The Cranium Canvas

By Al Dillapree Sr.

The Cranium Canvas is a collection of stories about the Barbershop and the Barbering business. Many challenges that go on behind the chair usually remain behind the scenes until now. Al Dillapree Sr. gives firsthand accounts of various perspectives of Barbering that translates to any profession.

Witty and educational form an intriguing couple in this success-for-life manual. Al Dillapree Sr. is a seventeen-year veteran Barber with experience in people, thus making The Cranium Canvas a captivating read for all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887314112

Book preview

Don’t Just Cut

The Cranium Canvas has been a journey of joy and artistic expression that has brought fulfillment to my life. I’m thankful for my wife and family for their support in this creative process. The pages have been designed to allow the reader to accompany me on my magical trip with the clippers, the pen and through my lens with the camera.

The clippers served as my initial navigational tool. The Atlantic Ocean was backdrop to the first leg of my Barber world tour. I racked up many miles above the Oceans floor with the clippers in hand. I took care of the ship’s crew by appointment every day. I took care of my crew: Pruitt, Reed, Coleman, White, Walker, Robinson, Rivers and Barren, the night before we pulled into port. This was my busiest night of cutting. It was worth it because I took pride the next day (out in town) seeing the ships company and my boys wearing my cuts. I understood how vital my role as Barber was on and off the ship. I have to say thank you to Otis (Big O) Willis for teaching me the art of cutting my own hair. Also, those conversations were priceless in the Officers Barbershop. Shout out to Big Howard and Big Shaq. Coming home to Detroit on leave in the summertime and cutting Ron-Ron, Mike and El on the porch before going to Belle Isle. Voyaging to Virginia to cut my Navy/Norfolk State crew: Lamont, Aaron, Ced, CC, Del, Mark, Bruce. Thank you for allowing me to use the clippers in new ways. I am thankful for the summer of 1999 and the time I spent in Italy cutting my shipmate, Irv Higgins. After the Navy I came home and began Michigan Barber College. Thanks to Symone I met her cousin Tyrone Meeks and started at Tyrells Cuts. Shout out to Wes, Cherida, Juan, Reginald (Fast) Black and Dave Howard. Thank you, Del Ray and Southwest Detroit, for embracing my art. Thanks to Amp Beeks for the cuts in high school and the Barbershop Softball league. Go Clippers! Shout out to Jamel, Cliff, Ced and Eric Major.

Having something to say can propel you in the water. Having the opportunity to say it in various formats turns you into a speedboat. Mr. Fademup became the skipper of my vessel, and the pen would be the North Star to the microphone.

I discovered Malcolm (Noonie) Patterson and Against the Grain Magazine on Myspace. I’m thankful he took a chance on an