The word influencer is used any and everywhere in today’s world. I frankly don't understand what it means. And I'm a millennial!
Wait, am I a millennial?! What does that even mean?!
An Influencer, according to Louisvillescoop.com a blog (and assumably the city's leading supplier of quality kitty litter) is a thought leader of today, changing the landscape for brands. I mean, I guess (sure) but are those even real people?
What about folks you ACTUALLY see in town, creating analog Art in real time and celebrating the boozled gonzo kind of lunacy you'd expect from our legendary Derby City? Don't THEY deserve a 5-minute listicle to put them over and get shared with quippy one-liners on your facebook feed?
I'm not saying these people are drunkest or constantly out of their heads, but for real at least they seem like they actually exist and you will likely catch them next you engage with humanoids in meatspace when you decide to spend some of your dumb money on a genuine Artistic experience sometime.
Below are the Louisvillians Under the Influence you MUST meet in a bar and buy a drink this year:
Eric McManus
Between slinging drinks at Louisville's eternal high school cafeteria, The Highlands Taproom, constantly rage-fixing his motorcycle, violently murder-deathing the drums and bi-annually rejuvenating his Stand-Up Comedy career, Eric McManus is a supersweetheart and a ball of high-strung gold waiting to be spun back into yarn
Ethel Loveless
Ethel can usually be spotted with her perrenial tag team partner in crime Beatrix B. Naughty creating some of the most unique and titillating shows around town. Endlessly charming and effortlessly fearless, you can catch her every Tuesday at The Limbo downtown for her showcase Titty Tiki Tuesdays in addition to countless events around town
José Oreta
Laying down lines fatter than your mumma, José is virtually everywhere in town there happens to be music helming the mighty bass. An eternal workhorse, he'll nimbly navigate whatever tunes you can concoct but be sure to have a couple cigarettes to bum him as that is included in his extensive contract rider.
Stephen J. Holthouser
Perhaps the lone exception to the opening's addendum about these Artists NOT being constantly under the influence of substances, no one inhabits the lifestyle of depraved decadence worthy of Dr. Gonzo levels more than this Kentucky Colonel. Hoping to make it to Goddamned Space™ by at least 2026(ish) Steve puts of one Helluva Christmas variety show and can cook a better omelette than you'd expect
Duncan Cherry
Managing Louisville's hottest Gay Barbecue joint by day and spinning records while Dee-Jaying the night away Duncan (Mr. Cherry if you're nasty) is a bubbling cauldron of good ideas and even better intentions. I mean, just look at him. If this man doesn't exude the purest meaning of the word "fun" to you then, like...I dunno, like, do you even fuck?!
Sean Smith
Teacher, Actor, Comedian, all this ubermensch truly wants is to play the villain. But he's just so cotdamned nice I mean cumon just look at the guy. That smile is lighting my room as I type this. He's muscular, handsome and talented and works at making your kids better people who wouldn't be influenced by that?
Be him.
Chris Vititoe
A man of many hats, all of them leading to new and increasingly wackadoo characters for his bizarre puppet madhouse, "Lil' Andy," The Character Assassination Roasts or whatever venture he puts his endlessly creative mind to. In addition to off-beat Comedy, Chris is also the advocate for Louisville's greatest mechanized cyborg drummer, Tony Robot and frequent collaborator with valued neighbor Howell Dawdy
Rusty "The Jerky Guy"
The preeminent baron of non-vegan jerky in the 'Ville, Rusty can be seen literally & figuratively every single place on any given drinking night, which as we all know is all of them. Adorned with outdated political stickers, a light-up boob and probably a Mary Poppins' black hole of Gosh knows what inside his magical basket, Rusty peddles jerky to anyone and everyone not afraid of the 10% chance that the secret ingredient is soylent green
J.D. Green
Everybody knows JD can sing. You've heard her. Even if you don't realize it; you have. She's all over Louisville. You are legally required to hear her. What most people don't realize is how incredibly funny this lady is. You can't throw a line to sing at her that won't sound perfect and amazing but it can be about anything. Have her sing your Google history. Your shopping list. Your weird Uncle's emails. It'll make you weep and then laugh all over.
