Monday December 7th, 2009 - Chicago, IL/Bayside, WI
I had the honor tonight of performing at the Milwaukee Admirals’ holiday party. I have known team president Jon Greenberg twenty years or so from when he worked PR for the Milwaukee Brewers and he has always been great to me. Any time I needed tickets he had my back door and when I was doing morning radio he always made sure I had interviews.
Harris Turer is the team owner and he sent me an email asking if I was available to do a show tonight. I knew Mondays were busy but any time I can do a favor for someone I like I really try to squeeze it in. I rearranged my schedule and cancelled my Zanies show so I’d be able to attend the party tonight. The fact that they asked me to do it was very flattering.
Harris and Greenie and the whole staff couldn’t have been any nicer. This wasn’t a very easy scenario though. The degree of difficulty on a scale of 1 to 10 was about a 27. There were players who were mostly Canadian, with other places thrown in like West Germany, Finland and Russia. That makes it extra difficult, as I don’t have any foreign references.
On top of that, there were front office staff in attendance and most of them were locals from Wisconsin. If I did all local material, then the players wouldn’t get it. Plus, most of the guys had wives or girlfriends and that tightens things up significantly. When it’s guys only, anything goes. When the women come along, it’s much more constrained. It just is.
There were even a few kids in the audience too, and they sat right up front. As soon as I took the stage I saw the kids to my left, Jon Greenberg and his wife at the table directly in front of me and some players to my right who were looking at me like I was a puck boy.
These guys are hockey players in their twenties, hoping to get their shot at the big time in the NHL. I must have looked like their nerdy high school teacher and I wondered what I could pull out of my past repertoire to entertain any or all of them. It was a challenge.
I’m very persnickety when it comes to situations like this. I’m rarely satisfied, as I really want to give the customer more than they paid for. Comedy clubs are supposed to offer an atmosphere that promotes laughter and in theory shows are supposed to build from opener to feature and then the headliner is supposed to come out and take no prisoners. In theory.
Just going up cold puts a whole different dynamic on it and the last thing that made it as difficult as it was is that the Packers were playing on Monday Night Football. A lot of the audience had zero interest in the game but many others did and I could sense it as I did all I could think of to please everyone, at least a little. There was a very mixed crowd there.
One thing I did do was my time. I was asked to do 45 minutes and I did that on the dot. I didn’t want to let Harris or Greenie down. They put their trust in me and I wanted to nail a killer show for their party and make it worth everyone’s while. In my mind it seemed as if they were a little quiet, but afterward a lot of people came up and said they loved it. I’m always pretty hard on myself, but I really wanted this one to be good. I owe those guys.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Great Lakes, Great Gig
Sunday December 6th, 2009 - Naval Station Great Lakes, IL
No Mothership Connection radio show tonight. Instead, I was hired to be the host of an event at the Great Lakes Naval Base. They had a ‘Great Lakes Idol’ contest where recruits competed in a singing contest with the grand prize being an appearance on TV singing the national anthem before a Chicago Bulls game. Tonight was the final round of the contest.
I was very honored to be chosen as the host for this show. There was a lot of hard work put in to make it come about, and I didn’t want to screw that up. They started with a field of 47 contestants and whittled that down to a dozen semi finalists. Then, they chose three for the finals and combined that with a laser light spectacular to create a fantastic event.
The reason I was chosen for the gig is that I was a part of the Lake County Convention And Visitors Bureau’s 25th Anniversary luncheon last August, the day I had to fly out to LA and tape my spot on Byron Allen’s ‘Comics.TV’. I wasn’t able to hang around and mingle afterward, but the Special Projects Coordinator for Great Lakes liked what I did.
Her name is Megan Stadlman and she contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in the job of hosting their big event. I told her of course I would, and we’ve been planning it for several months now. She has been extremely easy to work with and is totally on the ball.
I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone with an attention to detail as she has, and then when I met her in person she was gorgeous to the point of distraction. No offense to anyone, but I didn’t expect someone in her position to be so stunning. She’s tall and her face looks a lot like Lisa Rinna from Baywatch in her prime. Women like her don’t have to work so hard.
Still, she was on top of everything the whole time and I can see the sky or anything else won’t be the limit for her. She’s on her way to somewhere big. I bet she doesn’t realize all she has to offer, as she was very down to earth and easy to deal with. What a peach she is. Even without looking like a supermodel she’d still be a treat to deal with, but she does.
I’m very glad I joined the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Even though it cost $300 to join, they’ve been nothing but helpful in pointing me in productive directions with many of the other members. My contact is Jayne Nordstrom who’s also a peach to deal with and it’s been worth every penny. This gig tonight was a direct result of my joining the bureau.
Maureen Riedy is the president of the bureau and she was at the show with her husband. They’re also very nice people, as are everyone else I’ve met as a result of joining. This is the kind of networking that’s important because it goes way past comedy clubs. I know it will continue to pay off and for once I took a risk that paid off. This was a smart move.
I thought the event went extremely well. The singers were talented and full of energy so that pumped everyone else up. The winner deserved it but the others were also supportive of each other and it was a lot of fun. The laser show was awesome and Megan made it too easy with how organized she was. I missed doing the radio show, but this was a lot of fun.
No Mothership Connection radio show tonight. Instead, I was hired to be the host of an event at the Great Lakes Naval Base. They had a ‘Great Lakes Idol’ contest where recruits competed in a singing contest with the grand prize being an appearance on TV singing the national anthem before a Chicago Bulls game. Tonight was the final round of the contest.
I was very honored to be chosen as the host for this show. There was a lot of hard work put in to make it come about, and I didn’t want to screw that up. They started with a field of 47 contestants and whittled that down to a dozen semi finalists. Then, they chose three for the finals and combined that with a laser light spectacular to create a fantastic event.
The reason I was chosen for the gig is that I was a part of the Lake County Convention And Visitors Bureau’s 25th Anniversary luncheon last August, the day I had to fly out to LA and tape my spot on Byron Allen’s ‘Comics.TV’. I wasn’t able to hang around and mingle afterward, but the Special Projects Coordinator for Great Lakes liked what I did.
Her name is Megan Stadlman and she contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in the job of hosting their big event. I told her of course I would, and we’ve been planning it for several months now. She has been extremely easy to work with and is totally on the ball.
