Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2004

(Leather Life column published in Lavender Magazine, Issue #231, April 2, 2004)

On Sunday evening, March 14, Carl Byrd of Minneapolis was chosen as Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2004 from a field of six contestants. First runner-up was Danny Pelletier of St. Louis Park; second runner-up was Jack Roach of Eau Claire, Wis.

Sponsored by 1-800GAYLIVE, this year’s contest actually started the previous Friday night with a Meet-and-Greet in the Eagle. Private contestant interviews were held Saturday afternoon.

Even though it’s the Mr. Minneapolis Eagle contest, Sunday evening’s stage portion of the contest was actually held next door at The Bolt, which was packed. The space worked well, with The Bolt’s higher ceilings allowing better staging than has been possible in previous years when the contest was held in the Eagle.

Emcee for the evening was Minneapolis Eagle and Bolt manager Brian Anderson. Judges were Tim Forte, the first Mr. Minneapolis Eagle (1999); Gregg White, Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2003; and your humble columnist.

Byrd will go on to compete in the 2004 International Mr. Leather contest (<www.imrl.com>), Memorial Day weekend in Chicago.

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Jack Roach works his way through the crowd during the Keg Walk segment of the contest.

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Jack Roach onstage during the Keg Walk segment of the contest.

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Carl Byrd works his way through the crowd during the Keg Walk segment of the contest.

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Carl Byrd, right, onstage with emcee Brian Anderson, left, during the Keg Walk segment of the contest.

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Contestant Bradley Gavin works his way through the crowd during the Keg Walk segment of the contest.

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Contestant Bradley Gavin, right, onstage with emcee Brian Anderson, left, during the Keg Walk segment of the contest.

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Contestant Mark Mastalir during the Q&A portion of the contest.

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Danny Pelletier during the Q&A portion of the contest.

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Mark Mastalir entertains the audience with a hot scuba-diving story during the Erotic Reading portion of the contest.

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Contestant Dan Lynch working the phone during the Erotic Reading portion of the contest.

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Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2003 Gregg White, right, with emcee Brian Anderson, left, shortly before White sashed his successor.

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Steven Due, left, and Gregg White, right, Mr. Minneapolis Eagles 2001 and 2003.

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Tim Forte (right), the first Mr. Minneapolis Eagle (1999) and one of this year’s contest judges, with his partner John Christensen (left).

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Carl Byrd, the newly-sashed Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2004.

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Left to right: First runner-up Danny Pelletier, Mr. Minneapolis Eagle 2004 Carl Byrd, second runner-up Jack Roach.