Larry Dunn celebrates 50 years of sytling hair in West Memphis

Larry Dunn celebrates 50 years of sytling hair in West Memphis

Larry’s Super Cuts: Stylin’ and Profilin’ since 1968

news@theeveningtimes.com

West Memphis Hair Stylist Larry Dunn is golden. His establishment across from the Fire Station on Seventh Street, Larry’s Super Cuts, is turning 50 this year. How often do you find someone doing something for 50 years? The 73-year-old is still into hair and has been in the same location since 1968.

“That’s my very first place,” said Larry.

At the beginning of his career, he opted for hair styling instead of old fashioned barbering that was the norm for men in the 1960s. He was on the cutting edge. While the barber shop still has its place, the trend over the years went Larry’s way.

“That’s when hair styling first hit this state,” said Larry. “I happened to be in Little Rock at that time.

Prior to that you had to go to the West Coast, to California, to take your hairstyling training.”

Hair styling is a modern innovation and Larry had an example and explained the difference between a barber and a stylist.

“Amelia Earhart, when she tried to fly around the world, said she had to go to her barber to get her haircut, that’s why she wore that look,” said Larry. “The barber learns how to taper with a comb in one hand and scissors in the other. At that time, women stylists did not learn that, not having to do men’s hair.”

Larry said barber shops glue communities together, but barbering is a waning art.

“We are really blessed around here, because there are not many barbers left doing men’s hair,” said Larry. “Most communities don’t have them and they are hard to come by even in Memphis, Osceola, none in Blytheville. But they are a plenty in West Memphis.”

Larry’s shop has four chairs but at one time Larry’s Super Cuts had even more chairs spinning.

“We have a false wall — we had three back there and four up front,” said Larry.

“That was our heyday, when we first started in the later sixties through the seventies.”

Larry cuts anybody’s hair.

He cuts men’s hair and women’s hair. Walk-ins are always welcome. Larry does a great shave for those in need. He holds a devoted work ethic when it comes to the customer.

“I had a customer this morning that turned away from a barber that declined to do a shave,” said Larry.

“I am full service. I still hear from black clientele that they are sent away from some shops and told ‘we don’t know how to cut your hair,” but here, every man is a king. I come early and stay late.”

Larry is happy to cut your hair. It always starts with a refreshing shampoo and godly conversation — you won’t hear a cuss word in the shop.

“We try to do 50/50 with men and women,” said Larry.

After 50 years, Larry has continued to reach out to new customers with his trademark first-time free coupons.

You will know Larry when you walk in. His hair and beard are well trimmed, and he wears a white shirt and dark trousers everyday. “Back when I started they wanted your to wear a smock,” said Larry. “Normally they were white, I had a nylon one that barbers used to usually wear.”

Larry always has time for conversation, whether cutting hair or not. He gets a lot from his customers. He shared the secret to lasting half a century doing the same thing, standing in the same spot.

“I compare my Bible to my business, the Holy Ghost is your comforter which is the spirit of truth,” said Larry. “My customers comfort me. I’m really not working; I am fellowshipping. It is a true joy to go to work each day because it is not work if you enjoy it. I enjoy the fellowship. I had three ministers in here today and the Bible open on the counter. It was good fellowship. We had a great conversation.”

The shop is lined with chairs, sinks and mirrors on one side and hair style posters and beauty supplies on the other. A front lobby features a coke machine, couch and chairs, hair style periodicals and an ever present copy of the Times (with that coupon inside).

Around Larry’s chair is his license, family photos and an open Bible. If you ever come into the shop and find Larry alone, his nose will be in the Bible and the conversation begins with a word about the Word.

Larry’s daughter, Amber Rae Dunn, holds down the other end of the row of barber chairs. She has been styling hair alongside her dad for 10 years.

One of the joys in Larry’s life has been watching her develop various interests alongs with her skills in hair styling.

“She is getting the feel for what I do… my work is conveying through to her as well,” said Larry. “She is a great musician too, and they are similar in that it takes work to get the gist of it.”

Amber Rae’s styling station is adorned with art, music mementos and a pair of purple geodes. Amber has ambitions. She has earned a degree from the Memphis College of Art and has taught art classes at DeltaARTS, all the while composing, recording and performing country music.

The local musician is up for some music awards this year. She has a unique country accent that leads to a catchy twang when she sings her southern roots are undeniable.

“Because of the love and support, I am currently up for both female vocalist of the year and entertainer of the year in the Tennessee Music Awards,” said Amber Rae.

Amber has a pink guitar on a stand in the lobby she borrowed from a family member and picks and strums on it as she composes.

“I don’t perform with the guitar, I am strictly a vocalist,” she said. “But I play good enough to write songs with it.”

Oh, and those big geodes on the counter? Amber Rae’s interest in rock hounding led her to serving as president of a geological society too. Much of her art is made from things she found laying around too.

Daddy bragged on his daughter for something that happened only once in the 50 years of the shop.

“Amber cut this lady’s hair,” said Larry, “She went to great pains to do everything as the lady wanted.

When she got through the lady gave her a $10 tip. The woman came back in a couple hours saying, my husband has sent another $15.

I’ve never seen a husband send more money as a tip, but he was so pleased with her hair he sent another tip — only time in 50 years

I’ve ever seen that.”

By John Rech