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.

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.

Lahna Turner is a comedic force to be reckoned with. Her Hilarious stand-up routine blends original comedy songs, making for an unforgettable performance. In addition to performing at the nations top comedy clubs and theatres, Lahna has entertained our military troops around the world on 4 USO tours. She has appeared on NBC, Comedy Central, VH1, and 2 pilots on Showtime: The Boulevard and VH1: The Ralphie and Lahna Show. Lahna has generated amazing reviews. All Access Magazine, Proclaimed, “Lahna is truly hilarious.” Comedycritic.com states, “No small laughs… some of the best musical comedy I’ve ever heard.”

While performing at the famous Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV Lahna recorded her comedy CD D!@K Jokes and Other Assorted Love Songs. It has received airplay at top radio stations across the country and has been on National Lampoons top 40-comedy countdown. Born in Canada, raised in Texas Lahna currently resides in Los Angeles and continues to bring laughter to the masses touring the world.

For tickets, call Zanies at 615-269-0221 or buy ‘em online.

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase @ Zanies Comedy Showplace – a showcase of the funniest comedians based in the Nashville area, plus guest sets from traveling comics, and Chad Riden’s IRON COMIC comedy competition with jokes written on the spot based on audience suggestions.

Follow and reply to @IronComic to play along at home.

The June 28th show lineup includes: Nashville’s Sean Parrott, Mark Anundson, Brad Edwards and Ali Alsalman. Jarrod Harris will headline the event.

Jarrod Harris is one of the most original comedians coming out of the South. Growing up in an family filled with violence, drug abuse, murder, suicide, abandonment, and homelessness paint a poignant, painful but also hilarious portrait of working class America in the 80s and 90s. Jarrod captures the angst and contradictions of what goes on below the Mason Dixon line and is an authentic comedic voice of the New South.

Noah Gardenswartz of Creative Loafing wrote, “Harris’ act is an oddly comfortable mix of trailer-park filth, comic angst and hipster irony. While his style may fit into several categories along the comedy spectrum, his clever writing only fits into one: funny.”

Jarrod has been on Comedy Central’s “Live At Gotham”, he’s performed on Comedy Death Ray at the UCB in Los Angeles, and is a favorite at the Laughing Skull in Atlanta. Last time Harris was in Nashville was February when he was filming a sold-out show downtown for The Southern Comedy Quartet Tour with Sean Patton, Nate Bargatze and Rory Scovel. Do not miss this chance to see him!

Here’s a funny video clip of Jarrod Harris on Comedy Central:

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase featuring Iron Comic
Tues., June 28, 2011
doors open: 6:30pm
showtime: 7:30 pm

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

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

Facebook event:
Tues., June 28, 2011 – 7:30 pm

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

I’ve been interviewed by The Tennessean (who just had to copy and paste my email but STILL spelled my name wrong. Way to go, lamestream media.*), US Weekly and NewsChannel5.

You can read my initial reaction to the controversy here on N’Sup.. and NewsChannel5 (CBS) here in Nashville will air part of an interview we shot today on their 6pm newscast tonight (Tuesday, 6/14).

THEN, I’ll be at Zanies telling jokes / crazy stories about Tracy Morgan during my set on the 6/14 N’Sup Showcase (doors @ 6:30, show @ 7:30 – $5). NewsChannel5 will probably come out and tape some of that show tonight and might interview people about their reactions to what has been going on.

Wednesday, I’ll be on NC5+’s “OpenLine” show debating the issue from 7-8pm.

UPDATE: here’s the link to the transcript of the package that aired on NewsChannel5′s 6pm show and here’s the video:

* Unfortunately, sarcasm doesn’t always translate in print. Imagine me saying that while doing an impression of Tina Fey doing an impression of Sarah Palin.

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase @ Zanies Comedy Showplace – a showcase of the funniest comedians based in the Nashville area, plus guest sets from traveling comics, and Chad Riden’s IRON COMIC comedy competition with jokes written on the spot based on audience suggestions.

Follow and reply to @IronComic to play along at home.

The June 14th show lineup includes: Nashville’s James Austin Johnson, Riley Fox, Monty Mitchell, Scott D. Hill and Gary Fletcher; plus Pittsburgh’s Ron Placone. New York City’s M. Dickson will headline the event.

Here’s a funny video clip of M. Dickson:

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase featuring Iron Comic
Tues., June 14, 2011
doors open: 6:30pm
showtime: 7:30 pm

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

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

Facebook event:
Tues., June 14, 2011 – 7:30 pm

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

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase @ Zanies Comedy Showplace – a showcase of the funniest comedians based in the Nashville area, plus guest sets from traveling comics, and Chad Riden’s IRON COMIC comedy competition with jokes written on the spot based on audience suggestions.

