Baton Bob

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Bob Jamerson, better known as Baton Bob, is a costumed street performer currently based in Atlanta, Georgia. Baton Bob used to live in St. Louis, Missouri and in both cities is a significant local personality. He typically marches down urban sidewalks dressed in a tutu and occasionally a tiara. As his name suggests, he almost always twirls a baton as well. His stated goal is to amuse and cheer passersby, to "lift people’s spirits and put a simple smile on people’s faces during their daily routine".^[1] He occasionally calls himself the "Ambassador of Mirth", but the name has not caught on.

Contents 1 Origin 2 Events precipitating his departure from St. Louis 3 Performances and successes 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Origin

Jamerson grew up as an only child on a farm in Martinsville, Virginia. As a boy, he became enthralled with band majorettes at college football games. When he went to high school, he asked to be his school's first male baton twirler. Wearing a cheerleader's sweater and white pants with silver stripes, he often was tempted to outperform the majorettes. Jamerson eventually moved to St. Louis and worked as a flight attendant, but was laid off after the 9/11 attacks (he now works as a floral designer). To counter his depression, a psychologist recommended he do things that brought him joy and so Jamerson began twirling his baton in public again.^[2] He expanded his wardrobe of transgressive costumes and marched through city streets several afternoons every week. Although some have gossiped that he is mentally ill,^[3] there is no serious indication that this is true.

Baton Bob's motive to entertain is often tied to the current state of the world. Though he created his character to raise peoples' spirits after the 9/11 attacks, other events have caused him to continue. When interviewed by CNN, he made reference to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the recent Indian Ocean Tsunami.

[edit] Events precipitating his departure from St. Louis

Press reports indicate the public in Atlanta either highly appreciates Baton Bob or quietly tolerates him.^[4] Though he was generally appreciated in St. Louis as well, several exceptional events precipitated his departure.

• During the summer of 2003, an observer mooned the character. Both men mutually escalated the situation until the unidentified observer struck Baton Bob in the cheek, an injury that required five stitches. The observer was later arrested by St. Louis detectives and prosecuted.^[5]

• The following summer, when he marched with Missouri NARAL in a suburban 4th of July parade, police manhandled him in an attempt to remove him from the procession. Though the police allowed Baton Bob to remain in the parade, the incident prompted a complaint that alleged the police also swore and called him names.^[6]

• Later the same summer, Baton Bob was arrested while participating in a Kerry/Edwards rally at St. Louis Union Station. He swore at a police officer who stepped on the train of Bob's $500 wedding dress, prompting an arrest for trespassing. The arrest proved to be the proverbial last straw, as Baton Bob left St. Louis for Atlanta soon thereafter.^[2]

[edit] Performances and successes

Baton Bob usually marches solo in a tutu, though he also wears thigh-revealing miniskirts, leotards, and occasionally a wedding dress. Often a whistle complements the ensemble. When actor Christopher Reeve died, Baton Bob wore a Superman costume in tribute, though he has also dressed as Spiderman and Superwoman.^[7] In St. Louis he typically marched down city streets and sidewalks (centering around the Central West End) and occasionally participated in parades. In Atlanta he frequently performs at and around Piedmont Park.

He was featured in Atlanta magazine as one of the city's top personalities and was in an ad campaign for the Georgia Aquarium. In June 2006 he appeared in "The Comedy of Errors" for the Georgia Shakespeare Festival. He led the parade of performers at the beginning of the play and entertained the crowd for a half-hour before the show.^[1] Baton Bob has most recently appeared in the pilot episode of Laugh Out, a gay-themed comedy show entitled "LAUGH-OUT!" He also made a guest appearance in Altanta's production of the play: "PEACHTREE BATTLE" for a benefit for Atlanta's Human Right's Campaign. Recently, featured on CNN"s website's homepage videos with a seven minute piece produced by TBS-Storyline's ERIC LANGFORD.

He also recently began a fashion show in Atlanta at Grady High School during Atlanta Fashion Week. The line was entitled "Pecan Pie Couture" and featured many crazy high-school inspired designs, which Baton Bob was proud to help show off.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Baton Bob interview on TBS Storyline
• Baton Bob in Gay Games Glory