I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone with an attention to detail as she has, and then when I met her in person she was gorgeous to the point of distraction. No offense to anyone, but I didn’t expect someone in her position to be so stunning. She’s tall and her face looks a lot like Lisa Rinna from Baywatch in her prime. Women like her don’t have to work so hard.
Still, she was on top of everything the whole time and I can see the sky or anything else won’t be the limit for her. She’s on her way to somewhere big. I bet she doesn’t realize all she has to offer, as she was very down to earth and easy to deal with. What a peach she is. Even without looking like a supermodel she’d still be a treat to deal with, but she does.
I’m very glad I joined the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Even though it cost $300 to join, they’ve been nothing but helpful in pointing me in productive directions with many of the other members. My contact is Jayne Nordstrom who’s also a peach to deal with and it’s been worth every penny. This gig tonight was a direct result of my joining the bureau.
Maureen Riedy is the president of the bureau and she was at the show with her husband. They’re also very nice people, as are everyone else I’ve met as a result of joining. This is the kind of networking that’s important because it goes way past comedy clubs. I know it will continue to pay off and for once I took a risk that paid off. This was a smart move.
I thought the event went extremely well. The singers were talented and full of energy so that pumped everyone else up. The winner deserved it but the others were also supportive of each other and it was a lot of fun. The laser show was awesome and Megan made it too easy with how organized she was. I missed doing the radio show, but this was a lot of fun.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Squeezing Everything In
Saturday December 5th, 2009 - Lake Villa, IL
I rarely enjoy having a Saturday night with no show but tonight was an exception. Once in a while it’s nice to just hang out and do absolutely nothing, so that’s what I did. I could have done a lot of things I suppose, but I chose to hang out and let the batteries recharge a little. I’ve been hitting it pretty hard lately and a night without anywhere to be felt great.
Actually, I didn’t do absolutely nothing. I looked over all my projects and thought about how I can get the most out of them in the coming year. I have a lot of half baked things on my plate that need to be either finished or given up on, and I tried to put them all in order.
The first thing on my list was my one man show about Milwaukee. That project has big potential in my opinion and it seems to be the perfect time to do it. Times are tough and it will take people back to a happier place in their heads. What’s funny is that growing up in Milwaukee was anything but happy for me, but I did and all that inside info is part of me.
I hadn’t looked at my notes in a while but I was immediately recharged as soon as I did. I have a winner of an idea here and I spent an hour or so tweaking the notes and trying to come up with a running order of the play. I have more than enough material to pull it off, now I want to do it in the best way possible. I want this show to really blow people away.
I’m taking a risk by doing this, but I think it’s a smart one. Working on local material is a good way to alienate the majority of people who aren’t from a particular place, but it’s a numbers game. Are there enough people who will get what I’m doing to make it pay off?
That’s my gamble, and I say yes or I wouldn’t even try it. I’m betting that there will be a large enough number of people who grew up or at least lived in Milwaukee between 1960 and 1990 and would enjoy my show. How big is that number? I don’t know exactly, but it doesn’t have to be astronomical. If I can attract only 1% of one million I’ll be doing great.
I think I can do better though. This is the kind of thing that will go beyond just comedy. It’ll touch people where they live. Literally. I’ve seen the reactions of people in the past at local shows when I bring up these references. If I do it right I’ll develop a cult following.
I do still want to keep doing ‘regular’ comedy though, and that’s another challenge. The times are a changing, right as I am at my peak as a performer. Clubs aren’t what they used to be, but there are still some good ones I’d like to work regularly. That’s on my list also.
Teaching classes is another project. As much as I enjoy doing it, it’s a lot of work to get classes organized. Time management remains an issue. The smart thing there would be to get a form of the class online but there will still be a lot of work involved to get that done.
Then there’s the Uranus project. I still dream of having a mail order business that makes money and is fun to do but with everything else going, it won’t be easy. What about radio projects? The Mothership and Jerry’s Kidders are both fun too. I’ve got too much to do.
I rarely enjoy having a Saturday night with no show but tonight was an exception. Once in a while it’s nice to just hang out and do absolutely nothing, so that’s what I did. I could have done a lot of things I suppose, but I chose to hang out and let the batteries recharge a little. I’ve been hitting it pretty hard lately and a night without anywhere to be felt great.
Actually, I didn’t do absolutely nothing. I looked over all my projects and thought about how I can get the most out of them in the coming year. I have a lot of half baked things on my plate that need to be either finished or given up on, and I tried to put them all in order.
The first thing on my list was my one man show about Milwaukee. That project has big potential in my opinion and it seems to be the perfect time to do it. Times are tough and it will take people back to a happier place in their heads. What’s funny is that growing up in Milwaukee was anything but happy for me, but I did and all that inside info is part of me.
I hadn’t looked at my notes in a while but I was immediately recharged as soon as I did. I have a winner of an idea here and I spent an hour or so tweaking the notes and trying to come up with a running order of the play. I have more than enough material to pull it off, now I want to do it in the best way possible. I want this show to really blow people away.
I’m taking a risk by doing this, but I think it’s a smart one. Working on local material is a good way to alienate the majority of people who aren’t from a particular place, but it’s a numbers game. Are there enough people who will get what I’m doing to make it pay off?
That’s my gamble, and I say yes or I wouldn’t even try it. I’m betting that there will be a large enough number of people who grew up or at least lived in Milwaukee between 1960 and 1990 and would enjoy my show. How big is that number? I don’t know exactly, but it doesn’t have to be astronomical. If I can attract only 1% of one million I’ll be doing great.
I think I can do better though. This is the kind of thing that will go beyond just comedy. It’ll touch people where they live. Literally. I’ve seen the reactions of people in the past at local shows when I bring up these references. If I do it right I’ll develop a cult following.
I do still want to keep doing ‘regular’ comedy though, and that’s another challenge. The times are a changing, right as I am at my peak as a performer. Clubs aren’t what they used to be, but there are still some good ones I’d like to work regularly. That’s on my list also.
Teaching classes is another project. As much as I enjoy doing it, it’s a lot of work to get classes organized. Time management remains an issue. The smart thing there would be to get a form of the class online but there will still be a lot of work involved to get that done.
