Welcome to the Hair Wars Back Stage Blog, pt. 1
I wish I could say, that what goes on Back Stage during time, will stays Back Stage.
Forgive me but can’t say that at this particular time…but I must at this time tell it all.
Before we go Back Stage, let’s start at the beginning by first setting the stage.
The Best of De Derrick, Love, Peace and Hair Grease…
I’m De Derrick, Hair Stylist/Barber/Blogger/Creative Marketer
My stage name, the Hair Fighter… was a name created out of the desire to entertain on the stages of Hair Wars.
My given name is…Derrick Smith, so you see, I had to come up with a name quick.
I’m no way ashamed of the family name, and Smith is so common but, I needed a name that says entertainment and excitement…..so was born
The Hair Fighter!!
I am the Super Hair Fighter…No I cant’t Fly, but I can cut your hair any way you want it.
313.623.3909
I am more powerful than a blow dryer on high-speed and stronger than bonding glue, able to move faster than a quick weave.
I am able to stand up against heat never quiting on my mission until I complete the task having my clients satify is my only true desire.
I consider myself to be a hard-working Professional , driven by the love and the passion of working in the hair styling industry.
De Derrick on duty, Monday – Saturday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
@
Healthy Images Hair Salon
313.873.0016
6525 Second Ave., Detroit, Mi.
located inside the William Clay Ford Medical Athletic Building
I am a character, always have, and always will be.
I choose to living my life to the fullness through creativeness that gives spiritual meaning to my life that only comes from God.
After, completing the requirements from Mr. Arnold’s Beauty School, Dearborn Michigan.
I was ready to beautify the world.
I was invited my first hair show sponsored by, Billy Cason, Publisher of Hair Design Magazine @ Club West Side, Wyoming/Lyndon Detroit, Michigan.
One day while working in the salon, I over heard one of the operator’s talking about the “Hump The Grinder’s” Hair Wars shows.
That night and I made my arrangments and found some ticket’s for the up coming show.
Yes, Hair Wars!!
Hair Wars, giving the opportunity to hundreds of Hair Stylists, Barbers, Manicurist, Hair Braiders along with other performers their chance to shine and to show off to the world their skills, talents and showmanship in entertaiment.
I remember first invitation to attend a Hair Wars show @ the now demolished Grand Quarters.
There where I the chance to meet for the first time, the Big guy, with a generous heart, Hump the Grinder.
I signed up that night for the next show, and after that night … I was on the road, signing up for show after show my life was changed for ever…averaging 3 – 4 shows annually.
Twenty years later, I’m still in the midst of the battle, but on the side line in so-called retirement mold from entertainment and the Back Stage thrills!
Finding a new niche in life adding information and entertainment by way of….
Blog writing.
Blogging is the Newest form of Advertising on the Internet
Blogging is what make me Happy…313.623.3909
Best of the Best Hair Blogs….that must be read!!
Hair Wars Night Out
At home me and my baby getting ready for a Hair Wars show
Kendalfella
Young man who always wanted to attend a Hair Wars show
The Wizard of Cozmotology
Hair Stylist getting lost in the land of Coz
The Back Stage Blog….is about the hype and preparation that goes on behind the stages of Hair Wars.
In the heat of the moment, where the clock is ticking.
The dressing room is where time is of the upmost an important factor and with no time to waste or spare.
So, are you ready for this?
Well, this is how the story goes….
Hair Wars Back Stage Blog
Hair Wars Back Stage Blog
After Sunday School, Family of Faith Baptist Church
My Pastor Harold Knox
412 Piquette
Detroit, Michigan
I went home across the street where I resided @ Piquette Square Veteran Housing
6221 Brush St., Detroit, Michigan.
I ate and took a nap…getting some rest, that I desperately will need before tonight’s Hair Wars show.
Awaking, I called my favorite neighbor jetty, Dee, and I told him I need a ride because I’m to the:
Hair Wars
“The COLOR Show”
Short, Long, & Ridiculous
The most COLORFUL hair show EVER!!
