This past Saturday night I performed at Staples Center in Los Angeles--the first comedian to ever headline this venue. I was certainly feeling the weight of it more than most nights. On a typical night I'm in the pocket and ready to go from the moment my foot connects to tarmac. Last night I was roaming the halls, chatting with my best friends and family while rejoicing in what was a truly special evening.
My intro started. I felt my heart start beating faster than normal. I guess this was the moment I realized I had to take this to the next level on a night my fans would remember forever. I walked towards that center stage, which has become my home, standing in the middle of thousands. Everywhere I turn I see happy faces. I see my dream come true on each and every face I glance at and wave to. I've used the center stage to identify myself and my act and to set myself apart, while always paying the deepest tribute to the art of stand up comedy and the great comedians that inspired me throughout my journey.
I've stood at the very center of Boston Garden, as well as Madison Square Garden, doing two shows at each venue in one night, performing for 40,000 people...and here I am once again, doing it again, loving it again and sharing it again. Boston and NYC were like my comedy guardians growing up. I learned everything in stand-up from them. My strengths, weaknesses and everything in between.
My welcome last night was different. It was the most unreal thunderous laughs & applause I've ever heard. Jumping back 11 years I was the new kid in town with big hopes in the back of my mind. But would LA take this east coast kid in and make him feel like he's part of the community? Can I make a mark here and like Boston and NYC ... make LA proud? Is that allowed or legal!? After all I do wear my Celtic pride without pause.
The moment I stepped onstage last night I soaked it in. For two minutes before I could get a word out I allowed myself to just bask in it because I was so damn proud--proud that i came from 3000 miles away, 19 years later a kid from Arlington, MA doing all he ever wanted to do....make people laugh....but even prouder of you, the fans.
I have taken my own path and built a following using innovations, new technologies, and a plethora of untapped resources. I appreciate the comedians that over the years came to me and asked me how I did it and how they could implement it....and I congratulate all my fellow stand-ups who are finding their success through these same avenues! Hell, even the haters peek in to see how I'm getting fresh comedy out to people and trying out my system. Good for them. Haters have young mouths to feed too.
To be the first comedian to ever headline Staples was big...and to be the first comedian in history to debut in the top 4 of billboards charts twice was even bigger, but performing last Saturday night for you, the fans, was the biggest!
Los Angeles, i am so grateful for the embrace last night. I left it all out on the stage for you. Regardless of where I grew up you gave me the welcome home treatment and you know what? It was quite simply a fantastic night of comedy and memories I will never forget.
Thank you.
Dane