COMEDY THIS EXIT

HISTORICAL MARKER: MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 03:40:00 +0000

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AT "ON THE ROAD WITH DAVE" ON JANUARY 18TH 2010

Click Here to View "Boondock's The Return Of The King" Adult Language and Racial Slurs Abound

Back in 2006, on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 77th birthday; Cartoon Network aired an episode of their acclaimed animated series, The Boondocks of the comic strip of the same name. In the episode, an alternative history is told of the shooting of Martin Luther King, Jr. The episode's name was taken from the The Lord of the Rings volume The Return of the King. It won a Peabody Award.

The episode was controversial and funny and told the story of MLK alive in the 21st Century shortly after the 9/11 tragedy. Series creator, Aaron McGruder displays his comic genius and never-ending talent for commenting on popular culture and our sensitivities to race relations and politics in the classic episode.

As a long-time viewer of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, I consider this one of the best episodes of the series(and there are many favorites of mine) and thought it both appropriate and down-right funny to reference today on Martin Luther King Day.

Take 20 minutes and watch it, laugh and think.

The Boondocks - Return of the King - Season 1... by savertun

HISTORICAL MARKER: CHRISTMAS 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 04:49:00 +0000

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM "COMEDY THIS EXIT"!

I took my annual Christmas night drive down our street in my little town outside of Mobile, Alabama. The street was lonely as maybe one car drove past me in the oncoming lanes. The Christmas decorations were lit on the street light poles, and rainy mist covered the highway as I drove.

The local radio station played Mannheim Steamroller and Vince Guaraldi. A convenience store was open at one end of the street; selling gas, cigarettes, beer, and other essentials one might need on Christmas Day night. A customer service call center was still being manned by a handful of employees; probably answering calls from people in Idaho who received their new iPhone for Christmas. Other than that, no other businesses were stirring.

Except, a bar.

One local dive bar was open. And to my surprise, it had a very full parking lot. I realized that Christmas fell on a Friday night, but was still shocked to see the number of people out, instead of at home with family. But of course, I shouldn't have been surprised. There are people alone on Christmas. Out of town on Christmas. Traveling on Christmas. Working on Christmas. And in Comedy...Out of town, traveling, and working on Christmas.

So, to those not so happy or merry on this Christmas Day, a little tune to set the mood.

Dean Martin made "the blues" look cool.

For a modern version of the above song, try Comedian Bill Murray's rendition from "A Very Murray Christmas."

But, I do truly hope you had a great Christmas with Family and Friends.

Here's to you, (raising a symbolic shot) and yours...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

HISTORICAL MARKER: THANKSGIVING 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 22:26:00 +0000

Pulling over to celebrate Thanksgiving 2015.

I know there are "road comics" driving to their next gig this weekend and their Thanksgiving dinner is probably being served in a fast food bag at worst or it consists of a Iron Skillet or Waffle House meal at best. Be Safe My Friends.

I'm lucky enough to be home with family and friends, eating way too much of home cooked food. Of course I'm unlucky enough not to have a regular "road comic" career. Although, I do a have a local gig this Saturday.

In honor of Thanksgiving and my past college days in radio and journalism, I leave you with a time-honored Thanksgiving tradition. Radio stations across America enjoy this tradition on Thanksgiving for what I suspect is two very good reasons. One--This tradition allows them about twenty minutes to eat uninterrupted while sitting at their job, or Two--Twenty minutes to run to the restroom after possibly eating a large meal a few hours before their shift.

The best reasons are because it's kinda about Thanksgiving; it was controversial at the time, and most of all-- it is Damn Clever and Funny.

Enjoy Arlo Guthrie and eating out back of Alice's Restaurant.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM "COMEDY THIS EXIT"!

VETERANS! F*#K YEAH!

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 00:58:00 +0000

It's Veterans Day 2015. And I know a lot of tributes, Facebook status updates, tweets, and blog posts are being posted today to honor the US Military and all they contribute in service and duty to our country. I posted at my main blog and even my ventriloquist dummy, Skyler Leglantier, posted a tribute. (of sorts) to all of the country's veterans.

But, above all, this is a blog about Comedy, particularly my Stand-Up Comedy; and so, let's get a little irreverent. While, I do respect and honor the military--(My Dad was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force and was present at the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941)--I know plenty of military personnel and former members of the Armed Services that like a little humor.

