ComedyVentriloquist.com

Tonight In Baltimore!

2012-01-28T13:53:00.002-05:00

Tonight I get to entertain 75 guests at a corporate function in the brand new Four Seasons Baltimore in Maryland! Its an incredible venue. I am really looking forward to working with this group and the hotel event staff. They've been great in advance and I know its going to be a wonderful experience.

Baltimore corporate functions have plenty of choices when it comes to venues. The Four Seasons Baltimore offers very high end elegance along with breath-taking views of the Baltimore Harbor.

For me, its another night where I get to have fun, make people laugh and sleep in my own bed after the show. Plus I get to pay my bills! I love this job.

In 2012, I'd love to offer more corporate entertainment in Baltimore, Maryland and the surrounding states. While flying to exotic locations is fun, its really nice when I can stay home once and awhile!

Ocean City Corporate Entertainment

2012-01-27T11:59:00.002-05:00

I've always loved working corporate and association events in Ocean City, Maryland. There are some great venues with incredible staffs. Ocean City hosts a lot of corporate functions at their convention center and the many hotels up and down the strip. Since the competition is tough, the event staffs go the extra mile to make certain everything is right. That makes my life as an event entertainer much easier, and I can concentrate on making audiences laugh.

With all the nightlife and excitement the ocean has to offer, keeping event guests around can be tricky. That is why it helps to offer personal programs that talk about the group and single out certain individuals. No one wants to miss the fun when it is about them!

If you are planning a corporate event in Ocean City, give me a call. Let's see if I'm a fit for your vision!

Corporate Entertainment in Rockville, Maryland

2012-01-26T16:50:00.003-05:00

As I climb on a plane to fly around the country for a corporate event, I always wish I could stay closer to home! While the audiences make the travel worth while, on occasion, I get lucky enough to perform in Maryland.

Rockville Maryland has a variety of corporate event sites that offer planners style choices to enhance their functions. Some are formal, others offer groups the chance to kick back and have some fun.

As a corporate comedian, I love both styles of events. Getting inside the minds of guests and allowing my puppets to say the things no one else can. Its a great way to release the stress and talk about the gorilla in the room.

No matter where in Maryland you may plan a corporate event, contact me for corporate event ideas! If I'm not right for your function, I am happy to recommend someone that may be.

Company Event Planning

2012-01-25T08:27:00.003-05:00

Planning a company event is tough work. People have attended plenty of corporate events that don't even begin to register on the memory scale. The paradigm of boring speeches and entertainment that doesn't hold interest needs to be shattered.

The easiest way to involve people is to create an event that celebrates them! Everyone wants to feel special. As a corporate event entertainer, I find making the program about the audience raises the level of the room. Its hard not to be involved when the show is about you!

If you are looking for company party entertainment, give me a call. I offer a free consultation to determine the fit. If I'm not right for your event, I'm happy to suggest entertainment that will help your company event be a success!

New Server

2012-01-24T20:58:00.003-05:00

After years of hosting my web site on various other servers, I've finally gotten the domain its own spot on the Internet.

http://www.ComedyVentriloquist.com is now live and ready to grow!

Conference Entertainment

2012-01-15T21:22:00.002-05:00

Recently I had the chance to work with a conference planner. They had a very full schedule with heavy topics and were concerned about their attendees. Information overload was a real possibility. The problem was how to keep their people engaged, energized and open to the speakers.

Conference entertainment can be utilized to lift people out of a catonic state and offer the mind a simple diversion that helps it recharge. Comedy not only reduces the stress of the day, but leaves attendees with wonderful memories of the conference.

By offering short sets throughout the day, attendees were constantly being surprised with short breaks. They soon found the mood lightened immediately upon the appearance of a puppet. The segments also allowed a comical recap of the information they had just heard. In the follow up surveys, many said that helped reinforce the workshops.

If you want to make your conference stand out - contact me to discuss your conference entertainment! If my act isn't a fit for your needs, I am happy to direct you to a professional conference entertainer that would be!

Comedy Entertainers

2012-01-14T16:55:00.002-05:00

Comedy Entertainers help take events to new heights. Laughter reduces stress and builds community. A shared experience bonds people tightly when comedy is involved.

For that reason, comedy entertainers are staples of corporate events world wide. A good corporate comedian can take the client's message, product or vision and turn it into a clean routine that engages and creates memories.

That is a huge part of what I do. Making people laugh is an incredible job to have. Helping clients create positive impressions with their people and clients makes this profession even sweeter!

Wishing you success with your corporate event!

Event Entertainers

2012-01-11T10:14:00.003-05:00

People searching for event entertainers will have a wide variety of talents to choose from. You'll find bands, solo artists, magicians, clowns, balloon artists, fire dancers, and maybe even a ventriloquist. There are so many types of entertainers out there - yet that doesn't mean they are right for your event.

As an example, I specialize in corporate events, so I am technically a corporate event entertainer. While I may perform in various types of venues, I am extremely selective about where I will work. For me, it isn't about landing the show, it is about making certain you have a successful event.

If you are searching for event entertainers, feel free to contact me for an event consultation. If we're not a good fit, I have worked with plenty of professional entertainers and I'd be more than happy to make recommendations!

Unique Corporate Entertainment

2012-01-10T11:20:00.002-05:00

Corporate events looking for unique entertainment have achieved amazing success with the an entertainment that people have embraced on an International level. Thanks to the extreme popularity of Comedy Central's Jeff Dunham, America's Got Talent winner Terry Fator and Tony Award Winner Jay Johnson - ventriloquists are the hottest form of comedy today!

There are only a handful of corporate level ventriloquists available. That makes it rare for people to see the art performed live. If your event is looking for unique corporate entertainment - contact me to discuss your needs. If it is a good fit - you can offer your group something very different!

Washington DC Corporate Entertainment

2012-01-08T10:43:00.003-05:00

Washington DC plays host to corporate events of all sizes. When those corporate events need entertainment, it makes sense to use a Washington DC based national entertainer! Or one that is in the backyard...

I am very familiar with the city and the logistics involved in working there. Several times, I've been called upon to fill in when a speaker or entertainer experienced flight delays. Unfortunately with my busy performance schedule, last minute is not always possible.

From awards dinners to breakfast meetings, I personalize or customize my programs to fit the client's needs. Shows can targeted to your group and are perfect for sales meetings, seminars, conferences and conventions. Imagine "Your Message - Personified!" Brought to life for your audience in a manner they will never forget!

So if you are planning a corporate event in the nation's capitol - contact me to discuss your event. I would love to help you sort out your Washington DC Corporate Entertainment!

Baltimore Corporate Entertainment

2012-01-06T20:53:00.002-05:00

Baltimore corporate events need not fear! If you are hosting a corporate event in Baltimore, Maryland, I have the solution to your corporate entertainment needs.

National level corporate entertainment is available in your own backyard. I don't have to deal with the TSA or flight changes and delays, so you save!

If you need corporate entertainment in Baltimore, you've found the right guy! Contact me today for a free consultation to see if we're a fit!

Trends In Corporate Entertainment

2012-01-05T11:40:00.002-05:00

Thanks to the extreme popularity of performers Jeff Dunham, Terry Fator and Jay Johnson, ventriloquism is in demand. This short article on popular corporate entertainment discusses how corporate comedian ventriloquist Tom Crowl brings the excitement of the art to entertain audiences at corporate events, conventions, conferences, seminars and awards dinners.

Birthday Greetings!

2012-01-04T22:49:00.003-05:00

Want to wish someone a Happy Birthday? Corporate Comedian Tom Crowl to the rescue!

Check out my Youtube Channel. There are comedy videos that are perfect to send as birthday greetings to your friends. Don't forget to subscribe while you are there! That way you will be informed when we update the channel with new comedy videos!

Corporate Event Entertainment Sound

2012-01-03T17:55:00.002-05:00

Sound can make or break a corporate event. Professional speakers rely on appropriate sound to make certain their message is heard. If your corporate event entertainment will feature a speaker or entertainer, this new web site article is meant for you!

Corporate Event Entertainment - A Sound Difference

Baltimore Corporate Entertainment

2012-01-02T11:04:00.003-05:00

As a Baltimore based corporate entertainer, I often find myself flying off to other parts of the country. I've provided corporate event entertainment in California, Utah, Texas, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, New York, Florida - the list could go on. As the frequent flyer miles rack up, I find dealing with the TSA and long flights, while familiar and easier, aren't fun. (I guess it balances the laughs from the show!)

Recently I have started focusing on my home markets. Baltimore has plenty of corporate events that could use entertainment. Baltimore clients get the advantage of a national act and save substantially because there are no airfare or hotel fees added to the expense. I'm looking forward to establishing some great relationships in the Baltimore Corporate Entertainment market. It will be a win-win for everyone involved!

Comedy Club Ventriloquist Video

2011-04-14T00:03:00.003-04:00

Last Sunday I performed at the Comedy Zone in Harrisburg, PA. It was a small but enthusiastic crowd. The producer released a short segment of my rope routine. Check it out and share it with your friends! Thanks!

