Performing on stage. There is nothing else like it. Rockin’ the house at the end of a killer stand-up comedy set is higher than any drug can take you and a gratifying accomplishment to those who love to be on stage. But what if you can’t sing, you don’t play an instrument: what do you do?
At the age of 27, on my birthday, I got to go see Bill Engvall, known for “Here’s your sign” bit. I was captivated. Not by Bill, although he was the funniest guy I’d ever encountered, I was attracted to the art of stand-up comedy. After the show, I stood in a pretty good line to get Bill’s autograph and ask him to tell me how he does it. In about 90 seconds, he told me to carry a notebook, tape recorder and sleep with a tablet by my side. I intently listened as I knew the secret was going to be revealed. And I got it! “He said capture the essence of what makes something funny and re-create it: that’s comedy.” He ended by saying, “you know (with that Bill Engvall twang in his voice) when you and your friends are laughing about something and then you try to retell it to your other friends and they look at you like your talking to the dog. Well ya missed it. Then work the business for about 20 years and you might catch a break.” It’s been 17, so I’m almost there.
Tim Hawkins is a talented entertainer who happens to be a comedian as well. I recently had the opportunity to meet him in person. He said something very poignant to me, but it wasn’t face to face, it was when he was performing on stage. In between laughs, he would tell the audience that comedy is easy to do. The recipe he exclaimed is “live life, take notes and tell others.” That’s it! It’s not stand-up comedy it’s life.
What Bill and Tim have in common, is that these two very talented artists influenced my life in such a way that has fired my desire to pursue my dream. These dreams that are the desire of my heart. After all, laughter is like medicine for the soul.
May God bless them both.
V. Gonzales 