Here's my video selections to honor all those veterans out there and to those that are REALLY OUT there!

#1. From those Carly Rae Jepsen "wannaboys" in Afghanistan.

#2 Definitely NOT SUITED FOR WORK, but F*#K YEAH; Play it anyway.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY FROM COMEDY THIS EXIT!

ATTRACTIONS: COMING SOON

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 05:31:00 +0000

I'm starting a new feature at Comedy This Exit. Local comedians need exposure.

So I'll be conducting interviews with Gulf Coast Comedians who you may not have heard of, but deserve to be heard. The new feature will appear weekly (or bi weekly) on Wednesdays, just in case you are looking for weekend plans.

All entries will be featured here and promoted at
On The Road With Dave. I will also promote each entry at my Facebook page, my Twitter Page, my LinkedIN page and at On The Road With Dave's Facebook page.

Comedians wishing to be interviewed via email may contact me on Facebook or can leave a comment at this blog. On Facebook, after sending me a friend request; you can contact me via a Private Message with your email. Here at Comedy This Exit, you can leave a comment with your email address. I will not approve the comment. By processing the request in this manner, we shouldn't be subjected to unwanted email SPAM.

I hope this grows into a popular regular feature here at this blog.

And in keeping with the theme of the blog, think about those roadside traffic signs alerting you to Food, Gas, Lodging and Attractions. Coming up at Comedy this Exit, look for the ATTRACTIONS sign!

NOW APPEARING THIS EXIT

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 05:30:00 +0000

Originally posted September 14th, 2015 at On The Road With Dave

If you are a comedian, you probably have a YouTube channel. If you are not a comedian, then you've probably watched a comedian's YouTube channel. If you are not a comedian and have not watched a comedian's YouTube channel, then...wait; is that even possible?

I'm going with the assumption that you HAVE watched a comedian's YouTube channel. I will think much more highly of you, that way. But, have you watched MY YouTube channel? That's the real purpose of this whole entry.

My channel doesn't compare to the mega-normous YouTube stars out there. I haven't produced a channel trailer (A short advertisement about my videos) that appears when you first get to my channel--yet. I don't have 46 Million Views--yet. But, I have videos of my stand-up comedy. I have the insane ego that allows me to post even the "so-so"performances. And, I have some random videos by other YouTubers that I have watched and tagged as Favorites.

And, as my stand-up gigs increase in quantity and quality; I hope that my channel's popularity will also increase. For now, I'd like for you to pay a visit to my channel Comic Dave Robison and subscribe--if you are so inspired to do so. And for the lazy and the uninspired...yes, I did include a sample video here.

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 15:02:00 +0000

2015 marks the first year that no televised telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association will be broadcasted . Comedian Jerry Lewis had hosted the telethon every year since 1966; up until he was "retired" in 2011. He had been involved with MDA telethons since 1952.

The MDA telethons brought together thousands of celebrities over the years on to television screens all across America for over 21 hours of entertainment and fundraising.

The highlight of the 1976 Telethon was one particular celebrity that appeared on the show and brought Jerry Lewis together with an old friend.

If you'd like to donate to MDA on this Labor Day--then by all means Make A Gift.

Have a Safe and Happy Labor Day!

MEMORIAL DAY

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Tue, 26 May 2015 04:08:00 +0000

My thoughts on Memorial Day today can be found at "On The Road With Dave" I hope that your Memorial Day was safe. I hope that in whatever way you observed the day, it was as you wished.

If you spent time with family, or in your own solitude remembering someone who was lost in a battle, or lost some other way serving in the military--my thoughts are with you and with your family.

And if you used this day to remember anyone who is no longer alive, for any reason, then I remember with you. If you light a candle, say a prayer, place flowers on a grave, shed a tear, or break down in a raucous laughter at the thought of that someone; then I wish you comfort.

Feel free to read the rest of my thoughts...

They were not heroes. We don’t honor heroes on Memorial Day, we honor all those who died for just being there; so we could stay here. We honor those; not for being extraordinary, but so we could remain ordinary.

Have a glorious summer. It begins.

THIS ROAD OPEN

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Mon, 25 May 2015 04:09:00 +0000

On The Road With Dave Is Open.

