International LeatherSIR_® / Leatherboy_®

There's something special between a SIR and his boy!

Going Bald for Boobs and Boots

Before: Photo: Jesse Penley

.. and after: Photo: Dan Falkenham

In the months leading up to ILSb and ICBB weekend, Spanky (Jesse Penley, Mid-Atlantic Bootblack 2004 and International Community Bootblack Contest Coordinator) had an idea for a fundraiser. He would auction off his hair (all of it) for charity, to be performed during the ILSb contest. Folks in the audience opened their hearts and wallets, and in a matter of minutes, over $1400 was raised for Mama's Breast Cancer Emergency Fund.

With the 2006 contests over with, we caught up with Spanky and asked him a few questions.

How has cancer touched your life?

Cancer has touched me at many points in my life. My grandmother had breast cancer. My mother is a skin cancer survivor. Several friends here in Kansas City have suffered from breast cancer and survived. And a very close friend, is a brain cancer survivor. So it affected me very much.

How did you decide on shaving your head for the fundraiser?

At one point I had talked to Lou Molnar and boy Ed about coming down to Dallas for a visit. And we had talk about how I would look with no hair. Most people know how funny I am about my hair. Anyway, they mentioned that we could do a fundraiser of shaving my head and selling the hair on Ebay... (laughs) So when ILSb/ICBB moved to Dallas, I thought it would be a great way to kill to birds with one stone, so to speak. When my father passed away in April, I had gotten my hair cut, and that’s when I actually decided to do it. I let my hair grow into the “Geriatric Tribble” it became by ICBB.

What went through your mind when Mama took the first swipe at your hair with the clippers?

First, I think it was "Bye Daddy!" And then a thought went through of "Oh, I hope it grows back!" I actually cried during part of it, because I used it to end the mourning period of my father.

What was the first thing that came to your mind when you saw yourself afterwards?

I think it was "OOOOOOOOO yuk! I hope it grows back?! I can’t wait for it to grow back!" Oh well, it’s for a great cause.

What did your friends and family say, when they saw you?

Some really liked it, and said I should keep it. Others were more along my vein of "I can’t wait for you to grow it back." My family hasn’t seen it. My mom thought it was odd that people would pay to shave my head... When I told her how much we raised, she was floored, to say the least.

You mentioned that if you raised more than a $1000 you’d allow yourself to be shaved from "Asshole to Amazing Grace". How much of you got clipped?

Everything got clipped and shaved except my chin and eyebrows. It was great! The shaving turned into a "tactile scene" at the end. Thanks Joey!

Any final thoughts?

I had a lot of fun doing this, and want to thank all of those who gave from their hearts.

I’m planning to do something again next year. I have it conceptualized, but not really planned out yet. I’m thinking “Spanky Takes A Licking And Keeps On Ticking.” Let your imagination run with that one for a minute…. See you all next year….

Spanky wasn't aware of this, but I also shot video of the event. Here's the clip:

So, what are your thoughts when you first saw the video clip?

I think it was more emotional than anything. The fact the people wanted my hair was a very cool thing. I think we all wonder at one point or another, how we affect those around us. I hope I affect people in a very positive way.

When I think back to that moment, I feel really good. But, I did notice I let out a big sigh, in the middle of the video. I think that was me letting go of some anxiety. About my Dad, and also the weekend. Things, I think, had gone well. And I was starting to relax...

I thought it was so appropriate that Mama did the first cut. I was glad Joey did the next section. He's so hot to me. Mark Frazier, and Mike Zuhl also took turns with the clippers. Then Joey did the shaving of other parts in the play space after the contest was over. It was a really great experience. I wouldn't trade it for the world.