Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
This modern-day bootlegger's been banging out brews at "The Easy" — a Speakeasy offset in Tyler's Taproom Carrboro — for almost a decade. A Lake Norman native and Mars Hill grad, this pourer's professional passion, ultimately, is in the potion.
"I started bartending after thinking those guys in 'Cocktail' were really cheesy," he said. "Who'd wanna do that, right? Twenty-some years later ... still in it." But it's not just about the froth — it's about the freedom. "This job gives me the freedom to do things a 9-5-er won't," he said. Like slicing up the green on any given weekday or sojourning seaside on a whim. And for a guy who's fav fictional place is Wonderland, sounds like all that's missing right now is The Hatter.
Q&A
Hometown: Just north of Charlotte on Lake Norman.
How you landed at Tyler's Carrboro: The Speakeasy — which mostly goes by "The Easy" — was always a hideaway for me. Eventually it sucked me in and hasn't let go.
The Easy in three words: What you need.
What Tyler's brings to the Carrboro cocktail scene: It's just the every man's pub. All walks of life can coexist here.
What distinguishes Tyler's from other spots about town: Just a great mix of people.
If you have a drink in your hand, it's probs a: Cold beer.
Your signature drink: Margaritas. I do love me some tequila.
You're anywhere you want to be right now. Where can we find you? Maui--catching waves, playing golf and playing in the mountains.
Which of your coworkers are you most likely to sucker punch? Disco Jesus, probably because he's already punched me.
If they made a movie about your life, who would play the voice in your head? R2-D2, I guess. I really don't understand it sometimes.
If you could live in any fictional place, where would it be? Wonderland. It'd be cool to hang with the hatter.
What you probs were in your past life: A pod racer on Tatooine.
Something you believed as a kid you realized was a hoax: The whole broken-thumb-sliding-thing.
Trip you'd break bank to take: Maui.
Last book you read: The Andre Agassi bio, "Open."
Last movie you thought worth the ticket price: "Starship Troopers." It was at the dollar theater.
The last thing that made you want to run red lights to get to: The pisser.
If you didn't know better, you'd think this song was written about you: "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son," Iron Maiden.
A pop culture phenomenon you could live without: "American Idol." Such trash.
Biggest celeb has-been: Tiger Woods.
A book that made you want to be a better person: "Open."
A piece of advice you got that's good enough to pass on: "If you can touch it, you can catch it" ... Not just for sports.
Something from the last decade that stuck with you: Johnny Utah being "one radical son of a bitch." ["Point Break"]
Hidden talent: Trying to play the guitar.
Weakness: Animals. Love 'em. Can't stand to see one suffer.
If we paid you enough, you'd: Go pro.
Most ridiculous thing you've been asked to do while bartending? Serve body shots off of me. And, yes, I did.
Something that makes you want to poke people in the eye: Not knowing how to drive on the highway. Get out of the fast lane if your not gonna keep up.
What one thing do you wish you could tell people about patronizing any bar? Being overly aggressive and rude will never get you served faster.
If you're not at work, you're most likely: Playing my guitar or golf.
Other sip spots in the Triangle you've worked: The Tavern in Durham before it moved to its present location. 'Dillo Grill in Carrboro.