Stop by and check out the new look. I think it works. And it's mobile-friendly for those that live on their cellphones, smartphones and Ipads. I think a blog that has a road-theme should be mobile-responsive in 2015.

Not only is the main blog located there, but you can also view pages describing the history of the site; your standard (or not so standard) "About Me" page and a "Roadside Stop" page that will offer merchandise in the near future. And of course, one of the main links will bring you right back here to the Comedy This Exit page.

And speaking of "Comedy This Exit"--You can start viewing regular entries here starting Memorial Day. Now, that the most of the work is done at "On The Road With Dave"; I'll be scheduling regular entries here again. It may take a few weeks for me to come up with a consistent schedule, other than the latest reviews of my comedy dates; but entries should be more frequent.

Thanks to everyone that finds this page again and lets someone know that the blog is alive and well and needs people to visit. I'll write for myself, but it's nice to have a reader or two out there following along.

THE ROAD AHEAD

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 02:48:00 +0000

Work is progressing nicely at
On The Road With Dave Dot Com.

You can't see it yet, but I've put in many long nights designing the new look and "old feel" to my main blog.

All will be unveiled on my birthday, May 6, 2015. In addition to new entries at that site; there will be new exits here at Comedy This Exit. My next gig is May 2nd at The Blind Mule Tavern in Mobile, Alabama. I will give a full account of my experience,(good or bad) after that show. Possible video will be included here as well as on the Comic Dave Robison channel over on YouTube. I'm excited about the new changes coming and the chance to get back to regular blogging here and at On The Road With Dave. If you want in on the updates and all the changes to come, stop by OTRWD and subscribe to the email list and feel free to hang out and watch the the countdown clock.

The Road Ahead looks to be a long and steady ride.

ROUTE CALCULATION FAILED

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 05:36:00 +0000

This blog is experiencing a contemplation of future articles, and a mental GPS issue that can not determine the present course at this time.

Please stand by. Future activity will resume shortly.

The long-awaited return of "On The Road With Dave" is coming soon. With the return of the main blog; this Exit will also be revitalized.

I look forward to catching everyone up-to-date. 3 1/2 years is a long time between blog entries, and you can well expect, I have plenty to tell you about.

Sit tight, we will be back on the road soon.

U-TURN OK

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:20:00 +0000

You don't have to be a sci-fi geek or even a fan of Star Trek:The Next Generation to understand the moral of this blog entry, but if you are, it's all the better.

I'll try to keep it basic.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the United Federation Starship: Enterprise has recurring encounters with an omnipotent powerful being know only as "Q". Q is capable of such powers that make him seem god-like by our standards.

Captain Picard as a young military cadet has an altercation with an alien race known as the Nausicaan. The Nausicaans are aggressive, militant, and generally all around bad-asses. During a fight with three Nausicaans twice his size, Picard is stabbed in the back, straight through his heart. Due to 23rd Century medical science, he does not die, but lives the rest of his life with an artificial heart.

In our episode, during a battle, Picard is hit in the chest with 23rd Century phaser fire(for non sci-fi fans; think laser gun) The wound damages his artificial heart and he dies. Or so it appears.

Picard suddenly finds himself in the presence of "Q" appearing as God. Q and Picard discuss the wound that causes his "death". Had Picard had a real heart, the wound may not have been fatal, but the charge of the weapon fuses the mechanics of the artificial organ.

Picard relates the story of how he gained the fake heart and regrets the impetuous, arrogant and irresponsible days of his youth that led to his stabbing by the Nausicaan. He wishes that things would have been different.

In a flash, Q whisks Picard back into time as his younger self before the encounter, and gives Picard a chance to avoid the fight. With a promise that the future of mankind would not be altered by these actions. Picard indeed avoids the fight, and saves his real heart and suddenly finds himself back on his ship alive and now, NOT a captain but a Junior officer. "Q" never made a promise that Picard's personal future would not be altered.

Since Picard never took the risk with the Nausicaan, never acted, never knew what fear of dying was, he never progressed, never achieved. He lived a life of quiet mediocrity. He begs "Q" to take him back once again to the fight. He realizes that his actions in his youth, colored who he was as a man. He realizes that the risks and the danger was necessary to succeed. He fights the Nausicaan and is stabbed once again, and laughs as the blade pierces his heart. In an instant, once again, Captain Picard awakes on the medical table back on the Enterprise as the Medical Officer revives him. He is still softly laughing.