Then there’s the Uranus project. I still dream of having a mail order business that makes money and is fun to do but with everything else going, it won’t be easy. What about radio projects? The Mothership and Jerry’s Kidders are both fun too. I’ve got too much to do.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
A Worthwhile Waste
Friday December 4th, 2009 - Milwaukee, WI/Lake Villa, IL
I’ve had this entire week off except for Monday, and my sincere intention was to hunker down and get some serious work done on several projects. So far, if I’d have to estimate a percentage of how much of that I’ve accomplished, I’d have to go with a big fat ZILCH.
Life just keeps getting in the way. The phone rings, and I’m off and running somewhere I hadn’t planned on and before I know it another day has slipped through the cracks. I can make all the excuses I want, and some of the distractions are legit, but I’m WAY behind.
That being said, after today I’m another day in the hole but this one I don’t regret at all. My friend Marc Schultz called and asked if I wanted to tag along to Milwaukee to watch a holiday show he books at Rockwell International, which all Milwaukeeans know by the former name of the Allen-Bradley Company. It’s the building with the four sided clock.
I remember as a kid hearing about a big Christmas show that went on in that building as a few kids in the neighborhood had relatives that worked there. Word got out about candy and toys and cartoons and jugglers and even an appearance by Santa himself. What kid in his right mind wouldn’t love to attend a show like that? I always wanted to be a part of it.
Apparently they’ve been having these shows for around 80 years now and Marc’s been booking the talent for them for around 20 of them. I’d always heard Marc speak highly of them and he’s been inviting me to tag along for years now. This was the year I said yes.
Yes, I know I should have stayed home and answered emails and tried to get booked for 2010 and who knows what else, but my little inner voice told me to go with Marc so I did. I’m already way behind on work and who knows when I’d be able to see this show again?
I’m really glad I went. Marc booked ventriloquist Chuck Field to host the show and I’ve always liked Chuck. He’s the guy who introduced me to Marc and that alone is a favor for which I’ll always owe him. The kids loved his dummy that was a duck and his act as well.
Ken Mate is another guy Marc books a lot and he was spectacular. He’s a magician and a really good one, but adjusting to kids is a whole different skill. He pulled it off superbly, and cracked up the adults with his quick wit but didn’t go blue. I was really impressed by how he pulled that off, and I told him that after the show. He earned every dime he made.
Closing the show was ‘Circus Boy’ Bobby Hunt, another major talent. That guy juggles and rides a unicycle and spits ping pong balls out of his mouth and as hokey as that might sound, he pulls it off and it’s magnificent. The whole show was outstanding from start to finish and the kids went nuts for it, as did I. I clapped and yelled louder than all of them.
It’s great to appreciate the talents of someone else. I couldn’t do any of the things any of those three acts did and that’s why I enjoyed them all so much. They’re total pros and I’m well aware of how hard it is to get there. I’m a day later, but that’s ok. This was worth it.
I’ve had this entire week off except for Monday, and my sincere intention was to hunker down and get some serious work done on several projects. So far, if I’d have to estimate a percentage of how much of that I’ve accomplished, I’d have to go with a big fat ZILCH.
Life just keeps getting in the way. The phone rings, and I’m off and running somewhere I hadn’t planned on and before I know it another day has slipped through the cracks. I can make all the excuses I want, and some of the distractions are legit, but I’m WAY behind.
That being said, after today I’m another day in the hole but this one I don’t regret at all. My friend Marc Schultz called and asked if I wanted to tag along to Milwaukee to watch a holiday show he books at Rockwell International, which all Milwaukeeans know by the former name of the Allen-Bradley Company. It’s the building with the four sided clock.
I remember as a kid hearing about a big Christmas show that went on in that building as a few kids in the neighborhood had relatives that worked there. Word got out about candy and toys and cartoons and jugglers and even an appearance by Santa himself. What kid in his right mind wouldn’t love to attend a show like that? I always wanted to be a part of it.
Apparently they’ve been having these shows for around 80 years now and Marc’s been booking the talent for them for around 20 of them. I’d always heard Marc speak highly of them and he’s been inviting me to tag along for years now. This was the year I said yes.
Yes, I know I should have stayed home and answered emails and tried to get booked for 2010 and who knows what else, but my little inner voice told me to go with Marc so I did. I’m already way behind on work and who knows when I’d be able to see this show again?
I’m really glad I went. Marc booked ventriloquist Chuck Field to host the show and I’ve always liked Chuck. He’s the guy who introduced me to Marc and that alone is a favor for which I’ll always owe him. The kids loved his dummy that was a duck and his act as well.
Ken Mate is another guy Marc books a lot and he was spectacular. He’s a magician and a really good one, but adjusting to kids is a whole different skill. He pulled it off superbly, and cracked up the adults with his quick wit but didn’t go blue. I was really impressed by how he pulled that off, and I told him that after the show. He earned every dime he made.
Closing the show was ‘Circus Boy’ Bobby Hunt, another major talent. That guy juggles and rides a unicycle and spits ping pong balls out of his mouth and as hokey as that might sound, he pulls it off and it’s magnificent. The whole show was outstanding from start to finish and the kids went nuts for it, as did I. I clapped and yelled louder than all of them.
It’s great to appreciate the talents of someone else. I couldn’t do any of the things any of those three acts did and that’s why I enjoyed them all so much. They’re total pros and I’m well aware of how hard it is to get there. I’m a day later, but that’s ok. This was worth it.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Self Worthless
Wednesday December 2nd, 2009 - Milwaukee, WI/Lake Villa, IL
I started out in a great mood this morning but right now I feel like sticking my head in a deep fryer until my brains are extra crispy. My self esteem is in the sewer and I feel like a total waste of a Social Security number. That’s not what I was aiming for, but it is a fact.
I went to bed extra late but got up extra early, only to go back to sleep for a little bit so I could totally screw up my body clock. Maybe that had something to do with it. I slithered out of bed and went right to the Gurnee Mills Mall to take a walking lap before it opened.
It wasn’t as rough as yesterday’s lap, but it was still a challenge. I huffed and puffed my way around the mall clockwise, which totally goes against the grain of everyone else that walks at that time. I like to switch off directions, only because it adds variety to the mix.
My CD player isn’t working for some reason so I was alone with my thoughts and loud Christmas music I had no desire to hear. I think I’m the only American citizen besides the Amish who doesn’t own an ipod and it’s high time I look to buying one. I like to lose my outer self in my walks and go deep inside my thoughts. It’s perfect for listening to audio.