Comedy Club Ventriloquist Video

Different Week

2011-04-13T16:08:00.003-04:00

Sunday I headlined a charity show at the Comedy Zone comedy club in Harrisburg, PA. The event raised money for the Children's Miracle Network. It was a small and enthusiastic audience for an early show on a Sunday night. Lots of fun.

Tuesday night took me to Harrisburg, PA. for a show at the Metropolitan Theatre. A totally different style event than the comedy club. Large and enthusiastic audience for an 8:00 PM show on a Tuesday night.

Tonight, another theatre, but this time on a college campus in Western PA. They are expecting a very large audience. The tone of the show changes once again to fit the venue and the client's requirements.

Three different shows in three different areas for three very different clients. The only things they have in common - me and the desire to laugh! I'm a lucky man.

Corporate Comedian Ventriloquist Entertainment

2011-04-08T14:42:00.003-04:00

New photographs, new copy, new designer = new image. The image any business projects is important to its success. Check out the new web site!
http://www.ComedyVentriloquist.com

Is the Glass Half Full?

2011-03-23T10:07:00.002-04:00

Some people tend to look for the negative. You can find them everywhere. They claim to be happy, well adjusted - yet they try to find fault everywhere they can. The only time they are truly happy is when they are able to find fault and drag others down.

Two nights ago, they tried to get me. A "joke" from the show, one that has been performed 1,000's of times in front of family audiences - received a complaint. They didn't complain to me, they went out of their way to reach my client and raise havoc. The "upset" individual(s) misinterpreted the line and twisted it into their own foul-minded perversion. As I understand, they left the show in a huff before the punchline was even delivered.

My contact approached me to let me know what had happened. He was at the show, had heard the line at countless shows and had no problem with it. I removed the line from the show just the same - no need to create issues.

This brings me to this thought - if I said "Wow! Look at her!" That could mean - that woman looks great! Could mean she looks "hot"! Either of those would be fine in the appropriate setting. However when someone twists the meaning into "Woah - I gotta get a piece of that action" - they have taken things too far. Clean up my act? Clean up your mind!

Comedy In Florida

2011-03-18T13:31:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I arrived in Naples, FL to perform for the Collier County Fair. Last night started things off with small but fun audiences. It was a shakedown night, allowing them to work out the kinks before the weekend kicks in. I'm sharing a stage with a clown show and a hypnotist. Great acts that are very easy to work with.

The fair is pretty large, they have lots of entertainment, a large midway with plenty of rides and games. Animals, produce, crafts and food abound to make this a great time for patrons.

The weather is incredible. It was 80 degrees this morning when I took a walk. After coming from the cold snap in Maryland - I'm basking in this. Out of an 11 day schedule, six nights it doesn't open until 6 pm. Sometimes this job is extremely tough. I'm going to hit the pool now!

Corporate Events

2011-01-28T12:07:00.003-05:00

For over 25 years I have created special event entertainment for corporate events, sales conferences, associations and corporate business meetings throughout the United States. I'm proud to say my client list is constantly growing.

When planning corporate entertainment for a sales convention, private party, special event, fundraiser, or corporate sales incentive meeting, I work with event planners in a team approach. Using their vision, I create presentations that feature their message and their people, which makes sure it will be a truly memorable event.

Put my expertise to work for you to make your event first class.

Hello Diabetesville!

2011-01-20T22:47:00.002-05:00

No, I do not have diabetes - but I am in Hershey, PA being constantly tempted by chocolate. Ugh.

The new year has me looking at my business and working harder than ever before. I hate to tip my hat before it even gets on my head - but keep an eye out for what is coming. 2011 is going to be an incredible year! I promised myself!

WikiSpeakers?

2011-01-03T18:57:00.001-05:00

Tom Crowl
Tom Crowl Reviews
powered by Speaker Wiki

My new WikiSpeakers Badge. Had to post it!

When Dates Conflict or - When It Rains, It Pours

2010-12-02T18:05:00.004-05:00

Against my better judgement, I took a small single day event several months out. A couple of weeks later, right before the contract returned, I had an inquiry. It was an extended run event in a desirable locale. It fell over the spot date. The money was good, not great, but the location would make up for that. I agreed to submit, figuring it probably wouldn't happen, but I could buy the original date out.

I absolutely hate to break a contract, even though I leave myself an out. This is how I earn a living, I have to make money when it is offered. Clients read the contract before they sign, so they know there is the possibility, but I don't like being the bad guy.

So, the extended run comes through - almost. I was told to send them the contract, they wanted to check on one more issue, but they wanted me. I did, but I haven't released the other date yet, just in case. I will know within the next week and a half for certain, but it still looks to be a go.

Then, today, I got the text that I am wanted for a national showcase. It falls over the same period. The showcase doesn't pay me, but it is a huge opportunity to be seen by some very important entertainment buyers. Now I've got mixed feelings.

One on hand, if the extended date doesn't come through, I could do the small show and the showcase. On the other, the extended date pays a lot more and I have a family and mortgage. I think I win no matter what, but why does it have to fall on the same period. I have availability AROUND that!

A bit later, I found out that the one week I have set aside in July may interrupt a full 20 day tour. AHHHHHHHHH!

Can you do it for less?

2010-11-24T08:16:00.003-05:00

When you mention a fee, you can immediately tell some people had no idea of the cost for a professional entertainer. There is a silence. It happens in person, on the phone and even by e-mail. After the silence, the question comes, "Can you do it for less?"

It has happened a lot lately. "We loved your video, we saw you live, we WANT you! Oh, could you possibly do it for less?" I had one potential client want me to drive 4.5 hours each way, and pay me less than I could make locally. (I seldom work locally.) They even offered to pick up my gas and toll expenses...nice.

[I usually DO NOT drive to events more than 4 hours one way. I fly in for those engagements. This particular event would have required me to provide sound. I agreed and figured driving into the quote.]

I realize these people don't understand. I explain it to them. I have to be compensated for my time. You could get a local act for less. "Oh, but we've had them and they aren't as good as you." Then why do you think I would come out for the same amount AND travel 9 hours to do it?

There is more than just gas and tolls involved. I have to get up early, leave my family, fight traffic for 4.5 hours and make sure I am on site prior to the event. I have to set, sound check, then wait for the performance time, nail the show and leave the audience laughing, then wait for the event to end so I can pack up and load out without interrupting the guests. I then get to climb back in my car and fight traffic for another 4.5 hours to get home.

How do I pay for wear and tear on the car? How do I cover the cost of the hotel room if I get tired and can't drive any further? What about meals? What about setting a portion of that income back for my retirement fund? Insurances? Mortgage? Electric and phone bills? Advertising expenses? Office expenses? Want me to keep going? How about some compensation for actually having a skill? That wasn't just there - I put in years of practice - hours the other guy who you don't want, may not have done.

And you want me for the same amount plus gas & tolls. No.

Please understand, I am not saying I am better than anyone else. I have a great show and I am proud of it. I have clients that rave about my show. And if you want a comedy show that will leave your people laughing, I hope you will consider me. But if you are looking for a bargain, you'll have to look somewhere else. I have a mortgage to pay and a family to support. Sorry.

An Evening Of Comedy

2010-11-21T11:54:00.003-05:00

Last night's self promoted show was a success. It wasn't a sell out. In fact, we only sold about half of the house. The main things were - I didn't lose money and we had fun!

The evening started with local comedian Terry Duck. I've known Terry since he was a little kid. When I mentioned I was doing a show locally, he told me if I ever needed an opening act, to let him know. I hired him on the spot, sight unseen. My wife thought I was crazy. We had no idea if he was any good. I had a feeling though, and I was right. He had the audience laughing the second he walked on stage. Great job Terry!

Mike Rose, the Magic Kinda Guy, was up next. Mike's dry wit always wins over the crowd and his Chicken Towel is a riot. If you ever get the chance to see him work, don't miss the show. The two of them warmed up the audience and made my job much easier.

Last night was the official introduction of K.A.R.L. the alien, pictured above. It also saw Baby Billy come on stage for the third time. Both were greeted with laughs. Of course, Dangerous and the Human Puppets stole the show as usual.

I absolutely love working in a legitimate theater. The audience comes to see the show and the feedback and energy make performing a joy. Thanks to everyone who spent their Saturday night with us.

Promoting the show

2010-11-17T08:56:00.002-05:00

This coming Saturday will be an experiment. I am promoting my own show in a rented theatre. Professionally, it is known as four walling. I rented the theater, I paid for advertising, promoted the program and hired the opening acts. Hopefully I will earn a profit when all is done. No guarantee.

At one time, everybody in town knew who I was. That's not conceit, it was a small town. Now, the town has grown. I am not known locally because most of my performances involve travel. Five years ago, my show sold out the theatre. Two years ago I split the house between two shows. This time, with one performance, I am hoping to come close to a sell out - but really I have no clue how it will do. I'm not checking with the box office in advance either.