In traffic, as well as in life, U-turns are frowned upon. Most U-turns on the road are illegal and can cause accidents, and reverting to old habits and regressing in life are usually to your detriment.

But, rules are made for the occasional exception that they create. On some roads, U-turns are a necessity and sometimes you have to go backward and pick up on some past incident in life in order to succeed.

Like Picard, you can't always avoid the challenge, sometimes the risk is what you need.

I can remember several times, I avoided the "fight with the Nausicaan" and it hindered me later on. Comedy is about risks. The road to comedic success does not have a lot of security, you have to challenge yourself and make the changes. Recently, on my "day gig"; I, at first, reluctantly entered the metaphorical room of Nausicaans and danced around the fight. I wanted to avoid the fight. In the end, I have fought the fight and fell upon the blade and accepted the new challenge of a promotion. The encounter led to a money offer above what I expected. The fight proved fruitful.

If you find yourself passing by opportunity in 2012, either through your day job, your comedy career, or whatever; remember sometimes a U-turn is okay. Go back. Change direction, give yourself a second shot. Don't live a life of regret and mediocrity. Fight the Nausicaan

MILE MARKER 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:47:00 +0000

2011 is almost over and the journey down that road is coming to an end. This little blog has been pretty scarce this year with few, if any, exits to speak of.

I'll not be cliche' about the coming new year with talk of hope, and promise, and change; but I do see an open road ahead of me with quite a few stops scheduled(I couldn't resist, I had to be cliche')

Also, for those who have missed "On The Road With Dave" in 2011; they will be pleased with that blog's resurrection in 2012.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM "COMEDY THIS EXIT!"

2301 DAUPHIN ISLAND PARKWAY

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:39:00 +0000

I couldn't let 2011 get by without posting something on this blog. I never posted my experience at Legend's Nightclub way back towards the beginning of the year, so I'll let the video speak for itself.

MAINTAIN STEADY SPEED

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 01:28:00 +0000

2011 is here. Make The best of it.

I'm making plans and goals and planning to be persistent throughout the year. I'm not counting on Comedy Central or HBO calling me for a TV special, but I'm planning on being behind the mike much more this year.

As you travel into New Orleans, Louisiana on Westbound I-10, as you approach a bridge, a sign cautions you to maintain a steady speed over the bridge. Sudden slowing can cause accidents. I plan to take that caution seriously this year.

I'll be persistent and steady in actions to further my comedy career. And I will be making some changes towards that career.

Whatever career you have, it's good advice

STAY AWAKE: NEW YEAR ENDING

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 01:52:00 +0000

2010 ends today.

New Years' Eve is a big night for working comedians. I hear of agents and bookers constantly seeking available comedians to host parties, events and perform at clubs on this last night of the year. I suppose even comics want to spend time with their families during the holidays, and the number of available comedians to perform drops on this night; making the other comedians willing to perform, more valuable.

Personally, I will be attending some festivities in my local city with my family this evening. If I had been more consistent in 2010, I can imagine my family making a compromise to allow me to perform on this night, provided I had spent quality time with them earlier in the holiday.

As the countdown begins, I'm sure that I will be looking forward to the coming new year and making plans or conjuring dreams of what 2011 will have in store for me. I, generally, become a bit melancholy at this time in regards to what I want out of life and what I have achieved and I make those cliche' resolutions to improve my life and change my habits. Sometimes I get results, sometimes, not.

One such resolve for 2011 for me will be to stay awake. Not drift off in the middle of the year. Not settle in. Not hibernate through the long winter and emerge in the Spring with "sleep" still in my eyes. Not to look around and go back to bed.

Driving down the interstate, I see small triangular yellow signs warning drivers to STAY AWAKE. In 2011, I will not be caught asleep at the wheel.

Photo by Shondra Hull

2301 DAUPHIN ISLAND PARKWAY

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 07:07:00 +0000

Legends Lounge
2301 DAUPHIN ISLAND PKWY
Mobile, A

CAUTION: PAVEMENT ENDS

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 07:49:00 +0000

If you're a fan of "On The Road With Dave" then you'll remember that back in April of this year, I announced that due to a change in format that my publishing platform from Blogger had made, I would have to postpone publishing any further from my regular blog until I could migrate the entire blog to a different format.

