Between The Fur

Jumping into hot tubs, riding busses onto the Today Show, and the Lakers huddle around a toilet. This episode dives even deeper into Jay and I's NBA career and how we pulled off some of the most bizarre antics! Sponsors: Alinco Costumes / GameOps.com   

I get together with my former assistant Jay Evans to talk about our iconic and memorable performances in the NBA. Jay was a big part of some of my biggest and most outrageous stunts and skits I ever did in the early 2000’s. We get into everything from an impossible treadmill dance to being booed out by an emotional crowd. We had a blast with this one, stay tuned for more from Jay in the next episode! Sponsors: Alinco Costumes & GameOps.com

Without revealing which Mascot he is in the NBA, Todd and I get into some rollerblade dunk fails, the ever evolving "cans" and "cant's", NBA vs NFL and more! Todd's a deep thinker and well spoken, love this guy!  Sponsors: Alinco Costumes/GameOps.com

Life size Mr. Potato Heads, t-shirt cannon simulators, & everything FUR! Executive Director Orestes Hernandez takes us through the most unorthodox hall of fame in the world, he explains how The Mascot Hall of Fame is not just a tribute to Mascots but an interactive experience taking you through the unknown world of these performers. Orestes also shares how the voting is going for the 2020 HOF class!  Sponsors: Alinco Costumes/GameOps.com https://mascothalloffame.com/

Rollerblade dunking at 25MPH, face-planting into backboards, and The Teeterboard fail.  Kirk Johnson, former ASU gymnast performed in the NBA from 1997 - 2009 as the Atlanta Hawks Mascot "SkyHawk".  A man of God, a family man, and a true performer! Sponsors: Alinco Costumes & GameOps.com      

Talk about BEARing it all! Jon gets personal with stories of pooping his pants while performing, his extreme injuries, and he sheds light on a pro mascot's commitment and loyalty to his brand. (Please excuse Jon's iPhone 2 and it's audio quality) Credit to Jason Thompson for sending in his mascot fail story, shared in this episode. Thank You!  Sponsors: Alinco Costumes & GameOps.com

Have you ever visited an actual costume company? It's kinda like Willy Wonka's Chocolate factory, you never know what's going to be around the next corner! For this episode I decided to stop by Alinco in Salt Lake City Utah and visit Jill and Nick Allen after the Mascot Bowl game! I guess you could say I went on a field trip!  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kennsolomon-betweenthefur/message

The first "LUCKY" wasn't quite so lucky. Jeff Goodin was the first Celtics in costume Mascot "Lucky" (yes, when it comes to Boston there's a difference) and the Dallas Mavericks Mascots "MavsMan" and "Champ". We get into how everyone in Boston hated the first "Lucky", how this isn't a $7 an hour job, the early days of Mark Cuban and our interactions with him. Goodin is as "goodin" as it gets!  https://www.facebook.com/BTFmascots/ Sponsors: ALINCO Costumes & GameOps.com

Zoltan (Zoli) the best chameleon in professional sports! Zoli was the first "G-Wiz" for the Washington Wizards. He has gone on to fill in for Mascots spanning the NBA, NHL, and NFL. He is currently the Senior Production Manager for the world famous Harlem Globetrotters!  We share our stunt work in movies, commercials, and music videos, as well as our brushes with the rich and famous. https://www.facebook.com/BTFmascots/  Sponsors: ALINCO Costumes & GameOps.com

Designing and creating BOOMER, I nearly die in Australia, & the cancer he will die with!  Paul and I go way back to almost the beginning of my career. He talks of his gymnastic background, being involved in creating the character Boomer and performing as such. We share stories of Australia and how I almost died. Paul also shares his story of his current battle with cancer. I love this guy and miss him. https://www.facebook.com/BTFmascots/ Sponsors: ALINCO Costumes & GameOps.com  

Talk about going deep... Barry, the artist formerly known as "BENNY THE BULL" from the Chicago Bulls, dives deep into the art of being a professional mascot.  Barry reveals how he brought Benny to life and the mental and physical effort it took!  Checkout what Barry is up to now! -Custom Costumes:  orders@chigacocostume.com / ChicagoCostumes.com -JigSaw Entertainment:  barry@jugsawentertainment.com - Mascot design, construction, branding and performance for international & domestic sports teams, sports federations and large corporations.

