How Not To Get The Gig.

This afternoon I received a phone call that went something like this:

Me: Hello?
Him: Hey, ah, are you the guy who books the acts for that "Out Of Control Show"?
Me: Yep.
Him: I want to talk to you about working there. My name is _______________ and I've worked _________________, ______,_____ & ______. I'm the best in this town.
Me: Oh really?
Him: I met the guy who does the show there. I can't remember his name.
Me: Tony Brent.
Him: Brant?
Me: Tony Brent.
Him: Does he still work for you?
Me: He is me.
Him: Oh. How do you say your name again?
Me: Tony Brent.
Him: Do you need fill-ins?
Me: Not at this time.
Him: If you saw me you would use me instead of them.
Me: You think?
HIm: I'd like to audition.
Me: Why don't you just send me a video or website link?
HIm: Okay, but I'd really like to see you in person. I know you would use me instead of them.
Me: Email me some info and I'll get back to you, okay?
Him: Okay
Me: Bye

First off, some back story; this same guy has been calling me about every other year for the past eight years or so. I remembered his name but I let him dig himself deeper since he really didn't give me time to talk anyway. He has never remembered my name, nor does he really know any facts about the show, venue, etc.. He is so consumed with telling me how great he is that he doesn't stop to get any information.

He seemed to have forgotten that he was so belligerent the last time he called that I actually hung up on him. During that call he said that, "I was a fool not to hire him since he was so much better than any magician in Orlando".

Even if this guy's performing chops were so righteous that I would bleed tears of joy just by witnessing a few seconds of his awesomeness, I would never, ever in a million years hire him.

Peace,

Tony

Flooding

All the flooding that's occurred in and around Tennessee has made me nostalgic. I'm originally from TN and spent more of my life there than not. Much of my family still live in TN as well as many friends. I grew up in West TN but also have lived in Nashville and Memphis.

Nashville is just not the kind of city that you expect to be flooded in this way! To me it's like saying, "Chicago just slid into the ocean!" The amount of rain they have had is just absurd. 75,000 inches or something. Okay, that's wrong I know. To see the water so high is just hard to fathom. I didn't mean "fathom" as a pun because it's a measurement of water although it is pretty punny.

It's a sad situation and we should all say a prayer for those folks.

Peace,
Tony

Article on Comedy

http://www.writersstore.com/article.php?articles_id=1117&discount=ezine&source=ezine


Interesting article on comedy if you are into that sort of thing.

Characters

One of the favorite things about performing for me is getting the chance to create characters and voices. This summer I've committed to creating two brand new shows and I've decided to develop some new characters. Right now I'm planning on doing a lunch lady, a Canadian duck hunter, an Amish gentleman and even the Monopoly Man.

Jonathan Winters always said that he got bored before his audience did. I feel the same way. Lot's of performers create an act and then do that exact same act their entire careers. In a way, I envy that attitude because it certainly makes life easier. It just doesn't work for me though. I get burnt out easily when there is no challenge. In addition, my dinner show has a lot of regulars and I want them to feel there is something fresh in the show occasionally.

Nashville

The flooding is CRAZY in Tennessee right now, especially in Nashville! I lived in Nashville for about seven years. I worked for the Opryland Theme Park as a performer, stage manager and even a talent agent for a while.

Hearing about Nashville reminded me of my days struggling to find my place in this big world. In between showbiz gigs in Nashville I had a ton of other jobs such as, computer and copier salesman, waiter, bartender, temp worker and more. I bounced around from job to job at the speed of light.

I don't miss those days but in a way I don't regret them either. I look around today at people in their 20's, 30's and even 40's who are still trying to discover what they are supposed to do with their lives. I began my career as a full-time entertainer when I was 33 years old. At the time I thought I was starting really late.

Writing

Starting today I've begun working on a novel. I've been writing off and on, mostly off, for most of my life. As a kid I wrote short stories in a notebook. I had various notebooks hidden in my bedroom. A few years ago I wrote a screenplay called, "Daddy the Great" about a frustrated businessman who gave up his career to become a children's magician. Was I writing about myself? You bet I was.

First One

Hey,

If you are reading this it most likely means I didn't survive the donut shop disaster. Okay, I just made that up. This is my first blog post. My future blog posts will be short. Probably no more than one word. Okay, I just made that up too.