Bobby Stinnett: More Than Skin-Deep

Years before I moved to Mount Sterling, I was already drawn to this town for two reasons: Cracker Barrel and SoundSkin Ink. Growing up in nearby Winchester, we had most things, but not the chicken dumplings I craved—or a solid spot for quality tattoos.

Back in 2011, I was just looking for a great tattoo place when a friend from the club scene suggested Glenn and Scott at SoundSkin Ink. Over the next year, I had several pieces done by Scott. Years later, I returned to SoundSkin, this time meeting Bobby to get my nose pierced. That night, I didn’t stay long, but I knew there was something special about this place.

Fast forward to today, and I find myself in SoundSkin Ink’s foyer with Bobby Stinnett, eager to learn what makes this tattoo shop, 35 miles outside of Lexington, such a well-known destination across the state. In the words of Billy Currington, they must be doin’ somethin’ right. And I was there to find out what.

I always start my interviews by asking about life before the business, and Bobby’s answer was nothing short of surprising. He hadn’t always dreamed of co-owning a successful tattoo shop or being a piercer. At 18, an accident left him unable to walk or stand for long periods. But he had a best friend named Rashaan, who introduced him to DJing. With a turntable and vinyl records in hand, Bobby hit the club scene, performing across Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee.

Three years later, he met his wife, Penny, and his goals shifted. Rather than chasing money, he began measuring success by his happiness, and his happiness meter told him to leave the clubs by 30.

With eight children, Bobby and Penny wanted stability and decided to venture into entrepreneurship with an internet café on North Maysville Street. They signed a two-year lease and got to work. But a hurdle appeared—the space couldn’t be permitted as an internet café due to fire code issues. At the same time, Glenn and his wife, Sara, were looking to open a tattoo shop. Bobby and Penny realized they couldn’t do the café, so they joined forces with Glenn and Sara, and became co-owners of SoundSkin Ink.

What was once an empty space quickly transformed into SoundSkin Ink, drawing a loyal following. Eight months after opening, Scott “Sketch” Harrison joined them, and since then, the team has been working together for nearly twenty years.

“So, Glenn and Scott were tattooing—how did you get into piercing?” I asked.

“MP3s,” Bobby replied with a grin. Initially, he sold records, CDs, and music merchandise at the front while Glenn and Scott tattooed in the back. But as CDs faded, Bobby had to find another way to support the business. Glenn and Scott trained him, and soon Bobby took on a new role at SoundSkin - professional piercer.

Through the 2010s, SoundSkin grew, and in 2019, Bobby decided to return to DJing with a twist—this time for weddings and events. After studying the market and investing in equipment, he was ready to launch Make’em Dance Entertainment in 2020. Then COVID hit. But luck was on his side—only one event was canceled, and his business has been thriving ever since, even expanding to include dance floor rentals for weddings.

When I asked why he keeps adding new ventures, he responded simply, “You always have to have a plan B. If something happened to SoundSkin, I need a way to provide for my family.”

“How do you manage it all?” I asked, marveling at his many roles.

“No days off. Be committed. Make relationships with people. Surround yourself with a good team. Look for those who are compatible and can keep your character in check. Get involved in the community.”

Bobby certainly lives by those words. With SoundSkin situated in the heart of Mount Sterling, he’s not only a business fixture but also an active advocate in the community. He’s passionate about educating young people on drug prevention, working through Montgomery County ADAPT, a cause close to his heart after losing his son to drug-related issues.

Bobby’s story isn’t just about tattoos or DJ gigs; it’s a testament to resilience and reinventing oneself to meet life’s challenges. In a town known for its Cracker Barrel and tattoo shop, he’s left a legacy that’s more than skin-deep.

To keep up with SoundSkin, you can follow their Facebook: SoundSkin Facebook

If you're interested in seeing Bobby DJ, you can contact Make Em Dance Entertainment