Riley Fox has been described as cerebral, energetic, sarcastic, laid-back, engaging, and other seemingly contradictory words. He’s also very funny. On December 16-17, 2011 he recorded his shows at Out Front On Main in Murfreesboro and is now releasing his debut stand-up comedy cd, “Unamerican.” Here’s what Mr. Fox has to say about it:

“I’ve always loved all kinds of comedy, but my favorite kind was comedy that was daring, fearless, and challenged society. Hopefully, I’ve met that personal standard with Unamerican, my debut live comedy album. This album represents a versatile collection of EVERYTHING I love in stand-up comedy: hard-hitting social commentary, silly observations, and impressions. Oh, and religious jokes. Lots of religious jokes. So if you enjoy those sorts of things, you’ll love Unamerican. If you don’t, then feel free to buy the album anyway and just give it to some kid wearing a Rage Against The Machine t-shirt or something. They’ll probably enjoy it more.”

Register now to win one (1) copy of the new Riley Fox: “Unamerican” cd from NashvilleStandUp.com. We’ll pick THREE winners on May 13th.

Find more from Riley Fox online:
http://www.rileyfoxcomedy.com/
https://twitter.com/#!/riley_fox
http://www.facebook.com/rileyfox

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

Tracy Morgan will be performing stand-up at the Ryman June 3rd and N’Sup has some FREE tickets to give away.

Tracy is widely known for being hilariously crazy on “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock,” but is also known for being a little crazy in real life. Some have wondered where the “Tracy Jordan” act ends and the real Tracy Morgan begins. He can be nuts.

Check out this interview he did on WGN to promote some shows in the Chicago area:

As crazy as Tracy has acted on television, his stand-up comedy is entirely different. When he was scheduled to perform in Denver, The Comedy Works pre-emptively emailed all ticket holders warning them that the performance would be extremely filthy, “We especially want to make sure you are aware that Tracy’s show is very, very dirty. His stand up show is not what you might expect from seeing him on 30 Rock or Saturday Night Live. His show is the most extreme in nature that we can possibly express.” They even offered to refund tickets prices if buyers decided to opt out of the show.

Here’s a couple clips of his stand-up – obviously NSFW:

Still on board?

If you’d like to see Tracy live, tickets are on-sale now, starting at $34.50. If money’s tight, we’ve got you covered. NashvilleStandUp.com will be giving away over 15 pairs of tickets to see Tracy at the Ryman June 3rd at select live shows between now and then AND right here, right now.

Fill out the form below to join NashvilleStandUp.com’s mailing list & register to win a pair of FREE tickets to the show. We’ll announce the winner(s) about a week before the show. Follow N’Sup on Twitter and/or Facebook to increase your chances to win – we’ll give away tickets there and make announcements about which shows around town you can go to if you want to win free tickets.

(EDIT: SORRY, THE GIVE AWAY DEADLINE HAS PASSED.
Sign up for the N’Sup mailing list so you don’t miss future opportunities!)

Tracy Morgan @ The Ryman Auditorium
Friday, June 3 at 8:00 PM
Tickets start at $34.50
http://www.ryman.com/event/detail/tracymorgan.html

Growing up the youngest in a big Catholic family in Nashville, Keith Alberstadt quickly developed a sarcastic tongue as a convenient way to get attention.  He delivers that wit on a nightly basis to comedy club, corporate, and college audiences nationwide.  Alberstadt is regarded by both peers and fans as a one-of-a-kind performer with a very clever writing style.  He has been featured on the Late Show with David Letterman and is a contributing writer to Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update.  His new CD “It’s Pronounced ‘Jenkins’” showcases his humor on everything from naming babies and tolerating meatheads to ruining dates and embarrassing nail salon customers.

Keith says, “The CD, “It’s Pronounced ‘Jenkins’” was a blast to put together!  Not only does it capture a great night of comedy, but it also features four bonus tracks from shows I did overseas for the troops.  I have always said that performing for the troops was the greatest experience of my career, and I’m thrilled that I’m finally able to share parts of those shows with you.”

Here’s the clip of Keith’s appearance on Late Show with David Letterman:

NashvilleStandUp was lucky enough to get an advance copy of the cd and we’re happy to say Keith has once again made us proud to know him.  “It’s Pronounced ‘Jenkins’” is consistently funny. The performance is a tight set of high quality, well crafted jokes delivered by a seasoned professional. Alberstadt is easily the most disciplined, hard working comic I’ve ever met. Over the last ten years I’ve marveled at the quality of new, evergreen material he generates. That steadfast dedication to his craft is evident in every track.