I probably could have handled two laps but I was running late for a lunch meeting with my grade school friend Tom Orlando in downtown Chicago. Today’s his birthday and we have been hoping for a lunch meeting for weeks. I like and respect Tom for both his sense of humor and his business acumen. He’s very smart and I know he can help me improve.
I called Tom as I headed into the city but he was in Milwaukee because his uncle passed away unexpectedly. He apologized but there was no need to do that. I understood. He said we’ll do a rain check and I know we will but I still felt bad for Tom as he sounded distant. I’m sure he was in shock and I didn’t want to ask dumb questions so I let him go quickly.
Since I didn’t have to be in Chicago I made a U-turn and headed back north. I needed to be in Milwaukee for a dinner date with the woman I like as tomorrow is her birthday. My phone rang and I got the news that Jonathan Brandmeier is no longer the morning host on my old station 97.9 ‘The Loop’. The person who told me thought I’d be happy to hear it.
Why should that make me feel any better? Jonathan Brandmeier was the guy the station wanted instead of us because they thought he was the Morning Messiah. That wasn’t the result. I actually had no reaction when I heard it, much like when I heard my father died.
I have nothing against Brandmeier, but that was a mistake from the start. We were on a fast track to really start making some waves but they pulled the plug at the worst possible time. We’d been on just over a year and spent all that time working out team chemistry.
It really hurt that we were shown the door and financially it still hurts all of us. We were all set to sign a new deal that would have been more money than a cockroach like me ever made before. Right now I’d be sitting pretty, but it all came crashing down. That’s radio.
I wish it didn’t have to work like that. I have no jag with Jonathan Brandmeier and I’m not saying he shouldn’t be able to work if he wants. I just think I should be able to keep a job where we were doing fine and positioned to do a lot finer. I still feel hollow about it.
My friend Max called not long after and he heard it too. He was happy about it because he felt it justified what we did, but that doesn’t get our job back. Too bad too, I’d love to go back there, even in the insane climate of radio today. We’d be a skilled but affordable show and be able to start right where we left off. How the hell do we get the opportunity?
Someone else said my friend Byrd will be doing mornings again. He replaced us in the interim between when we got torched to when Brandmeier stepped in. That was a strange coincidence as I just happened to call Byrd and leave him a message earlier today. Odd.
I hadn’t seen him in a while and we’re about due to grab a lunch and hang out. He’s an outstanding radio talent but a good guy too. Everyone we worked with was great and he’s one of the last of the old guard still there. That made getting fired even more painful as it was fun to go to work in the morning. That lineup was as solid as any station I‘ve seen.
I’m happy for Byrd and I hope he keeps a job as long as he wants it. Maybe he’ll let me do some bits with him and if he asks me I will, but it rots knowing we could have been in a position of financial security now, or as close as my white trash gene pool has come.
I wish Byrd and Brandmeier well, but what about me? I wish me well too, and thinking about all this unexpectedly put me in the dumper mentally. I don’t want to rehash all this ugliness again, but every time I have to struggle to pay my rent I’m still affected by it all.
Yes, it’s been five years now, but we all really rolled the dice back then. It was a risk to get off the road, but it was THE LOOP IN CHICAGO. We had to take it. That’s a station of legendary status in the radio business and my partners Spike and Max knew that too.
The worst case scenario ended up happening and it really did kick all of us in the ass as hard as we’ve all ever been kicked. I know we have to get over it, but it still hurts. I wish we could go in and start again tomorrow. No hard feelings, we all could use a steady job.
I tried to forget about all of that as I met my date at Famous Dave’s Barbecue on South 27th Street in Milwaukee. That was her choice for a birthday meal but I didn’t mind. I’ve always loved that joint, and in fact I was the one who turned her on to it in the first place.
As we ate, it hit me in the face that this is going absolutely nowhere. I know she’s got an enormous amount on her plate, but I just don’t feel that I’m important to her. We see each other when we can, but it’s been getting less and less. I feel like it’s a big waste of time.
After dinner she said she was tired and blew me off with a dry peck of a kiss that made me think of how my aunt would kiss me on New Year’s Eve. It’s not what I expected and I’m really feeling rejected on every level of life. No radio job. No girlfriend. No kidding.
I started out in a great mood this morning but right now I feel like sticking my head in a deep fryer until my brains are extra crispy. My self esteem is in the sewer and I feel like a total waste of a Social Security number. That’s not what I was aiming for, but it is a fact.
I went to bed extra late but got up extra early, only to go back to sleep for a little bit so I could totally screw up my body clock. Maybe that had something to do with it. I slithered out of bed and went right to the Gurnee Mills Mall to take a walking lap before it opened.
It wasn’t as rough as yesterday’s lap, but it was still a challenge. I huffed and puffed my way around the mall clockwise, which totally goes against the grain of everyone else that walks at that time. I like to switch off directions, only because it adds variety to the mix.
My CD player isn’t working for some reason so I was alone with my thoughts and loud Christmas music I had no desire to hear. I think I’m the only American citizen besides the Amish who doesn’t own an ipod and it’s high time I look to buying one. I like to lose my outer self in my walks and go deep inside my thoughts. It’s perfect for listening to audio.
I probably could have handled two laps but I was running late for a lunch meeting with my grade school friend Tom Orlando in downtown Chicago. Today’s his birthday and we have been hoping for a lunch meeting for weeks. I like and respect Tom for both his sense of humor and his business acumen. He’s very smart and I know he can help me improve.
I called Tom as I headed into the city but he was in Milwaukee because his uncle passed away unexpectedly. He apologized but there was no need to do that. I understood. He said we’ll do a rain check and I know we will but I still felt bad for Tom as he sounded distant. I’m sure he was in shock and I didn’t want to ask dumb questions so I let him go quickly.
Since I didn’t have to be in Chicago I made a U-turn and headed back north. I needed to be in Milwaukee for a dinner date with the woman I like as tomorrow is her birthday. My phone rang and I got the news that Jonathan Brandmeier is no longer the morning host on my old station 97.9 ‘The Loop’. The person who told me thought I’d be happy to hear it.
Why should that make me feel any better? Jonathan Brandmeier was the guy the station wanted instead of us because they thought he was the Morning Messiah. That wasn’t the result. I actually had no reaction when I heard it, much like when I heard my father died.