Sunday * April 26, 2015
Adoba Hotel – Dearborn, Mi.
formerly the Hyatt Regency, across from Fairlane Mall
Hairwarsustour.com
Dee, arrived on time 4:30, and ran his mouth all the way..talk, talk, talk.
We arrived at the Hotel a little after 5:00, and the fare was $40!.. but it was worth to be @ another Hump the Grinder’s Hair Wars Show and to write this story.
Walking through the lobby of hotel, I couldn’t help thinking about last year Hair Wars Show.
The show was held here with same and starting time, 6:05 pm.
The starting time 6:05 every since I could remember.
6:05 pm, has been incorporated into the making of Hair Wars and it a good idea to start on time.
In all my years, I never was short of the time waiting for a show to start or set up…Hair Wars as always lived up to it’s calling…6:05 pm show time starting.
show by never-failing to not start the show on time.
Say Hello to Mr. Pro Style gel holding it together @ Hair Wars show.
Special thanks, once again to Ampro for the complimentary bag of styling gel.
Ampro giving back to the community with its no flake Styling Gel…adding body and sheen to my hair as well as my clients hair.
I am so excited , as I proceed to check in to receive my Media Pass that will aloud me into the dressing room and ViP seating.
I am now in the process of getting my hand stamped, while checking in I met a friend.
Hey, ladies check him out Mister Smooth Shade of Grey, matching hat, tie and Grey suit.
Magnificent Allah , is his name…give him a hand for the suit.
The music had me moving and grooving.
I’m like most anyone else, when dancing is in your blood.
In a small way, I was dancing in my own space and time, having a ball feeling the music as I watched the people starting to coming in.
It’s finally here Hair Wars night Oh Boy!!!
As I turned my body into a dance step looking over my shoulder guess who I see?
Well, well, well.. I’ts Bernard.
He was here at the last year Hair Wars and its good to see him today.
Oh boy! maybe I can get some of his Leaf of Life, Silicone and Pure Oil Spray Shine.
Bernard and myself go back to the days of yesterdays of the early 90’s when hair show were of a different time.
Bernard, distributor, of Genesys hair products.
I love the leaf of life that leaves a shine that you can see…we updated our contact information and I purchased 2 bottle Leaf of Life, Silicone and Pure Oil spray shine.
I went to the restroom to freshen up a bit…thinking to myself while combing my hair, visualizing to the man in the mirror, just how far he’s traveled in the ranks of Hair Wars…and to the days of 4 to 6 models getting them ready for show time not to mention working on myself in costume character, as the Hair Fighter, bringing a smile to myself, in knowing that it was all worth it.
As, I proceed back out into the Ballroom area, I walking in a good feeling of personal inner growth.
Once again, I saw Bernard…..setting at the table.
I joined him, being that it was so close to Show Time…. might as well count it down with a friend, just as if it were a New Years Eve .
The time was 6:03 pm and the clock was ticking down to the last-minute… three!!!…two!!…. and one!
6:05 pm Show Time….
Hump appeared on stage announcing the beginning of Hair Wars.
With a little hair news and updates, he also introduced Okela Nevaeux, Hair Stylist, On Style Beauty Salon, Farmington Hills, MI., as the Commentator for Hair Wars.
Ms Nevaeux will be replacing the dearly departed forever LaToya Pearson.
After the formalities were over, Hump Introduced Reggie Reg House Music…and the show was on.
Oh, well, this is where we part company, see you later Bernard, it’s time to go to work Back Stage in the dressing room.
While on my way to the dressing room I saw Yo Yo, Yolanda.
Yo Yo was off to the side with her models, she hadn’t checked in yet, but was prepping her models…Yo Yo had some cute styles.
One style in particular is the Red Hot number…Yo Yo, also was sharing the hype on stage with her young daughter alone with another model
…looking swell with a full body of curls with an added bounce….
Yo Yo, Yolanda Hair Stylist
After having my hand stamped, I walked into the room, filled with people buzzing around.
