A few weeks ago in March when Jon Reep, Zach Selwyn and Brian E. Kiley were doing a week at Zanies, the trio shot a music video for a parody to a Maroon 5 song. Here’s how they describe it:

This is a country spoof of the song “Moves like Jagger”. It’s called “Moo’ves like Haggard” and it’s about a chick who looks like Merle Haggard in a dress. We are in NO WAY making fun of Merle Haggard. We love him! He’s awesome! This is just about an imaginary chick who LOOKS like Merle Haggard. Written by Jon Reep & Zach Selwyn. Music by Toby Semain. Directed by Zach Selwyn. Edited by Jesse Selwyn. Chic played by Brian E. Kiley.

NashvilleStandUp asked Nashville’s own Brian E. Kiley how it happened and this is what he said:

“The two planned to shoot the video for the song in Nashville to take advantage of the country music scenery and themes. Originally Reep was set to play the part of the women himself. When he arrived in Nashville and realized he was working with me again, he instantly knew that casting a 300+ pound man as the woman would make the video that much funnier and he offered me the part. His description of the video was so hilarious that I didn’t even flinch at the idea of being seen in drag, doing some embarrassing things. It was one of those moments where the comedy overpowered the ego. The next two days were spent filming at Zanies and on Broadway in Downtown Nashville inspiring shock and awe in the passers by. The rest is comedy history!”

Here’s the video:

Download Moo’ves like Haggard on iTunes

My mental image of Paul Strickland is him in the Zanies green room looking over pages of his material that had been typed out word for word.. reading it under his breath, rehearsing the inflections and energy he would put into each line. A few years ago, this process struck me as funny because you just don’t see a lot of comics doing that. Most have scraps of paper or napkins with one or two words written on them that represent each joke.. or notebooks full of scribbles – sentence fragments, punchlines, random words and broken thoughts and ideas. You generally don’t see comics going over full transcripts of their acts, or talking about the “arc” of their set or the “through-line” they’re trying to establish but I associate these things with Paul’s process. I’m assuming it was his background in theater that led to these habits, but whatever it is has worked in Paul’s favor.

From his first open mic in February 2006, Paul already seemed to have a good head for the business of comedy. He was always working on new, bookable material. He put effort into everything he did and treated it like a job from the very beginning.. which is exactly why he was able to quit his day job in 2009. Since then he has written and performed his one man shows and traditional standup all over the country.

Paul says, “I firmly believe that making people laugh at themselves and their world is a good way to help them escape while, hopefully, gaining some perspective on what they’re escaping from, and distracting them from the fact that I just took their money.”

Strickland recorded “Levels of Difficulty,” his first stand-up album, a few hours up the road at the Comedy Caravan in Louisville. It is available to buy right now at iTunes and Amazon.

As a ‘thank you’ to the local comedy fans in Nashville who supported Paul from the very beginning, NashvilleStandUp and Paul are happy to be giving away three (3!) copies of the cd on April 22nd. Enter to win below.

Paul says, “Listen, people laughed when I said the things on this CD and we recorded both their laughter and the things I said. Now YOU can laugh WITH people that laughed months ago AT the same things I said MONTHS ago! Building community, that’s what I’m about.”

[UPDATE: the contest has closed! Buy the album already, cheapskate!]

If you don’t have time to screw around, waiting to see if you win, feel free to go ahead and buy it right now:
- iTunes
- Amazon

For more from Paul Strickland, stalk him online:
http://talkingpaul.com/
https://twitter.com/#!/talkingpaul
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1080223703

NEWER UPDATE: Listen to Marc Maron interview Mary Mack on today’s episode of WTF!

Here’s the teaser video:

Listen to the whole episode here: WTFpod.com

UPDATE: Tuesday 3/20 show has been cancelled. Buy tickets for the 3/19 show here.

Come spend an early, sensible, yet hilarious March evening with Mary Mack, the musical Minnesotan comedian and former clarinetist in one of Nashville’s worst polka bands!