I have nothing against Brandmeier, but that was a mistake from the start. We were on a fast track to really start making some waves but they pulled the plug at the worst possible time. We’d been on just over a year and spent all that time working out team chemistry.
It really hurt that we were shown the door and financially it still hurts all of us. We were all set to sign a new deal that would have been more money than a cockroach like me ever made before. Right now I’d be sitting pretty, but it all came crashing down. That’s radio.
I wish it didn’t have to work like that. I have no jag with Jonathan Brandmeier and I’m not saying he shouldn’t be able to work if he wants. I just think I should be able to keep a job where we were doing fine and positioned to do a lot finer. I still feel hollow about it.
My friend Max called not long after and he heard it too. He was happy about it because he felt it justified what we did, but that doesn’t get our job back. Too bad too, I’d love to go back there, even in the insane climate of radio today. We’d be a skilled but affordable show and be able to start right where we left off. How the hell do we get the opportunity?
Someone else said my friend Byrd will be doing mornings again. He replaced us in the interim between when we got torched to when Brandmeier stepped in. That was a strange coincidence as I just happened to call Byrd and leave him a message earlier today. Odd.
I hadn’t seen him in a while and we’re about due to grab a lunch and hang out. He’s an outstanding radio talent but a good guy too. Everyone we worked with was great and he’s one of the last of the old guard still there. That made getting fired even more painful as it was fun to go to work in the morning. That lineup was as solid as any station I‘ve seen.
I’m happy for Byrd and I hope he keeps a job as long as he wants it. Maybe he’ll let me do some bits with him and if he asks me I will, but it rots knowing we could have been in a position of financial security now, or as close as my white trash gene pool has come.
I wish Byrd and Brandmeier well, but what about me? I wish me well too, and thinking about all this unexpectedly put me in the dumper mentally. I don’t want to rehash all this ugliness again, but every time I have to struggle to pay my rent I’m still affected by it all.
Yes, it’s been five years now, but we all really rolled the dice back then. It was a risk to get off the road, but it was THE LOOP IN CHICAGO. We had to take it. That’s a station of legendary status in the radio business and my partners Spike and Max knew that too.
The worst case scenario ended up happening and it really did kick all of us in the ass as hard as we’ve all ever been kicked. I know we have to get over it, but it still hurts. I wish we could go in and start again tomorrow. No hard feelings, we all could use a steady job.
I tried to forget about all of that as I met my date at Famous Dave’s Barbecue on South 27th Street in Milwaukee. That was her choice for a birthday meal but I didn’t mind. I’ve always loved that joint, and in fact I was the one who turned her on to it in the first place.
As we ate, it hit me in the face that this is going absolutely nowhere. I know she’s got an enormous amount on her plate, but I just don’t feel that I’m important to her. We see each other when we can, but it’s been getting less and less. I feel like it’s a big waste of time.
After dinner she said she was tired and blew me off with a dry peck of a kiss that made me think of how my aunt would kiss me on New Year’s Eve. It’s not what I expected and I’m really feeling rejected on every level of life. No radio job. No girlfriend. No kidding.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Missed From My List
Tuesday December 1st, 2009 - Chicago, IL
I think I made a boo-boo. The list I made of my own personal favorite comedians is not anything other than just that, MY personal favorites. If I didn’t happen to list someone it’s not meant to be a personal slight and indeed I did leave out a few comics unintentionally.
I was trying more to spread the word on people I think are talented comedians, not leave out anyone to make any statements. There are some comics I have personal jags with but I still think are excellent comedians. There are also some people I really like that I think are not very funny at all. The bottom line is, it doesn’t matter what I think. But…people ask.
This particular list generated all kinds of responses for some reason. Those that were on it thanked me for including them. A few that weren’t seemed hurt, and I didn’t intend that at all. Still others tried to disagree with me, and they can go make their own list. It’s all an individual matter, and I know there are people who never thought I was funny. Whatever.
One of the people I forgot to mention was Jimmy Shubert. He’s my age and toured with Sam Kinison and Carl LaBove and that whole crew, and he’s a wild man - but that’s not a bad thing. He’s a whirlwind on stage and absolutely hilarious. www.jimmyshubert.com.
A few people tried to call me sexist, but I can think of several women I think are funny. One of my absolute favorites is Kristi McHugh. She’s originally from Okaboji, IA, how’s that for a funny start in life? She reminds me of Mary Tyler Moore with attitude, and she cracks me up. www.myspace.com/supertish. She lives in LA and I see big things for her.
Mary Mack is another funny lady. She’s got a super thick northern accent that makes all the people in ‘Fargo’ sound like southerners. She’s from northern Wisconsin and she may weigh 100lbs on a good day. VERY funny, and unique too. Plus, she works constantly at her craft and continually improves. www.marymackcomedy.com. She’s going places too.
A couple of women really stand out who are on the Jerry’s Kidders contributor list. I’ve always been a huge fan of both Teme Ring and Nancy Jo Perdue. Neither one of them do standup per se, but they’re both terrific comedy writers. They get it, and their minds think in a funny direction naturally. I know either one could be a comic if they really wanted to.
There are a bunch of others on that Kidders list who are extremely sharp including Bob ‘Wilbur’ Williams, Mark Matusof, Tony Boswell, Art Hinty and many more. Now I’ll be leaving more people out so I’ll shut up and leave it be. I just want to give talent their due.
Talent alone doesn’t guarantee success though. It has to be recognized by a group of fans.
I don’t feel I need to justify myself with anyone, but I did want to include at least a few more names of people I think are truly funny, hoping someone will discover them and get to be fans just like I am. It’s all subjective, so just because I say it’s so doesn’t mean it is. Here are a few more I‘m throwing out: Steve Seagren, Mike Toomey, Mike Preston, Bill Gorgo, James Wesley Jackson, Jeff ‘Big Daddy’ Wayne and Tim Clue. Go look them up.
Wait a minute, what about the up and comers I see at Zanies on Mondays? That’s a big list too. Hannibal Burress, Bryan Berrey, Vince Carone, Jim Flannigan, Michael Palasack, Emily Galati, Kyle Parris, Adam Burke, Tony Sarfino, Tony Talley, Bubba Muski…I will burn myself out trying to think of everyone so I’ll stop. Let’s just say I’m a comedy fan.