The theater is in my home town, literally a few minutes from my house. We've done promotion through Facebook, posters, postcards, Internet, the Theater's marquee and their newsletters. No radio, no print ads. A local paper with free distribution did a short article on the show. Hopefully these will combine to create a decent house.

Like I said, it is an experiment...

College Shows

2010-11-09T15:59:00.003-05:00

A week ago I did a showcase at my first APCA college conference. What a blast, great audience, lots of laughs and bookings to boot! A great introduction to the college market.

Monday I arrived in Florida for a Tuesday college luncheon show. I was a bit nervous. This was the first actual show in the market. Prior to my arrival, I read a comment about the show on the college's FaceBook page. The college announced it and someone wrote a disparaging comment about watching the audience walk away from an untalented clown. Were they even going to give me a chance? Didn't sound like it...

Although it was a noon show, it wasn't in the cafeteria. They set it up in a ballroom of the student union. There was concern the crowd would not show up, but they did. The show went well and the crowd grew in size. In all, a very positive experience and Student Activities was happy! So was I.

Fun With Human Puppets

2010-10-19T11:26:00.003-04:00

I have an upcoming showcase for the APCA convention in Verona, NY. The convention is attended by college activities boards. They learn about planning, scheduling, producing and promoting campus events. They also get to have a great time and see some entertainment.

The goal at any showcase or convention is to create a "buzz". You want people talking positively about you. I attended a NACA convention to get a feel for things since I am relatively new in this market. One thing I did realize is that without credentials and a showcase, it is hard to gain serious attention. So at my APCA showcase, I intend to make the most of the moment.

I enjoy designing things, so I created a new Human Puppets logo. The ten minute showcase will feature them since it is one of my most requested routines. The day before my showcase, my agent will be passing out Human Puppet buttons to help generate interest. Following the showcase I will be giving away T-Shirts with the same logo.

I had fun designing the logo and coming up with the promotional ideas. It will be interesting to see how and if it works. In the meantime, you can check out the landing page for the promotion:
HumanPuppets.com

Walking Away

2010-10-18T15:35:00.003-04:00

Today I had a very tough decision to make. Early this year, I had started negotiations for a performance. We went back and forth and the client wanted me. I explained everything up front, and the decision was made to hire me. Then things went to the contracting agent.

I had to jump through a few hoops. Their system required certain account set-ups and verifications of my business that needed to be handled. I did everything I could to make it easy for them.

Today the contracting agent called for a scheduled phone meeting. He had a few issues with my terms. The first, that they do not pay deposits, and final payment would be 30 days following the event. I refused the terms. He went on to explain the clauses in "their" contract, and how I am protected as a contractor. I remained silent, and finally told them no thank you.

When I hung up the phone, I wanted to kick myself. First, the money I was passing up was substantial. Very substantial. So why not agree to the stipulation? Lessons of life - hard lessons.

This event may have gone fine and payment may have been exactly as described. But if not, it would have been a nightmare. And experience tells me I made the right decision - but my wallet was still screaming at me.

Comedy In Maryland

2010-10-11T20:11:00.003-04:00

Today was full of promotional duties. I have an upcoming show entitled "An Evening Of Adult Comedy" on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at the Carroll Arts Theater in Westminster, Maryland.

I grew up in Westminster and it still amazes me how many people still recognize my name. I almost never perform there. It has been over two years since I last performed in Westminster. So this night of comedy will be a pretty rare appearance in my hometown.

The show will also feature a good friend, Mike Rose - the Magic Kinda Guy. Mike will open the program with Magic, Wit and Stuff. If you haven't seen him work, it will be a great opportunity. Mike is fast thinking and his "Wit" leaves you laughing every time.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased here.

Come on out and enjoy an evening of comedy!

Clean Comedian For Holiday Party

2010-10-08T12:51:00.005-04:00

"We want to hire a comedian for our company holiday party. We need to be certain you do clean comedy. Is your show clean?"

"No problem, what is your definition of clean?"

Silence.

The chairperson in charge of entertainment can be placed in a difficult position. They are asked to make sure the entertainment is clean, but given no guidelines. The lack of guidelines get passed on to the act.

People have different definition of clean. It may be as simple as the lack of the f bomb. It could be a lot more complicated. A friend had a client say "Don't say anything that couldn't be said on network TV." The client later complained about his use of the word Viagra. My friend asked the client if he had ever seen a Viagra commercial on network television - which was the guideline he was given for "clean". TV is a wide open area of topics.

I don't want anyone to think that my show is not clean. I'm just trying to point out that when you are in charge of entertainment - if your company or organization says they want the comedian to be clean - get the definition. Then call me to discuss your needs. I'll make certain the comedy is funny, customized and right for your audience. So hire a clean comedian for your next company event!

What's New?

2010-10-06T15:49:00.002-04:00

I often get the question - is it going to be the same show?

Do you really want to see something new? When you go to hear your favorite band or singer, would you be upset if they didn't do their hits?

Every show I do is slightly different, based on the fact I use an outline, not a set script. It also depends on the audience, outside factors that work their way into the show and my own state of mind. At a recent event, I changed the show at the request of a client. After the performance, the same client came to me and cried she had a complaint that I didn't do a certain routine. She TOLD me to change things.

People who come to my shows again and again have favorite characters and routines. People who have never seen me before, deserve to see my best material, honed over countless performances.

So what's new?

Well, I just came back from a two day writing retreat with another comedian. During that time I started working on two new characters. The material that developed is in the infant stages. It will take a lot of work to get these characters on stage and to the level of Wilson, Nancy, Dangerous, Patty and George. But when they do - you'll have the chance to see something new. I'll keep you updated.

Always check the check...

2010-09-28T17:52:00.002-04:00

A stupid mistake is costing me money. I did a gig several weeks ago and when I received the check, I glanced at the amount and put it in my wallet. The next day when I went to deposit it, I noticed it was made out to: Comedy Ventriloquist. Duh...

Since I do not have a dba as Comedy Ventriloquist, my bank refused to accept the check. They can be extremely anal at times. I called the client, left a message and sent the check back by certified mail. It was accepted - but I've had no response to the issue.

The organization is made up of volunteers. The check requires two signatures. I can understand it requires a few days to issue the new check. It was my fault for not catching it while everyone was on site. It was their fault because my contract specifically states how checks are to be made payable - right next to the amount.

Today the credit card bill came and I had to pay off the room and gas used for the show. It is now coming out of my pocket - and I have yet to be paid for my time. My calls and e-mails have gone unanswered. I'm starting to get mad. At myself and the client.

It all could have been avoided by taking an extra minute to look. In the future, I will always check the check.

Feels Good To Be Back...

2010-09-23T22:23:00.003-04:00

Working corporate shows I mean. Tonight's show pulled a standing ovation at the end of the Human Puppets. It felt great!

Long Day

2010-09-22T20:27:00.002-04:00

Had to get up at 4:30 a.m. for a morning show about an hour south of home. Rush hour traffic near D.C. made the trip 90 minutes. After a successful morning, I rushed home to repack. At noon I hopped in the car to begin my trek to Portland, ME. I work a dinner show there Thursday night. Why drive? Why not. When I stopped tonight I was exhausted. I'd be in bed now, except I am still waiting for my dinner to be delivered. I hope it comes soon!

People

2010-09-11T09:35:00.002-04:00

With a large audience, when the laughs start flowing, they take on a cadence. Your material stretches as the laughs fill in the minutes. Suddenly, a 45 minute show is over and it seems like you just started.

I've never been "thrilled" when working for small groups of people. The laughs seem fewer, not as loud or as long. I have to work so much harder to entertain. It isn't as easy as playing to the larger audience.

This week I am at a fair that has seen low attendance. The shows have been very tough. Last night when I finished my set, I was glad to be done. When I came off the stage, I was met by most of the audience. They told me how much they enjoyed the show.

When it comes down to it, my job is to make people laugh. This week, I actually had to work at it. Everyone should be so lucky.

Zzzzzz

2010-09-07T18:04:00.002-04:00

It was a long summer. On the return from Virginia Beach I stopped by the Maryland Renaissance Festival to do some repairs on the Crosewl Magic Shop booth. I am partners in the business with magician, Mike Rose. It was late Wednesday when I finally climbed into my own bed.

Thursday and Friday were consumed with catching up on things that required me to be in the office. In addition, there was laundry, and shopping, and - very little rest. Labor Day weekend consisted of early mornings and long days at the festival managing the shop. It is hard to climb out of bed at 6:30 a.m. when you have been working a night schedule and sleeping late.

I start at the Prince George's County Fair on Thursday. Today I am slowly coming out of my comatose state. Tomorrow it will be time to reload the show, iron the costumes and pack the car. I'm looking forward to being back on stage - the "down time" is killing me!

And I Thought Sunday Night Was Slow...