I had to delay the migration because although my hosting company, GoDaddy, supports my new choice of WordPress to begin publishing the blog once again, it requires a NEW hosting plan, as well. I don't do change very well. So, I continue to delay the migration.

Needless to say, the change over has not started, and I'm receiving some comments back at OTRWD wondering where I've been. Rest assure, I'm still here, alive, and quietly living through status updates on Facebook. So, while the "Road" has hit a patch of gravel, I promise to update here for a while and catch you up on the goings on in my life.

HISTORICAL MARKER: EDGAR BERGEN

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:28:00 +0000

"Comedy This Exit" pulls over for a moment to recognize an Historical Marker in the world of comedy and ventriloquism.

Ventriloquist Edgar Bergen was born on February 16, 1903. 107 years later he is still remembered fondly, studied intently, discussed loudly, and remains the benchmark to which all ventriloquists are compared. Happy Birthday, Edgar!

Artwork, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy--1938--by Dick Weston

UP AHEAD

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:20:00 +0000

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM COMEDY THIS EXIT!

As the sign says, Comedy This Exit leaves 2009 at the last turn and moves on up the road in conjunction with the blog, On The Road With Dave, to bring you the 2010 adventures of yours truly, Comedian Dave Robison. Here's hoping that the new year brings along a lot of "exits" and chances to perform a helluva lot of comedy gigs--with at least some of them paying gigs.

SANTA CLAUS CROSSING

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:01:00 +0000

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM "COMEDY THIS EXIT"!

As a public service to all travelers, comedy or otherwise, you can keep track of all Santa Claus crossings and sightings at NORAD Tracks Santa as well as following Santa along with NORAD at Twitter and become a NORAD/SANTA fan at Facebook. You can also view Santa at Google Earth via the NORAD site or download the iGoogle gadget.

Don't Let Christmas Eve pass you by or Santa cross in front of you without being prepared.

Have a Safe and Merry Christmas.

PHOTO FROM SYDESJOKES

ROADSIDE STOP: DAVEWEAR

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:49:00 +0000

INTRODUCING SHWAG!

The word's origin comes from those funny cigarettes that contain no tobacco, and the contents thereof being common and cheap. That is to say; the "shit we all get". In other words, it wasn't the good stuff.

In the entertainment industry, Shwag is the stuff like T-shirts, posters, can coolers, and bumper stickers given away at concerts or sold after the concerts.

"On The Road With Dave" now introduces a line of shwag that I think IS the good stuff.

DAVEWEAR is your chance to wear "DAVE" On YOUR Road to where ever life takes you. ON SALE NOW is the "On The Road With Dave.Com" T-shirt currently featured in Black in sizes Small to X-Large.
(Larger Sizes Available Soon)

The shirts feature the large, attractive OTRWD chevron on the back with a smaller logo on the "pocket" side in the front. BUY ONE and show your support for "On The Road With Dave".

Purchasers of the T-Shirts who send in a photo wearing a shirt at a tourist spot, club or just out and about will be featured monthly at "On The Road With Dave".

More "stuff" that you can all get will be coming in the next few months. More Shirt colors, can coolers, and drinkware will be available. (I'm gonna like the shot glasses.) So, make this roadside stop often to check on new items.

T-Shirts are $20.00 Plus $3.00 Shipping and Handling and will be shipped from the designer in 3 weeks. It's a matter of trust, guys...I can't stock a full inventory yet, so each order is processed individually.

ALL ORDERS ARE CURRENTLY PROCESSED ONLY THROUGH PAYPAL

HEAD ON OVER TO MY NEW ROADSIDE STAND; DAVEWEAR...Dave's Shwag....Whatever.

DO NOT REVERSE! SEVERE TIRE DAMAGE WILL RESULT!

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:48:00 +0000

It's the end of 2008, and as is the fashion of most blog writers, this would be the day to publish a year-in-review-look-back at some of the significant blog entries of "Comedy This Exit" over the past year.

But, since the archives are still small, I think readers can look back at the 2008 archives fairly easy without any direction.

