I'm Trying to Be Righteous Part 2

This is a continuation of the previous blog based on the "I'm Trying To Be Righteous" video clip from Patrice O'Neal.  He was asked, "What are you trying to do?"
Well, what am I trying to do?  I'm trying to make it.  But what is 'it'?
Early on in my career, I was doing conferences after I received some advice from Don Burnstick.  Native conferences are always looking for after-dinner entertainment.  That's where I come in.  They fly me in, put me up for the night, I do the show, they pay me, then fly me back home.  It was pretty sweet.  But conferences are few and far between.  I've never done the same conference twice, not because they didn't want me back, but because I didn't want to perform at the same conference with the same material.
After I moved to Vancouver, there were different goals.  Visible goals.  There are small comedy rooms, weekly rooms.  They have a local headliner each week.  That was a goal: to headline a small weekly comedy room.  It didn't pay much, but that wasn't the point.  Another goal was to become a middle or an opener at the local comedy club during the weekend.  Or headline the pro-am night at the comedy club.  This was a definite stepping stone.  You would be seen by the club booker or manager who might one day promote you to headliner.  That was a goal.  From there you could become a touring headliner, doing all the comedy clubs as a headliner.  But again, there are only so many comedy clubs.
At one time, that was what I wanted.  And if it was offered to me, I would take it.
The goal has changed now.  I would like to have a large enough fanbase to be able to perform at a theatre every weekend, maybe two or three shows.  Book a theatre, print some tickets and some posters.  Do the show, bring a friend or two to open, sell some CDs, then get out of town.  And just do this for the rest of my career.

I have a radio show and I always bring up Richard Pryor and ask my guest if they have any aspirations to be anything else besides a stand-up comic.  I use Richard Pryor as an example because he is considered by many to be the best stand-up comic ever.  But I always wonder how much better he would have been if he did not do all those other projects, acting, etc.  If he had devoted all his time and energy to stand-up comedy, how much better would he have come?
I'm a stand-up comedian.  That's what I do.  I think I'm good at it.  There's definitely nothing else I would rather do.  I think it's what I was meant to do.
The only way to continue doing stand-up comedy is to constantly produce more material.
I remember when I first started out, I met a guy that said he was a stand-up comic before.  He said, "I had about 15 minutes."  I never knew what he meant.  Now that's all I think about.  I'm trying to build an act, a minute at a time.  If you have 45 good solid minutes, you can be a headliner.  45 minutes is enough for an hour long comedy special.
I have enough material to produce a CD, which I will be recording and releasing in the very near future.  I will be shelving all of that material.  I have already started writing new material for my next CD.  Retiring material and starting over is a relatively new trend in comedy.  The documentary 'Seinfeld: Comedian' is partly responsible for this trend.  It used to be that a comic would build an act, an hour or so, and that was it, that was their act that they kept for their entire career and they travelled the country doing the same act for years.  There were exceptions of course, George Carlin comes to mind, who produced a whole new hour every year it seemed.  But it's now a trend.  Louis CK has about four comedy specials in the last few years.  When he started he had the same act for about eight years.  He had some success with it and even produced two comedy specials.  He wrote a whole new act and recorded it and retired the material.  Now he's one of the most prolific comics out there now.
That's the goal now: to keep producing quality material, enough to fill an hour long comedy special, enough to headline, and do this every year or so.  And to bring my bag of jokey-jokes around the country and not have people say, "He's just doing the same old jokes he did before".

I'm Trying to Be Righteous

I'm doing something a little different with this blog and subsequent ones.  I will be giving my thoughts on selected youtube videos.  The first one is "I'm Trying To Be Righteous" from Patrice O'Neal.  Patrice is one of the comics that I admire the most.  Not only is he funny but he speaks the truth, as he sees it.  He is not afraid to express his opinion.

