We had the good fortune of connecting with Greg (Bad Bonez),/Leah (Gabbys Kiss) Franklin / pitcock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Greg (Bad Bonez),/Leah (Gabbys Kiss), what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
We’ve always had a desire to make people smile, laugh and bring them joy. For years we’ve been entertaining in some fashion for years now, organizing and hosting for fundraising events within the biker and military communities of Texas. After the kids had left home, we had experienced that empty nest feeling. Being that we have retired at a relatively young age we felt the need to adventure. We also wanted to show that Gabby’s multiple sclerosis would not stop us even though she was confined to a wheelchair for over 6 years. So we got rid the house and bought an RV and took off looking for adventures. Then on on Gabbys Birthday put a bunch of things that we thought we might like to do in a hat like going on a cruise taking class in Brazilian jujitsu skydiving you know the things ordinary couples want to do, and now professional perform Burlesque.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Burlesque so much more than stripping! Got a call one night from a friend saying that they were going to cash app over some money so Gabby will not have to strip anymore.
We gladly accepted the money and put it towards our fundraising for the golden Legends Championship challenge
Which was our very first burlesque competition where we were paired with mentors who helped us prepare and perform competition pieces at Lulu’s downstairs in manitou springs Colorado.
This was a wonderful experience,it was like burlesque boot camp we gained so much knowledge experience on costuming movement lighting storytelling and most of all the tease.
We took on a challenge that most first year performers wouldn’t step up to with
Our goal in mind to do something that we’ve always dreamed about and fans of but didn’t think that we ever could physically. Now we have learned that there are even disability competitions for burlesque Gabby will be entering in the near future.

Bonez just entering his fifties just wasn’t satisfied being a military retiree. Filter the needs connect and create with people and burlesque is a wonderful way to tell fun stories. I find one of my business challenges in life is how I’m going to take these pants off.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We are avid motorcyclist so the first stop on this adventure would be motorcycle down to Trinidad Colorado (what we like to call the cannabis shopping mall of America)to do a little shopping and to check out the Art car museum. Then to pueblo for a day at the zoo. Then we would probably spend the majority of our time in and around the Colorado springs area. Here we go see Romeo uncaged wrestle in his wrestling production. We definitely would want to perform and view performances at la burley bees, and hopefully catch up performance by foxy dream. We would head over to fort Carson to give a salute to the flag and to check out the fourth infantry Division museum. Then up to Denver to check out what the Clock Tower Cabaret course this is our dream vacation we’re performing. Then we would finish out our trip with a day of hot springs, visiting one of the areas local hot springs.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shout out to! Julia pin-up in the pin-up tour for inviting us to a free show to give us our inspiration.

Our very first instructor Vixen DeVille who taught us our first intro to burlesque class, help desk develop our first Acts and put us on the stage for the first time.

Illy Royal cheese for her weekly classes and motivation.

Brawling beauty for her wisdom ,mentorship in giving us introductions into the world of burlesque.

Norma le aman a beautiful queen who always gives us a stage and the freedom to be creative.

And of course all of our wonderful friends in the burlesque community that we’ve made over this last year.

Website: https://www.flowcode.com/page/bonez_n_gabby?fbclid=PAAaYwwYLDsMjO1GJGzvNWF0pi4t7_EvdRlulWt2MA46GcdaCR0mk1-5ur2-0

Instagram: Bonez_n_Gabby

Facebook: Bones N GABBY

Other: IG @gabbys_Kiss IG @badd_Bonez

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.