2010-08-31T11:14:00.003-04:00

The kids are back in school, the tourist season has come to an end, and I am still performing on the street. A closed street. 23rd is much larger than my corner at 18th. That makes the crowds look even smaller.

Getting people over is like you are offering to pull their teeth. The foot traffic is much slower, so without the people to pull from, it makes a long night. My last show was a mess. I had about 15 people who had seen the show before. That is my short show since it starts at 10:35 and ends by 10:50 so I can be off the street by 11:00. I was planning on using Dangerous and keeping it short and sweet. The kids there hadn't seen the start of my show, so I pulled it out and went into that instead. It was kind of awkward, but it was about giving the people what they wanted. Entertainment on demand.

One more long night here. Then Beach Street USA closes the streets and my 2010 run here is over. I'm going to miss the funny and talented acts I've hung with. I'm going to miss the ocean and the area. I'm not going to miss these last two nights. Although I keep hoping "tonight's gonna be a good night"!

Sunday Night On The Corner...

2010-08-30T10:16:00.003-04:00

was a quiet night. The crowds showed up, but they took their time. The starts were rough with bored teens trying to "mess" with the comedian. Unlike the jugglers, I have no fire or knives to catch their attention and dazzle them with skill. I have to rely on my wits.

So they think I am un-armed.

Let it be said that when the show is done, I am still there with a crowded street corner, and the bored teens have moved on to easier prey.

We end here on Tuesday night. An odd day to end, but the City wanted to follow the calendar month. It will be slow, and I will be on a closed street - making the crowds look that much smaller...

Saturday Night - Sunday Morning

2010-08-29T10:43:00.002-04:00

Awesome shows on the street last night. 18th was packed at every show. The crowds were into it, the laughs were rolling and I was having a blast. Shows are so much better for the performer when the audience wants to have fun. That feedback makes us work even harder to entertain the crowd.

I was having so much fun with my last show, that when I looked at my watch, I realized it was already 11 pm, which is the time we need to stop. I finished up and shook a lot of hands, inviting everyone to come see the full show if they were in town Sunday night.

The one thing I kicked myself on after the shows - I forgot to mention the FaceBook Fan Club Page , and I neglected to mention I had DVD's for sale. Oh well, it was a commercial free evening!

After shows, I hooked up with Brian Rudo, Steve King and Matt (sorry Matt, your last name escapes me at the moment) to go to Sharx. The bar was showing the UFC fights and Brian is a huge fan, so we went, got wings and beer and made a night of it.

About 3 am I finally laid my head on a pillow. Can't believe I didn't sleep longer today. Maybe its the adrenaline from last night's shows still rushing through my body.

With only three more days here in Virginia Beach, I'm looking forward to going home, but I realize I'm gonna miss it!

Back On The Street and Other Updates

2010-08-28T13:27:00.002-04:00

Thursday night I worked the beach in Sandbridge, just south of Virginia Beach. One show, and an interesting one at that. I was scheduled to go on at 7:30 and arrived an hour early - only to find that things had changed and I was going on first. Made for a quick set up and interesting show.

Friday night I was back on Beach Street. The shows all started really slow with a very transitional crowd. By the end of each, the street was packed. The last show was like pulling teeth trying to get an audience. It is always a short show - so that makes it tough. By the time the crowd arrived, I was finishing. Oh well, maybe they will come to see me tonight.

I'm told that after this weekend (probably after tonight) the crowds really die out. Kids are going back to school, so the tourists are gone. That means Sunday, Monday and Tuesday will be very sparse audiences. I'm not looking forward to that.

On another note - I was finally convinced to start a FaceBook Fan Page. I've never seen the need, but now that I have done it, I plan on making the most of it. I'll be able to do uploads from my shows, text before and after - and who knows what else. Check it out and like me!

Down Time

2010-08-25T09:59:00.002-04:00

Off to the Outer Banks of North Carolina today since I have no shows!

17th Street Stage And Time Off

2010-08-24T12:03:00.005-04:00

Last night I worked the 17th Street Stage for the first time. Its a great location in a park that overlooks the ocean. The show there has a circus theme and several acts. After Ryan the Ringmaster warmed the crowd up and brought them in, I had a 15 - 20 minute set. Following me was Aaron Bonk, juggler extraordinaire and Brit Dibbs, Empress of Fire. The crowds were into the show, the responses great and the evening was a lot of fun.

When I arrived in Virginia Beach for this run, I learned they had overbooked the street. Since I've been going non-stop all summer, I volunteered to take a couple of days off. Those days fall today and tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the rest - although I'm in a resort town - so I have to go explore what I've missed while performing!

Chris' Last Night Again

2010-08-22T11:28:00.003-04:00

Chris Yerlig is a great guy. He is a mime with international credits and performs on Beach Street. He ended his Beach Street run about a week ago, but he was working area gigs through yesterday. As a result, he's had a number of last nights this season. And everyone went out to send him off again. Thanks for the laughs last night Chris. It is always fun hanging with you!

You can check out Chris on his web site: http://www.mimealot.com/

Another thing I am grateful for is drunk Maid of Honors who prefer hunky jugglers over middle aged balding ventriloquists. You da man Bonk!

Oh, and shows on Beach Street were packed and fun last night!

The Last Show

2010-08-21T00:10:00.002-04:00

My last Beach Street show of the night starts at 10:35. It is always a short one since I need to end by 11:00 pm. The last two nights it was like pulling teeth to get people to stop and watch. The funny thing is, the crowds built both nights and my last shows were my favorites of the evening. I love my job!

Ventriloquism and Bug Bites

2010-08-20T10:56:00.005-04:00

Working as a street ventriloquist is an extremely challenging branch of the art. I took the gig on Beach Street as a way to hone new material. It has definitely improved my work. Doing 4 shows a night to audiences that have no connection to the performer is a lesson. You have to grab their interest as they pass your pitch. Draw them over to watch, then entertain the heck out of them so they will stay. I do 40 minute shows here. Luckily the crowds grow and word of mouth brings plenty of people to my street.

Last night, the first show was tough. The crowd stood pretty far back, despite my attempts to move them forward. During the show, I realized why. The street was infested with small biting bugs. This was the first time in two years I had encountered them here. Trying to do a show and brush the bugs from your face and arms wasn't easy. I lost a lot of people, but I wasn't alone - the other acts up and down the street were having the same problem.

Thankfully the bugs went wherever it is they go before the start of my second performance. The rest of the night I itched like heck though! Thankfully the audiences came closer and the shows were a lot of fun. Especially my last one!

Rain

2010-08-18T21:36:00.002-04:00

Rained here tonight. We were held an hour to see what would happen, but the word went out to get on the street. It spit during my first show, but the crowd was there and having fun. It had to be the weirdest Human Puppets ever!

Shortly after I started my second set, it poured. Everything went into the car wet and my night was over. They are calling for rain again tomorrow. I hope not.

Back In The Swing

2010-08-18T10:50:00.004-04:00

Over the last number of weeks, I was working 25 - 30 minute sets at the fairs and Knoebels Park. Here in Virginia Beach, I work 40 - 45 minute sets. Shorter shows allow me to pick and choose what material I want to use, and where to put the bits. In the longer show, there is a different pace and each "chunk" has a spot.

My first show was fun, but I wasn't back into my groove. The second and third shows rocked. My crowds were so large, they needed to send down a "green shirt" to help keep the people on the sidewalk and out of the street. The final show of the evening started out very weird. A mixture of younger kids and drunks. Once things got rolling, it was a decent show.

It feels good to be back at the beach!

A Great Evening!

2010-08-17T10:37:00.002-04:00

No shows last night, but a great evening hanging with friends. I think this was the largest number of Beach Street variety acts in town this season. Chris the Mime Guy finished up the other night but decided to hang an extra day or two. Hilby finished up his run last night. Krendl and Company, Fly By Night (Ryan and Steve), Brian Rudo, Bonk & Brit, and a few others were there - unfortunately all the names escape me now.

Its now 10:40 a.m. and I am just starting to wake up. Time for a nice long walk on the beach. Shows start tonight at 7:30. Looking forward to making people laugh.

Back In Virginia Beach

2010-08-16T16:53:00.004-04:00

Had a shock Saturday. One of my credit card numbers was stolen. I am pretty careful on the road - and am at a loss as to how this one was obtained. Still, it was caught and I am not liable. I am also a credit card down for the next few days.

Got home from Clinton Fair around midnight Sunday morning. Spent the day unpacking, re-packing, doing laundry and handling office tasks. Finally broke to take my wife and son to a nice dinner, then relaxed and watched a movie he had gotten.

This morning I stopped at the post office, got a haircut and hit the road. Now back in Virginia Beach, I get an evening off to watch friends work. Tomorrow I start performing on Beach Street and continue through the 31st.

One more day...

2010-08-14T09:44:00.003-04:00

The weather cleared up yesterday evening and people came out to the fair. Unfortunately they had to cancel the race since the dirt track was a mess. While that kept some away, the turn out appeared good and the people were there to have fun.

