The Naked Cowboy

As much as I would like this post to be about a porn film, it’s not.

It’s actually about a New York City staple – Robert John Burck, whose handle is “The Naked Cowboy,” and who wanders Time Square dressed only in cowboy hat, boots and Y-fronts, with a guitar strategically placed to give the illusion that he’s in the buff.

Burck is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio and has a degree in political science.  He began busking (street singing) in Venice Beach, California; disappointed with his earnings, he adopted his current “wardrobe” after a friend suggested that he’d make more money if he dressed only in his underwear.  The gimmick worked, and he has since become a fixture on New York City tours where bus guides point him out.  He wanders Times Square (and New Orleans, during Mardi Gras season), and in December, 2008, registered as a marriage officiator by New York City.  (It should be noted that he plays his persona, to the hilt, year-round, which must be extremely and especially enervating in the winter months, no?)

He’s performed on television and music videos, and appeared on American Idol, Australian Idol, and Star Search.  He’s performed in Irish national television, has been featured as part of USA Network’s “Characters Welcome” campaign, was part of a Chevrolet commercial that aired during Super Bowl XLI, and was a Guinness spokesperson for an advertisement that appeared in the United Kingdom.  He was even in a cut-away shot on an episode of The People’s Court and asked for his opinion regarding the case currently in session.

Burck has also drawn on his educational background and “street cred” to run for public office, most notably mayor of New York and President of the United States.  “No one knows how to do more with less than yours truly … [I have] an unapologetic commitment to our borders, our language, and our culture,” he is quoted as saying, borrowing a well-known catchphrase of radio host Michael Savage (no relation to Dan).  He caught voters off-guard by cutting his hair and dressing in a suit for his announcement, but he quietly withdrew from both races.

Burck been able to trademark himself thoroughly, and he’s written books and appeared in several music videos as well as several documentaries to maintain his image.  When you think about it, it’s an awesome idea … I would to have love a job where I could walk around, in public, in my underwear, all day … and not get arrested.  (Yes, I know we’re talking about New York City here, a city I love to visit and not necessarily known for staying ‘inside the box,’ so to speak.  My friend Mark – a Brooklyn inhabitant – would say, “Dude, you can’t arrest somebody here just for that.”)

Burck himself sums up his persona with the following anecdote: “I had a little old lady in New Orleans’ Mardi Gras grab my [junk] and say, ‘Just want to see what you got there, Buster!’  Only lady that’s ever done it.  She was about 105.  Awesome.”  (I wonder how many guys have?)  I’ve been to Times Square several times, but unfortunately, I’ve never seen The Naked Cowboy.  Hope to, though.  If you’re gonna see something like that, New York City would be the place.  (I did see a guy walking around with a cat firmly perched on his head.  That was cool.  Maybe The Naked Cowboy could work that into his act?  Whatever he does, here’s hoping Burck keeps showing off his underwear … you gotta love The Big Apple!)