Hands of Masters: Three Master Barbers keep tradition alive at Randolph's Barbershop

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Hands of Masters: Three Master Barbers keep tradition alive at Randolph's Barbershop - gainesvilletimes.com



The idea of the hometown barbershop is slowly drifting away in many communities.

But Randolph's Barbershop on Athens Street in Gainesville is still going strong.

The local meeting spot has been there for 17 years now, with Master Barber Joe "Bud" Randolph at the helm.

"Most people come in here for the atmosphere and because they learn things; we talk politics to sports," Randolph said.

The atmosphere at the barbershop truly is welcoming and fun for all who arrive.

Men and boys walk in with an immediate greeting from a wide array of people, from the barber to the local comedian. Patrons who first came in years ago as children continue the tradition by bringing their own sons by.

"(I've been coming here) since I was little. I knew Joe Bud back in the day," said Martrez Milner, a former West Hall High football player and current Atlanta Falcons rookie. "This is all I've known, coming to the barbershop is a way to get stress relief."

Added Gainesville resident Marcus Carruth, "It's not just where you get a haircut. You meet and greet -- just have a good time."

Many elements come together to create the scene they all love. A radio plays old school rap music. A talk show blares on TV. And then there are the pictures -- lots of pictures.

From an autographed photo of Milner while playing at the University of Georgia, to Martin Luther King Jr. and about 50 candid shots of boys who have patronized the shop.

Two brothers, Jacques Cox Jr., 5, and Jordan Cox, 2, made the day a family occasion with father Jacques Cox Sr.

"We've been coming since 1997," Jacques Cox Sr. said. " (Jacques likes it) and Jordan's just getting used to it. We like it because it is just more family oriented; the kids like it and they love Bud."

Jordan let out a agonizing wale when Master Barber Davon Ivey began his haircut, but he quickly settled into the experience.

Ivey, who apprenticed under Randolph, loves that part of his job -- meeting new people.

"(It's great) because you can make your own hours, meet a lot of people," he said.

Meeting people is what Randolph is very good at. He even met his wife at the shop.

"I even met my wife here," Randolph said. "She brought her 2-year-old son in who didn't want to get a haircut. We sat there and talked for a few minutes, and somewhere in there I said, 'Lets go to dinner,' and we've been going out to dinner ever since. She's the love of my life."

Randolph and his wife, Deidre, have been together for 17 years and married for 10.

The life of a Master Barber does sound pretty interesting and amusing, but there is a lot of training that comes with the territory.

Earning the title of Master Barber from the Georgia State Board of Barbers requires completion of 3,000 hours of on the job training as an apprentice under another Master, and at least 18 months of experience. Master Barbers may have only one apprentice at a time.

Allen Studivant is one of three Master Barber's at Randolph's. He said it took him seven years to earn the title.

Currently in Georgia there are 6,178 Master Barbers and 2,164 barbershops with 526 apprentices.

There are three master barbers at Randolph's and he hopes that those numbers begin to grow.

"There's not many of us. If I could, I would train five or six at a time. But I can only train one at a time," Randolph said. "It's a long process but it's a good trade."

It's all special work to Randolph.

"I didn't want to cut hair but that was my destiny," he said. "There are barbershops that are thuggish and there are barbershops that keep it straight, like we are here. There is no cursing; you have to have a shirt on.

"To me a barbershop is a higher institution of learning."