It’s a craft, much like music or acting and getting good at it takes time and hard work. I respect anyone willing to put in the time, but quite often they’re not the ones with the real gift. It’s rare for someone with exceptional talent to also have an exceptional work ethic.
I have a hard time judging myself so I won’t even try. In my mind’s eye, I have a bit of talent but a mediocre work ethic. I could have done WAY more than I have, but that’s my viewpoint. I’ve had more than several people say extremely flattering things and I’m very humbled to hear them, but I don’t always agree. I guess I can see where all the holes are.
My goal is to torch people right out of their chairs. I want to see smoking piles of burnt ectoplasm dripping from the ceiling when I come off stage. I want paramedics to have to always be on call when I work because 80 or 90 customers might laugh so hard they may have to be jump started like an old Pontiac. In other words, my standards are pretty high.
Sometimes I’ll come off stage and want to give up entirely, but people still line up and tell me I was wonderful. I know I wasn’t, but again - it’s not about what I think. Those in the paying audience are the real judges, and what they say goes. I have to get used to that.
I also have to get used to the fact that I don’t have enough hours in a day to pack in all I have going right now. I was on my way to getting organized, or so I thought, but now I’m right back at ground zero again. My desk is a mess, I have a pile of laundry that needs my immediate attention before it turns into compost and I haven’t exercised in way too long.
That being said, I got my blubbery rump out of the house and took a lap back in my old stomping grounds at The Gurnee Mills Mall. It’s been a while since I’ve been there and it sure felt like it halfway through my first and only lap. I thought my heart would explode.
This is the same old struggle, but it’s not going away any time soon. It’s like the war in the Middle East. They might switch things around a little, but it’s a matter that’s going to be dealt with into perpetuity. I’ve resigned myself to the same thing with my time. I have a lot of things going and am trying to make steady smart progress on all of it. It’s tough.
What are the most important things? That depends on what day you ask me. Today it’s organization and exercise, but that leaves all kinds of other stuff for tomorrow, and later in the week, and next year too. It doesn’t stop and sometimes I feel like I’m over my skis.
Too late now. I’m halfway down the hill and it’s starting to look like one big blur. I am off this week but I want to use it to take care of what I’m behind on and get a useful plan in place for 2010 that I can follow and make steady progress. I’ve had some glitches this year but as a whole a lot of good things have happened. More will happen if I plan better.
I think I made a boo-boo. The list I made of my own personal favorite comedians is not anything other than just that, MY personal favorites. If I didn’t happen to list someone it’s not meant to be a personal slight and indeed I did leave out a few comics unintentionally.
I was trying more to spread the word on people I think are talented comedians, not leave out anyone to make any statements. There are some comics I have personal jags with but I still think are excellent comedians. There are also some people I really like that I think are not very funny at all. The bottom line is, it doesn’t matter what I think. But…people ask.
This particular list generated all kinds of responses for some reason. Those that were on it thanked me for including them. A few that weren’t seemed hurt, and I didn’t intend that at all. Still others tried to disagree with me, and they can go make their own list. It’s all an individual matter, and I know there are people who never thought I was funny. Whatever.
One of the people I forgot to mention was Jimmy Shubert. He’s my age and toured with Sam Kinison and Carl LaBove and that whole crew, and he’s a wild man - but that’s not a bad thing. He’s a whirlwind on stage and absolutely hilarious. www.jimmyshubert.com.
A few people tried to call me sexist, but I can think of several women I think are funny. One of my absolute favorites is Kristi McHugh. She’s originally from Okaboji, IA, how’s that for a funny start in life? She reminds me of Mary Tyler Moore with attitude, and she cracks me up. www.myspace.com/supertish. She lives in LA and I see big things for her.
Mary Mack is another funny lady. She’s got a super thick northern accent that makes all the people in ‘Fargo’ sound like southerners. She’s from northern Wisconsin and she may weigh 100lbs on a good day. VERY funny, and unique too. Plus, she works constantly at her craft and continually improves. www.marymackcomedy.com. She’s going places too.
A couple of women really stand out who are on the Jerry’s Kidders contributor list. I’ve always been a huge fan of both Teme Ring and Nancy Jo Perdue. Neither one of them do standup per se, but they’re both terrific comedy writers. They get it, and their minds think in a funny direction naturally. I know either one could be a comic if they really wanted to.
There are a bunch of others on that Kidders list who are extremely sharp including Bob ‘Wilbur’ Williams, Mark Matusof, Tony Boswell, Art Hinty and many more. Now I’ll be leaving more people out so I’ll shut up and leave it be. I just want to give talent their due.
Talent alone doesn’t guarantee success though. It has to be recognized by a group of fans.
I don’t feel I need to justify myself with anyone, but I did want to include at least a few more names of people I think are truly funny, hoping someone will discover them and get to be fans just like I am. It’s all subjective, so just because I say it’s so doesn’t mean it is. Here are a few more I‘m throwing out: Steve Seagren, Mike Toomey, Mike Preston, Bill Gorgo, James Wesley Jackson, Jeff ‘Big Daddy’ Wayne and Tim Clue. Go look them up.
Wait a minute, what about the up and comers I see at Zanies on Mondays? That’s a big list too. Hannibal Burress, Bryan Berrey, Vince Carone, Jim Flannigan, Michael Palasack, Emily Galati, Kyle Parris, Adam Burke, Tony Sarfino, Tony Talley, Bubba Muski…I will burn myself out trying to think of everyone so I’ll stop. Let’s just say I’m a comedy fan.
It’s a craft, much like music or acting and getting good at it takes time and hard work. I respect anyone willing to put in the time, but quite often they’re not the ones with the real gift. It’s rare for someone with exceptional talent to also have an exceptional work ethic.
I have a hard time judging myself so I won’t even try. In my mind’s eye, I have a bit of talent but a mediocre work ethic. I could have done WAY more than I have, but that’s my viewpoint. I’ve had more than several people say extremely flattering things and I’m very humbled to hear them, but I don’t always agree. I guess I can see where all the holes are.
My goal is to torch people right out of their chairs. I want to see smoking piles of burnt ectoplasm dripping from the ceiling when I come off stage. I want paramedics to have to always be on call when I work because 80 or 90 customers might laugh so hard they may have to be jump started like an old Pontiac. In other words, my standards are pretty high.
Sometimes I’ll come off stage and want to give up entirely, but people still line up and tell me I was wonderful. I know I wasn’t, but again - it’s not about what I think. Those in the paying audience are the real judges, and what they say goes. I have to get used to that.