The video is a clip from Unmasked with Ron Bennington and Patrice was asked, "What are you trying to do?".  He said, "I'm trying to be righteous.  When I wake up, I know I was honest with myself."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1svdF4ONcXY

This is what I think he meant:   he would rather do his act the way he wants, to tell his own truth, rather than 'play the game'.  There are comics that are more famous than him, more successful, more of a household name than him, but are they funnier than him?  No.  Are they memorable?   No.  But will he be remembered long after everyone forgets about these other comics?  Yes.  I would rather be memorable for affecting people than have people think I was funny but forgettable.  Don't get me wrong, the first job is to make the audience laugh.  But as I was reminded, there is more than one way up the mountain.  But when I see comics getting laughs from 'fluff' jokes or stolen jokes or hacky material, I think, "How do they live with themselves?"  I'm sure it's easier with the paycheques they receive.  But is that all your after?  It's pretentious to say that what we do as comics is art, but I consider it a craft and I have respect for comics that treat comedy as such.  If you're good at it, like Patrice or Pryor, you can raise it to the level of art.

But like I said, I would rather be memorable rather than funny and forgettable.  I'll give you an example of what I mean.  I've had friends that went to comedy shows and I'll ask them, "Who did you see?" and they don't remember.  "Well, what did he talk about?", I ask.  "I don't know, but he was funny."  I'm sure he was.  But if you were to see Patrice O'Neal, you would remember what he says because what he says affects you.  It has an impact, it makes you think, it might even offend you.  Chances are it will offend you.  He has a bit on his last CD, "Mr. P" where he compares his dogs to his woman.  Now, in the hands of a lesser comic, an analogy like this would turn everyone against them.  But Patrice gets huge laughs, probably the biggest laughs on the entire CD.  Why?  Because he's able to get you on his side, to come around to his way of thinking.  And you sit there nodding in agreement at the same time as you're laughing your ass off.

But back to the video.  This video has made a huge impact on me because I'm ready to record my first live CD and the material I am going to include on it is funny, but I feel removed from it, distanced.  Some of the jokes were written up to seven or eight years ago and I don't have the same connection with them that I once had.  They're my jokes but they're not me, y'know what I mean?  Because I've changed, my comedy has changed.  Because of guys like Patrice, I am doing something new with my comedy where I am telling the truth.  Not that I was lying with my earlier material, but I am being more honest with not only events that have happened in my life, but also being honest with my opinions and my beliefs.  There were always elements of truth in my earlier jokes, but then I would change things up to get a laugh.  Now it's nothing but truth.  When I sit down to write new material, I think of a quote from Wab Kinew, host of the acclaimed CBC television series '8th Fire'.  He said, "People who tell stories have a role in society where they can not only deliver the truth, but they can help shape the truth".   That's my goal.  I had poet Janet Marie Rogers review my youtube videos and she said, Brian "delivers the truth without apology".  I thought that was the greatest compliment ever.  But why apologize for the truth?  That's like apologizing for your opinion.

All comics get excited about their new material, but I'm really excited about the new direction my comedy is taking me.  When I perform these new jokes, I can say, "Y'know what, that's me."  I'm being righteous.  I'm being true to myself.  I already have a title for my second CD.  "I Swear, To Tell the Truth".  It'll be ready when it's ready.

Last Weekend

Last weekend I got to share the stage with Native comedian Howie Miller over three nights.  We did three shows in three different towns.  The first was in Mackenzie, about two hours north of Prince George.  It was at a golf club that held about 60 people and it was full.  After the show, I felt like I had got rid of the 'ring rust' from not having performed for the past two months.  I had three shows the week before, but I didn't feel comfortable up there.  Maybe because I was trying new material.  But after this show, I felt great, even the new material from last week was working.  But the drive to and from Mackenzie made the trip for me.  Spending time with comics is always fun.  We were telling stories of comics we all knew, sharing horror stories of the road, and telling jokes.
The next day, Howie came into the studio for an interview/discussion on my radio show.  You can listen online at cfisfm.com, on Mondays at 8 pm Pacific.
The next night was in Vanderhoof, a bar show.  It had all the signs of a bad show:  small town, bar, lots of alcohol.  But it went great.  I even went into the audience for one joke and she ended up giving me the finger!  It was great.
Saturday night was here in Prince George.  Nice hall, packed house, good meal.  I had a great show.
I did all these shows without bringing my set list on stage.  That was the best part.

