"Thank You, Very Much"

I used to play in bands and had always been comfortable with being in front of an audience. I never believed the music that I played was groundbreaking and neither did the audience. Instead, I'd receive compliments of being a true showman, an entertainer and above all, funny. "You're a comedian" I would be told, "the songs are alright, but you're hilarious", all statements that a musician should be offended by. I was not insulted, as I never classified myself as a musician, and I rarely took myself serious. Instead, I felt constantly reminded that I need to try stand up comedy.

So on this day one year ago I became a stand up comedian. March 18, 2009.

It was the night after St. Patrick's Day at an Irish bar in Manchester, NH, and the open mic contest didn't have many of its regulars due to a well-celebrated day of drinking. I figured that if I were to give this a shot, then I'd be at an advantage, as there would be more friends in seats than there were strangers. Before my name was called, I was invisibly nervous. Being on stage doesn't make me uncomfortable, but the words I rehearsed at home and in my friends car, had worn out their laughs already and I wasn't sure how convincing I'd seem even to those that knew my personality already. I performed a six minute set that went over surprisingly well, so much in fact that the nights host seemed surprised I had never done it before. When questioned, I omitted my previous experience with playing in a band.

I quickly became a regular to the open mic at this bar. The third time I had performed, it ended up being my first paying gig, $50, as I made the room laugh the most. This was a nice incentive, as it fell on the eve of a trip to Las Vegas to celebrate my 30th birthday.

This week, I was named "Best Local Comedian" 2010 in New Hampshire's Hippo Press. I'm touched by this, because I have friends that were kind enough to take the time to vote for me and feel that I'm deserving of the title. The paper's newsstand date, March 18, 2010, serves as a reminder of my first year of performing and where I want to go next.

Open mics are the perfect venue to try new material and practice the craft, but attending them several times a week can turn into a neverending cycle of doubting my abilities. Like music, these rooms are filled with my peers. Some of them are friends, but many simply want me to fail, perhaps because of their own insecurities. Comedians, by nature, are insecure. I feel I'm an extremely confident person, but to the insecure, confidence can be threatening.

I believe in myself because I'm surrounded by friends and family who believe in me, as I believe in them. I want to keep it that way. My goal for the next year is to not dwell on unimportant things, but instead move forward. Being named “the Best” doesn’t serve my ego. If any thing, it reminds me that I have more to live up to. Expectations of my comedy are far greater than they were last week. I’ve been given a title to remind myself that I have a lot to prove in my second year of being a stand up comedian. I’m honored by this recognition. The bar is raised and I have a lot to work towards and prove to myself and those that believe in me.

I'm humbled by it and it serves as reminder that now I have to work twice as hard.

Thank you.