Today will be another long day at the fairgrounds. I check out of my hotel and will attempt to drive home tonight. Should get in early a.m. if I am lucky. While a hotel along the way is not out of the question, I'd like to go home. Especially since I have to leave again Monday morning.

Rain

2010-08-12T13:11:00.004-04:00

Today it is pouring down rain. After a night of restless sleep, my mind still playing yesterday, this makes it very hard to break my current pattern. Usually rain at a fair means the shows are cancelled. Here, I am under a cover - and the back rows of the audience are tarped. My guess is I will be doing shows, for a handful of people, who are sitting way back under cover. The laughs won't be there and the shows will drag for me.

Wishing the sun and the people were out...

AND - I was right and wrong. The audiences were small - but they grew. It rained during the shows, but people were there and wanted to be entertained. So I did.

Small audiences are harder to work than larger ones. For me anyway. But tonight I took the shows to a more personal level and things worked out fine. I was able to beat my funk and look forward to the rest of the run now.

Stupid Things

2010-08-11T22:27:00.002-04:00

Today was a bad day. We all do stupid things at time, and today, I took my turn. Maybe things were going too well. The worst part is that I internalize that stuff and keep punishing myself. Time to take a deep breath, let it go and move on.

Bad Economy?

2010-08-11T12:17:00.003-04:00

On a performer's forum, there is an economic discussion on the amount of work available. Most of the contributors are crying that they are "dead in the water". As I read their complaints that no one is hiring entertainment, I looked over at my calendar - which has two nights off for the month - both of which are travel days. I so badly wanted to chime in, but I didn't.

2010 has been a very busy year for me. I've been working and making people laugh. A few months ago, September looked slow. Now it has some very nice paydays and a fair amount of travel. I'm actually looking forward to a slow down in October - although I thought that September was going to be a rest period.

In bad economic times, people need to laugh more than ever. So if the calls aren't coming in, the performers should get off their butts and look around. Although if they don't, I know plenty of acts who don't mind taking the work they can't seem to find.

Clinton County Fair

2010-08-10T22:47:00.004-04:00

Today was hot. I arrived at the fairgrounds and within minutes the sweat was rolling off me. I didn't expect many people at the first show, but was pleasantly surprised. The second show had a huge crowd. My last show went on at 9 pm. The teens were out and I heard a few comments about "a ventriloquist". It amazes me when people won't even give you a chance. With Jeff Dunham's popularity among that age group - you think they'd at least be curious.

Despite the naysayers, the crowd ended up being a large one. The Human Puppets even had me laughing.

Clinton County Fair is a small, but excellent event and I'm having a great time. Thanks to the directors for having me! If you are in the area, definitely stop by. It's a real treat!

The Show

2010-08-09T22:58:00.003-04:00

Last week, Knoebels was FUN! I had a few quiet audiences, but for the most part, the crowds rocked. Some of them were pretty large and actually hanging out the doors.

On Thursday, 11 year old Maria Alfaro came to the park to perform in two of my shows. I saw her perform at the VentHaven Ventriloquist convention and had talked with her Dad, Albert (an incredible artist and figure maker). It was rewarding to be able to give her an opportunity to get in front of an audience. She did a great job and I predict good things in her future.

Today I started a fair an hour Northwest of the park. The early crowds were small and sat in the shade far away from the stage. Makes it tough to entertain. The 8:00 show rocked though. Started with a good sized crowd and it built continuously throughout the act. This fair is really taking care of me too! They provided a great sound system which saved me setting up my own.

Today's post is titled "The Show" for a reason. I like to "dress" my stage. I want my name visible and to create an image that makes people say - I want to see this. One of the ways I do that is through my use of backdrop. The brick wall is actually a collapsible display. It literally sets up and tears down in less than a minute. People can see this from a distance and it really draws their eye. Here it is under a tent at Lebanon. The beauty of this is that it includes my web site, and more and more, I see people calling up my home page and watching my videos while they wait for the show to start.

Dressing the stage is just one way to make the show - a SHOW.

A New Week Begins

2010-08-01T09:08:00.002-04:00

Last week I had a great time at the Lebanon Area Fair. The audiences were great and the fair was a lot of fun. I hope they have me back sometime.

Today I woke to rain, and as I type this, I am waiting for my laundry to dry. I figured I'd take care of the chore here at the hotel rather than stopping at a laundromat along the road. Checks need to be written and placed in the mail, a shopping trip needs to be handled and then the drive to Elysburg. This is the reality of life on the road - day to day stuff still needs to be done. It isn't the vacation some assume.

Monday I start at Knoebels. My 15th year there! I look forward to returning. The best part, my wife is planning on joining me Tuesday. Not sure how long she will stay, but it will be great to see her.

The Dead Guy - Revisited

2010-07-31T10:54:00.003-04:00

Every show, it seems like Dangerous finds a "dead guy". The bit has been in my show since I started and the audience laughs - especially the Dead Guy! So for the second time in two months, I was shocked when someone approached me about how I insulted this member of my audience.

It wasn't from the "Dead Guy". I play with people who are having a good time. If they aren't laughing, I'm leaving them alone. The complaint was from someone who "felt bad for him". WHAT?

I asked the woman, did you see how hard the gentleman was laughing? Her reply, "No, I didn't look at him because I felt sorry for him." I wanted to scream, "Its a puppet for God's Sake - a comedy show." But I probed further. She had come in late. She had no idea of the set up, all she heard was the puppet referring to someone in the audience as a dead guy.

I told the woman she should have taken a look at the gentleman to see his reaction. She should have wondered why everyone else was so callous as to laugh at someone who she felt I was degrading. I explained the set up - and she said, "Oh, I can see how that would be funny."

In both complaints, the person who discussed the issue had not seen the set up. So I quickly wrote a finish that addresses the situation. Why is it, that people feel they have to be offended by things that are not directed their way? Why do they feel they need to "protect" and stand up for others who are, especially in this case, able to stand up for themselves? Our country has become overly sensitive.

Other than that - it was an good night in Lebanon. I appreciated everyone who came back to the show. Some had watched me 5 to 6 times this week. I thank them for being there!

I Love My Job!

2010-07-29T23:05:00.001-04:00

Another killer night. Three shows, three great audience and loads of laughs! I love this fair and thank everyone who has been returning to the shows again and again!

Adapting

2010-07-29T11:02:00.003-04:00

When I was at the VentHaven Convention this year, I learned the importance of a stage monitor. It allows you to accurately hear what the audience does. I've worked with them on occasion, but never really felt the need for one. Until Tuesday night.

With the band so loud, I couldn't hear a music track. No doubt the audience could, the speakers were pointed their direction, but with my hearing problems and the other sounds - I was lost. The audience didn't know, the client didn't know, but I did. I am always my own worst critic. It helps me strive to improve.

So Wednesday morning I went to the local music store and purchased a powered stage monitor. I could have purchased one on line and gotten it by Thursday. While that would have saved a couple of dollars, it would have meant another evening with possibility of a repeat. I could solve the problem instantly - so I did.

Last night included three fun shows with great audiences that overflowed the tent. The monitor helped me overcome not only the band, but the truck pulls that were bellowing diesel exhaust in our direction.

Being on the road means encountering all types of problems. The key to being professional is overcoming them. I'm getting pretty good at adapting...

Another Fun Night

2010-07-27T23:05:00.003-04:00

I am really enjoying this fair. The crowds are very hip and so much fun to entertain. Tonight's band was a bit on the loud side, and behind my tent were the tractor pulls. Dangerous thought we had a backup band and that I had eaten Chili for lunch.

Different Audiences

2010-07-27T09:41:00.003-04:00

Monday night at the fair was another experience in how audiences differ. My first show fell flat. The audience didn't respond, they just sat and watched. When I started my Human Puppet routine, the first adult selected, refused to help. This created a cascade effect. The "If he didn't want to do it, I'm not going to do it" mentality. I managed to save the moment, it wasn't the first time I've experienced this.

After the show, the audience got up and drifted off to other events. Was it a bad show? They stayed to the end. I'm certain they enjoyed the program. They just didn't respond.

My second and third shows were a night and day difference from the first. The audiences got into the show. Laughs flowed and the crowd packed the tent with standing room only outside. Some of the people from my first show were at these shows too. They must have liked it to come back. And this time they were laughing along with everyone else. After these shows, people stayed to talk.

It was a different moment, a different mindset, a different "audience". A few days ago I blogged about unrewarding shows - the last two shows of Monday night were the ones you love to have.

Vocal Expression

2010-07-26T09:06:00.003-04:00

Youtube is a virtual learning experience for ventriloquists. At one time, you were limited to the big names when they appeared on TV. Now, you can see everyone, good and bad, with the click of a mouse button.

There are a lot of talented ventriloquists on Youtube. There are even more bad ones. We all have to start somewhere. My own journey is still progressing, but unfortunately some have ceased to "learn".