New Live Comedy CD

I will be recording my debut live stand-up comedy CD in the coming weeks.  Just searching around for the perfect venue.  I will be calling it 'The Bloody Savage'.  It will be available free of charge, as a video on youtube.  No actual video, just audio and some pics.
The cover of the CD is going to be a picture of me with my face painted ala David Lee Roth from his CD "Eat 'Em and Smile".  Or maybe like Johnny Depp as Tonto in the new Lone Ranger movie.
But be sure to watch for it.
I will be posting a link to the youtube video when I release it.

New Website

I have a new website.
http://brianmajore.wix.com/thebloodysavage
Check it out.

Hometown Newspaper Article

Here's an article from my hometown newspaper from when I did a show there last month.


Comic warms up for the hometown crowd

Taking the stage at Yuk Yuk's comedy club, Haida comic Brian Majore says he's no different than any other Canadian. 

"You know, I want the same things you do: I want a nice home, I want a good education...and whatever else the government wants to give me."

Raised in Houston, Majore says he's always wanted to do a show here.  He'll get his chance May 12 when he and fellow comic Chris Gaskin perform in a Community Hall fundraiser.

A veteran of TV spots and 1500-person stage shows, Majore lets his jokes drop in a relaxed, friendly voice.

"I'm just telling my story," he says.

But if any venue can make majore nervous, it is Old Massett or Houston, his two hometowns.

"There will be a lot of classmates and people that knew me in Houston, and never thought I was funny," he says, laughing.

Majore first started doing stand-up in 2003 after taking a humour class at UNBC.

"It wasn't a how-to class," he explains.

"We studied indigenous humour in all its forms:  short stories, songs, novels, plays, things like that.  And of course, stand-up comedy."

Instead of a final exam, Majore's class students broke into pairs and performed.  The odd one out, Majore tried his hand at stand-up.

"I managed to gather a couple of stories together:  one about the hassle I got trying to cash a cheque that was fairly large, and another one about how I would like to be the actor who plays the suspect in the Crime Stoppers commercials," he says.

"I always seem to fit the description."

That show won Majore what he says was a rare A+, and opened the door to a future where he would find himself opening for Don Burnstick at Vancouver's Rio Theatre and driving around afterwards in Burnstick's SUV limo.

Burnstick gave Majore some valuable tips early on, but of all the comics Majore loks up to, Charlie Hill takes a special place.

A Native American, Hill is one of the few comics to perform on the Tonight Show of both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno.

"He's very political, very funny," Majore says.  "Kind of in-your-face, which is what I admire."

Majore says his own act doesn't shy away either.

"My university professor described it best.  He said the best part of watching me perform was actually watching the white people in the audience, because they didn't know how to react."

"You could see them looking at each other, going 'That's funny, but am I allowed to laugh at that?'"

Tickets for the adults-only show are $20 per person, $35 per couple, available at First Choice Fashions.  Doors open at 7 p.m.

Proceeds from the show will fundraise for the Houston Figure Skating Club. 

My Old Hometown

I did two gigs in my old hometown of Houston a couple of weeks ago.  I was worried about them.  I had heard you are never appreciated at home, but I haven't called Houston my home for over 15 years.
The first show was at my old high school for the students.  It was in the Drama room, which when I went there, it was the old drafting room.  But I guess people don't draft any more.
I brought my friend comedian Chris Gaskin with me as my opener.  He did great.  He was able to connect with the kids well.  But he's not far removed from them in age.
I had done shows for youth before and had done well, but these kids at my old high school were predominantly White kids.  I was unsure if they would understand what I was talking about.  But they were right there with everything.  It felt good.  It made me less nervous about how the next night's show would go.
The next show was at the old community hall as a fundraiser for the figure skating club.  It was for adults only and there was alcohol for sale.  It turned out to be a pretty good show.  We must've made them a lot of money.  There was an intermission for them to sell more alcohol and 50/50 tickets.
It was an okay experience overall.  I got to see old classmates, people I haven't spoke to or seen in years.  There were people that didn't make it to the show that I really wanted to see, but I don't know what happened to them.  Maybe next time.  We might be invited back next year for another fundraiser.  But I'm only going if I have new material.
  