The four bonus tracks recorded live while Keith was entertaining the troops in Iraq and throughout the Middle East are very entertaining. It’s interesting to hear his material customized for such a specific audience. His stories about performing in a war zone are funny and fascinating to civilians who may not understand some specific military references – but the reaction from those troops demonstrates how well Keith connects with audiences.. even in troubled war zones.

It’s a fantastic cd, beginning to end. Longtime fans of Alberstadt won’t be disappointed and comedy fans new to Keith will no doubt become fans after a listen.

“It’s Pronounced ‘Jenkins’” is now available on Rooftop Comedy, where you can purchase a physical copy or download it on iTunes. It’s the perfect holiday gift, especially for anyone you may know serving in uniform.

Nashville area fans are in luck!

Keith is performing at the Roxy Theater in Clarksville – headlining the  “Comedy on the Cumberland” show benefitting the Humane Society. It’s a fantastic cause and an incredible line-up of comedians: Keith, Dan Whitehurst, X-Man and Hank Bonecutter. If you’re in the area, don’t miss it.

The rest of the week, Keith is at Zanies Comedy Showplace in Nashville – headlining Wednesday and Thursday nights and opening for Jim Breuer Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Get your tickets now.

Enter to win a FREE copy of Keith Alberstadt’s “It’s Pronounced ‘Jenkins’”

Register now to win one (1) copy of the new Keith Alberstadt “It’s Pronounced ‘Jenkins’” cd from NashvilleStandUp.com. We’ll pick a winner on October 17th.

"The Dead Dead: Infinite Superdoom" is available now

Like most great Metal bands, The Dead Dead was formed when two Nashville Comics, Charles Ives and Sean Parrott, moved into a duplex. (Duplexes are SO METAL!) Inspired by the prospect of riches, fame, and trashy women, they decided to record a heavy metal concept album telling the tale of two men’s trek to hold the unimaginable power of the black sword, Infinite Superdoom. A year and a half later, that album was born, with a totally evil cover by Todd Evans at Silverface Designs.

Unfortunately, two months ago, tragedy struck the band when Charles Ives was killed by Satan. According to a letter left by Satan, attached by a pitchfork to the duplex’s front door, Charles had to die because The Dead Dead had “become too evil.” Despite this loss, Sean Parrott has decided to continue the proud tradition of The Dead Dead, bringing heavy metal joy to the hearts of anyone with enough money to afford him and enough women to sate him.

The Dead Dead will be playing on September 6th at 6:30 PM at the open lot near Bongo Java – 107 S. 11th Street, East Nashville. Infinite Superdoom is available at shows for only 5 Dollars. It is also on iTunes and CDBABY.

For more infos:
http://www.myspace.com/seanparrott
http://www.facebook.com/thedeaddead
http://www.myspace.com/thedeaddead
http://www.youtube.com/seanparrottcomedy

Register to win!

Register now to win one (1) of ten (10!) copies of the new “The Dead Dead: Infinite Superdoom” cd from NashvilleStandUp.com. We’ll pick ten winners on September 6th.

N’Sup got an email the other day from Michael Williams of Jawbone:

I’m a big comedy fan and used to go to shows all the time when I was at Vanderbilt. Since graduating, I’ve moved out west working for a start up called Jawbone.

Last week we launched a $10,000 grand prize ‘Funny Video’ contest and I’m reaching out to a few of the comedy blogs I follow. If you know of anyone in the Nashville comedy network who likes creating videos and would want to participate in a user generated video, then please please spread the word. We’re only expecting a little over 100 entries so chances of winning 10K or other cash prizes is pretty high (let alone a good portfolio building exercise).

Submission window closes June 1st

www.jawbonecontest.com

I’m a huge fan of giving comics a vehicle to express themselves + win some cash… my bro used to be a comic as well (and also went to Vandy).

The contest should be fun–please feel free to use Twitter/FB/ etc. and hopefully someone from NashVegas wins the prize. J

So, start being funny and catch it on tape. When you win the big prize, don’t forget to tip your web staff.

Warner Bros Nashville and Lisa Lampanelli have just launched a contest where you can win some prizes, including a 48×30 framed copy of LIsa’s “Long Live The Queen” HBO special poster & an autographed copy of her book, “Chocolate, Please.”

To enter, go to: http://www.wbrnashville.com/lisalampanelli/ and submit a joke to win.

Tonight there are several fantastic choices for hilarious comedy in Nashville:

ULTIMATE COMEDY!