The one and only Rufus from the short-lived Charlotte Bobcats.  Hear him tell of his journey to the NBA, his 9 years with the Bobcats, his book Belayed Gratification, and a starstruck Jessica Simpson and her parents.    CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK @BTFmascots

Chris Ernest drops a couple shockers in this episode!  I was totally caught off guard when he spoke of his childhood! It was a true pleasure to speak to the man who worked his way in to the mascot world and the NBA. I learned that there really is a soft heart behind that crazy FUR BALL!! Thank You for listening! CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK - @BTFmascots 

Eric McMahon ("GRIZZ"),  Jon Absey (former "JAZZ BEAR"),  Barry Anderson (former "BENNY THE BULL"), and I share some memorable and amusing mascot mishaps and stories at the 2019 Mascot Conference in Memphis TN. (Bleeps are added to this episode to cover up language and names keeping current mascots identity private.)   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kennsolomon-betweenthefur/message

What an honor it was to have THE KING, Jerry Lawler, as the guest speaker at the 2019 NBA Mascot Conference in Memphis, TN! Jerry is in the WWE Hall of Fame and is a Color Commentator, he has also appeared in several movies including MAN ON THE MOON.  In his speech he tells of his experiences with Mascots, the late Hollywood Star ANDY KAUFMAN, and Late Night with DAVID LETTERMAN. We were all riveted... ENJOY! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kennsolomon-betweenthefur/message

A chat with the legendary and current Kansas City Chiefs Mascot KC WOLF!  Dan Meers is the first NFL Mascot featured on Between the Fur.  Dan talks of his work in the community, philanthropy, 30 year career, and how his near death injury has been a blessing overall.  As we chatted about his 70 ft. fall, I get the opportunity to clear the air about the time I got hung from the catwalk in front of 19k people!  ENJOY!! FOLLOW:  Facebook @BTFmascots  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kennsolomon-betweenthefur/message

In a way these two gentlemen "Brought me into this world!"  Tom Sapp is the Designer and Creator of hundreds of mascots and characters around the globe. Wayne and Tom have worked together developing characters like the Denver Nuggets mascot ROCKY and the Pistons HOOPER to name a few.  It was a ton of fun chatting with these two geniuses and sharing stories of successes and me almost dying while skydiving in costume! ENJOY!! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kennsolomon-betweenthefur/message

An unbelievable story of a man behind a mask cheating death.  Eric McMahon shares his eerie, jaw dropping story of his battle with cancer and how his team, town and fellow mascots rallied around him.  You will be saddened, angry, and inspired as Eric takes you on this personal journey. FOLLOW: Facebook @BTFmascots --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kennsolomon-betweenthefur/message

It seems like most Mascots have an uncommon childhood. Ned and Georgia (Mom & Dad) are my biggest supporters and always have been! In this episode we talk about my hero's, and influencers, and how I was a Mascot from DAY ONE! They tell of my early childhood, gymnastics in the backyard, how a couple of professional mimes helped shape my future, and some bonus stories about Shaq and Magic Johnson. For a closer look into my background and "Mascot in the making" antics, listen to this up close and personal episode.     --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kennsolomon-betweenthefur/message

Former NBA mascot "CLUTCH" for the Houston Rockets talks about "Mascot University", the mindset of a successful mascot, key elements of entertainment and more.  This is a high energy, information packed, conversation with one of the best entertainers in the business. A MUST listen for any and all pro sports entertainers, managers and fans!     --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/kennsolomon-betweenthefur/message