I also have to get used to the fact that I don’t have enough hours in a day to pack in all I have going right now. I was on my way to getting organized, or so I thought, but now I’m right back at ground zero again. My desk is a mess, I have a pile of laundry that needs my immediate attention before it turns into compost and I haven’t exercised in way too long.
That being said, I got my blubbery rump out of the house and took a lap back in my old stomping grounds at The Gurnee Mills Mall. It’s been a while since I’ve been there and it sure felt like it halfway through my first and only lap. I thought my heart would explode.
This is the same old struggle, but it’s not going away any time soon. It’s like the war in the Middle East. They might switch things around a little, but it’s a matter that’s going to be dealt with into perpetuity. I’ve resigned myself to the same thing with my time. I have a lot of things going and am trying to make steady smart progress on all of it. It’s tough.
What are the most important things? That depends on what day you ask me. Today it’s organization and exercise, but that leaves all kinds of other stuff for tomorrow, and later in the week, and next year too. It doesn’t stop and sometimes I feel like I’m over my skis.
Too late now. I’m halfway down the hill and it’s starting to look like one big blur. I am off this week but I want to use it to take care of what I’m behind on and get a useful plan in place for 2010 that I can follow and make steady progress. I’ve had some glitches this year but as a whole a lot of good things have happened. More will happen if I plan better.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
My Favorite Friends
Monday November 30th, 2009 - Chicago, IL
People frequently ask me who my personal favorite comedians are. I have no idea why, but they do. Then I’ll tell them and they’ll say “WHO?” I have a hard time differentiating famous from not famous people because to me, funny is funny. There are famous people I find funny, but there are probably a lot more the public hasn’t heard of that I enjoy more.
Not that it means a porcupine’s patoot, but here is a list of both the well known and the unknown comedians I personally find funny. Again, it’s a personal taste thing and nobody is right or wrong when it comes to questions of personal taste. Somebody buys buttermilk or it wouldn’t keep showing up on a shelf in the grocery store. This is only my opinion.
First, the famous ones. My all time favorite standup comic is Rodney Dangerfield. He’s a legend and his whole being makes me laugh out loud. His ‘no respect’ hook is not only the best one ever, it’s become a part of American pop culture. His look matched his jokes and he was brilliant as both a performer and a joke writer. He’s the king in my opinion.
Bill Cosby is also legendary. Who in standup history has reached a broader audience? If I had to pick the biggest standup comic of the 20th century it would be between Bob Hope and Bill Cosby and neither would be a bad choice. It’s like the Babe Ruth vs. Hank Aaron debate in baseball. Both were great, but played in different eras. I’d prefer not to pick one.
Bob Hope was great too, but he wasn’t on my favorites list. His work didn’t really have an impact on my generation or me personally, but I still respect him. I respect Bill Cosby too, but he makes me REALLY laugh. His standup is still funny today and he’s a master.
George Carlin was a monster too. What a major impact he had on comedy, especially in the later part of the 20th century. His style changed several times but he managed to crank out HBO specials and audio recordings and keep his name in the mainstream for a whole lot longer than most. I met him and he was humble and nice and that makes it even better.
Other big name comics I happen to enjoy include Woody Allen, Steven Wright, Dennis Miller, Don Rickles, Bob Newhart, Gilbert Gottfried, Emo Philips and Will Durst. I really don’t care what anyone else thinks, these particular comics make ME laugh and I’ll watch them if I see them performing anywhere. I like to study comedy and these guys I respect.
Other guys I find hilarious who might not be ultra famous would include a Brian Regan or a Mitch Hedberg. Both have cult followings and I’ve worked with both of them and am big fans of each. I’m very sad Mitch passed away, but he sure left a solid body of work to be proud of. Brian Regan is squeaky clean and very animated and I never get sick of him.
Here are some of the maybe not so famous ones to you, but I know them personally and happen to think are some of the funniest people anywhere. I’ll list them all in alphabetical order because I don’t want to favor any of them over the other. They’re all not only funny comics but some of my favorite people to hang out with too. I hope you’ll discover them.
Scotty Goff used to own the club Laffs in Tucson, AZ and I worked for him a couple of times. Most comics who book clubs can’t do both well, and Scotty suffered a little with it, mainly because he was and is a nice guy. He doesn’t own the club anymore but he’s still a super funny guy. His CD is called “Junk Drawer In My Head” and is on CD Baby. Get it.
Dwayne Kennedy is a guy I’ve talked about before. He’s around my age and a Chicago native and quite simply a brilliant comic mind. He’s also a super nice guy and one of my absolute favorite people, onstage and off. He’s been on Letterman three times now I think and has at least one CD. He doesn’t have a website right now, but trust me - he’s a gem.
John Knight is a friend from Pittsburgh I’ve known over twenty years. He’s laid back to the point of deadpan, but totally hilarious. His website is www.comedyknight.com and he has a killer CD called ‘Knight Lines’. One of my favorites and I recommend him highly.
Carl LaBove was Sam Kinison’s best friend for years but is an undiscovered diamond to most of the public. His style is nothing like Sam’s, which makes me respect him more. Every performance is a gift to that particular audience, as Carl likes to free form jazz style it much like I do. He’s theatrical and likeable and just plain funny. www.carllabove.com.
Vince Maranto is a Chicago friend I’ve known over twenty years and has some of THE best individual jokes I’ve ever heard. Great writer, funny guy. Can’t find a website but he does have a CD he makes at home on his computer. Still, it’s very funny. If you want one, send an email to chenzio@aol.com and please tell him I told you to. Vince is a good guy.
Also from Chicago is my good friend Jimmy McHugh. He’s also got a home made CD, but it’s worth it. He’s always been one of my favorite comics and his act is very solid and always funny. We work together a bunch and his site is www.chicagocomedyallstars.com.
I’m running out of space so I’ll just mention names. Steve ‘Mudflap’ McGrew is out of Denver and one of the best. www.stevemcgrew.com. Tim Northern is from Nashville but I think he’s in Louisville now. What a talent. Very unique. www.thetimnorthern.com.
Larry Reeb, aka ’Uncle Lar’ is a Zanies in Chicago icon. www.unclelarryreeb.com. One more from Chicago is Danny Storts, now in Nashville. www.comediansusa/DannyStorts. Danny was a mentor when I started and I’ll always be grateful for that. Super funny too.
