne, Emery Lewis, Priscilla De Lima, Mary Mallia, Karen Mazzarella, Laurie Mertens, Marcellus D. McIntosh, Elba Molina. Newton More, Bob Morrison, Jonathan Ottke, Wendy Plotkin-Mates, Haydeh Raskin, Paivi Salonen, Heather M. Schmaedeke, Jenny Singleton, Brendan Smith, Carole Lyles Shaw, Janathel Shaw, Laurie Tylec, Jaqueline Unanhue, Jon Wassom, Crystal V. Whitfield, Jack Whitsitt, Kelly Young and Gwenn Zaberer.

Beard Index

2008-07-09T10:14:00.002-04:00

For those of you who are not versed in the facial hair lingo, here is a chart to help you out.

How Did It All Begin?

2008-07-08T22:24:00.004-04:00

I was at a friends art show, when I was inspired to make art of my own. I had been growing out a beard at the time and friends had compared my look to Fidel Castro. I began to imagine all the different looks I could create with my facial hair. I brought up the idea to my friend Angela, who is a photographer. I told her that I would like to grow out my facial hair into different styles and have her take photos of these works of art. She thought it was a brilliant idea, and even agreed to put the pictures in a show once we were done with the series. The"facial hair art" collaboration began.

It turns out the pictures have had themes. Check out what the collaboration has produced -http://www.flickr.com/photos/angelakleis/sets/72157601595879753/

In the midst of all this, I read an article about the World Beard and Moustache Championships and Beard Team USA. I thought to myself "what a coincidence. Here I am working on a facial hair art exhibit and there is a competition out there for facial hair. I must find out more." Well I did, and now you are looking at the newest member of Beard Team USA. The next championship is May 23, 2009 in Alaska. That's plenty of time to grow something curly and crazy for the competition. For more details on the World Beard and Moustache Championships and Beard Team USA visit http://www.beardteamusa.org/.

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Your Soul Patch Ain’t Got Soul

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Influential Beards Throughout History

Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships

Beard Team USA News

Beard Interview: Michael from Beard Revue

Jack Passion redux: The Facial Hair Handbook

Sesame Street does ‘Moustache’ with Jonah Hill

Sesame Street does ‘Beard’ with Edward Lear

Fletch and Furry Daddy

BYU WTF?

A future Shock beardsman

BTUSA...On A Boat!

More Grooming

Beard Team USA News

Beard & Moustache Poetry

Final Results - 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships, Anchorage, Alaska

National Beard Registry

A Clockwork Orange

Grooming

Time/CNN Cover the NYCBMC

Beardzzz Breakdown of the NYCBMC

MSNBC @ NYCBMC

WBMC 2011 in Legoland!

The Iron Sheik @ the NYCBMC

Alexandria, VA Beard & Moustache Contest

"Beards...They Grow On You"

Progress Report 1/22/09

Hierarchy of Beards

Meet the Beard Team

Expanded Beard Index

9/29/08 Beard Update

2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships Categories and Judging Guidelines

Beard Progress as of 8/7/08

Hair on Display!

Beard Index

How Did It All Begin?