craigdailypress.com

John Bolton won't be hard to find for the next few days.

With a neon-pink Mohawk, the Moffat County High School band instructor will stand out in just about any crowd.

Concert band members made a deal with Bolton that if they received a superior rating at last week's performance in Steamboat Springs, Bolton would shave his hair into a Mohawk and dye it pink.

The band made good on their end of the bargain, earning a score of one, the highest score possible at the Large Group Music Festival in Steamboat.

On Monday morning, in the band room at the high school, Bolton made good on his end of the bargain.

With the help of his wife, Teri, and senior band member Jojo La, Bolton dyed his hair -- which he shaved into a mohawk Sunday -- hot pink.

Leading up to the performance, the theme for the band was "Think pink," Bolton said.

Bands at the festival are judged on a scale of one to five, with one being the best and five being the worst.

Last year, Moffat County received a three, the year before, a four.

"These guys pulled some pride out of their hat this year," Bolton said.

In the days before Thursday's performance, Bolton wasn't sure whether he would have to get a new hairstyle.

The band was consistently performing at between a one and a two, he said.

But when the performance came, the band did what they came to do and scored a one.

Chane Smith, a junior band member, said he didn't have any doubt that Bolton would go through with the deal.

"He's a good band teacher," Smith said. "He does what he says he will do."

If the band continues to perform well, Bolton might have some more mohawks in his future.

"I really wouldn't mind doing this every year," Bolton said.