The Largest Heckler I've Ever Seen

What do a train and an open mic have in common? I don't know, but a train can sure interrupt a set.

I was doing an open mic last Thursday at Steve's Pub in Walton, KY and discovered the bar is right next to some train tracks. To start off, I was strangely nervous... no reason, I just felt 'off my game' and wasn't quite up for the festivities. I bravely volunteered to go first, just because I felt some nerves coming on and wanted to get it over with asap.

I was doing about 75% of my regular stuff and the rest untested material. It was a balmy night in the town of Walton, and the bar had the back doors open to let in the fresh air. I'm on stage, trying to remember my lines, when I hear this strange rumbling noise... I look to my right, and out the back door, and suddenly a train blares his horn as he passes about 20 ft. away from the back of the building! LOL! I literally had to stop and wait for the train to pass! Unfortunatly, I think this got my best laugh of the night! :-)

Again... my set had my common framework, but I added some stuff I though would go over, unfortunately it did NOT! I actually got my first *real* heckler! Not too bad, I think he was just messing around, nothing really hateful. There were only about 25 people total in the bar, so He was just a regular who probably wanted the comedian gone so the jukebox could start playing again. My set was intro/new 'comedian' bit/dog bit/hypochondriac/sex addict/colonoscopy/new cowbell bit/new amish bit/new 'never list' bit/end

Of the new bits, I think half of the cowbell bit worked, the amish bit might be ok(?), the 'never list' may work, I just need a whole big bunch of tested ones that work. I know I seemed lackluster and slouched my way through my old stuff. I am going to have to record my stuff and replay it for rote memorization. I know I can do better.

Enough about me... Also on stage were Denise Hodge, who was working a tight 5min set to prep for the Sierra Mist competition. I 've never seen her perform before, and I thought she was great. Tina Klusty was the emcee and was polished. I really wish she would do MORE time. She seems more at ease on stage now than at the graduation performance at the Funnybone. Just 'cause she is the emcee doesn't mean she has to cut her time down. There's no 'light' at this open mic. Then came Ray Price. Funny as ever. He always seems down on his performances but I always find his stuff funny. Unfortunatly, given the location of Walton (i.e. semi rural, i.e. 'country') Some of his stuff seemed to fall flat. Ray has some 'liberal' viewpoints, and I could tell the crowd didn't quite agree with or 'get' some of his stuff. George Bush jokes and Sims humor may not go over in a 'red state'. I still though they were funny.

After the show we all sat around and compared notes, and I appreciated the input.

Oh well, enough for now. I must sleep in preparation for my utterly astounding and incredibly fantastic, not to mention migrane inducing and mind-numbingly inane day job. (have I mentioned I hate my job?)

In closing, let me quote the great B&O rail line... WOOO-WOOO! (haha - very funny)