2008 was a good year for me and stand-up comedy. I had paying gigs. Not as many as I would have liked, but in some circles I had more paying gigs than a lot of comics that I'm aware of. I made some good contacts, some good friends, and some money.

So, in keeping with the exit-sign-road-sign theme of this blog, my advice to myself comes in the form of those parking lot signs you see, warning you about those spikes that can make your tires go flat...

"DO NOT REVERSE! SEVERE TIRE DAMAGE WILL RESULT!"

I'm not looking back; I'm looking ahead.

Here's to 2009 and even more gigs, more attention to expanding my act, and more time on stage. Here's to being a feature act; even a headliner or a corporate comic.

And, I'll keep on networking with all the folks out there.

And, and, if you wanna network with me in 2009; I'm at ALL of these places.

DAVE'S MY SPACE

DAVE'S FACEBOOK

DAVE'S LINKED IN

DAVE'S TWITTER

DEMAND DAVE

DAVE ON THE COMEDY SOAPBOX

And of course, as always, you can leave comments here or at "On The Road With Dave".

Thanks for a great 2008.

DETOUR: VACATION

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:30:00 +0000

As 2008 winds to a close, I am on a much needed vacation. Ten glorious days off which include Christmas week. This past weekend the wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary a few days early and went to New Orleans.

I couldn't help but have a cliche' photo taken of me in front of the "Welcome To Mississippi" sign at the Stennis Space Center Welcome Center. After all, Mississippi is my home state and every comedian has a few photos of themselves standing in front of state welcome signs. Why should I be any different?

And in case you are wondering if this "old-jeans-comic" can clean up--then you'll be happy to know that I don't look half bad in a suit standing with my wife in the Hotel Monteleone lobby in The French Quarter of New Orleans.

COVINGTON, LOUISIANA

noreply@blogger.com (Dave Robison) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 01:48:00 +0000

Last Friday and Saturday night I had the opportunity to perform at The Gut-Buster Comedy Room in Covington, Louisiana. It rocked!

I was contacted about a month ago by Terry Comeaux, comedian and booker, from the New Orleans area and asked if I'd be interested in performing at The Gut-Buster Comedy Room located inside The Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites on the New Orleans North Shore area. I jumped at the chance.

I left my "day job" early on the 10th to make the two-hour drive over to Covington via I-10. My car had just been fitted with a new tire and an oil change, but I was worried about making the trip after dark, because the old Buick was running really rough. If it did happen to break down, I wasn't looking forward to being stranded on the highway somewhere between Moss Point, Mississippi and Slidell, Louisiana. Fortunately, the Buick made the trip like a champ--a bruised champ, but a champ just the same.

This particular gig wasn't paying for a motel room (I was scheduled as the "Opener"), but I opted for my own room in Slidell, LA, just 20 or so minutes from Covington. The price of a Motel 6 for two nights would be just a bit more than the price of gas and making the trip nightly back to Mobile. I checked into the Slidell Motel 6 around 4PM and promptly went into a short panic session.

The Gut-Buster Comedy Room is a large venue seating over 200 people and promoter Terry Comeaux had booked me, sight unseen. I was nervous. Would I be funny? Would I be funny enough? Would this gig make or break me? I eventually settled myself and relaxed. I was ready.

I decided to leave the hotel early and head over to the Holiday Inn. I wanted to grab something to eat and look the room over prior to showtime.

The Covington Holiday Inn is located at 501 N. Hwy 190, just off Interstate 12. The Gut-Buster Comedy Room occupies one of the Hotel's banquet rooms on the second weekend of every month. The room is impressive.

Ballroom chandeliers; covered tables; great sound system; professional lighting, including spotlight; large stage; and everything is arranged to the performer's benefit and the audiences' enjoyment. I met Terry and his partner(whose name escapes me, sorry) and they knew exactly what they were doing with the execution of the room and the promotion of each weekend.

"Nerves" grabbed me once again when Terry asked me, "Where's your dummy?"

When Terry and I first spoke on the phone the previous month; he had asked me about my ventriloquism. I told him I was mainly doing straight "stand-up", but I was introducing my ventriloquism back into the act. I have been focusing on getting my stand-up routine to a point where I was happy with it; before I started working with my ventriloquist partner, Skyler. I had brought Skyler with me to Covington and was going to use him over the weekend, but Skyler had second thoughts.

