05/02/2025
Tonight Sam Miller headlined my monthly show at The Cedars Public House. He put on an amazing performance; he "CRUSHED! KILLED! MURDERED!", or whatever violent euphemism you prefer. The point is he put on the best performance I've seen from him, and this was the third time he's headlined for me. Opening up for him was Juan Denmark, a comic I have booked as a 15 minute opener many many times. Tonight I had Juan do 20 and he also "SLAYED, DESTROYED, etc". I even had a good 7 minutes, can you believe it?! I guess this is a rare, honest, appreciation post.
I've been doing standup comedy for 6 years and producing shows for 5. I've met a lot of different people during that time that I would normally never intersect with in my "normal" life: comedians, bar owners, bartenders, servers, cooks, poets, musicians, and hundreds of comedy fans from around my region that have attended my shows (maybe 1k+ at this point). Some people you meet in passing, some you work with (for better or for worse), but a few people you meet along the way are special and your spiritual wavelengths just connect. Tonight I felt that connection in so many directions! From the amazing Chadwick family that's been so accommodating to doing comedy shows in BFE Brush Prairie, to the vibrant staff they have working for them that feel like family to me now, to the MANY returning customers (some who mark their calendars and attend every month), to the two very special souls I shared the stage with tonight.
First, I want to thank all of the comedy fans of Clark County, who've supported my shows throughout the years. I literally couldn't do it without you! I started doing shows in Vancouver because I recognized the comedic appetite on this side of the river was a little different. From my very first show, I made it my mission to deliver comedy for MY community. I had people at my show tonight that have been coming to my shows for 4+ years! I'm so grateful for my neighbors who've supported what I've been trying to do!
I can't mention spiritual connections without mentioning my amazing wife Rebecca, who's help I have dearly missed the last two months at the show. I used to do this comedy thing by myself, kinda as my own unique identity thing. Then she started helping me setup and work the door. That freed me up to focus on hosting a good show, and we all benefit from her effort! Now everytime I do a show without her it's just... harder. That's how life works though, two people working together can accomplish so much more. So I'm grateful for her, always.
Sam and Juan are talented comedians, but they're also the rarest kinds of people, vulnerable. They disarm your barriers when you meet them. They draw you in. You can't not like them. You trust them, because they're that rarest of humankind's gems, they're honest. And that's why they are good comedians. I'm so grateful to have met them.
Tonight was the third time Sam Miller has headlined one of my shows. The first time was almost 5 years ago, and tonight he did SIXTY minutes of dynamite comedy (now we're onto explosive metaphors). Sam is the inspiration for this sappy post, because he regularly lays his heart out online for all to see (follow him, you'll be a better person for it). I'm so grateful for his presence, his talent, and his story.
Juan Denmark is also a special soul, wickedly funny, and one of the best huggers you could ever embrace. I've got to watch his comedic abilities grow and grow. I keep booking him, he keeps getting better, and he's always grateful for the opportunity. The sky's the limit for this guy and he's just getting started.
Last, but not least, I'm grateful for The Cedars Public House for believing in me and supporting my vision. Having a venue that believes in a symbiotic relationship means so much. They've been the most supportive people to work with. They have my back and I've got theirs.
All these thoughts were circulating in my head on the drive home tonight. It was a perfect PNW 82 degrees today. It was a cool 60 degrees as I was driving home, with the windows down, smelling all the scents of the countryside in May (budding leaves, fire smoke, cow manure) and I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I'm accomplishing something special, and I started doing this after 40! But I couldn't do it without all these other special people that I've been lucky enough to encounter along the way.
WOW! Just....wow... I love you guys. On to the next show!
