The Time MachineA portrait of Christ shares the wall with trophy deer and fish mounts. A half-dozen calendars hang in a cluster, keeping track of the days long gone.
Walking into Dye’s Barber Shop on Old Morgantown Road in Bowling Green, Ky., feels a bit like walking into a time machine.
Country music fills the shop from a boom box perched on a shelf crowded with CDs, spray cleaners and a half-empty jar of candy above the mirror that runs the length of the shop’s back wall. A gaggle of gumball machines crowds the front door in an attempt to placate younger patrons who become fidgety. An old Coke machine, nearly as old as the shop itself, hums in one corner. A can is still just 50 cents.
The barbers here are easy with conversation and quick with a smile. The shop’s owner, David Dye has had a bit of practice.
“I’ve been here just 40 years,” says the 63-year-old with a bit of a chuckle.
His partner, Ernie Thomas, 30, has been at the shop a little less than two years, but already has the easy-going demeanor of an old-timer.
“I love it here,” Thomas says. “The work is relaxing and I’ve got to meet a lot of different people.”
The gray-haired Dye is quick to agree. “I’ve seen some characters go through here,” he says. “I’ve had a lot of laughs with a lot of people.”
Bowling Green resident Tommy Carroll comes through the front door, something he’s been doing his entire life. Today he’s brought his 17-month-old grandson, Joshua Blake, along too. Blake is still groggy from a late morning nap and not too sure about getting a haircut, only the second of his life.
Carroll has been here more than a few times before and settles into the chair with ease as his grandson chases the sleep away.
It doesn’t take long for Thomas to finish the trim and then it’s young Blake’s turn. Grandpa holds him close and tries to keep him from fidgeting too much. The pint-sized child isn’t too sure about those buzzing, tickly trimming clippers yet.
Thomas’ voice goes gentle, reassuring the tearful Blake. “It’s only gonna’ tickle,” he says, barely above a whisper. “See Josh, just a little tickle.”
Soon he has the young boy in smiles and even coaxes a bit of laughter out of the youngster.
The shop has been more than just a place to trim hair. A few years back the barbers were known to sit down and play music together when the chairs were empty. The makeshift jams would last as long as there were enough to play.
Dye remembers those days well and is still apt to bring out his guitar once in a while to pluck out a tune. He seems certain the music will come back one day.
“I haven’t learned Ernie to play the bass fiddle yet,” he says with a gleam in his eye. “He says he’s game though.”
Walking into Dye’s Barber Shop on Old Morgantown Road in Bowling Green, Ky., feels a bit like walking into a time machine.
Country music fills the shop from a boom box perched on a shelf crowded with CDs, spray cleaners and a half-empty jar of candy above the mirror that runs the length of the shop’s back wall. A gaggle of gumball machines crowds the front door in an attempt to placate younger patrons who become fidgety. An old Coke machine, nearly as old as the shop itself, hums in one corner. A can is still just 50 cents.
The barbers here are easy with conversation and quick with a smile. The shop’s owner, David Dye has had a bit of practice.
“I’ve been here just 40 years,” says the 63-year-old with a bit of a chuckle.
His partner, Ernie Thomas, 30, has been at the shop a little less than two years, but already has the easy-going demeanor of an old-timer.
“I love it here,” Thomas says. “The work is relaxing and I’ve got to meet a lot of different people.”
The gray-haired Dye is quick to agree. “I’ve seen some characters go through here,” he says. “I’ve had a lot of laughs with a lot of people.”
Bowling Green resident Tommy Carroll comes through the front door, something he’s been doing his entire life. Today he’s brought his 17-month-old grandson, Joshua Blake, along too. Blake is still groggy from a late morning nap and not too sure about getting a haircut, only the second of his life.
Carroll has been here more than a few times before and settles into the chair with ease as his grandson chases the sleep away.
It doesn’t take long for Thomas to finish the trim and then it’s young Blake’s turn. Grandpa holds him close and tries to keep him from fidgeting too much. The pint-sized child isn’t too sure about those buzzing, tickly trimming clippers yet.
Thomas’ voice goes gentle, reassuring the tearful Blake. “It’s only gonna’ tickle,” he says, barely above a whisper. “See Josh, just a little tickle.”
Soon he has the young boy in smiles and even coaxes a bit of laughter out of the youngster.
The shop has been more than just a place to trim hair. A few years back the barbers were known to sit down and play music together when the chairs were empty. The makeshift jams would last as long as there were enough to play.
Dye remembers those days well and is still apt to bring out his guitar once in a while to pluck out a tune. He seems certain the music will come back one day.
“I haven’t learned Ernie to play the bass fiddle yet,” he says with a gleam in his eye. “He says he’s game though.”
On The Edges- highlighting life outside the spotlight
