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This past weekend I attended the 10th annual Mustachio Bashio and there was an ocean ofmustaches of all types to be seen! I have attended the past three years and look forward to this event as I have made some great new friends. There were many mustaches of all shapes and sizes on participants as well as some interesting beards thrown into the mix of this celebration of facial hair. Voted on by an esteemed panel of judges, the winners take home a special handmade award and the bragging rights for the year. Last year I interview one of the founders of the event, Mike Laur, and learned about the history of the event and how it has grown and managed great success in raising money for their charity, the JDRF. I wanted to talk to some of the key players that were involved in this years Mustachio and get their take on the event and hear how they were involved in this years gathering. Take a listen to hear what each person had to say about Mustachio Bashio and I hope you enjoy!

Eric Leiser

The first person I spoke with was Mustachio’s long time photographer, Eric Leiser. Everyone in attendance knows who Eric is-he is the guy carrying around the big camera taking thousands of pictures documenting the celebration of the mustache. We talked about his photography and the latest project he had worked on. Eric also gave us a call back to a very famous mustache that inspired the whole thing and the charity involvement. For more information on Eric and his photography, and to also see photos from this years event, visit www.leiserphoto.com

Mike Laur

I am joined by Mr. Mike Laur again to talk about what a success Mustachio Bashio has become. I am truly thankful for meeting this man and being able to help spread the message of the event and the charity involved. Mike has a big heart and continues to grow this event as well as grow a fantastic mustache. Thank you Mike for putting on such a great and charitable contest!

EPISODE 8- MUSTACHIO BASHIO'S MIKE LAUR TELLS US HOW IT IS-

Traveler Beer Co.

OYO

The Barley House

DIVE BAR

Burning River Entertainment Group

Anna Lee

Anna Lee of Brutal Beard, from Cleveland Ohio, joins me as my next guess. I can't give enough praise on the Brutal Beard line of products. Anna makes some of the best products that my beard has ever had the luxury of using, simply magnificent!!! Not only does Anna make some world class products but she knows her science behind it all. Listen in to hear her explain a little about the Brutal Beard line of products. Keep your ears peeled for a future episode of The Beardcaster where Anna and I sit and dive into beard care and what is behind oils and their benefits to you and your beard.

BRUTAL BEARD

Davis Shumaker

Another founder of Mustachio Bashio ions me for a brief talk on his family history of being a cobbler. Davis Shumaker joins me and this about meeting Mike and the others and how this all came to be. He discussed how they chose the JDRF as the charity and the personal reasons why it was a perfect fit. It took 10 years for Davis to finally achieve his best mustache to date for this event so let us celebrate by listening in to hear his story.

Matt Fish

Bald faced Matt Fish sits down with me and talks beards and mustaches. Matt has been one of the judges, and supporters, of Mustachio Bashio for many years. Matt is best known for his restaurant, Melt Bar and Grilled, which has many locations all across Ohio. We discuss how he judged the event and his reasonings for being a bald faced mortal. Matt is one of the greatest people who I ever met and ironically it was at Mustachio Bashio a few years ago where were first connected and...well the rest is history!!! Listen in to hear our conversation. GO TRIBE!!!

Melt Bar and Grilled

Steve Presser

My last guest of the night was a man who has lurked in the darkness and been behind one of my favorite toy stores of all-time, Big Fun. Steve Presser was an absolute delight to talk with at this mustache celebration. We discussed his thoughts on being a judge at the event and how he got involved and a quick overview of Big Fun on Coventry. I have grown up with this store and it has given me such great reminders of my childhood. If you haven't yet-be sure to check out the store and take a look around. We encourage you to not steal anything, but to purchase something fun that reminds you of your childhood and helps take you back to that magical time.

Big Fun TOY STORE

music by:

The New Album Make Gold by French Donkey offers up some of the best tunes I have heard in a long time. As a avid music listener I have had a difficult time finding something that moves me, or makes me want to listen multiple times. We live in a society where the music industry force feeds us what it wants the "sheep" to like and buy. Mostly filled with dumbed down lyrics and recycled beats, the popular music of today doesn't interest me nor does it challenge me as a listener. Make Gold gives me that quality I have been searching for in music for a long time.

This album boasts 21 tracks that are ALL inspiring and well thought out. With so many songs on one album a listener might get scared that songs will blend together and and start to sound the same. Scott Paris and Chris Donley took great care to give each track its own personality and life. I can’t stress how much this attention to detail makes this album so fascinating to listen to. They weave many different musical styles and sounds together to form each soundscape and give individuality to each of the songs.

Musically the whole Make Gold album is recorded and mixed beautifully putting great emphasis on using vocal melody as the primary focus of each song. Both Scott and Chris have voices that move well together blending into captivating harmonies from song to song. Every song focuses on getting the listener right into the meat of the contentand will plant a distinctive melody into your head. The layering of vocals adds a unique feel to a few of the songs but the key to this whole album lays upon each of the singers vocal fortitude. These two singers were born to sing together.

To put a finger on the over-all sound of Make Gold is somewhat difficult. It is a acoustic heavy album with many layers of complexity. The percussion is very nicely tucked into each tune which gives it ultimate focus on the vocals and the overall ambience of each song. They explore mixing many different instruments and sounds into each song making it difficult to explain who they may sound like. They sound like French Donkey to me, tremendously uncommon and highly talented. Scott and Chris are architects of something special, thoughtful, and needed in music today.

I can’t stress to you how much I recommend Make Gold to everyone. I have closely followed the careers of both Scott and Chris and and am very familiar with all of their back catalogue of material. I can honestly say this is the BEST set of songs they both have ever released. This particular album is a culmination of years of hard work and honing of their individual skills as singer/songwriters, now showing intense growth and personality. Make Gold is the best material both Scott and Chris have ever released and I can’t express how much you all should go out and pick this album up. Support independent musicians and artists; they pour their heart and soul into their projects because they love it. They have a message they want to share with the world and need the support of people who enjoy what they share. Please consider clicking below to check out the album and download it today!

-The Beardcaster is a podcast all about beards, mustaches, and the interesting people who wear them and use them to do good in society.

all French Donkey albums

Episode 30-Mustachio Funtime Jamboree