Nashville alt comedy providers, Corporate Juggernaut will present nationally touring comedian and former Sumner County & W.O. Smith music teacher, Mary Mack, for an early evening of comedy at Bongo Java After Hours Theater, March 19 & 20th. Mack, who started comedy about 10 years ago in Nashville with her roommate Jennie Donaldson and their polka band, says the show is more of an abridged hour version of her life than it is a regular comedy show. She is touring this month putting the final touches on what she calls her “Anti One-Woman Show,” subtitled “Sh*t Makes Flowers Grow.”

Mack and her mandolin sing alongs have been featured on the Bob and Tom Radio Show, NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and Comedy Central. She is a cast member on Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Big River Radio Wave,” and can be heard on the XM/Sirius Network. As iconic comedian Louie Anderson describes her: “She’s an original character from the Midwest that rings true. She’ll be telling you a joke about one thing, and then she’ll break off into a song about minnows.”

Expect a quirky evening of pleasant surprises situated in an intimate space with a famed performance history: Bongo After Hours Theater (upstairs at the Belmont Bongo Java, 2007 Belmont Blvd, Nashville). Tickets are available online at bongoafterhours.com for $10 or $15 at the door. See Corporatejuggernaut.com or marymackcomedy.com for more info.

Mon & Tues, March 19 & 20, 2012—7pm

Bongo Java After Hours Theater, 2007 Belmont Blvd, Nashville
(You may have seen Steve Earle perform there among other really great shows.)

Cost: $10 in advance @ www.bongoafterhours.com or $15 @ door
Industry and Clergymen get in free, because Mary needs help in both areas.

Billy Wayne Davis is the thinking man’s hillbilly. With a combination of subtle, disarming intelligence and an unmistakable comfort on stage, he has the rare ability to win over every kind of comedy audience imaginable. Billy Wayne’s comedy really has no discernible category. He can be personal, shocking, political and absurd, but his ability to form an instant connection with audiences allows him to get away with anything and everything. For Billy Wayne Davis, no subject matter is off limits because there is nothing he can’t make funny with his trademark drawl and easy charm. He has worked with some of the biggest names in comedy, including Colin Quinn, Lisa Lampanelli, Louis CK and Mitch Hedberg and has toured as the feature act for national headliner Ralphie May. He has performed festivals, comedy clubs and theaters as diverse as Seattle’s Bumbershoot, The Ryman in Nashville, Comedy Works in Denver and the LA Improv.

Years ago, when B. W. Davis started showing up at the old Tuesday night open mic at The Bar Car in Nashville, he was instantly one of my very favorite people on the planet. He embodied everything I love about my best pals from East Tennessee: disarmingly laid back, completely unpretentious, naturally hilarious and smart as a whip. He was immediately one of the funniest comics to call Nashville home. After he followed up his tenure as house emcee at Zanies by going on the road with Ralphie May, he returned to Nashville a much better, road-seasoned comic. When he moved to Seattle, we started seeing him less often – maybe every six or eight months or so when his tours took him back around to his old home.. but his absence just highlighted his exponential growth as a comic each time he returned. Fast forward to January 2012, when Zanies extended his originally planned week of shows into a three-week residency. Sitting in the green room one night, I heard Zanies’ owner Brian Dorfman say, “He has gotten GREAT.” Yeah.. he has.

The material is original, unique, road-tested, and funny but Billy Wayne Davis’ self-titled debut standup album isn’t a perfect show. Davis is heckled several times – and each time he body slams the drunk, annoying morons with style, grace and wit. During track 18, “Feeding My Ewok,” somebody drops a glass on the floor and he reacts in the moment saying, “Did a Jew just get married? What happened?” This gets him a strange reaction from the Seattle crowd and he instantly calls them on it: “Why did you moan that? That’s what they do at the end of their wedding ceremony is they break a fucking glass. That’s the weirdest P-C shit I’ve ever seen right there: I just said ‘Jew’ with a Southern accent and you’re like, ‘Uh-oh. Oh God, I read about this! This is not good!’ That was weird.” and went right back into his bit.

