Bruce Ayers opened the Comedy Club Stardome in
Hoover in 1993. (The Birmingham News/Linda Stelter)
We are excited to share an article published in The Birmingham News this past Thursday.
Learn what one performer requested in his dressing room every night, how we handled drugs in the 80's, and why we banned smoking a year before it was required.
Rising from the streets of New York's ghettos to television superstardom, Jimmie Walker personifies the great American success story. His catch phrase "Dyn-o-mite!" is part of the modern vernacular, and he became such a major celebrity in the 1970's that Time Magazine named him "Comedian of the Decade.
Walker was born on June 25th, 1947, on the mean streets of New York's South Bronx. At the time it was a poverty-ridden area notorious for its burned-out buildings, graffiti and crime, but to a very young boy, it was nothing more than "the neighborhood." Jimmie didn't grow up with thoughts of performing as a potential occupation. His life in the Projects centered around the basketball courts and ignoring school. Basketball was his first love, but at age fifteen, Jimmie only carried 129 pounds on his six foot frame, and the NBA wasn't calling.
He left high school before graduating and joined the workforce, holding a number of odd jobs, including working as a vendor at Yankee Stadium. Walker eventually landed a delivery job at the Grand Union Market at a salary of $47 per week - before taxes. Even though he was working all day, Jimmie wanted to continue his education, so he made an arrangement with his boss to end his shift a little early and attend Theodore Roosevelt High School at night. He entered into the federally funded SEEK program, short for Search for Education, Evaluation and Knowledge, which accepted students who needed an educational "half-way house" as they climbed the educational ladder. His studies at SEEK focused on mathematics and literature. At age 19, Walker had some catching up to do with his grammar lessons, but his writing skills became stronger when he began writing for a class in Oral Interpretation—and along the way, he discovered he was funny. When he delivered one piece he'd penned to his SEEK classmates, they howled! When asked by one appreciative teenager, "Are you a comedian?" Walker answered, "I guess I am." And with that, the first seeds were sown for Jimmie Walker's comedic fame.
Upon completion of the SEEK program, Jimmie began to learn about the world of radio at the RCA Technical Institute. He started as an engineer, which required a first-class license that was available only through hours of study and by passing a test. Within a year he had earned his first-class ticket to the future. Jimmie walked into a small local radio station, WRVR, and was immediately hired as a part-time engineer at a salary of $100 per week.
In 1967, he improved his "day job" by moving up to WMCA radio for $250 a week, but performing comedy was still something he wanted to try. A mutual friend introduced him to The Last Poets, a group dedicated to performing militant poetry. They needed an opening act and after a successful audition, Walker opened for the Poets at the East Wind in Harlem on New Year's Eve. He did five minutes of standup, floored the crowd of 350, and stayed with the Poets for 18 months while he built his act and gained confidence as a performer. By 1969, Jimmie was on stage at the African Room in Manhattan along with a few other up and coming talents, including Bette Midler, David Brenner and Steve Landesberg. Brenner was the first to get his big break and then helped Walker and the others, moving them all to Budd Friedman's Improv in New York where they occasionally got some valuable stage time. Brenner and his "disciples" soon turned into crowd favorites and became regulars onstage. To top it all off, Walker spent a year as the youngest MC in the history of the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem.In those early days, doing "The Tonight Show" was a direct line to the Big Time. Brenner made it first, followed by Landesberg, Midler and Freddie Prinze, but by 1972 Jimmie still hadn't landed that "big break." Then Brenner, Landesberg and Midler, scheduled for the powerhouse "Jack Paar Show", refused to appear unless Walker was also given a spot. The Paar staff gave in, and were glad they did. Jimmie's first guest shot was successful beyond anyone's expectations. Dan Rowan, who had seen the show, immediately flew Jimmie to Los Angeles to guest on a "Laugh In" special. That was followed by a second guest spot on "Jack Paar", and a contract with CBS to perform each week as the audience warm-up for the sitcom "Carlucci's Department."The series of successes gave Walker the confidence to give up his day job, and in 1972 he was working as the main attraction in all the top comedy clubs. His soaring popularity prompted Time Magazine to name him "Comedian of the Decade".
Spotted by the casting director for Norman Lear of "All in the Family" fame, Jimmie accepted a part in Lear's new urban-styled comedy series, "Good Times." The role of the broadly strutting, wisecracking J.J. Evans would launch him into television superstardom. "Dyn-o-mite!" was the phrase that made him famous nationwide. As "Good Times" enjoyed a six year run, Walker's fame grew exponentially. He was the first winner of the NAACP Image Award, and won a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He appeared on The Mac Davis Show, Donny and Marie, The John Davidson Show, The Merv Griffin Show, Dinah, The Mike Douglas Show, The Hollywood Squares, and the Match Game. Clothing, tee-shirts and even a talking doll that blurted out his signature catch phrase were soon on store shelves everywhere.
