Hey gang-

So, the last two weeks I've been hanging out at home, keeping my foot in the local comedy scene. Heading back on the road this weekend, but wanted to give you guys the heads up on my progress back here.

Last weekend, I managed to fill up my Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night with shows, thanks to a few things coming together last minute. On the Friday, I performed at University of Maryland College Park- there was an "Up All Night" event on campus, and I found out by buddy Jared was in charge of a stand-up comedy show. Since it's literally in walking distance, I made the hike on down. Competition was fierce- walking up to campus, I saw people juggling fire, and there was some kind of cirque de solie madness going on in the cafeteria. There was also a line, where people were apparently just giving away free money, between 2 and 20 dollars.

Despite all of the possibly anarchy, we ended up with a pretty good show. The pro comics on the bill were me, Jared, and Jake Young, and the rest of the show was populated by student stand-up comics. There was the normal "dirty for the sake of being dirty" acts you get from a lot of college kids, but there was a handful of them that I really enjoyed. It was a LONG show, though, so I knew by the time I went out last the crowd would be burned out. Luckily, Jake Young was in the bathroom when it was his turn to go onstage, so I was able to take his slot halfway through the show and rock it out. My new video game material is crushing for me- God Bless College Campuses.

Saturday was a geek show at Towson. Thanks to touring, I don't get to perform with them as often as I'd like, but it's always a blast whenever I'm able to sneak in. The geek crowd was on board, and it was a fun, loose show. After the show, I watched an "Art Battle". It's DEFINATLY something you should check out if you ever get the chance, it's a pretty amazing event. It mixes comic book art, Iron Chef, Whose Line Is It  Anyway, and Pro Wrestling. Love that this is a sub-culture floating around: http://loadedblankshq.com/ca.html

Sunday night I was going to be closing out a bar show in Timonium. Every year, I swear to myself that once Football Season starts, I'm not doing any more sunday bar shows, and every year they sneak up on me. So, the crowd was drunk, and it was in a high foot traffic area. I was doing a 35 minute set. The first 20 minutes or so was a good time, but by the end I definatly felt some momentum had been lost.

The two drunk highlights:

After doing a Christian School bit, a random drunk wandering by says "Don't mock the Savior!". I love when people are offended completly free of context. Especially since I'm 100% sure I know more theology then him. I'd love to get into a debate about Calvinism with a drunk redneck sometime.

The table directly to the left of the stage had the main drunk group. I didn't want the show to just completly be about them, so once I could tell my first few volleys weren't going to end the side talking, I decided to just let it go and finish up the show. Five minutes before I was done, someone pulled up to the table and sat with his back directly to me. Have I mentioned how much I love that people don't drink at college shows?

The next weekend, I was able to slide in somewhat last minute and MC the weekend at Magoobys Joke House. I felt both Friday shows went poorly for me- I just never felt a solid connection with the audience, and I think they wanted dirtier jokes then I had. Saturday shows, I was wearing my lucky shirt, so things went my way a lot quicker.

And, in a blind piece of luck and good news, the Saturday early show at Magoobys had the manager of a college booking agency in the crowd. We exchanged several e-mails, and had two lengthy conversations about what we both expected and would be looking for. What's nice is, since I'm getting pretty comfortable with the amount of gigs I have, I don't feel the need to necesarily leap at any opportunity given, so I was able to take my time and make sure it's a good match.

So, on a trial basis until the summer, I've got a College booking agent! One of my main negotiating points was for it not to interfere with the college bookings I'm already getting through my Comedy Project Tour, so I'm still able to continue everything I'm doing now. But, in addition to that, he's going to be working through NACA to get me some college headlining gigs. We've already put together some video clips, and a postcard with the potato drawing/my headshot, and a bio/resume. Next week he's got a booth at a confrence where he's going to be trying to get me booked, and I'll likely be performing at a NACA Confrence in the Spring. If things go well, I'll be doing some hour long shows at college campuses. I also like paying forward opportunities I've been given, so I've got a list of a few local guys I'll be bringing on shows with me.

In addition to someone pimping me at NACA, with the Comedy Project we're performing at three APCA College confrences, so it's looking like enough things are gathering to keep me VERY busy in the future.

Thanks for the support gang!
-Jimmy

Upcoming Shows:
October 9th: College of New Jersey, Ewing NJ
October 10th: Feature Act for Charter Talent, Pittsburgh PA
October 15th: St. Katherine College, St. Kentucky
October 19th: Shepard University, Shepard West Virginia
October 20th: Penn State, Mount Alto PA
October 21st: West Virginia Weslyanne College, Buckingham West Virginia
October 22nd: West Virginia State College, Dunbar West Virginia
October 24th: Pacific Unioun College, Anguin California
October 26th: Sonoma State Otero University, Sonoma State California
November 1st-3rd: APCA Showcase, New York City
November 6th-8th: APCA Showcase, Iowa
November 13th-15th: APCA Showcase, Texas
November 17th: Otero Junior College, Ottero California
November 20th: Feature Act: Cozzys Comedy Club
November 21st: Feature Act: Cozzys Comedy Club