Follow and reply to @IronComic to play along at home.

The May 3rd show lineup includes: Nashville’s Johnny Beehner, Brian B-Cov Covington, Donnie Pollard, and Trey McClarnon; plus Memphis’ Richard Douglas Jones; and Birmingham’s Matt Davis. Nashville’s James Austin Johnson will headline the event.

Here’s a funny video clip of James Austin Johnson:

James Austin Johnson, alive at Zanies (11/19/10) from James Austin Johnson on Vimeo.

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase featuring Iron Comic
Tues., May 3, 2011
doors open: 6:30pm
showtime: 7:30 pm

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

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

Facebook event:
Tues., May 3, 2011 – 7:30 pm

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

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase @ Zanies Comedy Showplace – a showcase of the funniest comedians based in the Nashville area, plus guest sets from traveling comics, and Chad Riden’s IRON COMIC comedy competition with jokes written on the spot based on audience suggestions.

Follow and reply to @IronComic to play along at home.

The April 19th show lineup includes: Nashville’s John Thornton Jr., Matt Buechele, Sean Parrott, Sean Staggs, Brian Bates, and Gary Fletcher; plus Knoxville’s Sandy Goddard; and Chicago’s Drew Michael.

Here’s a sketch from Gary Fletcher, John Thornton Jr. & Brad Edwards:

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase featuring Iron Comic
Tues., April 19, 2011
doors open: 6:30pm
showtime: 7:30 pm

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

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

Facebook event:
Tues., April 19, 2011 – 7:30 pm

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

The BEARDS OF COMEDY Tour is quickly becoming one of the hottest shows in the U.S, with four of the funniest, freshest (and yes, bearded) faces in comedy. Not your typical ‘southern’ comedians, the “Beards” deliver an original brand of humor that’s deeply rooted in stand-up, and lightly blended with avant-garde elements of music, sketch, and improv. The Beards are comprised of; Andy Sandford (voted “Best Atlanta Comedian” by Creative Loafing, CMT’s “Next Big Comic” Top 12 Finalist), Joe Zimmerman (nominated by Rooftop Comedy for the Golden Shingle Award – given to the most outstanding rising star in comedy), TJ Young (winner of multiple festival awards, Comedy Death Ray), and Dave Stone (Rooftopcomedy.com’s 2010 “Silver Nail Award” winner, voice actor for “Squidbillies”).

Contrary to popular assumption, The Beards of Comedy Tour is not a comedy tour focused on facial hair humor. The name is more a parody of a “hook,” or label. It means nothing in itself to have a beard, but four coincidentally bearded comedians offering their own refreshing twist on the traditional stand up comedy show; that’s something worth labeling. It’s labeled The Beards of Comedy Tour, and their work has not gone unnoticed, selling out shows in numerous national markets. In July of 2009, The Beards recorded their debut album, “Comedy for People” for Rooftop Comedy Records. They are often featured on the nationally syndicated radio show “The Regular Guys” and can be heard in regular rotation on Sirius XM Radio. Individually, the Beards have worked with…Aziz Ansari, Maria Bamford, Todd Barry, Doug Benson, Greg Giraldo, Todd Glass, Andy Kindler, Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Marc Maron, Greg Proops, and many more. One thing is for certain: The Beards of Comedy Tour is a fiercely follicled foursome of hilarity to be reckoned with…with laughter, not violence.

Beards Of Comedy Tour @ Zanies with special guest Chad Riden

http://beardsofcomedy.com/

Tuesday, April 5th
Doors at 6:30, show at 7:30

For $5 Tickets:
- Zanies’ box office: 615-269-0221
- online: http://www.nashville.zanies.com/news.php?NewsSection=Beards+of+Comedy

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase @ Zanies Comedy Showplace – a showcase of the funniest comedians based in the Nashville area, plus guest sets from traveling comics, and Chad Riden’s IRON COMIC comedy competition with jokes written on the spot based on audience suggestions.

Follow and reply to @IronComic to play along at home.

The March 8th show lineup includes: Nashville’s RonRon Moseley, Ali Alsalman, Mark Anundson, Paul Curtis; Cincinnati’s Jebb Lyons; and Memphis’ Jane Haze. Memphis’ Mo Alexander will be headlining the event.

Here’s a clip of Mo:

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase featuring Iron Comic
Tues., March 8, 2011
doors open: 6:30pm
showtime: 7:30 pm

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

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

Facebook event:
Tues., March 8, 2011 – 7:30 pm

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