Earlier today, I came across a video by a "name" ventriloquist. To be fair, I have never seen this act live, nor met the performer. This is the first video I have witnessed the "name" doing any ventriloquism. I was extremely disappointed. The material was delivered in a monotone, including the jokes. The act was working so hard at not moving their lips, that the material came out as a drone.

Vocal expression does not mean facial expression. Our voices change as we speak, when we are excited, when we are angry or when we are sad. Slight changes in pitch, tempo or cadence, make all the difference in the world. Add to that skillful manipulation and you instantly provide an inanimate object with emotion. A skilled ventriloquist can create these emotions while expressing their own opposite emotions through their face at the same time. It creates separation and gives the character that spark Of life which was just implanted in many at the last VentHaven convention.

I'm hoping it was just a bad performance, but since it was released by the act, I have a feeling it wasn't. In all fairness, ventriloquism is only a small part of their performance. Maybe they feel it is good enough since they display technical skill for the lips. IMHO - It isn't.

You Could Be Getting Up At 5:30...

2010-07-25T19:38:00.002-04:00

Today was the first day of my Lebanon Fair run. I arrived early to set and as I looked around, I felt like my 12:30 show would be awfully empty. I couldn't have been more wrong. The tent was packed, the crowd responsive and the show felt like it should.

As I finished, I looked at the sky behind my audience. It was quickly growing dark. A few minutes after I finished an announcement came on requesting everyone head to the buildings. I tore down my show, sound and backdrop, tossing them into the car, then headed for safety.

The storm was rather intense, but we didn't get the full force of it. Further South, power lines and trees were reported down. Once things slowed, I returned to the show tent and set my show up again for the 2:30 performance. Just as I finished setting, another announcement and another storm. I ended up setting up 3 times today, but only got in two performances.

Tomorrow I was asked to come in early to perform a short show for preschoolers as they eat lunch. I explained that it is tough to eat and laugh at the same time, but the pre-school wants it that way and I was requested to accommodate them, so I will. I mentioned it to my wife who told me point blank the title of this post. I doubt I'll be awake when she leaves for her corporate job tomorrow. I am pretty lucky.

Heat Index

2010-07-23T21:08:00.002-04:00

Today was humid hot. I was drenched in sweat as soon as I climbed out of my car at the fairgrounds. The sun was hidden by clouds and I was extremely glad, because when it did peak out, people disappeared.

My shows today went well dispite the heat. The long afternoon was tiring. My first show starts at 11:30 AM. My second, at 4:30 PM. A huge gap. After that things speed up, but the delay is tough.

Tomorrow they are calling for 102 degrees with a heat index of 115! I hope "they" are wrong!

A Better Day

2010-07-22T21:09:00.002-04:00

The humidity wasn't as bad today and the audiences were actually "there". The fair management asked me to skip my 11:30 show in favor of an act at their "Senior Appreciation Event". Since several day camps were in, I opted to throw in an extra, so I did my 11:30 to a large crowd, then rolled sound and trunk to the food tent for the "event".

Before you think I've gone soft, I did this for a great reason. It is supposed to be ungodly humid the next few days. Since my audiences are in the sun, that means a quiet crowd. Never fails - and if you don't believe me, do a show in the heat and see. SO - by having the extra show in, I can reduce the time of my regular sets in the event the audience is baking. The fair still gets their shows and time, and I save the audiences and myself some aggravation.

Thankfully, with the slightly cooler weather, the audiences got into the shows today. The laughter and applause were present and it made the performances more rewarding. Performers need feedback!

I'm Back

2010-07-21T21:12:00.003-04:00

Been extremely busy since my last post. I attended VentHaven, the International Ventriloquist Convention in Ft. Mitchell, KY. last week. Mark Wade, the convention director, asked me to open the Wednesday night show. I was also requested to work with Mark Truman and Sue Johnson to form the new sound crew for the event. The entire convention, I ran around like a mad man trying to make certain everything went smoothly. It was fun and extremely exhausting.

Two days off, and now I am working again. This week at a small fair in central NJ. The temp today was in the mid-90's with high humidity. I'm doing daytime shows and audiences are in the sun. They hung with me, but they were very quiet due to the heat. Sad thing is, today was supposed to be the coolest day of the run.

These type shows are seldom rewarding. Still, I do my best to entertain and am grateful for the check at the end of the week. A young girl came to talk with me later in the day. Her mother said she really enjoyed my show and it was all she had been talking about. At least one person had a good time, so it made the day a bit easier to deal with. Now to grab some sleep!

Unrewarding

2010-07-11T23:31:00.002-04:00

Tonight the audiences were small and very quiet. The first show was definitely the strongest, but beyond that, the laughs didn't roll as usual. Could be that it was a gorgeous day and people had been at the beach, so they were tired. At least, that is what I'd like to think.

When people don't respond, it is hard to reach deeper to try and entertain them. They weren't leaving, so I figure they must be enjoying the show. Still, the experience could have been much stronger for all of us if they would have left the laughs loose.

It was a depressing way to end this run.

Saturday on 25th Street

2010-07-11T10:06:00.002-04:00

It poured rain Saturday afternoon, but most of the threat had passed by check in time for Beach Street. I was placed on 25th last night and had some decent sized audiences. The evening flew by. Before I knew it, I had started my last show.

Only one more night here in Virginia Beach during this run. Then a quick stop at home Monday to do laundry, grab a haircut and let the surgeon check how my lasik is healing. I hit the road again first thing Tuesday for Kentucky. Looking forward to VentHaven!

Praise The Lord Sinner - and other stuff

2010-07-09T23:58:00.002-04:00

Sandbridge was fun. A very small audience of about 50 people, but they were all there to have a good time. The laughs flowed. I even got back to Virginia Beach in time to see Dallas and Hilby perform on Beach Street.

Tonight the "preachers" were out. At various times, the overly godly descend on Virginia Beach to spout their gospel and insult the sinners. They literally look for confrontation. So unlike the God I learned about as I was growing up. I was blessed to have some on the corner opposite my street tonight. The shows suffered since the disruption across the street kept yanking attention from the performance.

Apparently they use religion as a shield and the city can do nothing about them being there. They were able to issue tickets though - not sure for what, but I was so glad when the police returned a second time to write them up. Finally the "preachers" must have realized without a collection it wasn't worth it. After they left, my last show was the best set of the night!

Beach Shows Update

2010-07-08T12:55:00.002-04:00

My wife and son came to visit for a few days. They had a vacation while I worked. It was great to spend some time with them. We went parasailing on Tuesday morning. What a great experience. All three of us went up together. The ride is so smooth from take off to landing. At 1200 feet, you can see a lot. We even took the ocean dip. As we approached, I suddenly changed my mind - but that did no good. It was cold, refreshing and there were plenty of laughs.

The heat has returned to the beach. Monday night I worked 20th street with Peter Irish. My first show rocked, the second was kind of rough. It never ceases to amaze me how one audience will laugh at every joke, and another will just stare at you.

Tuesday and Wednesday I was back on 18th. The shows there were also hit and miss. Luckily there were more hits than misses. I've finally decided to start working the newer characters into the act. Its been hard to do that since I worry about losing the crowd. I think I'll start using them in my warm ups.

Tonight I am 30 minutes down the road at Sandbridge Beach. Only one show. I welcome that chance to rest my voice!

July 4th Indoors

2010-07-04T13:56:00.003-04:00

I had a late night/early morning thanks to kids running wild through the halls of the hotel. When I finally started moving again, I took a short walk to the grocery store to grab some food for the next few days. That little journey made me realize it is insane out there - so I'm staying indoors today.

Guess I'll leave the hotel a bit earlier than usual tonight so I can get to the check-in point on time. Traffic is crazy - hoping the people aren't!

We saw you last year!

2010-07-04T00:16:00.003-04:00

It was an incredible night on Beach Street USA! I was on 25th Street tonight. The city is packed for the Fourth of July weekend. The crowds were huge and the shows rocked. I met a lot of folks after my shows that had watched me last year and came back to enjoy the show again. I also sold a lot of my DVD's, which you can purchase by clicking the link!

Three killer shows, lots of laughs, and closed down early because the crowds were so large they were spilling out into the street. I love my job!

What A Difference AN Hour Makes

2010-07-03T08:52:00.003-04:00

Every audience is different. Last night was a great example of that. My first show received a good reaction. The second show had huge laughs. Everything my characters said brought waves of laughter. The crowd was huge for 18th Street.

My third show had a very quiet audience. The same jokes that brought big laughs an hour earlier, were only met with grins. I varied delivery of lines, tone of voice, and added adlib moments, trying to bring the crowd to life. The reactions were disappointing when compared to the second audience. By the end of the show, I was exhausted. I had to keep reminding myself - if they weren't having fun, they could have left. But it was rough.

On 4th of July weekend, the crowd in Virginia Beach changes. The town becomes packed. The city added on 50 extra officers for Friday, and will have an additional 100 for Saturday and Sunday. As the hour grew later, the crowd changed from families to older teens and people who had started celebrating early.

