all cut from the same cloth. My dad was born SBM: I feel like we end up talking about that somebody was going to watch the “Stillers” in Bloomfield and it’s just the way he is. If with a lot of people, the way Pittsburgh is game and they’d look and me and say, “I’m – there’s something to complain and moan about, like its own really weird, huge, dysfunctional I’m sorry, what? You’re saying that, that’s not… he will find it. Every time I talk to my dad – family. that’s not how you say that…” whenever you call my dad, be prepared for 20 minutes of complaining about something. Just Curt: It is! I lived in Los Angeles for eight Curt: Oh my gosh, with the Steelers. My wife buckle in. years to try to make it as an actor and any had me go to a wedding in January and there time I saw anyone with a Steelers, Pirates, was a chance that the Steelers could play on They put a red light in at his house over in Pittsburgh shirt on, I’d immediately gravitate Saturday. I’m going, “What kind of person?” New Stanton and there was 20 minutes of that to them. I’d strike up a conversation and that’s I’m swearing. “You check the schedule before the other day. “I don’t understand why they how I met most of my friends out there. I you even say, ‘Hey, I might get married on this do what they do! It’s just caused all sorts- “and used to watch games at this Steelers bar, I met day!’ There could be a Steelers playoff game!” I it’s hysterical. Most of the time if I just go a lot of people there. If you want to network was spazzing. I said, “If they play on Saturday, over there I’ll find a nugget of funniness to and you’re away from Pittsburgh, find some I’m not going. I can’t go. I gotta watch – you implement in our show. The early episodes, it Pittsburgh people. They’ll take you in. It’s a think I’m gonna go and try to eat and the Pittsburgh wasn’t even me writing, it was just document- happy, big family and I’m glad to be a part game’s on – there’s no way!” I was flipping. AKA ing what my dad had said over the years. There of it. We’re die-hards. Steelers fans…and Pens fans were no jokes – now we’re more jokey – but and Pirates fans. We love our black and gold. CURT Dad initially it was just verbatim how Chris grew SBM: You spent all that time in LA, what’s I love it. It was a big thing for us. She couldn’t up and how I grew up. For some reason people a thing that outsiders really don’t get about believe and I’m saying, “I don’t do a wedding in WOOTTON laughed at it. this city? January on the weekend! That’s prime playoff Interview by Kiley Fischer season for the Steelers! Who doesn’t know with Introduction by Faith Bennett SBM: It’s so funny because I remember being Curt: It’s a very prideful city, hardworking. that?! Who doesn’t check!? Just have it on in college and my friend shared the show with There’s a sense of community that I think the Super Bowl next!” Luckily they played on me. I sent it to my mom and she immediately doesn’t exist in say Los Angeles. It’s a big city, Sunday and crisis averted. he Social Soles interview series is based on called and just said in this hushed voice, “It’s but it’s not. If you’re from Upper St. Clair, the saying, “You don’t really know some- like they’re watching me.” you’ll know someone from Baldwin. It’s not You gotta prepare! They take precedence. T one until you have walked in his shoes.” as big as maybe the world perceives it. If you People say, “Well it’s Christmas.” Well we’re We thought it would be interesting to begin each Curt: I had no idea that everyone else was the look at Philly, that’s a huge city. Pittsburgh’s not eating dinner until the game is over! Pfft! interview asking our guest to bring a pair of shoes same, especially with catching on with the not small by any means, but it’s so much more This isn’t even up for debate. The game is on that are significant to him. They can be the little Steelers. That’s always been our bread and but- family oriented and small in that sense. We Christmas, I’m not talking to anyone during ones he wore as a toddler in the ‘Burgh (parents ter. People are always like, “Did you – did you have our traditions and it keeps us all togeth- the game. Don’t have people over and have the used to bronze them things!); Those he was wear- have a camera in on me watching the game the er. It’s amazing. Anywhere you go, you’ll find kids opening presents because I don’t really ing when he found out Hills was closing for good; other day?” It’s all the same reactions! That’s someone from Pittsburgh. They’ll recognize care, I’m watching the game. I love it. The pair he had on when his series premiered why Pittsburgh is such an awesome community the way you say a certain word and they’ll go, on October 25, 2011, or the set he was wearing and great city. People are bound to it. If they’re “Ah! Did I just here a ‘dahn?’” and it’s just the SBM: (Still laughing) We were kind of talking just one year later, same day, when Pittsburgh’s away, they want to come back to it. I always greatest city in America, I’m convinced. about your dad earlier, what was it like for you Mayor Ravenstahl declared the 25th: Pittsburgh say we’re our own little culty-type city and it’s growing up with that quintessential Pittsburgh Dad Day; The kicks he was sportin’ when Eat n amazing to be a part of it. If you’re not from SBM: I worked in Erie for a while and I Dad? Park debuted the Pittsburgh Dad Smiley Cookie; here, you can learn, but you get sucked in and always got that. I’d ask if Continue on page 20 A pair we would have never guessed...What shoes you’re here for life. will he bring? We associate shoes with memories: good and bad. The question steers the path of the conversation. Social Butterfly Magazine: We can’t wait Curt: If you go to my parents’ house, This route will show us a side not always seen to hear about your shoes. What can you tell my dad has about four pairs of shoes while in the one we are talking with. A more personal us about them? my mom has probably a million. He’ll go, side. We are excited to see in which direction “What are all these shoes in here? I have four we are lead – by the choice in footwear and the Curt Wootton: I live for tennis shoes – but pairs and that’s all you need! I got my boots, memories stirred. Come. Let’s take a walk on the when they wear out, they are gone. My dad my tennis shoes, my flip flops, and my dress Dad Side… was always into throwing things away and shoes! That’s all ya need!” I’m a lot like that. no clutter – he was really a minimalist in Pretty much everywhere, but even more so when that sense. So now when my shoes wear out SBM: (Laughs.) It really is passed down the you live in a college town, June means “Dads and – pffft – they’re gone, and then I get new generations. Grads”. Dads won over Grads when we flipped the shoes! (He gives us a big smile and laughs.) coin. You know how these kids are these days, I have dress shoes I’ve had for years, but Curt: Oh, yeah. When I was younger, I said, anyways. What are they callin’ em? Millennials usually if I’m wearing dress shoes, it’s an, “I’m never gonna be like my dad.” But the or MillAnimals? This month is our first full “ugh, it’s an uppity snobby fest and I’m not older I get, the more I become him. I’m slowly month of summer and parents are feeling the anx- going to have any fun.” Tennis shoes are transitioning. iety of knowing they will have to: Keep them kids my go-to. busy! Even the word “busy” is “bus” with an extra Doing the show hasn’t helped at all. It’s really letter! Once the bus stops for the summer, things I had my Pittsburgh Dad shoes, the original (he laughs), it’s really made it more certain. get more complicated! Too bad Kennywood shoes we had for the show, but I think I didn’t step up and offer child care! ANYways, it’s threw them away in the move. I wore them SBM: The show really is just a homage to the month to celebrate DAD, and look forward for four years and they were always the your dad.