Johnny Birdsong

The Original Southern Gentleman

I look forward to this issue every year, as it means I hand off the reigns of creative control to my southern gentleman, Johnny Birdsong. It is, after all, our annual homage to all things gentleman. And as he is the consummate southern gentleman in all the ways; it is only fitting that we interviewed him for his own column this month! As the mother to sons, I cannot think of anyone better than my husband, to mentor and guide them into the gentlemen they can be. Maybe even, already are. This month’s content, carefully curated by my fellow publisher, has brought you an issue that exudes all things classic, cultivated and ever so… Johnny Birdsong. I hope you enjoy it and getting to know him a little better. So, without further ado, let us find out just what “A Southern Gentleman Is…” with Johnny Birdsong: 

What is one piece of advice you hope your sons take with them and tell their children?

No way to share just one- So here are a few big ones for me and I hope for them. I have tried to instill and hope that I have raised my sons to live with integrity – for me that is about what you do when no one is watching without expecting anything in return. Also, though it may not be the easiest thing to do: ALWAYS DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING. I know that the only person you have to impress is the good Lord above. LIVE LIFE! When you get the choice to sit it out or dance… DANCE!! Be yourself: YOU are perfectly made and everyone else is taken. Believe in, ask for, look for and expect GOD WINKS. They happen all the time.

Lastly, the most important thing, I feel, you can ever do as a father for your children, is BE AN EXAMPLE; BUILD GOOD MEMORIES AND GIVE YOUR CHILDREN YOUR TIME. Oh yeah… you can never tell them often enough I LOVE YOU.

How do you maintain the qualities of a southern gentleman every day?

I have had many years of watching, and learning from, many Southern Gentlemen. I try and carry those traits/qualities forward. Here are my most important examples: Stand up and look someone in the eye when being introduced with a firm handshake. Stay open-minded. Don’t pre-judge. Hang with the winners. Be a gracious host. Be at ease in any social setting.

I am an intent listener. I try very hard to think before I speak. I treat all people with respect. If I can help someone, I want to help them. I practice, on a daily basis, – DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING. I value punctuality and other’s time. It is vital to me to do whatever I say I am going to do. I am open and receptive to everyone. I was brought up that you present yourself to be your best self. I still dress up for church. I wear a jacket to dinner. I was told at my first job out of college “If you dress for golf, your mind is on golf, if you dress for business, your mind is on business.” I believe that NOTHING happens by accident or coincidence in my life and EVERYTHING works out just the way it is supposed to… as long as I don’t mess it up. This last one has taken years to learn, but has made me a better husband, father, friend, business owner and overall, more of a gentleman. I don’t have to know or understand everything, I certainly don’t, and I don’t have to “fix” everything that doesn’t go my way. Another gentleman once asked me – “Would you rather be happy, or right?” Great advice.

What is the last finishing touch that makes you feel more like a southern gentleman every day?

A splash of Creed cologne – light, fresh and memorable.

Who is one southern gentleman that has inspired your own life?

I have been blessed with many Southern Gentlemen influencing and molding my life. Starting with my father… I never heard the man raise his voice or say curse words. He taught me the importance of getting up early; to DO something… he had me doing something from an early age. If I wasn’t involved with school or sports or some “activity,” he found some “work” for me to do. And whatever you do: do your very best. I didn’t like it then, but I am so thankful for that today. I am up, by body clock, early every day. It is my favorite part of the day. I learned from watching him all my life DO THE NEXT RIGHT THING… even when it is hard or you don’t want to.

My Uncle Bill had a great influence on me as someone today I strive to be more like. He instilled in me the power of God. He was a hard worker. He was honest and straight forward with all.  He was an amazing listener. He thought before speaking. He thought before making decisions. He cared for everyone, helped everyone, treated everyone with respect. He was a self-made man from nothing to a man of wealth and influence of which to all he gave credit to God. He taught me about the two types of self-pride (bad and good) and the importance of giving back and helping others.

Who is one southern gentleman dead or alive that you would love to have a conversation with? 

Elvis Presley

How do you hope to inspire future generations of southern gentlemen?

I am blooming where I am planted. I have an outlet (YOUR Williamson) to reach a lot of current and future gentlemen. I am able to share wisdom from so many “A Southern Gentlemen Is” men being featured in each issue. I have received e-mails and calls from people I have never met, many from other areas of the country, talking about reading the article on a plane and how much they enjoyed it, I had one man ask me to mail copies of a certain issue’s article, so he could give them to his four grandsons that all were in college. I hope to continue this article because there are so many role models and Southern Gentlemen in this amazing community we live in. Coincidence? I don’t think so. It has meant so much to me getting to know and learn from these great men. It has certainly inspired me, and my hope is to inspire others.

I can live by example for my sons in hopes they carry that into future generations.

What is at the top of your bucket list currently? 

My “want” list (Bucket List) is very small. Today I want more for my kids than I want for myself. To quote Joe Walsh: “Life’s been good to me so far.” I would LOVE to take an extended trip to Italy to explore, embrace and experience at a slow pace.

What distinguishes a “gentleman” from a “southern gentleman”? 

I feel a gentleman is typically defined by values like respect, integrity, good manners and treating all with courtesy. All are the same for a “Southern Gentleman.” I have met and made friends with many gentlemen from north of the Mason Dixon and certainly have learned a lot from them and have tremendous respect for them. Maybe some differences in the South could be said to be: We in the South seem to share a cultural code of honor: family, friends, business and preserving traditions. We live to show that chivalry is not dead. "Yes ma’am", "No Sir", opening doors, helping others especially children and the elderly. We are romantics to the core, and we LOVE our ladies. Learning, knowledge and wisdom are of great value. We love and value true hospitality as occasions to be savored versus chores we check off the list. We want everyone around us to feel comfortable and respected. We have a great awareness to situations and surroundings with no fear of showing empathy. A smile and hello to all we meet, is our innate nature, even to people we have never met. Maybe we just take life a little slower. Certainly, slower to react. We are more traditional of course in most things, including our seersucker and linen suits. Get yours out. It’s summer in the South!