I was told at 10:25, that trying to get in my last short show probably wasn't worth it. The crowd on 18th had changed enough that I was told I should pack up and get out of there. So I did. The final show weighing on me because it was so non-responsive. Hopefully tonight will be better.

WWW

2010-07-02T14:22:00.004-04:00

What Wonderful Weather! Last time I was at the beach, the heat and humidity made for some tough evenings. This week, the weather is perfect. In the mid-80's, down to the upper 60's at night. It's beautiful. If I could get this weather year round I'd be a happy camper.

Last night was a lot of fun. The evening drags until the shows start - then the next thing you know - its time to stop. Another after show get together with Beach Street acts ended a bit earlier than the night before. For me anyway. Its good to be back!

Beach - Take 2

2010-07-01T15:36:00.002-04:00

Arrived in Virginia Beach yesterday. Had the evening off, so I got the chance to watch some of the other acts. After hours, a few of us went for snacks and drinks at one of the local bars. When shows are fun and friends can spend time together, it makes a performer's life unbeatable! I'm looking forward to working tonight.

Full of Hot Air

2010-06-26T21:54:00.003-04:00

Had a great day of shows at the Michigan Balloon Challenge Festival. Four strong shows with lots of laughs.

The Mills Family, Steve, Tony, Michelle and Chris were working there today. It was great to see them again. Tonight, I got a chance to watch them launch the balloons. The photo really doesn't do justice. The sky was filled with them!

Staying In Shape...

2010-06-25T11:12:00.004-04:00

In Virginia Beach, I could have driven out to the YMCA and exercised in a gym. I opted to power walk the boardwalk instead. I could have watched what I ate, but I tended to grab subs made on white bread. I know, not great.

When driving, I swing through a drive-thru and grab burgers. Salads are better for me, but they require stopping and take longer to eat.

This morning, I went to the hotel fitness room and got in an actual workout. When I stepped on the scale - I was surprised. Down to 168. I'm still losing weight and toning. Felt pretty good about that.

Tonight I look forward to my shows at the Balloon Challenge Festival. Its a beautiful day - should get to see a lot of hot air balloons take off tonight!

Need Sleep...

2010-06-24T20:47:00.004-04:00

Tuesday evening after shows, I ended up hanging out with some other performers. The laste night was followed by an early morning. Had to swing home and do laundry. I also took a few moments to enjoy dinner and spend time with my wife. Another late night. Got up extremely early today to drive over ten hours to get to Michigan. By the time I reached Livonia I was wishing I could collapse.

My Livonia stop was to see Ken Dumm, a friend and magician, who was performing at the Spree festival. His son did a great segment too. After enjoying their show, I drove another 45 minutes to get to my hotel. Just finished eating and catching up on e-mails. Now I need to sleep. Tomorrow I don't have to be at the Balloon Festival grounds until late afternoon. I'm going to sleep in.

Another Hot Night

2010-06-22T11:29:00.002-04:00

Last night was a tough one. Still on 23rd Street, this time I was teamed with Mr. Robb. His show was a lot of fun, a combination of clowning, miming and juggling. I really enjoyed the way he worked the crowd. His usual gig is at Disney (did I mention the skill level?) but he told me he comes here to escape the Florida heat. I think he brought it with him.

Short night

2010-06-21T09:33:00.003-04:00

Sunday was oppressively hot. The humidity was horrible and just walking out the door drenched me in sweat. When I showed up for check-in, I was informed I'd be back on 23rd street and would be working with another act.

That act happened to be Chris Yerlig, better known here as Chris the Mime Guy. He isn't a traditional mime. Watching him work virtually silent, yet draw & maintain a crowd while creating enthusiastic audience responses, was a lesson in showmanship.

Because we alternated, our shows ran a bit shorter than usual, and we were each scheduled for three sets. This allowed a longer break while the other was on. During Chris' second set, I noticed some intense lightening off in the distance. A few minutes later word came that rain was 10 minutes out and we were shutting down.

It was a short night, but I was drained when it was over. The best part was the fact it didn't pour down until I was back at the hotel.

Father's Day On The Road

2010-06-20T12:41:00.002-04:00

I neglected to mention this in previous posts, but this blog was started to document my performances and life on the road - so here goes...

My dates at Virginia Beach were scheduled back near the beginning of the year. When I contracted, I didn't look to see that Father's Day fell during this run. A few months later, my sister-in-law set her wedding date for this past Saturday. Its always been my policy that my word is my commitment and the show will go on. The only exception to that would be a death in the immediate family. Now I am re-thinking things.

My wife kept me updated on the wedding as events unfolded. Pictures and text messages made me wish I was there. My godson and nephews were in from Chicago. I haven't seen them in almost a year. They are growing so fast - and I miss them. I kicked myself at the end of the day. The shows were fun, the money will pay bills - but the opportunity to spend that time with family is gone forever.

Today is Father's Day. My son & wife sent cards which reached me at the hotel. I'm not overly concerned about missing the day with them. It is just a day created to sell greeting cards. We have plenty of quality time when I am around. However my father is 85. He's having his troubles and you never know how long your parents will be around. I called, but I need to spend more time with them when I return.

Family time - something to think about...

Beach Street - Night Two

2010-06-20T08:19:00.002-04:00

Saturday was a warm evening in Virginia Beach. The street was packed with locals and tourists. It was my first time performing on 23rd street, which is closed to traffic, allowing more room for the crowd to stand - if you can get them. With one night under my belt, the groove started to come back and I had really fun shows. The crowds were pretty large too.

For two shows, I even had an opening act. A young fire artist named Katrina did six minutes of fire eating and fire hoop spinning. A very talented young lady.

One of my favorite things is meeting people after the show. Last night, I met a family that had caught my act last year and returned to watch again this season. With all the entertainment and things happening in Virginia Beach, that meant a lot to me. Now I look forward to tonight!

Beach Street, First Night Back

2010-06-19T11:57:00.002-04:00

It all seemed so familiar, yet so foreign. This is the first time I've worked street since last year and it is definitely different than working corporate or stage. The set up took longer than I remember, so did packing. I'm sure I'll get that down to a minimum soon enough.

My first show was an interesting mess. A bunch of teens who wanted to "mess with the performer" came over at the start. It wasn't long before they started in on me - but I dealt with them and eventually they left. Problem was, they killed the flow and most of the audience left with them. Luckily Dangerous Duck was up next and people not only came back, but the crowd grew in size.

I modified my program and the next three sets were all fun. Lines started coming back and the show seemed to flow smoother. I'm certain by the end of this run I will be back up to speed and ready for the remainder of my dates here this summer.

Virginia Beach

2010-06-17T17:34:00.003-04:00

Had a nice drive to Virginia Beach today. The only negative was "driver's tan". My left arm is burnt to a crisp. I forgot the suncreen before I climbed into the car.

I start performing at Beach Street USA tomorrow night. Looking forward to being back. Shows start at 7:30 and run through 11 PM every night. This first run, I'll be here through June 22. If you are in the area, please stop out and say hello!

Last Comic Standing

2010-06-14T22:29:00.003-04:00

Well, I actually made it onto the show this evening. I figured at best they may show a flash of my audition, but they actually showed a couple of lines. If you read my earlier post on the audition process, you may remember I was extremely nervous. Its tough working a nearly empty room and having to face the camera instead of the judges/audience.

Perhaps not the best example of my work - but the judges were kind to me. I'd like to thank the producers of Last Comic Standing for the opportunity to audition and the exposure to a national audience. I know at least one other person saw it!

Ventriloquist Puppets vs Characters

2010-06-14T09:33:00.007-04:00

Puppets can be extremely addictive. There are so many different styles and looks, it is too easy to fall in love with them. The problem is, as a ventriloquist, you don't take a puppet on stage - you introduce a character. When a ventriloquist introduces puppets, they tend to be very similar. Different scripts don't equal different personalities.

Characters are very different. They have greater depth and can engage the audience. A character is a well defined personality. It has its own voice, its own mannerisms, its own style. There are a lot of details that go into the creation of a character. They require a lot of thought and planning on the part of the performer.

I have a lot of puppets. I don't use them all because some have not yet become characters. When you see my show, you meet characters that are ready to make you laugh hard.

This summer, I will be introducing a new character to my audiences. Baby Billy is a sweet bundle of joy. Billy will open your eyes to how children pick up the things we try to protect them from. The test audiences have been laughing - and soon, you will be too!

I can see!

2010-06-10T13:30:00.003-04:00

Underwent lasik surgery yesterday. I was extremely nervous even though I had talked with numerous success stories and had confidence in my doctor. They are my eyes after all.

At 1:00 p.m. they started my right eye. By 1:25 I was done, both eyes, and headed home. I felt like I was looking through water, but I could actually see. I'm told my vision will change over the next few days, for better and worse, before becoming stable. I was -650 in both eyes. This morning at the doctor's office, less than 24 hours after the surgery, I was 20/20 in one eye and 20/25 in the other. He said that was pretty good this soon after the operation.

