Barber dies, but shop's music will go on

Credit: Matt Born | Wilmington Magazine

Lawrence Anthony sits in one of the barber chairs holding the guitar he carried through World War II. He bought the guitar for $3 while in training before going to Europe. Anthony died on Wednesday.

By: Sharon McBrayer | Morganton News Herald
Published: December 21, 2009

Drexel --

The barbershop here has been featured in "Our State" magazine, on National Public Radio and even in the London Times newspaper. Musicians from all over the region and other states come to pick and maybe get their photos added to the "wall of shame."
The barbershop in Drexel has become a treasure house for musicians and bluegrass music lovers who are fortunate to hear about it.
But the man responsible for making the barbershop so loved has died. Lawrence Anthony, 86, who started cutting hair in Drexel in 1949 and who opened the barbershop on Main Street in 1964, passed away on Wednesday.
His son, Carroll Anthony, is determined to keep the barbershop and its traditions going.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Barbershop Preservation Fund, First Citizens Bank, Valdese, NC or mailed to 2744 Monarch Dr., Charlotte, NC 28214.
Any money given to the fund will go to repair the barbershop, Carroll said. He said there has been a problem with water from the street running into the shop and it's ruined the floors.
"It's just an institution," Carroll said. "We've got to preserve the place."
The barbershop sort of evolved into what it is today. Not long after it opened, Carroll said, then-Police Chief Bill Lippard would come to the barbershop on his lunch breaks to pick guitar with Lawrence Anthony. Little by little, more musicians started showing up and a tradition was born.
Until he became ill this year, Lawrence Anthony cut hair, and jokes, alongside David Shirley for 44 years. In recent years, the two men reduced their work schedule to Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The atmosphere of the barbershop always was warm and inviting. A wood stove sits in the corner and there is usually something to munch on. Anyone expecting just a haircut gets a whole lot more.
In the back room, fingers fly across guitars, fiddles and mandolins and the unsuspecting customer is treated to the sounds of traditional bluegrass.
On the last two weekends before his father died, 35 musicians were packed into the two-room barbershop, Carroll said.
He said the barbershop will be open this week on its regular days. The musicians usually get going around noon, he added.
"The music will continue," Carroll said. "That was his wish, to keep the thing going."
Even if he has to tear out everything to renovate the shop, Carroll said he would put it all back just as it is. He wants it to be a kind of living memorial to his father. He plans to talk to town officials about designating it as an historic place.
"I want it to be there forever and ever," Carroll said.

Barber dies, but shop's music will go on

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