After numerous debates, sweat, and toil, BaB has come to the decision that The Best Beard Award for 2011's SXSWi goes to The Beard of Trammell. Its length, vigorous health, color, sturdy build, overall magnificence, and background working at PayPal, Digg, and Twitter -- made the beard the obvious champion.
Congrats Trammell. 
(Photo by: Marcus Nelson)
South By Southwest Interactive was a whirlwind of beards, staches, supporters & haters. All said, the trip in itself was a huge success - not only to discover facial hair techies - but to meet some of the most genuine and intelligent gents who like to split (and grow) hairs.
A few highlights below with the "best beard/stache" announcement happening this Monday. Stay tuned!
Tom Merritt & Dan Patterson kicked off the SXSWi interview series in Austin - and did not disappoint.
(Photo by: Marcus Nelson)
Our interview with Trammell gave insight into the bearded tech cultures of Digg & Twitter. Trammell recently cut 50% of his beard off, which is ashame as we hope he continues to "let go" & finally put a 'stache on the Fail Whale.
Danny Kastner, CEO of Social Edition, not only rocked some scruff at The Bing party, but also taught the bar what the word 'beard' means on Urban Dictionary.
Local Texan who goes by 'Black Scorpion' who is "a human oddity known for his bizarre & surreal stage performances." If you look closely, you'll see that he is not born with "normal" hands, but rather "magical claws." Regardless, he was super cool, super friendly, and sported a puppet beardo. WIN.
Jon Snyder, Associated Photo Editor at Wired.com ended SXSWi by apologizing for his beard -- "sorry my beards not so long! I had to shave for The Academy Awards." We'll allow that excuse for now, as long as Jon keeps growing it out. We've been friendly with this rad San Franciscan for a while on the Twittersphere and he recently helped us scout our past CES 2011 winner.
Bradford Barker, social media channel manager @Bing. We had the privilege of sitting down with Brad shortly after he rocked the SXSW Bing + Cheezburger Party to discuss the individuality of the beardo. He noted that MSFT has been very supportive of the beard (which makes sense given his Seattle location) - and actually helps him be more recognizable at work.
The delightful Ewan Spence proudly stroking his goatee and pondering what Arianna Huffington would look like with a beard. You can read all about this crazy Scotsman.
Drew Wehrle from Leo Burnett was rocking one bad-ass stache at the Zynga party.
Kyp Malone, lead guitarist for TV on the Radio, doesn't count in our "best beard" series for SXSWi, but since he did perform at the Zynga party, he's definite worth highlighting. Prob one of the most bad ass beards in Austin.
"Arianna Huffington should grow a beard."
Ewan Spence, the Scotsman behind "Is Scoble in This Room?" took a stroll down Red River Street with us today (proudly sporting both goatee and kilt) in sunny Austin to discuss what he's seen thus far in regards to beards, 'staches, or creative displays of facial hair. Ewan first grew a full beard back in May 2004, but decided - roughly before a Palm developer conference - that it was best to shave it down into a goatee prior to entering through Customs.
This SXSWi veteran (who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland - and you know how we adore the Scots) believes 2011's facial hair scene is bigger than in year's past. Just like Trammel, Ewan noted that this year he's seeing attendees "really letting go" - noting that perhaps the economy is keeping men from shaving every day. "It's tough times. Perhaps men are economizing by not purchasing razors as often."
Ewan continued, "As for the beard scene really taking off, I blame San Francisco and Brian Wilson's beard. The 'Fear the Beard' message really caught on - people started believing in the power of facial hair." He doesn't see the message of "fearing" facial hair off-putting. He noted that Wilson's beard sends a message to fans that he means business and to the opposition, it is an intimidating factor.
When asked what tech personality, reporter, blogger, or podcaster would most benefit from growing a beard, Ewan responded immediately --- "Ariana Huffington should grow a beard... the 'Fear the Beard' message could really be applied to her."
Ewan Spence - in all his goatee glory.
Photo credit: @kristinaweise for @buildabeard
Good morning, and yes it's another Monday... so it's time for another mug shot.
In honor of Riss' trials and tribulations down south at SXSWi, wanted to make this a special #mugshotmonday... as such, this is perhaps the most famous beardo of the TSG family (at least in our circles).
No, he's not a coke sniffing out of control Hollywood celeb, he's not a topless blond with a sly look on her face, he's not even on facebook (try MySpace on for size), but he is a viral beard through and through... one that who's SEO has increased exponentially each year. If you've ever searched for beards on the interwebs of the cyberspaces, you've likely stumbled on this beardo.