February

So I've done about 10 episodes of 'Talking Funny', my new radio show on 93.1 CFIS-FM.  I'm not really concerned with listenership.  I do the show for me.  When I was living in Vancouver, there were plenty of opportunities to sit down and 'talk shop' with fellow comedians.  But now that I'm living in Prince George, I just don't have that opportunity any more.  So it's great to be able to sit down and talk with comedians about what we do.
I've interviewed comedians that I've known, but never really spoken to before, like John Beuhler.  He was great.  He's one of two comics that I would actually pay money to go and see perform (the other is Rob Pue).  He is very opinionated about comedy and the state of comedy.  He is someone I admire a lot and wish I could be more like him.
I also got to share the stage with him at Nancy O's, as well as Damonde Tschritter, a storyteller comic.  He was another great interview.
I prepare for the interviews by listening to podcasts of 'What's So Funny?", a radio show about stand-up comedy from Vancouver.  It is hosted by Guy MacPherson and features a lot of Vancouver comics, often times more than once.  I model my show on this one.
It's really a discussion show, more than an interview show.  I like to learn the craft of stand up comedy from comics that do it really well.  So the majority of questions I ask are about the process of writing a joke or a bit.  It's fascinating to me.  Plus, I like to know that I'm on the right track when it comes to my own act.  And it seems like I am.
In the next few weeks, my guests include Lori Gibbs and Ian Wallace from Calgary, and Graham Clark from Vancouver.  And hopefully Sam Easton when he passes through town
In the near future, I would like to have Rob Pue and Howie Miller.
So be sure to listen at 9 pm Pacific on 93.1 CFIS-FM or online at cfisfm.com.

January

January has been an eventful month.  I started my radio show 'Talking Funny' on 93.1 CFIS-FM.  It airs on Mondays at 8 pm, and you can also listen online at cfisfm.com, and it should be available as downloadable podcasts in the near future.
My first guest was former resident of Prince George, currently performing stand-up comedy in Vancouver.  My second guest was the hilarious John Beuhler.  He was a great guest that didn't hold anything back.  I also got the chance to work with him at Nancy O's, opening for him for two nights.  He is by far one of my favourite comedians.
My next guest was Simon King.  Simon is very funny and a very fast talker, which is sign of a quick mind.  It never turns off.  I also got to open for Simon over two nights.  Once in Vanderhoof, about an hour outside of Prince George.  I did material that I performed the last time I was in Vanderhoof, with a little bit of new material. It was received very well.  The second night was in Prince George.  And again, I did some new material.  It also went over well.  Packed houses both nights.
Upcoming guests include Scott Dumas, Steve Ditata, Damonde Tschritter, and Carter Hortie.
Be sure to listen every Monday night at 8 pm on 93.1 CFIS-FM, or online at cfisfm.com.

Talking Funny radio show

I have a new radio show debuting on 93.1 CFIS-FM here in Prince George.  It is called 'Talking Funny' and will air on Mondays at 8 pm.  It is a talk/discussion show about stand-up comedy where I will be interviewing the comics that are passing through town.
I have wanted to do something like this for awhile, ever since I started listening to Joe Rogan's podcast.  I also listen to Joey Coco Diaz's podcast and Guy MacPherson's radio show.  And my show will be more along the line of Guy's show - it will focus primarily on stand-up comedy.
I'm excited about this because ever since I moved out of Vancouver, I rarely get a chance to sit and talk with other comics anymore.  This is that chance.  And most of the comics coming through town are professional comics so I will hopefully learn from them how to get to that next level.
So I'm not even worried if I get any listeners or not, this is for me.
But if you want to listen, you can do so online at www.cfisfm.com
My first guest will be Chris Gaskin, former resident of Prince George, currently living and working as a comic in Vancouver.