A 60-plus-year-old granny on a vintage Indian motorcycle is breaking hearts and taming manes, as she travels to country pubs seeking local legends for a professional pompadour.
Having lost her business in entertainment production in the pandemic shake-up, former hairdresser Chris Keeble was looking for a new gig. After picking up some work doing hair in aged care facilities the idea came to her to combine her passion for motorbike adventure with her old trade.
With that, the phenomenon of The Barbering Biker was born.
Rumbling into town on a highly customised vintage Indian Chief known as Calamity Jane, entourage in tow, Keeble brings a distinctive larrikin Aussie flavour to the occasion.
The team deliver a package as unique to each location as the country pubs in which they work, capturing local history, businesses, characters and points of interest.
Other riders are encouraged to join the procession into town, and the event and destination are promoted to thousands of followers and local media, wrapped in a roughly 10-minute video for the town and pub to use in self-promotion.
A primary goal of the trips is to promote the townships, recount tall tales and foster fun stories – all at the local pub.
But the highlight is the mini-makeover of a local legend – thoughtfully “dobbed in” by the pub and patrons. The restyling includes hair and beard, all filmed as part of the show.
“I see this as a way to help bring some trade and acknowledgement to the town,” says Keeble.
“The community feel a certain ownership to the concept as they helped ‘find’ the local, plus I get to ride the terrific roads to these amazing destinations … it’s a win-win for everyone.”
In return for the event, Keeble humbly requests just one night’s accommodation, a meal and a drink, and a petrol voucher. All the pub needs do beyond that is nail down a local legend to shear.
The program is motivated in community health, and Keeble is looking for pubs “around the country, or certainly NSW to start” to be part of the series and help The Barbering Biker help one legend in one pub in one town at a time.
“Making a small difference in a big country,” she suggests.
Chris Keeble
Great fun. This needs to be a TV series 💚💚