WEST POTTSGROVE, Pa. (Tribune News Service) — "Business in the front, party in the back."

That's the traditional definition of a hairstyle known as "the mullet;" that is, if something so truly majestic as a mullet can be said to be "traditional" in any way. ("Party-in-the-back" remember?).

If for some strange reason you don't already know, a "mullet" is a haircut which is short in the front, on the sides and sometimes on top (although variations abound) and long in the back. Wikipedia says the term for the style was coined by The Beastie Boys in their 1994 song "Mullet Head" and that the style became popular, doubtless to his delight, after being showcased by movie star Keifer Sutherland in the 1987 vampire film, "The Lost Boys."

Aside from bestowing epic coolness on anyone with enough spinal fortitude to chose one, mullets are now lending their glorious prestige to a good cause — helping Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors, a charity that helps provide homes for wounded veterans.

And 6-year-old Rory Ehrlich is just the guy to lend a hand

And you're just the person to help him by voting online for his mullet before Tuesday, when the mullet polls close.

You see, Rory is among literally hundreds of mullet-loving multitudes of all ages who are participating in the USA Mullet Championships. (That's right, there really is such a thing.)

Already this year, the questionably-coiffed have raised $85,939.31 for the organization. Each donation made on behalf of the contestant of your choice, contributes to the overall score of that contestant. So not only will donations help choose the winner, but money will be raised for a great cause.

And Rory, whose mullet moniker is "Cheddar Wiz," is already a winner. He competed against 398 other contestants in the age 5 to 8 category and was not only selected, but he is now among the top 100 contestants made up of all age groups, according to his mom, Airen Ehrlich.

"He's really been preparing for this. He's been growing it out for a year," she said.

The Ehrlichs moved to the Pottstown area three years ago because they wanted more space to farm, and they own the small-but-popular farm off Sell Road that invites passersby to pet their cows. Rory "really helps out and does farm chores," Ehrlich said. "He's such a kind-hearted soul."

Rory, a student at West Pottsgrove Elementary School, trusts his do to Owen, at Sal's Barbershop in Boyertown, Erhrlich said. "He really gets a lot of attention when he comes into the barbershop and they talk about what they want to do."

The hair cut, which took his parents by surprise when Rory requested it at the barbershop, "totally fits his personality," she said, adding "we have no idea where he found out about it.

However, the youngster is fully aware of the cause for which his miraculous mop is competing.

"His grandfather was a senior master sergeant in the Air Force and Rory was really proud to tell him about this," Ehrlich said. "And my dad thinks its hysterical that Rory is getting so much attention over this."

If you want to give Rory and his marvelous mullet more attention, you can do so by voting online at https://www.mulletchamp.com/kids_and_teens/rory-ehrlich-cheddar-wiz/

It's big money if he wins. First place is $5,000, second place is $1,000 and the third place prize is $500.

If he does win, with your help, his mom said "he plans to take his winnings to go to wing night, buy some baseball gear, and an alpaca for his 7-year-old sister."

(c)2023 The Mercury, Pottstown, Pa.

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