Noted Vandy fan and Nashville native Keith Alberstadt made his triumphant return to the Late Show with David Letterman on April 13, 2012.

Keith’s first Letterman appearance was on February 6, 2009. Here’s that video:

More from Mr. Alberstadt:
KeithComedy.com
Twitter.com/KeithAlberstadt
Facebook.com/keith.alberstadt

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

The new musical that’s leaving women across the country saying “that’s my life!” is coming to a city near you in 2012. Motherhood the Musical® is the incredibly funny, poignant musical that shows four different perspectives. Written by Nashville’s own Sue Fabisch, the show humorously captures every stage of motherhood including the changes that happen to the body after pregnancy and nursing, succumbing to driving a minivan and becoming a grandma for the very first time. Declared as “Engaging, hilarious and touching!” by Variety, Motherhood the Musical® is produced by GFour Productions, the team who has successfully brought Menopause The Musical® to multiple international markets and every major market in the United States.

The “Motherhood the Musical” CD featuring all your favorite Motherhood songs:

“The Kids Are Finally Asleep”, “Minivan”, “I’m Danny’s Mom”, “Not Gonna Take It Anymore” and of course, “Costco Queen”. All 20 songs from the hit show featuring the vocals of the talented Kareema Khouri, Lisa Manuli, Margot Moreland and Laura Turnbull.

Get your Mother’s Day CD’s here!

For more info about Motherhood the Musical, visit:
http://www.motherhoodthemusical.com/

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase @ Zanies is a showcase of the funniest professional comedians based in the Nashville area, plus guest sets from traveling comics, and a few up-and-coming young comics from the local Nashville scene. The line-up for the May 2nd, 2012 show includes: Chad Riden, Sean Christian Staggs, RonRon Moseley, Will Copeland, Gerald Giles, Mark Anundson and will be headlined by Renard Hirsch.

Renard Hirsch is a stand up comic out of Nashville, TN who has appeared in several films including Lincoln Heights, The Green Mile, Drumline, and Hannah Montana, The Movie. Television appearances include BET’s “A Time to Laugh,” and “Who’s Laughing Now” on Comcast. In addition to his hilarious, energetic stand-up performances, Renard also wrote and performs a one man show about civil rights leader, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Also, it should be noted that Renard “gangsta walks at every party.”

Here’s a video of Renard performing in Memphis a while ago:

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase featuring Renard Hirsch
Wed., May 2, 2012
doors open: 6:30pm
showtime: 7:30pm

Zanies Comedy Showplace
2025 8th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37204
615-269-0221

tickets:
$5. available at the door, online, or at the Zanies box office at: 615-269-0221

Facebook event:
Wed., May 2, 2012 – 7:30 pm

More info about the N’Sup Showcase @ Zanies is available at: http://NashvilleStandUp.com/showcase/

From the minds who brought you ImprovNashville, Music City Improv, The Nashville Comedy Theater, and the Ultimate Comedy Stand-up Show comes a brand new, hilariously funny sketch comedy show. It’s ridiculous, so beware – and try not to hurt yourself.

Here’s a promo video they made:

Blue Lotus Comedy
Friday, May 11, 2012
Doors open: 7:30 p.m., Showtime: 8:00 p.m. sharp.

$10 in advance online at bluelotuscomedy.com
$12 at the door (credit cards accepted)

The Performance Artist Co-op
107 N. 11th St., Nashville, TN 37206
(a purple building beside the BP in East Nashville’s 5 Points Area)

(Facebook event)

Cody Marley

As a stand-up, Cody is a favorite on the underground and alternative scene, mixing topical takes with bizarre observations that combine the pose of a hipster with the work ethic of a ranch hand — because Cody has been both. Long a “comic’s comic”, Cody has performed at the Bonnaroo Music Festival (or “that hippie thing,” as your grandmother calls it), and has worked with Mitch Hedberg, Brian Regan and Larry the Cable Guy, among many others.

If you caught a local comedy show in Nashville the week of March 4-10, 2012, you may have seen Cody on stage telling jokes and in the back of the room laughing and filming some video. Over the course of that week, he attempted to go to every comedy night in Nashville. He produced a series of corresponding shorts documenting the shows he visited and posted them online. NashvilleStandUp asked Mr. Marley why and this is what he said:

“I’m doing this because it’s fun. I started doing comedy in Nashville years ago and its growth interests me. I think it mirrors the city’s expansion and what’s going on in most other towns. Nashville has 10-12 comedy nights a week and, I’m guessing, a few hundred comics. I enjoy checking out the talent and the scene and staying connected. I travel a lot so I’ll probably do this in other towns. It’s not just in LA, Chicago or NYC anymore. With the Internet, like it has in music, I think you’re going to see a lot of garage band-like comics emerge, develop a following and make a solid living. Nashville? I expect somebody to bust out big here in the next 2 years. Who will it be? Let’s watch.”

Here are Cody’s videos:

March 4th: SmartyPants NerdCore Stand-Up Comedy Show at Steve’s (every Sunday)
“The first stop was tonight at Steve’s in East Nashville. Funny cats. Big fun.”
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=295031497230660

March 6th: Spanky’s & Bongo Java
“Tonight I hit Spanky’s (Antioch) and Bongo Java (Belmont). I went up
first at Spanky’s (8:30) and last at Bonjo Java (10:15). Both, a lot
of fun and both had about 15 comics apiece. Oh, except for me, all
different comics. They didn’t shuttle back and forth.”
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=296337377100072

March 7th: La Hacienda & Springwater
“Tonight I hit La Hacienda (Old Hickory) and the venerable Springwater
(Centennial Park). I went up first at La Hacienda (8:30) and at 10:40
at The Springwater. La Hacienda had about 8 comics and The
Springwater, a ton. Quite a hoot.”
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=297005157033294

March 8th: The Basement
“Tonight I hit The Basement and saw 2 music/comedy acts The Wolf
Sisters, The Gay Republicans and the comics of Corporate Juggernaut
(3).”
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=297670043633472

March 9th: Kimbros
“Tonight I hit Kimbros in Franklin. 8-10 comics bringing the jest.”
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=298322100234933

March 10th: The Pond
“Tonight, I hit The Pond in Franklin. Watch and enjoy the magic.”
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=298974523503024

Visit Cody Marley online:
Twitter.com/CodyMarley
Cody Marley @ Facebook

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

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

Atlanta native and current New York dweller, Andy Sandford returns to Nashville for his second Corporate Juggernaut show. His voice can be heard on “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” on Adult Swim. Andy is a founding member of “The Beards Of Comedy:” one of the country’s fastest rising comedy tours, who have recorded their newest album, “Cardio Mix” with Comedy Central Records. Listen to Cardio mix on Spotify and/or iTunes.

Here is video of Andy being hilarious:

Tickets are only $10 online and $15 at the door

9pm Feb. 13, 2012

Bongo After Hours Theatre
2007 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, Tennessee
BonogAfterHours.com

(Facebook event)

Here’s a sketch video NashvilleStandUp’s own Chad Riden did with American Idol’s Scotty McCreery to promote Scotty’s ACM New Artist Of The Year nomination. Since Scotty posted the video online a week ago, his fans have warmly embraced Chad as “cousin” JIMMY DALE. Some YouTube comments even go so far as to say Riden should get his own show on CMT.. and we wholeheartedly agree. wink wink

For more Chad Riden’y goodness, visit:
ChadRiden.com
Twitter.com/ChadRiden
Facebook.com/comedychad
YouTube.com/ChadRiden