John Paul Faughender, III
There is nothing easy about curating an Art space no matter what level. John creates oppertunities and makes dreams comes true with his OPEN Gallery, which is home residency to some of the most happening shit in town. You just gotta appreciate a guy who is not only completely unafraid to deal with the hellish landscape of living next to Cardinal Stadium, but make Art thrive there. Bravo sir, Bravo.
Jackie Royce
Bassoon badass and scheduler supreme Jackie heads Orchestra Enigmatic, a chamber Orchestra committed to making weird shit happen on a very large scale. Also tooting supreme voodoo with the band Ut Gret and countless other outfits around town, Jackie is the force to be reckoned with.
Reed Sedgwick
Commanding the room of Louisville's arguably 2nd longest running Comedy Open Mic, Reed has got to be one of the most reliably funny performers that you never know what the fuck might happen next. Also check out Their leatherwork at various Artfairs!
Desheriay Thornton
Local eccentric with the fashion sense of a fun Auntie®, Deshi Arnez, Jr as he is never actually known as brings glorious thunder to each and every situation he is in. A noted exotic avian ovum quiche enthusiast, you can catch the Thornt one flinging Bi-Be-Que or sketching madness pretty much on any given day
JC Dennison
One of the hardest working men in Louisville whether it be behind a drumset, a vibraphone, turntable or microphone producing some of the finest interview work this side of Terry Gross. JC slings beers, builds dreams, breaks rules, rucks fools, and loves kitties. ✓++ human right there
Daniel Thompson
....Or better known as "Shaggy." You probably never even knew his (admittedly generic) name before you read this. You knew him as Shaggy, Lord High Duke of Against the Grain Brewtastic Beer Factory & Baseballside Gastropub. A transplant from Louisville's dorky porn sister city Lexington, Shaggy Thompson set about becoming the single most charming beer baron rep you'll ever meet. While he hasn't touched his bass guitar in years, he has certainly touched all of our hearts.
Lauren Argo
Able to weave thru any form media with constant panache AND grace and hilarity will always ensue. La La as she commonly known is an enigma wrapped with in a starlet from some lost Bogart film. Watch out! She's the sitcom neighbor you've always dreamt of having sexual tension with.
Doug Schutte
Your former high school football coach made his own Shakespearean themed restaurant pub Theater and it is every bit as hip and more than I am able to convey. Over the past near-decade The Bard's Town has become a haven for Artistic expression of the highest creative caliber in Louisville, with this beautifully rugged maniac at the helm.
Joe Dunn
Ever since this man journeyed into the 'Ville from his native Texas, the Louisville music scene has been thankful. Whether he's fronting a 15 piece big band in the space of tiny dive bar or churning out arrangements far juicier than the assignment ever called for, Joe will absolutely destroy you one whatever instrument he sees fit to
Drew English
The patron Saint of Germantown's capitol, "The Nachbar," Drew English commands such vast amounts of reverb even Jim James fears him. He is Louisville's local highlander: seeking out his ancient counterparts Drew French, Drew German and Drew Czechoslovakia and eliminating them with extreme prejudice.
Molly Clark
Able to plan cities and knock you on your ass in a single bound all whilst on a damned pair of rollerskates you best beware: too much power is packed into lil' badass. God help us all if she ever discovers In-Line Rollerblades.
McKinley Moore
This hulking maniac is on a spirit quest to bring the best sounds he can to our fair city all while secretly trying to crush you soul with his own vibrational powers. The chancellor of music at both KAIJU and Zanzabar he has whipped up some of Louisville's most unique artistic expiriences and deserves you to dowry your 3rd born child to him or at least buy him a drink I guess
Karla Ortega
Local treasure makes every room brighten up or at least get significantly louder. You've probably worked at least 2 jobs with her and she was always your favorite. She has a story to top any of yours and gladly tell you half in English and and half in Spanish, depending on how long she has been at Nachbar.