This, to me, is a perfect example of what B-dub does: While in the middle of a well crafted routine there is a distraction. He addresses it with a funny line and is ready to move on.. but smelled a little bullshit in the crowd’s reaction and dove in to explore that. His off-the-cuff reference is smart, well timed, culturally-informed and misinterpreted. This line (and Billy Wayne in general) contradicts the standard stereotypical caricature so often incorrectly associated with anybody with a Southern accent. Davis handily exposes the hypocrisy and prejudice of the people who assume ignorance and racism where there is none.. and he gets laughs with every improvised line as if it’s a bit he has done for years. Turns out, he’s good at this.

Look, I could have scammed a free copy of “Billy Wayne Davis” no problem, but I bought it as soon as it was available for sale because I KNEW that it would be worth every god damn penny.. and it is. You should buy it right now:
- Amazon.com
- iTunes
- RooftopComedy.com

Here’s a funny promo video Billy made for his new album:

Billy Wayne Davis from Billy Wayne Davis on Vimeo.

Follow Billy Wayne Davis online:
Twitter.com/BillyWayneDavis
Facebook.com/BillyWayneDavis

Fred Armisen (Saturday Night Live) and Carrie Brownstein (Wild Flag, Sleater kinney) from
IFC’s hit original comedy Portlandia are embarking on a unique six city tour bringing
the romanticized and dreamy rendering of Portland, OR to life for fans across the country.

“Portlandia: The Tour” will feature Armisen and Brownstein, the co-creators, writers and stars of IFC’s Portlandia, performing live music, presenting sneak-peek clips from the show’s second season and sharing personal anecdotes about the creation and inspiration of Portlandia and its variety of eccentric characters.

Fri, February 24, 2012 8:00 PM (Doors: 7:00 PM)
18 and Over
Tickets: $30.00
General Admission tickets consist of GA SEATED and GA STANDING. A limited amount of seating will be available on a first-come, first served basis. All tickets are GENERAL ADMISSION. No reserved seating is available.

Marathon Music Works
1402 Clinton St.
Nashville, TN. 37203
Phone: (615) 891-1781
Fax: (615) 953-2187
http://www.marathonmusicworks.com/
info@marathonmusicworks.com

More infos:
http://www.ifc.com/shows/portlandia/the-tour

UPDATE: The Belcourt is hosting ENCORE SCREENINGs: Fri-Sat, March 16-17 at 11:40pm

Fans of “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” on Adult Swim probably don’t need to be told that “Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie” will be playing at the Belcourt Theatre at midnight March 2-3, but this post isn’t for THEM. They already know. Tim and Eric fans in Nashville haven’t been this excited since December 3rd, 2010. No, no.. this post is intended for people who’ve never heard of Tim and Eric:

Ahem.. “HEY! Hey, YOU! HEY, DUMB DUMB! YES, YOU! Why are you such a dummy? Why don’t know know about Tim and Eric? Is it because you’re so dumb? Have you been busy watching your VHS tapes of classic Hee Haw skitches over and over laughing at the cutting edge humor? Huh? Have you, dumb person? Is that what comedy is to you? Is Larry the Cable Guy ‘too smart?’ HA HA! Get a clue, dumb person who has never heard of Tim and Eric! You.. you fool!”

Sorry. Seriously, if you like silly things and incredibly awkward comedy, check out the dvd’s (or watch the videos online) of Tim and Eric’s old Adult Swim show and get caught up. If you like that, you’ll probably love “Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie” (Dir. Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim, 2012, USA, R, 94min, 35mm). If you DON’T like uncomfortable situations, prolonged silences, miscues, misfires, misfits and of course shrimp and white wine.. this isn’t for you.

