The American Beard Report Issue #12
The world is a much different place than when we last left off.
Many more people around the globe are growing out their facial hair and “experimenting” with a new, possibly unkempt look.
if you happen to be one of these brave souls, remember this: It is a great time to be yourself, whatever that might look like.
Please try to be kind to others and give each other room to grow.
We are truly all in this together.
Exclusive Interview with Jeffrey Moustache -
Champion Beardsman and Photographer Extraordinaire
JM, it’s MJ. Interview time!
1) You are well known for competing in moustache, partial beard, and full beard categories. What’s your fav?
I would say my favorite category I competed in was Musketeer. Both at the National and World competitions in 2015. Musketeer is fun being a category that revolves around a very specific "costume" theme/ look and being able to put my own spin on it was really fun designing my outfits, blocking and shaping my hat and perfecting my moustache and goatee style.
2) In your new book The World of Beards who would you say is the most handsome and how can a reader get a copy?
I cannot choose a favorite image in my book which is why it was so hard to narrow down to the hundreds included! To get a copy please contact me directly through my website www.TheWorldOfBeards.com. I accept both Paypal and Venmo and have plenty of copies of the books as well as the large and small posters still available!
3) Who has the best celebrity moustache of all-time?
Best celebrity moustache I personally think is Sam Elliott. It’s iconic, and he has had it his entire career.
4) Is there a specific hat that inspired you to become a haberdasher?
My hat affinity began with bowlers and top hats and not being able to find hats that fit me. All that were available were vintage and antique hats so I began collecting those but never had anything that matched along with them. I started blocking and making my own hats as a way to further set myself apart with my own personal style in having one of a kind pieces.
5) They say every super hero needs their theme music. What’s your theme song?
Prince- Purple Rain
Cover Model: Scott “Snakes” Metts, Fellow Champion of Beards.
Club Spotlight:
The Moustache and Beard Social Club
Club Name: The Moustache and Beard Social Club
City, State: Sacramento, CA
When were you established? 2011
Do you hold an annual competition? We host The Annual Northern California Beard and Moustache Competition. It is typically held in March or April each year.
Do you have a charity/charities to benefit? PAWS (Pet Adoption and Wellness Services) and ZERO- The End of Prostate Cancer have been our focused charities over the years.
The beautiful folks of The Moustache and Beard Social Club, Sacramento, CA.
Meet the American Beardspeople!
Every ABR issue we try to include some personal features to introduce you
to who might meet at a facial hair competition around the USA.
Compiled and edited by Natali Johnston
Manda “Amarta” Forsman or Mrs. Fursman, if you’re nifty
Sacramento, CA
The Moustache & Beard Social Club
How long have you been bearding?
April 2017 Mr. Fursman had gotten first in full beard styled at MBSC’s comp and we caught the bug. We started to attend club meetings and traveling for competitions. I competed for the first time at Petaluma Whiskerino that year with items I’d grabbed at the Dollar Tree an hour before the event and fell in love with the crafty adventures that come with being a whiskerina.
Have you won any awards? I’ve been very lucky to have placed amongst some of the most talented women out there with a glue gun and a prayer. My favorite win however was being honored with Biggie (Best) in Show for Beard Battle LA 2019. The Gentlemen’s Social Club of Los Angeles is an amazing club and puts on a spectacular comp.
Why do you do it and/or Best thing about it?
Just like most of our community, the charity and giving back to the community is number one. I love volunteering locally and this has shown me so many different charities in need internationally and that is a beautiful thing. Oh and hugs. I’m hella here for some hugs. Being part of The Fursmans’ YouTube channel is one of the best parts simply because I get to rewatch moments with friends I don’t get to see often. It’s been really nice during quarantine to look back on our travels to Charleston, Salt Lake, Mesa, etc.
Paul Kennedy
Currently lives in Fort Worth Texas, but grew up in Rockville Maryland
North Texas Beard Alliance
How long have you been bearding?
I have had facial hair most of my adult life. In 2013 I got serious about growing a longer beard after a tragic electric trimmer accident left a bare stripe across my chin. I attended my first competition in November of 2014 and fell in love with the bearding community.
Have you won any awards?
I have a variety of awards in “Groomed Beard”, “Full Beard with Styled Moustache” and just recently in the “Freestyle” category.
Why do you do it and/or Best thing about it?
I do it for several reasons, As I said above I love the community. At competitions politics, race, gender, orientation etc. do not matter. It’s been warm, friendly and very open and accepting. I absolutely love that about this community. The other part that I love about this is, every competition I’ve been to, has a goal of bettering the community around it. They have raised money for homeless shelters, food banks, cancer and medical causes, veterans, animals and many, many other charities.
I consider this bunch of fur balls family and I wouldn’t want to ever change that.
Stephen ( El Chapo) Eldorado
Pontiac , Michigan
Murder City Facial Hair Crew
How long have you been bearding?
Been bearding first 6 years
Have you won any awards?
I have many 1st, 2nd, 3rd place awards.
My favorite award came at a bearded hero comp
Murder City as a club was presented “Your the Shit” honored club 2017.
Why do you do it and/or Best thing about it?
I love the bearding world! The biggest part is the charitable work that happens in it. I know we all individually do charity work and other segments of society do charity work, but the beardos and whiskerinas our soul mission when we gather in mass is to help someone! Yes we get trinkets to take home, to put on shelves but that’s not the main goal.
Tied for first is the Comradery , I have made true life long friends not just acquaintances and from around the world, not just my little bubble of Detroit.
My wife ( Dawn ) is a Whiskerina
My whole family gets involved to help in one way or another.
It’s just about peace, love and caring for and about people .
Monty "WIZARD" Minter
Balch Springs TX
BEARD MOBB BEARD CLUB - Co-Founder
How long have you been bearding? All together about 8 years
Have you won any awards?
I have won 1st, 2nd, 3rd in multiple categories but never best in show lol
Why do you do it and/or Best thing about it?
I do it 1 for the family. I have met some incredible people because of facial hair. Second is for the charity. I love to help people. 3 I DO IT TO WIN. lol Best thing has to be the Family Ive gained from it. When people come from half away across the country to help someone they have never even met, but they came to show support and to help out, THAT GETS ME EVERYTIME!!!
Kristin "Wags" Wagner
Pittsburgh ,PA but living in Cleveland OH
Beards of the Old Northwest and Steel City Beard and Mustache Club
How long have you been bearding?
Errrr. 7-8 years
Have you won any awards?
A few. Lol
Why do you do it and/or best thing about it?
I love helping my community and other communities. Most of the people in the bearding community are some of the best people you will ever meet.
“Thanks so much for reading this issue of the American Beard report. We hope to provide you with more exclusive, amazing content soon!”
If you would like to submit highlights or an in-depth review of your competition or local facial hair related event, please send it to hello@beardteamusa.org