I recently got a phone call from an imaginary friend asking me why I chose to film my next hour special for Comedy Central in Austin, Texas. Why Austin? There are plenty of reasons of course. Austin is a beautiful city to visit with fancy hotels, a great nightlife and a rich tradition of appreciating live performers. Heck, Austin even has the Spam museum.
But for me, the real reason I'm filming my next hour special in Austin is because I'm from Austin. I mean, I wasn't born there and sure I didn't grow up there. But my parents… well, my parents aren't from Austin either. My dad almost had a business trip there once though.
So how am I from Austin? Well, my Dad's name was Austin. And I'm his son, so see. I come from Austin. Sure, my Dad's legal name was Michael, but his nickname was Austin. I mean, no one would address my Dad as Austin, 'cause he wouldn't know they were talking to him. The nickname thing was something only I knew about. I, of course, would never call him Austin, cause he was my Dad. I would call him "Dad".
I suppose another reason I chose to tape my new hour special in Austin goes back a long way. It must have been like 30 years ago. I guess I was your age. I remember I was sitting with my Dad in his orange dune buggy... boy he loved that dune buggy... sometimes I thought more than he loved me... anyway, we were sitting there enjoying our popsicles in my Dad's dune buggy and he turns to me and says. "Hey Jim when you grow up, if you end up being a stand up comic would you do me a favor? Will you film your second hour special from Comedy Central in Austin at the Paramount Theater?" I'll never forget that day cause later on he told me his was gay.
You don't believe me? Well why don't ask my Dad? Oh, that's right he's dead. Thanks for bringing it up. (Oh, I can't stay mad at you.)
Anyway, thats why I'm dedicating my Austin filming to you and my gay dead dad.
If you'd like to be notified of the special pre-sale for the shows I'm filming in Austin, either join my email list or this Facebook Event.
To be notified of the Facebook special pre-sale for other upcoming Comedy Central Tour Dates click here.
I love you and Austin and My Dad,
Jim
P.P.S. Facebook, when i'm on TV, Demand Me