The premise is: cult comedy heroes Tim and Eric are given a billion dollars to make a movie, but squander every dime.. and the sinister head of its financier the Schlaaang corporation (Robert Loggia) is pissed! No longer able to pay their life coach (Zach Galifianakis) for advice, they happen upon a chance to rehabilitate a bankrupt mall full of vagrants, bizarre stores and a man-eating wolf that stalks the food court. Tim and Eric see dollar signs—a billion of them. Co-starring John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell and featuring cameos from Awesome Show regulars and many more. Also, some “shrim.”

Here’s the Official Redband Trailer [HD]:

The Belcourt: Fri-Sat, March 2-3 at Midnight

The Belcourt Theatre
2102 Belcourt Avenue – Nashville TN 37212
Box Office: (615) 383-9140
Main Office: (615) 846-3150

Buy tickets in advance, online at Belcourt.org

TimAndEric.com

#SHRIM

An “Iron Songwriter” update from Lacie at NashvilleComedyTheater.com:
Mark Anundson made it into the final for this weekends show and we’re excited to have him! We have 2 shows this weekend, Friday the 16th and Saturday the 17th. Friday’s show is awesome Holiday Improv and Improvised Shakespeare and Saturday’s Show is our Holiday show and the Iron Songwriter Championships!

Mark Anundson: comedian, musician, Champion

Through the magic of Twitter and the fine Interwebs I discovered a
little competition called Iron Songwriter. I clicked on the fancy
link and signed up for one of the few open slots left in the
competition. A few short hours later I received one of the most
professional e-mails of my life and it stated I was accepted into the
competition. I arrived at the Next Level Theater at a very early hour
and was happy to do one of the first sound checks of the night. I sat
just outside the theater and listened to the other six competitors run
through their sound checks. As I sat there and listened I realized
that every other performer was pretty awesome at playing an instrument
and\or singing. I was up against a bunch of musicians that could
musically school me and my gut instinct was to get out of dodge before
the competition started.

I decided to stay and make the best of a weird situation. At the
start of the show they called all of the competitors to the stage and
then asked the audience members for song ideas. The audience was slow
to throw out ideas and may have stalled a little after the ideas of
basketballs and bicycles were shot down by the competitors. Finally
an Angel from the crowd yelled MUSTARD and we all had a good giggle.
We settled on mustard and a calmness came over me unlike ever before.
I know about mustard, I love mustard, I used to tell people I was
going to start my own mustard business. My confidence was restored
and I was off to the back to write what I thought would be the
greatest song about mustard ever told.

The first performer was a guy named Seth, he did a version of
Coldplay’s Yellow but made it about getting a mustard stain on your
shirt before a big meeting. The song was genius! The next competitor
was a guy named Matt who went up there and did a five minute power
ballad about how mustard plays second fiddle to ketchup. It was an
amazing song filled with piano riffs, emotional swells and it was
super funny. I was next and I don’t remember exactly what happened
but I think I made a few jokes before I started my song, got a few
laughs then went into a song that was about how much I love mustard.
It was a pretty dumb song but I was able to rely on the old set-up
punch format, interacted with the audience during the song and made
fun of how bad I performed the song. At the end of my song I had the
audience laughing and win or lose I had a good time. The rest of the
competitors were all fantastic and worthy of moving on to the next
round. Once the show was in full swing I didn’t care about winning or
losing I just enjoyed the process and made some new friends. At the
end of the night they announced the winners and I was shocked to come
in second place. Matt and his power ballad came in first and Seth
tied for third. I look forward to competing in the finals on December
17th.

The final NCT Holiday Show of the season and the BIGGEST Songwriter Challenge to invade Nashville. The day has finally arrived. 3 months ago songwriters started arriving at the steps of The Nashville Comedy Theater. Now 4 of the best of the best will be fighting for a chance to prove they are truly an Iron Songwriter.

Boo Detch
Justin Covergeist
Andrew Thornhill
Mark Anundson

Four songwriters. One audience suggestion. 45 minutes to write a complete song. They’ve done it once before, but can they do it again?

