Baton Bob

Baton Bob is a costumed street performer created by Bob Jamerson and currently based in Atlanta, Georgia. Baton Bob used to live in St. Louis, Missouri and in both cities is a significant local personality. He typically marches down urban sidewalks dressed in a tutu and occasionally a tiara. As his name suggests, he almost always twirls a baton as well. His stated goal is to amuse and cheer passersby, to "lift people’s spirits and put a simple smile on people’s faces during their daily routine".Jim Farmer, (April 28, 2006). [http://www.southernvoice.com/2006/4-28/arts/feature/baton.cfm ‘Shake’ it: Beloved street performer Baton Bob to join cast of outdoor Shakespeare event] "Southern Voice"] He occasionally calls himself the "Ambassador of Mirth".

Origin

Jamerson grew up an only child on a farm in Martinsville, Virginia. As a boy, he became enthralled with band majorettes at college football games. When he went to high school, he asked to be his school's first male baton twirler. Wearing a cheerleader's sweater and white pants with gold stripes, he often was tempted to outperform the majorettes. Jamerson eventually moved to St. Louis and worked as a flight attendant, but was laid off after the 9/11 attacks (he now works as a floral designer). To counter his depression, a psychologist recommended he do things that brought him joy and so Jamerson began twirling his baton in public again.Sylvester Brown Jr. (August 8, 2004). "Shabby treatment here has quashed Baton Bob's mirth". "St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri)"] He expanded his wardrobe of transgressive costumes and marched through city streets several afternoons every week. Although some have gossiped that he is "crazy", [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0605/26/lol.02.html CNN "Live From" transcript] , accessed June 28, 2006.] there is no serious indication that this is true.

Baton Bob's motive to entertain is often tied to the current state of the world. Though he created his character to raise peoples' spirits after the 9/11 attacks, other events have caused him to continue. When interviewed by CNN, he made reference to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004.

Events precipitating his departure from St. Louis

Press reports indicate the public in Atlanta either highly appreciates Baton Bob or quietly tolerates him. Though he was appreciated by some, he annoyed others in St. Louis as well. Several exceptional events precipitated his departure.

* During the summer of 2003, an observer mooned the character. Both men mutually escalated the situation until the unidentified observer struck Baton Bob in the cheek, an injury that required five stitches. The observer was later arrested by St. Louis detectives and prosecuted. [Deb Peterson (column). (June 12, 2003) "Baton Bob is beaten after doing twirling routine". "St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri)"]

* The following summer, when he marched with Missouri NARAL in a suburban 4th of July parade, police manhandled him in an attempt to remove him from the procession. Though the police allowed Baton Bob to remain in the parade, the incident prompted a complaint that alleged the police also swore and called him names. [Heather Ratcliffe. (July 9, 2004) "Police are accused of manhandling Baton Bob". "St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri)"]

* Later the same summer, Baton Bob was arrested while participating in a Kerry/Edwards rally at St. Louis Union Station. He swore at a police officer who stepped on the train of Bob's $500 wedding dress, prompting an arrest for trespassing. The arrest proved to be the proverbial last straw, as Baton Bob left St. Louis for Atlanta soon thereafter.

* Baton Bob was also attacked during the 2004 Hibernian St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dogtown, a neighborhood of St. Louis City.

Performances

Baton Bob usually marches solo in a tutu, though he also wears thigh-revealing miniskirts, leotards, and occasionally a wedding dress. Often a whistle complements the ensemble. When actor Christopher Reeve died, Baton Bob wore a Superman costume in tribute, though he has also dressed as Superwoman and Spiderman. [Wendell Brock (May 04, 2006) [http://www.accessatlanta.com/arts/content/arts/stories/0504aashake.html SpryBob NoPants: That Baton Bob ... you never know who he'll dress as next!] "Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Georgia)"] Other costumes include a majorette's uniform and an Indian headdress. [Eric Lanford (20 January 2006). [http://www.tbsstorylines.com/episodes/20070120.html Lighter Side from 01/20/2006 StoryLine episode] TBS. See [http://www.tbstoryline.com/video/ls_baton_bob_lg.html video] .] In St. Louis he typically marched down city streets and sidewalks (centering around the Central West End) and occasionally participated in parades. In Atlanta he frequently performs at and around Piedmont Park.

He was featured in Atlanta magazine as one of the city's top personalities and was in an ad campaign for the Georgia Aquarium. In June 2006, he appeared in "The Comedy of Errors" for the Georgia Shakespeare Festival. He led the parade of performers at the beginning of the play and entertained the crowd for a half-hour before the show. Baton Bob has most recently appeared in the pilot episode of Laugh Out, a gay-themed comedy. He also made a guest appearance in Altanta's production of the play: "Peachtree Battle" to benefit Atlanta's Human Rights Campaign chapter. Recently, featured on CNN"s website's homepage videos with a seven minute piece produced by TBS-Storyline's Eric Langford.

In 2007, he participated in a fashion show in Atlanta at Grady High School during Atlanta Fashion Week. The line was entitled "Pecan Pie Couture" by designer Clint Ziegler, as a benefit fo the high school's "Kill Chris Crocker" fashion design program, and featured many southern inspired designs, which Baton Bob was proud to help show off. He graced the cover of Creative Loafing's May 24-30 issue: Hunting for Atlanta's treasures SUMMER GUIDE '07, to honor the character. The same year he was selected "Grand Marshall" of the Inman Park Festival Parade. Also, in Creative Loafing Newspaper's "BEST OF ATLANTA 2007"; he was voted best in three categories: Best Local Hero, Best Local Celebrity and Best Street Character!.......... In 2008, he was selected by 10Best.com Travel Guides; as one of The Atlanta Colorful Characters - 2008 10Best Bet - Award Winners!...During January 2008, he participated in the "Doggies on the Catwalk", a pet fashion show at Grady High School. The event produced by Grady's fashion program, Urban Couture, featuring other local celebs with their pets; as a benefit for Pets Are Loving Support (PALS). He participated in the official opening reception for the "2008 Special Events Tradeshow" held at {The World Of Coke} Pavilon. He has presided as "Master Of Ceremonies" for radio station 99X's "2008 Mardi Gras Ball" at Club OPERA. In June 2008, he was featured on Revision3's Internet Superstar. [Baton Bob featured on Internet Superstar (June 30, 2008). See [http://revision3.com/lilsuperstar/2008-06-30bob/ video] .]

References

External links

* [http://www.batonbob.com/ The Official Baton Bob Website]