I just watch for a moment to gather my thoughts before making a move.
The heat and the excitement was in the air and everywhere.
even body painting was walking around showing off their artistic colors.
Rhine stones was glettering and sparkling bright, with everyone having the same show time gleam in their eyes…just waiting to perform.
Show Time, Show Time….with no time to spare!!!
Watching everyone, busy at doing something, completing their task, and working towards their completing their assignments staying on scheduled time.
Model call!!…Called out the stage hand…
MJK Crown of Royalty…Mysterious Marge…Jahti and Tropicana, let’s go, get your models and come with me
….IT’S SHOW TIME…and off they went to open the show….
This kind of activity reminds me of how ants all work together in their work place in accomplishing their instinctive work mission.
The room was set up with tables and place cards that marked the stylist spot with their names on it.
Mirrors, clips, combs, brushes, hair spray, spits, curling irons, pressing combs, hair of all types and color and any other essentials for styling to capture that show ready look.
Most, of the stylist’s had an assistant in prepping the models helps in moving thing alone, getting them ready for the final touch of the stylist .
Remember Murray’s law…anything that can go wrong, will go wrong….key is to learn to move on.
Back stage and the dressing room is where you apply such a law…remember also the show must go on!
Model call!!…Called out the stage hand…
OK…listen up!!….
Ruby Jean Davis…DVS & Tiffanie Stacey…World Threat…your next please come with me.
Stylist!… be sure to fill out the Stylist Information form was complete.
In a show of this size, it’s customary for the Stylist to have their model’s hair style completed or near to completion, during this gives the Stylist the opportunity to touch up the hair at a later time.
Makeup is checked once again for the looked of appearance and glamour and picture ready.
Last minutes dance Routines or check wardrobe fitting and adjustment can also be done at this time.
Finally, after all these years, I get a chance to speak to Ruby Jean Davis, Las Vegas, NV, 1212 Owens.
I remember the first time I saw Ruby on stage 1997 Anthem Hotel, Detroit, Michigan.
Ms. Ruby… always would come out with Big Hair aas she takes her walkk down the runway every so eleneagnt and she does it well with honor, pride and respect for the industry of hair.
Listen up…make sure you get a professional photo with Micheal Lilly…
The room was really buzzing and everyone had something to do and my present fit in as I took notes.
The room was large enough for everyone to be comfortable in their own corner work place.
I slowly went over to Tropicana, corner and observed, 9 models, all sort of colors, straight and wavy hair, sort and long.
I was setting in the path way of the returning models after performing on stage.
The last model, stopped spoke to me and mention to me that I didn’t recognize her.
Well, truthfully I didn’t…but as the young lady she kept on talking it came to me Rashell, Ms. Ray Hair Stylist from the east side.
I remember now, 8 years ago, in helping Ms Ray out with some internet advertising.
It’s been a long day, so I decided to sit and rest my feet while going over some notes.
I shared the table area with the Dance group the World Treat School Dancers and they asked me to watched their personal items while they go and perform on stage.
Thank to Lamar for sharing information about the dance group.
I talked with Weaven Steven briefly while he was working his weaving hair magic.
Keeping in mind that time is the essence, and time is what matters most tonight….keeping the show moving along as schedule.
Again, I say…the show must go on…
www.weavensteven.com
I remember when Steven first shock the Hair Wars Nation as the first white boy in the army of Hair Wars, all the way from PA along with 3 models all dressed in hair and hair style to match.
Model call!!…Called out the stage hand…
Yolanda Carroll…Tony Hair Weave Kiliah…Barb Miliz…Weaven Steven and K. Mersier line up and since they were closing act 1.
I decided to follow the Stylist’s and their models as they began their journey to the stage were they will perform.
We traveled down the elevator, around the corner, down the hall and through the kitchen and out the door, finally we found ourselves lining next to the stage
This will close Act 1 .
Act 2, and the beginning of The Back Stage Blogger, pt. 2 will follow just as soon as I find my way back the dressing room.