I'm very happy and thrilled that I finally did this!

Corporate Holiday Party

2010-06-08T13:21:00.005-04:00

During the holidays, company employee events help take the edge off a stressful year. With some corporations cutting back, an event reassures your staff they are appreciated. Reinforcing the feeling of "family" brings people together, giving everyone added incentive to work toward the corporate goals and benefit all.

In some situations, departments don't always interact. Having entertainment that incorporates people throughout your company helps to break down walls. You'll find the ones laughing the loudest are usually those I "mess with". They find themselves becoming the stars of the evening, and enjoy a new found popularity. The entire program is designed to create an energy that flows and infectious laughs. Bringing people together is what I do.

So why write about Holiday corporate parties in June? Planning early is a key factor in the success of your holiday event. The two things most people remember, the food and the entertainment. The month of December quickly fills for most entertainers. Because I work nationally, travel dates also tend to fill in the schedule. To insure availability of your desired venue, caterer and entertainment, I recommend you start planning now.

If you haven't seen my corporate entertainer video, please check it out now. If I may be of service, please contact me to discuss availability and pricing.

Corporate Party Entertainment

2010-06-07T08:33:00.003-04:00

After a recent event, Dangerous Duck and I were caught for a quick photo following the show. I'd like to thank the photographer for sending me a copy to use.

People see pictures of me in front of this brick wall and ask where the photos were taken and how often I work that venue. They don't realize the brick wall travels too. It is actually a collapsible backdrop created for my program.

Large corporate events often have the decor, sound and video projection that smaller corporate events can't always budget. My goal is to not only entertain the audience, but help create that positive experience and impression. One of the ways I do this is to provide the extras whenever possible.*

When you are in charge of entertainment for a corporate event and you want your audience to laugh, contact me to discuss how I can be of service!

* - When flying to an event, it is not cost effective to carry sound and backdrops. For that reason, I have a complete technical rider and suggested room layout to help clients create a successful atmosphere.

The Little Things

2010-06-03T07:59:00.002-04:00

With a busy summer approaching, I'm currently getting ready for the road. Being away for long periods is difficult. The last thing you want to do is find out you forgot something important.

Since this summer involves a lot of driving, so today my car is in the shop. I've told them to go over everything - the last thing I need is a vehicle issue when I am on my way between shows. The costumes are being checked and cleaned. The to-do list is a mile long - I best get back to it.

Summer Tour

2010-06-01T20:07:00.002-04:00

Soon I will be saying goodbye to wife, son and pets to head out for a full summer of shows. I plan on stopping by the house a total of 6 days from mid-June to early September. Even then, it will be a brief visit on my way to another event. I'll be seeing a lot of hotel rooms, plenty of roads and eating out more than I care to think about.

Eating healthy and staying in shape is going to be a challenge. I've lost weight and started working out on a regular schedule at home. I'm going to have to keep at it between shows and travel. That's never easy. Its comfortable to finish a show, head to the hotel, turn on a movie and relax before hitting the road early the next day. I've got to keep telling myself - the fitness room is my friend.

Had an appointment with my eye doctor today. The lasik surgery is scheduled for June 9. I leave June 17 - so I told him not to mess up.

June 18 - 22 I will be performing at Beach Street U.S.A. in Virginia Beach, VA. My next stop is Howell, Michigan for the Michigan Balloon Challenge Festival, June 25 - 27. July 1 - 11 I am back at Beach Street U.S.A. Following that comes the VentHaven convention in KY.

I'll update the remainder of my summer season here later. If you here I'll be near you, please stop out and say hello!

VentHaven Ventriloquist Convention

2010-05-30T10:32:00.002-04:00

This summer I will open the Wednesday night show at the VentHaven convention. Held in Ft. Mitchell, KY., the convention is attended by approximately 400 ventriloquists from around the world. It brings together everyone from the interested beginners to the pros. The art of ventriloquism is discussed, taught and improved.

When I attended two years ago, I was asked if I would try to get on one of the open mic sessions. I replied that I am in front of audiences all the time, so I'd let those that need the experience go for the spots. The truth is, I used that as an excuse.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I questioned if I was good enough to go before a group of fellow vents and try to entertain them. I wondered if my technique would be good enough, my comedy strong enough. When Mark Wade asked me to do the show this year, I almost refused. I called my mentor, Ken Groves - and he told me to just do what I do.

I'm still nervous about it...

Festival Entertainment

2010-05-27T16:07:00.002-04:00

I'm currently getting ready for my summer season which is filled with fair and festival appearances. Things start off in Virginia Beach, VA. with my second year performing for Beach Street USA.

The city of Virginia Beach has a very unique event for the thousands of vacationing tourists that visit the shore. Every night from June 18 - Aug. 31, they have a multitude of artists performing. Starting at 17th Street, all the way to 25th Street, you will come across magicians, jugglers, fire eaters, aerialists, musicians and other variety acts. The best part for the tourists, its all free - no tips are accepted - the City of Virginia Beach picks up the tab.

Outdoor shows are challenging for any act. You are at the mercy of the wind, rain or possibility of sudden storms. Humidity creates moisture which can ruin props, and heat takes its toll too. Everything gets covered with dust, each night following performances is an experience of unpacking, drying, cleaning and maintenance of props.

The show needs to be self-contained, pack small and play big. Sound for a ventriloquist is a requirement - if the audience can't hear, they will move on.

Last year I ended up working 4 shows nightly on Beach Street. They ran almost back to back - with a very short break between. You definitely get the chance to hone material with that kind of schedule.

This year, I will be at Beach Street June 18 - 22, July 1 - 11 and August 17-31. If you are in the area, please stop out and say hello!

Economic Upswing?

2010-05-26T08:51:00.002-04:00

I keep hearing the economy is improving and businesses are coming back. While my business has been doing well, I'm not so certain the majority are.

Corporate entertainment is usually one of the first things to go. The little extras, the parties, banquets and events are hard to justify when people are being laid off and salaries cut. This has hit twice in the past two weeks.

The dates create a small dent in my calendar. I am certain they will be filled. I've expanded my markets to stay busy and this is an example of the reason. Still, the government says companies are rebounding, while I'm still seeing many struggle.

Wall Street executives seem to be making money and getting nice bonuses. Maybe I'll start selling my show to them.

Creating Comedy

2010-05-20T06:44:00.003-04:00

It felt like my creative side had disappeared awhile ago. Nothing I tried to develop had any wings. I'm happy to say that phase has ended and I'm moving ahead full force while I can.

Two of my older characters, barely used, have been converted into something new. The ideas for their routines have been flowing. When I shared a line with my wife last night, she laughed out loud. That is when I know I'm onto something.

I've also nearly finished a new closer for my act. It is a collaboration with a very respected variety artist in the business. He agreed to sell me the rights to add his creation to my act because my use was very different. I can't wait to try it out!

There is less than a month until my summer tour kicks in. Its a very busy time, and I'm enjoying every second of it!

Out With The Old...

2010-05-14T16:22:00.003-04:00

Today I cleaned out my storage. Still have a long way to go, but an illusion was sold and other items disposed of. It feels good to get rid of the clutter.

Business - Where's The Show?

2010-05-03T12:24:00.002-04:00

The old saying "showbusiness" is made up of two words, the larger being business, is so true.

As I sit in my office today, I'm not in the mood to create leads or do follow-ups. I'm not in the mood to pull out a new character and work on voice, movement and script. Yet it all has to be done so I can get on stage, and when I do, the show appears effortless.

Guess I should get started on some things - so I can finish.

Festival Entertainment

2010-04-28T15:54:00.008-04:00

This past weekend I was performing at the Endless Mountain Maple Festival in Troy, PA. It was a blast. Saturday was a beautiful day and I had fun crowds. The audiences were very hip. My favorite quote came after a show when someone approached and said "I thought this was going to be a kiddie show - but you were hilarious!"

Even though Jeff Dunham is selling out arenas, Terry Fator is the biggest draw in Vegas and Jay Johnson won a Tony award and tours with The Two And Only, some people still associate ventriloquism with birthday party entertainment. It felt good to dispel that myth for at least one person.

Every year I enjoy entertaining at fairs and festivals. With all my years of experience, you'd think I'd remember a few things...but I seem to always forget. So on a sunny Saturday, I forgot to use sun block and ended up with a red burn. I miss my hair - a scalp burn is no fun.

On Sunday, it rained, was windy and cold. The crowds were smaller, but the second and third shows had very enthusiastic audiences. Vendors had started breaking down before my third show even started. My fear was I'd be talking to myself, by myself. So when the show started, I was pleasantly surprised to find a good sized audience of repeats. And the crowd grew throughout.

So what did I forget Sunday? A jacket for the show. Instead I froze for 30+ minutes at each performance. You never know what you are going to need, so it makes sense to pack more than you expect to need - and know where a Wal-Mart is so you can buy what you still forgot.