Now, I am a huge fan of the 'classic' barber shop. By 'classic', I mean that the shop must meet 5 requirements.

1) White tile floor (colored tile can count if it meets the colors of the local college)
2) Barber pole (no pole, no barber shop)
3) Old Coke Machine (gotta have a good, cold coke from a fairly old machine)
4) Television Set (it's got to be big enough to see, but small enough to where the customer wants a bigger one)
5) Last, but definitely not least: In-depth sports conversation

How did Western Plaza rate? A perfect 5 of 5, plus bonus points for their incredible assortment of pennants (200+ pennants on the wall, all of different schools), and for the creative display of Tennessee football colored doughnuts (courtesy of Krispy Kreme), and a very good cup of coffee.

The adrenaline is flowing through me today, and so while my co-workers were getting their much needed shuteye, I arrived at Western Plaza at 7:45 this morning, and the place was already packed. The shop has 7 barbers, and everyone had appointments. For over 40 years, this has been THE place to go get haircuts in Knoxvile. Players, coaches, judges, doctors, lawyers, and anyone who follows Tennessee football attempt to get haircuts. The shop is so popular, appointments must be made almost three weeks in advance.

To begin, I was given a special cream to put on my face. As Junior and Phyllis, the owners of the barber shop, explained, the cream provides even more lubrication to make a smoother, closer shave. After applying the cream, Phyllis led me to the hot lather machine to get the perfect shaving cream for my face. Once applied, the shaving becomes really easy, and after a hot towel to clean off, I had to admit, i'd never had a better, closer shave.

As for the conversation, it was lively and entertaining. Junior, a die-hard Volunteer fan, keeps the fans talking football, asking for predictions as they file into the shop, and also as they leave. His pick? Tennessee by 18.

"I think we'll bounce back from last year," he said. "I think that #3 pre-season ranking last year; that was a year too early."

The majority of the fans were cautiously optimistic. When asked for a prediction, everyone picked Tennessee, but more were hoping for the win, instead of firmly believing the Vols would beat Cal.

"I hope we'll win," one fan told me. "I don't care if it's just by a point, I just want to win."

What keeps the barber shop so packed is not only the rarity of classic barber shops today, but also because of the remarkable memory of Junior.

"It's funny," Junior said. "I can tell you what each customer likes sports-wise, and what they like in a haircut. I can't tell you what I had for breakfast this morning, but I can tell you what each customer likes. That's just my job."

Another barber, Micki, had an amazing story to add to that.

"One guy left Knoxville, and hadn't been back for about 18 years," she said. "He comes back, after 18 years, with his son, and Junior just looks up and says 'Hi, George', like he'd seen him last week. He has such an incredible memory."

It's a job that Junior, his family, and the other barbers around truly enjoy, which makes the atmosphere inside the shop light and fun. Football season just adds to it.

"It's football season every day in here," Junior said, as Phyllis nodded her head in agreement. "But I love this job. This shop has been very good to my family. I can't imagine doing anything else. Where else can you have as much fun at your job than this?"

Well, besides the job we have, road-tripping the SEC, I can't argue with his statement. As for the barber shop, it's one of the best places for good football, good haircuts, and good laughs in Knoxville.

We are hours away from football time in Tennessee, and we can't wait to get it started all over again!