If you haven't yet, dear B-a-B community, please meet Salvatore Dichiera (aka Sal Punk). A 28-year-old Pennsylvania native whose graced the TSG pages more than a few times (what's a little disorderly intoxication, misdemeanor, etc. among friends) nearly all of them in his trademark half-bearded state.
A beard so viral, it must be contagious. And while incomplete, we here at B-a-B see Sal's beard to be half full and not half empty... So we don't blame it, and never will.
Circa October, 2010
Circa October 2009
Well, we're known for persistence here at B-a-B, so... we tracked down Sal, sorta, and here he is... in all his half beardy goodness, straight from the mean streets of MySpace (for real)... Sal, if you're reading this, we'd love to get in touch. Punk on, and hopefully, you'll grow it out and grow it proud on the other half of your face soon too.
Modern Times?
Yesterday, BaB had the honor to sit down with Tom Merritt, host of Tech News Today and the infamous Dan Patterson, leading expert on media, technology, mustaches (and zombies) of ABC News Radio to discuss SXSWi, beards, mustaches, and being American. Thanks to sluggish Internets in the hotel (and let's not even start on the Austin Convention Center), our videos are slowly being uploaded.
The Mustache of Freedom - explained!
Crowdsourcing beards & contracts for it:
More videos & SXSWi action to come!
"I think both Digg & Twitter are very welcoming of facial hair. That is, unless,
you stroke it longingly in meetings while staring at executives or colleagues."
We were all set on a preview story hitting just before South By Southwest Interactive - one that would showcase the potential strength of the tech beardos & mustache growers we were flying down to interview for the coveted "best beard or 'stache" of the event (side: if you're attending SXSWi, come find me if you have what it takes to compete). That is until Trammell sent us a DM confirming that he would gladly partake in an interview after he had a drink.
As such, we scratched our original post to take a moment to learn more about the magnificently bearded & bespectacled specimen known as Mark Trammell. After all, what better way to kick-off a tech facial hair series than to interview the beard who has worked at PayPal, Digg, Twitter and a brief stint as a Navy journalist (not joking). The bar has been set, gentlemen.
(Photo credit: Dan Busta)
BaB: When did you start growing your beard?
Trammell: 1998 - Shortly after my tenure with the United States Navy. I shaved it off in 2008 for Movember and immediately began to grow it back. Recently though, I cut about 50% of it off so my Twitter picture reflects the most up-to-date version (see above).
BaB: Being a committed beardo, how was it when you grew a mustache for the cause of Movember?
If it was measured in tweets - "#creepy" - would have been trending.
BaB: Wouldn't the Fail Whale be less threatening with a mustache? Maybe a handlebar...?
Well, there are a lot less fail whales these days; however, there might have been a point where the whale needed a disguise - a mustache would have been considered.
Bab: What's the design philosophy behind the beard?
It's about letting go. Most people decide after a life changing (mostly negative) event to grow a beard. Yet, those same people decide to shave it soon after. I say - let it go. Allow the beard time to fill out, find the potential in the hairs, and then shape it accordingly to your style.
BaB: Would your beard provide an adequate nest for birds to Twitter in?
This reminds me of The Family Guy episode where Peter grew a beard for a family of birds. I wouldn't kick the birds out. I'd always be welcoming.
BaB: Does your dating life suffer because of the beard?
There is no data to support the contrary, but no [it suffers for other reasons], but not because of the beard. 
(Photo credit: sgoralnick)
BaB: Favorite bearded band or musician based solely on their facial hair?
1. Megafaun
2. Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit
3. Wayne Coyne of Flaming Lips
(*Listed in no particular order)
Also, Brian Wilson has a beard of awesomeness and I approve of the dye job. The dye adds to the intimidating factor and awesomeness. If he didn't have that beard, there would be so much awesomeness coming from him, it would be distrating to batters.
BaB: What's it like for you to not be sporting a beard?
I'm a hermit without it.
BaB: What's the best thing about having a beard?
For starters, I don't have to shave. Mostly though, I don't consider the alternative. I wouldn't leave my house without pants on, so I wouldn't leave without my beard.
BaB: Have you ever met Zach Galifianakis?
No, but a bunch of middle aged, Soprano-looking gentlemen at a club in Vegas were once fully convinced that I was Zach.
BaB: Were you wearing a satchel?
I was wearing a messenger bag.
BaB: Twitter has helped our blog uncover so many amazing stories & a lot of new relationships have sprung from us using your platform, such as our blog's friendship with Scott Hutchison.
Small world. For "Tonight's Beard," I am San Diego's 'The Trammell' 
(#earlywormcatchesthebeard)
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