Mustachioed, Mustachioed Man… I want to be…
By Jon Chattman

Who could forget the police officer, the American Indian chief, the construction worker, the leatherman, the military man, and of course, the cowboy? The answer? No one. Everyone remembers the Village People, and rightfully so. The group scored numerous disco and dance hits like "Macho Man," "Go West", "In the Navy," "Y.M.C.A.," and our personal favorite "Sex Over The Phone." Yes, these guys don't need to bring sexy back, because they never lost it.

While that's true and the group has sold over 85 million albums and singles, we're more impressed with the mustache dedication a few of them had. The late great Glenn Hughes rocked the mustache as the leatherman, as did, original cowboy Randy Jones. We recently chatted with Jones, and asked him all about 'stache, how he got involved in Movember, and what the future holds for our favorite Villager. Check out the interview, cowpokes…

How'd you get involved in Movember?
I have been a big fan of Australia ever since touring there with my group, the Village People. I am a strong supporter of organizations that help raise funds for men's health, so when I found out about Movember, a non-profit that encourages men to get sponsored to grow moustaches to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer, I jumped on board; we all know how I love a good 'stache.

We all do. How long have you had a stache?
I've been cultivating this particular feature since 1973!

It's magnificent. Why do you think some men can pull off the mustache while others can't?

I think with courage and confidence anyone can pull it off for at least a month. Historically, mustaches are worn by many great public figures, heroes and leaders not to mention present day sports stars and rock stars. I guess you just have to have big cohones!

Indeed, so how are you preparing for your emcee duties tonight at the NYC Movember gala?

I am just following the lead of Movember co-founder Adam Garone and keeping my Mo well groomed for the gala's. And if you know me, you know I love that toastmaster role.

I bet! Are you still touring with Village People?
My Suggestion: Nope. I currently have a new solo CD, "Ticket to the World" and since June I've been touring the U.S. and internationally with my 2007-08 "Ticket to the World" concert tour. Periodically, I enjoy doing a role onstage here in NYC, in addition to the odd film role. I've just finished up work on a new film, "The Gentleman" and when you're prowling the tube you can catch a couple of my featured interviews in the documentary films, "The Godfather of Disco" and VH-1's Rock Doc, "NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell". I'm also the narrator in the award winning documentary "When Ocean Meets Sky" and don't be surprised if I pop up on an "E! True Hollywood Story", VH-1's "Best Week Ever" or "TMZ.com on TV". You can find out more info about the CD and the tour at www.RandyJonesWorld.com and www.myspace.com/randyjonesworld. The CD is available everywhere and is available to download at www.iTunes.com and at all music download services.

What do you think the overall appeal was with the band?
Firstly that there had never been anything like us before, and probably nothing quite like us since. We were a humorous synthesis of pop music, vaudeville shtick and youthful sincerity. We were edgy, for our time, but we never went over the line to be offensive. With a lot of skill, we cultivated an audience of young and old, black and white, male and female, straight and not-so-straight, [and so on] and somehow managed to log a few songs into the catalogue of pop music for the ages. Like "Macho Man", "In the Navy" and "YMCA". It's not a bad legacy to have…one that leaves folks with a smile on their faces. I honor it.

That's true. If you could pick a celebrity to join Village People, who would it be, who would they be, and why?
That's a toughie. But I guess it would have to be the legendary Bob Hope. He's the closest of any celeb that was consistent and game about joining us. In fact, he actually dressed in the various parts of each of our costumes a few times for our appearances on his television specials. One that I remember that was a riot was for the USO that filmed in NY Harbor on the USS Intrepid. He was a great sport, a great guy and a showbiz legend!

Thanks for the memories…