During the process of dressing Skyler for the show, he had a "body malfunction". I know Skyler will be mortified that I'm telling you this; but his right leg came off. There wasn't time for an "emergency surgery" before the show. Terry seemed disappointed and that bothered me. But, I was ready to "go it" alone.

Showtime came, and the room was full. The audience was drinking. Good music was playing, thanks to the sound guy, (Really, they had a "sound guy"...not just somebody that plugged in the microphone) and Terry took the stage to welcome the enthusiastic crowd. Terry is funny and the audience is ready.

"...Let's bring to the stage, BILL Robison!"

In a split second, I decided Bill Robison wasn't in the room and took the stage in his place. It so happens, that Terry knows a Bill Robison in the Covington area and he just made a slip of the tongue. I made the most of the situation and re-introduced myself to the audience to a lot of laughing and some applause.

And they continued to laugh. The audience was great. I felt comfortable on stage. "Bits", I had been tweaking in recent weeks, were working the way I wanted them to. My "standard" jokes received bigger laughs and my "crowd work" was comfortable and the audience members played along at the points that they were supposed to. I had two "pauses" after two bits that suggested to me that the jokes may have reached the point where I'll cut them. I'm really in love with the two jokes and I've tried to nurse them along; but it's time to say good-bye and set them free.

I closed the set a little weaker than I anticipated, but the audience laughed and applauded me off the stage. If I didn't "kill" Friday night, I think I, at least, "mortally wounded".

Saturday night, I arrived back at The Holiday Inn with my semi-repaired ventriloquist partner in tow. The plan was to bring Skyler out for a few minutes at the end of my "stand-up" and do some "local humor" that would result in an argument between Skyler and myself. Local humor involves jokes tailored to the area and the venue.

Terry met me before the show and was excited that Skyler was with me. He also was worried that my prior night's act might have been too risque'. I had not dropped the "F-bomb" like the Feature and The Headliner had, but my act might have been too "sexual". He asked could I drop one bit entirely and possibly edit some more. I promised that I would try to comply. Terry is a great guy and he wants the best for his audiences. Unfortunately, the request rattled me.

"....and now let's welcome DAVE Robison!"

So far, so good. My opening worked, as usual. Audience participation was good. On-stage edit. Timing Off. Laugh. Laugh. Laugh. On-stage edit. Timing off. Forgot segue'. Laugh. Laugh. Laugh. Deleted bit. Timing off. Pause. Forgot Bit. Timing off. Laugh.

Then came the awkward introduction of Skyler, bringing him to stage. Laugh.

Ordinarily, I would place Skyler on a stand, similar to a microphone stand with a small table attached, that Skyler would sit on. Saturday night, I decided I would use the traditional Ventriloquist stance, and prop my foot on a stool and place Skyler on my knee. Because, I was already nervous, when I placed my foot on the stool and weighted my leg with Skyler; my leg began to shake up and down, bouncing Skyler up and down like he was a baby on my knee. I re-positioned my foot to stop the bounce, but I wasn't able to control Skyler with the dexterity that I needed. His movements were "jerky." I was self-conscious. Suddenly, he wasn't my "partner" with funny jokes; he was a foreign object in my hands. The pauses were too many. The jokes were gone. I closed to polite applause.

It wasn't a total bomb, but it wasn't the previous night's performance.

I apologized to Terry, but he graciously said don't worry about it. But, I did.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention my fellow comics that allowed me to share a stage with them.

I had performed with Jason Thompson once before. Jason is from Little Rock, Arkansas and is a strong "feature" performer that deserves to "headline" much more often. His jokes about being a father and growing up poor in Arkansas can be heard over and over again providing laughs at different spots each time.

John Wesley Austin is a Cowboy-Hat-Wearing Headliner from Augusta, Georgia with some smart "Southern" humor, and a pretty good singer and guitarist offering up Country Music parodies, and even an attempt at "rap". His "bit" about NASCAR drivers with their wives and children in the backseat of the car was hilarious. His observations about married life leaves you repeating his "tag line", "That ain't right".

All in all, it was a great weekend. I got laughs, I got paid. And if the comments I received after the show from audience members were indicative of my performance; then I can hold my head up high. I batted .500 and that's pretty good.

Thanks Covington.