Their suggested topic could be anything from spatulas to zombies to the Dewey Decimal System, but they will need to create a song that will win the hearts (and votes) of you the audience.
And this time the stakes are even higher, pride, bragging rights, a trophy and cash:

1st — $200, a trophy and the title of “Iron Songwriter 2011″
2nd — $100
3rd — $75

While they are writing their song the cast of Nashville Comedy Theater will entertain you with our high energy Holiday themed improv comedy show, and this will be your last chance to catch the amazing delightful, magical, “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Improv” show until next year. Featuring Christmas Carols, an “It’s a Wonderful Life” styled look at the impact of one person’s life on the world and at least a dozen more entirely new Holiday Themed games like Spin the Dreidel, Reindeer Games, Toybox Theater, & HO HO HO, Now I have a Machine Gun.

This Iron Songwriter Championship is going to be epic, with all of the 1st and 2nd place champions from previous months, bringing their rowdy fans, pianos, guitars, ukuleles, and unbelievable musical talents in one apocalyptic showdown.

Beer, wine, soft drinks, bottled water, candy, and snacks are available in the lobby. Tickets are available for purchase online at NashvilleComedyTheater.com (credit card and PayPal accepted). You may also purchase tickets at the door with cash or check, if tickets are still available.

two shows – 8pm – Friday, December 16th & Saturday, December 17th
(but, seriously, go see Mark on Saturday)

The Writer’s Stage / Next Level
1008 Charlotte Ave; Nashville, TN

Facebook events:
http://www.facebook.com/events/199981183418392/
http://www.facebook.com/events/289839074389405/

Traditionally, on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Zanies puts together an all-star lineup of comedians from Nashville who are off the road and back in town to spend the holiday with friends and family. “Comics Come Home” is a showcase style line-up of the guys (and ladies) who came up through the open mics, starting getting work.. and at some point hit the road to do comedy full time. It’s always fun. If you’re looking for an excuse to ditch your family and go have a few drinks / laughs.. this is the perfect show for you.

This year, our own Keith Alberstadt (“Late Show with David Letterman”, CMT, etc) will host AND headline the event which also features Dan Whitehurst, Dawna Kinne, TC Cope, Chad Riden, Brian Bates and Rick Wey.

Keith Alberstadt grew up the son of a Vanderbilt professor and a craft artist. The result . . . a very clever comic with sharp perception, unmatched creativity, and a treasure trove of unique material. His likable personality and down-to-earth charm invite people into his brand of humor—one that is smart but not brainy and relatable but not hacky.

While performing, Keith takes pride in laughing at himself and his “inner dork”, which he attempts to prove is something in all of us. Current events, popular trends, personal details… Keith shares his witty insight on everything, all the while doing it with a mischievous smile that quickly becomes infectious.

A regular performer for the U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Keith has been described as “absolutely hilarious” by Armed Forces Entertainment and “a hidden gem” by the Boston Globe. He’s also a contributing writer for Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update, National Lampoon and various online magazines.

Here’s a video of Keith’s Letterman appearance:

“Comics Come Home”
Wed. Nov. 23, 2011, 7:30pm
(facebook event)

Zanies Comedy Showplace
2025 8th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37204

Tickets are available online or by calling 615-269-0221.

Nashville Comedy Theater‘s Pre Thanksgiving Improv Weekend & Iron Songwriter Round 3 is this Friday & Saturday (Nov. 18th & 19th). The last semi-final round of “Iron Songwriter” includes a performance from Nashville-based comedian / podcaster / musician / awesome person Mark Anundson.

Whether you remember Mark as the host of WRVU’s “Get Up, Stand Up” or know him as half of the music group BIZRQ or as the FUN-gineer for sketch comedy podcast “The Mangy Dog Radio Hour Whoop Dee Doo” or one third of the cast of “Happy Birthday Gary” or the host of “Happy For Apathy” or as a frequent performer at Zanies or as a close, personal friend of The Kenny Rogers.. you know Mr. Anundson is a funny, funny man with musical improvisation skills sharp enough that other musical improvisors should probably just quit whatever it is they’re doing and start improvising songs about how great Mark Anundson is at improvising songs.