Featuring Stand-up, Sketches, and a LIVE LIVE performance by Heavy Metal Comedy Duo: THE DEAD DEAD! TICKETS ARE ONLY 5 BUCKS!
(link to the facebook event)

The I Have No Friends Comedy Contest

Open mic stand-up comedy contest. $50 to the winner (as decided by the audience). Be there at 8:30 to sign up, show starts at 9. Everybody gets 5 minutes. Hosted by America’s Favorite Comedian Of All Time, Chad Riden.
(link to the facebook event)

Zanies presents.. D. L. Hughley

One of the most popular and highly recognized standup comedians on the road today has also made quite an impression in the feature film and television arena, but it was ‘The Original Kings Of Comedy’ that launched D.L. into superstardom. D.L. recently premiered a one-hour comedy special for HBO entitled “Unapologetic.”
(link to the event on Zanies site)

Here is a clip of D.L. from “Def Comedy Jam” –

Open mic stand-up comedy contest. $100 to the WINNER (as decided by the audience). LOSERS get a can of consolation Fresca. Be there at 8:30 to sign up, show starts at 9. Everybody gets 5 minutes. Go over your time and you are disqualified. Limited number of spots available! Don’t be late. Hosted by America’s Favorite Comedian Of All Time, Chad Riden.

Music City Bar & Grill
2416 Music Valley Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
615.883.2367

no cover! 2-for-1 pints! 21+

Here’s a link to the Facebook event.

Some 10 million people have logged online to watch their favorite Southern comedic political pundit wannabees, Red State Update, sound off on everything from politics to pop culture and now after all this waiting, the time has finally come. Yes, America, you’re in for a treat! Red State Update finally released their highly anticipated debut album, “How Freedom Sounds,” on Tuesday, July 22.
And they’re taking no prisoners, gunnin’ for Miley Cyrus who happened to be releasing her CD that very same day. “I tell you what, if we don’t outsell Miley Cyrus in the first week of sales, Jackie and I are retiring from Red State Update. We are outta here!” says Dunlap, the younger, fatter of the pair. “But don’t worry… that ain’t gonna happen. I mean really, think about it, what’s Miley Cyrus gonna sell… like a million tops? I think we can beat that, no problem.”
“How Freedom Sounds” features a blend of comedy skits about topics such as illegal immigration, yard sales and strippers, as well as a handful of quality musical recordings including such future hits as “Iraq (I Don’t Wanna Go),” the Bonnaroo-inspired “Get the Hell Out of My Store, Hippie,” and their moving anthem “Red State State Of Mind.”
Many of the themes featured on “How Freedom Sounds” should be familiar to their thousands of internet fans who have been following Red State Update since its inception in 2005 — that’s when Jackie and Dunlap first began their video blog to mouth off about politics and whatever else topped the headlines of the day. And it was just last summer when Red State Update got their big break during the nationally televised CNN/YouTube debates where they featured a video asking the candidates whether all the media attention on Al Gore “hurts y’all’s feelings?”
It was that wacky video which helped boost the Redneck duo’s popularity well beyond their loyal internet following and soon the mainstream media began knocking on their doors. Since then, they’ve been profiled by the Associated Press, appeared in USA Today and Newsweek, featured on the cover of the Nashville Scene and The Tennessean, and have made numerous pundit appearances on CNN.
But none of the accolades are a surprise to the confident (perhaps, overly so) pair when asked if they ever imagined being signed by a label, releasing a CD and receiving so much attention. “Oh, I figured this would all happen to me and Jackie, making a hit album and getting our rightful place on the world stage. I think we’ll do like 75-80 million in our first week of sales, easy,” says Dunlap, who dons his trademark American flag t-shirt over his abundant-sized belly. “I mean, after all, we are the
salvation of the failing music business.”
“Oh shut up,” responds Jackie, the older curmudgeon of the two. “Why do you have to go and say something stupid like that? I’m just happy that we recorded a good quality album that will stand the test of time, that people can listen to while they’re doing chores around the house… or hell, they can just play us in their trucks while they’re out driving around.”
Speaking of trucks, Dualtone Music Group is giving Red State Update fans a chance to win a Chevy truck… and not just any truck! Dualtone is giving away Jackie’s 1982 white Chevy Scottsdale pick-up truck to a very lucky winner; and to see more details about the contest click here: www.youtube.com/watch%3fv=WROqq6X4jGA
For more information about Red State Update and their new CD, “How Freedom
Sounds,” which hit stores July 22nd, please visit:
youtube.com/travisandjonathan
www.redstateupdate.com/
And make sure to watch for Red State Update on the campaign trail as they
make featured appearances on TV, radio and the web throughout the rest of
the year leading up to the presidential election.

(EDIT: CD GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!)

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