Keith Stubbs breaks the mold of comics who book clubs. Most can’t do both very well, but Keith is a glowing exception. His clubs are always beautiful and well run, and he is an absolute killer comic. He’s in Salt Lake City and does morning radio there. I like to work for him whenever I can. His website is www.keithstubbs.com and he’s got several CDs.
Tim Walkoe is another Chicago powerhouse and is a favorite of all comics here. He’s a fast talking rhythm based comic, again much like I am. When we work a show together, it packs a wallop. We both like to give a crowd their money’s worth. www.timwalkoe.com. These are the comics I find the funniest. People ask, so I’m answering. Go enjoy them.
People frequently ask me who my personal favorite comedians are. I have no idea why, but they do. Then I’ll tell them and they’ll say “WHO?” I have a hard time differentiating famous from not famous people because to me, funny is funny. There are famous people I find funny, but there are probably a lot more the public hasn’t heard of that I enjoy more.
Not that it means a porcupine’s patoot, but here is a list of both the well known and the unknown comedians I personally find funny. Again, it’s a personal taste thing and nobody is right or wrong when it comes to questions of personal taste. Somebody buys buttermilk or it wouldn’t keep showing up on a shelf in the grocery store. This is only my opinion.
First, the famous ones. My all time favorite standup comic is Rodney Dangerfield. He’s a legend and his whole being makes me laugh out loud. His ‘no respect’ hook is not only the best one ever, it’s become a part of American pop culture. His look matched his jokes and he was brilliant as both a performer and a joke writer. He’s the king in my opinion.
Bill Cosby is also legendary. Who in standup history has reached a broader audience? If I had to pick the biggest standup comic of the 20th century it would be between Bob Hope and Bill Cosby and neither would be a bad choice. It’s like the Babe Ruth vs. Hank Aaron debate in baseball. Both were great, but played in different eras. I’d prefer not to pick one.
Bob Hope was great too, but he wasn’t on my favorites list. His work didn’t really have an impact on my generation or me personally, but I still respect him. I respect Bill Cosby too, but he makes me REALLY laugh. His standup is still funny today and he’s a master.
George Carlin was a monster too. What a major impact he had on comedy, especially in the later part of the 20th century. His style changed several times but he managed to crank out HBO specials and audio recordings and keep his name in the mainstream for a whole lot longer than most. I met him and he was humble and nice and that makes it even better.
Other big name comics I happen to enjoy include Woody Allen, Steven Wright, Dennis Miller, Don Rickles, Bob Newhart, Gilbert Gottfried, Emo Philips and Will Durst. I really don’t care what anyone else thinks, these particular comics make ME laugh and I’ll watch them if I see them performing anywhere. I like to study comedy and these guys I respect.
Other guys I find hilarious who might not be ultra famous would include a Brian Regan or a Mitch Hedberg. Both have cult followings and I’ve worked with both of them and am big fans of each. I’m very sad Mitch passed away, but he sure left a solid body of work to be proud of. Brian Regan is squeaky clean and very animated and I never get sick of him.
Here are some of the maybe not so famous ones to you, but I know them personally and happen to think are some of the funniest people anywhere. I’ll list them all in alphabetical order because I don’t want to favor any of them over the other. They’re all not only funny comics but some of my favorite people to hang out with too. I hope you’ll discover them.
Scotty Goff used to own the club Laffs in Tucson, AZ and I worked for him a couple of times. Most comics who book clubs can’t do both well, and Scotty suffered a little with it, mainly because he was and is a nice guy. He doesn’t own the club anymore but he’s still a super funny guy. His CD is called “Junk Drawer In My Head” and is on CD Baby. Get it.
Dwayne Kennedy is a guy I’ve talked about before. He’s around my age and a Chicago native and quite simply a brilliant comic mind. He’s also a super nice guy and one of my absolute favorite people, onstage and off. He’s been on Letterman three times now I think and has at least one CD. He doesn’t have a website right now, but trust me - he’s a gem.
John Knight is a friend from Pittsburgh I’ve known over twenty years. He’s laid back to the point of deadpan, but totally hilarious. His website is www.comedyknight.com and he has a killer CD called ‘Knight Lines’. One of my favorites and I recommend him highly.
Carl LaBove was Sam Kinison’s best friend for years but is an undiscovered diamond to most of the public. His style is nothing like Sam’s, which makes me respect him more. Every performance is a gift to that particular audience, as Carl likes to free form jazz style it much like I do. He’s theatrical and likeable and just plain funny. www.carllabove.com.
Vince Maranto is a Chicago friend I’ve known over twenty years and has some of THE best individual jokes I’ve ever heard. Great writer, funny guy. Can’t find a website but he does have a CD he makes at home on his computer. Still, it’s very funny. If you want one, send an email to chenzio@aol.com and please tell him I told you to. Vince is a good guy.
Also from Chicago is my good friend Jimmy McHugh. He’s also got a home made CD, but it’s worth it. He’s always been one of my favorite comics and his act is very solid and always funny. We work together a bunch and his site is www.chicagocomedyallstars.com.
I’m running out of space so I’ll just mention names. Steve ‘Mudflap’ McGrew is out of Denver and one of the best. www.stevemcgrew.com. Tim Northern is from Nashville but I think he’s in Louisville now. What a talent. Very unique. www.thetimnorthern.com.
Larry Reeb, aka ’Uncle Lar’ is a Zanies in Chicago icon. www.unclelarryreeb.com. One more from Chicago is Danny Storts, now in Nashville. www.comediansusa/DannyStorts. Danny was a mentor when I started and I’ll always be grateful for that. Super funny too.
Keith Stubbs breaks the mold of comics who book clubs. Most can’t do both very well, but Keith is a glowing exception. His clubs are always beautiful and well run, and he is an absolute killer comic. He’s in Salt Lake City and does morning radio there. I like to work for him whenever I can. His website is www.keithstubbs.com and he’s got several CDs.
Tim Walkoe is another Chicago powerhouse and is a favorite of all comics here. He’s a fast talking rhythm based comic, again much like I am. When we work a show together, it packs a wallop. We both like to give a crowd their money’s worth. www.timwalkoe.com. These are the comics I find the funniest. People ask, so I’m answering. Go enjoy them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