Mark Anundson: comedian, musician, Champion

Five other people who are decidedly NOT Mark Anundson will also be there participating in Saturday’s Iron Songwriter Competition. They’ll be given 45 minutes to write and perform a new song based on the audience’s suggestion. Saturday’s winner earns a spot in the final round in December and they will want YOUR vote to bring them forward.

All shows start at 8pm, Tickets are $10 and can be purchased right now online at NashvilleComedyTheater.com, or at the door with cash or check. Questions? Call Nashville Comedy Theater at 615-544-5386.

two shows – 8pm – Friday, November 18th & Saturday, November 19th
(but, seriously, go see Mark on Saturday)

The Writer’s Stage / Next Level
1008 Charlotte Ave; Nashville, TN

(Facebook event)

This year, the people who run the Montreal festival asked Marc Maron to give the Keynote Address at the 2011 Just For Laughs Comedy Conference. Among other things he said, “When I was kid watching comedians on TV and listening to their records they were the only ones that could make it all seem okay. They seemed to cut through the bullshit and disarm fears and horror by being clever and funny. I don’t think I could have survived my childhood without watching standup comics. When I started doing comedy I didn’t understand show business. I just wanted to be a comedian.”

The same goes for me.. except one of the comedians I was watching was Marc Maron. I remember seeing him on David Letterman’s old NBC show, on Comedy Central when that was a brand new channel, on Late Night with Conan O’Brien at least 30-something times.. he was one of the guys that made ME want to do comedy. He was doing more than just telling jokes. I loved the way Marc seemed to be emotionally invested in what he was saying – disarming the demons that haunted him.

I heard he had started a podcast within the first few episodes – I was immediately on board with WTF with Marc Maron and started proselytizing its greatness. Every episode is solid MF’ing gold. They were what kept me going as I drove back and forth across the country for very little money and absolutely no fame.

In my mind, Marc is one of The Greats, but listening to those early episodes I learned that Marc’s manager at the time told him he was “un-bookable and without options.” Well, fast forward to today.. and Marc’s fans are packing out comedy clubs that never would have booked him a few years ago. The WTF guest list is a Who’s Who of comedy superstars – everyone from Andy Kindler to Zach Galifianakis. Louis CK, Bob Odenkirk, Robin Williams, Conan O’Brien, Jonathan Winters, Judd Apatow, Paul Riser, Sarah Silverman, Gallagher, Garry Shandling, Richard Lewis.. WTF is simply a MUST LISTEN for every comedy fan.

Nashville is VERY lucky to have Marc Maron here at Zanies for five shows – Thursday, September 8th through Saturday, September 10th. Buy your tickets in advance, you do NOT want to miss this. Here’s video of a set Marc did on the Late Late Show last year:

When Marc does the road these days, he often brings Ryan Singer along as his middle act. Ryan’s debut album “HOW TO GET HIGH WITHOUT DRUGS” was selected by Punchline Magazine as one of the Top 10 Comedy CD’s of 2010. He was one of 4 finalist in CMT’s Next Big Comic Contest, been heard on XM/Sirius Satellite Radio, has appeared on the nationally syndicated radio show Bob & Tom, and was a regional finalist in Comedy Central’s Open Mic Fight. He was the winner of the Golden Shingle Award at the Rooftop Comedy Festival, an award given to the next rising star in comedy.

Here’s a clip of Ryan’s comedy:

Ryan will be appearing with Marc at Zanies Thursday thru Saturday. You should definitely go see them together there and THEN you should go see Ryan headline the Corporate Juggernaut show at Bongo Java Monday, September 12th. Admission is only $7 – buy your tickets in advance online NOW because seating is limited and this will sell out.