Even with his demanding schedule, Jimmie continued to appear as the headliner at top comedy clubs, including the world famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles. His joke writing team included a young David Letterman, Jay Leno and Byron Allen.
Walker's television work would lead to movie roles, like boxer Bootney Farnsworth in "Let's Do it Again," co-starring with entertainment luminaries Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby. Jimmie also released a smash comedy album, "Dyn-o-mite!" that went gold. When "Good Times" ended in 1979, Aaron Spelling offered Walker a starring role in the short-lived "B.A.D. Cats" and returned to cast him again in 1983 in "At Ease", an ABC series about a bunch of United States Army misfits. He also landed choice roles in films like "Airplane!" and "Airport '79", and was a regular on television shows like "The Love Boat" and "Fantasy Island". In recent years he's made scene-stealing appearances on "The George Lopez Show", "Everybody Hates Chris" with Chris Rock, and "Scrubs".
But despite all Jimmie's success on the big and small screens, stand-up comedy remains his first love. Walker currently tours the country 35 to 45 weeks a year performing live, and appearing as a guest on game shows and late night television. In his spare time he writes scripts for TV and movies, and continues to enjoy a comedy career now approaching five decades.
John began his stand-up career in the comedy clubs of Cleveland and Pittsburgh in 1997. After graduating from Kent State University, he left behind a lucrative career patching potholes to take his talent to the left coast. There, he spent the next four years working the door at the world famous Comedy Store by night and cutting grass at a local golf course by day.
Cap’s first big break came at the 2003 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, where he impressed the industry observers enough to offer him a sitcom deal. It was then he was able to officially trade in his weed whacker for a microphone full-time. John is now applying his blue-collar work ethic to the stage, where he performs nearly 365 nights a year. He shares, “I wanted to be a comedian because it’s the best way to tell the world how you really feel. I also figured it was the only way I was ever going to be laid.” In retrospect though, he states, “Now I wish I had learned how to play guitar.”
John has made multiple appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, done a half-hour Comedy Central Presents and performed as part of Blue Collar Comedy: The Next Generation in 2007 with Bill Engvall. The problem now is that John is often compared to Larry the Cable Guy. He shares, “I love all my blue-collar comedy fans because I can relate to them, and that's pretty cool. But the next jackass who yells ‘Git 'er dun’ at me is gonna git 'er throat punched!”
In 2008, John’s first feature film, Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show (also starring Jon Favreau and Justin Long), was released by New Line. The comedy documentary followed Vince and 4 stand-up comics as they toured the country. Moving forward, John went on to host the CMT series Mobile Home Disaster and his one-hour special Meet Cap premiered to great numbers on Comedy Central and Warner Bros. just released his CD/DVD.
Most currently in addition to touring nationwide, John can be seen alongside his pal Chelsea Handler as a regular on her E! hit show Chelsea Lately. John shares, “It's like hanging out at my buddy's house and getting a check for it! It really is the most fun I've had since I got into comedy. I've known Chelsea since we were both doing 6-minute spots in the attic at The Comedy Store. I never thought she really liked me. Come to think of it... I'm still not sure.” Now, through his success on the show, John will be hitting the road in 2010 with The Comedians of Chelsea Lately national tour.
In addition to his work as a comedian, John, to many known as Cap, is starting to make his mark in animation. He will voice the role of “Headphone Joe” in the upcoming Disney Channel series Fish Hooks. He’s also got supporting roles in two upcoming 20th Century Fox features, Marmaduke and Rio.
The future has never looked brighter for this talented, young comedian who has always been proud that his fans come from all different walks of life. John believes that honesty is universal and the essence of comedy is being able to tell the world how you really feel in a funny way. Amen to that.
Emmy-nominated actor Rob Schneider, well known for his trademark blend of character and comedic acting, has broadened his focus to include directing, producing and writing.
Schneider recently completed principal photography on “The Chosen One,” a drama he co-wrote. He stars as a man whose life is about to change after reaching the end of his rope. Schneider also co-produces with John Schneider through their production company From Out of Nowhere.
Earlier this year, Schneider made his directorial debut in “Big Stan.” He also starred in the comedy as a con man sentenced to prison alongside David Carradine.
Schneider is well known for his longtime relationship with Adam Sandler and Sandler’s production company, Happy Madison. Schneider has starred in several Happy Madison projects, including “Bedtime Stories,” “You Don’t Mess With The Zohan,” “The Benchwarmers,” “50 First Dates,” “The Longest Yard,” “Eight Crazy Nights,” “Little Nicky” and “Mr. Deeds.” Also for Happy Madison, Schneider co-wrote and starred in “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo,” “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,” “The Hot Chick” and “The Animal.” Other film credits include “Shark Bait,” “The Waterboy” and “Big Daddy.”
Schneider began writing jokes as a teenager, appearing at local venues. After opening for comedians such as Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld, he made his major network television debut in 1987 on “The David Letterman Show.” In 1990 Lorne Michaels saw Schneider’s appearance on HBO’s “13th Annual Young Comedians Special” and hired him to be a regular on “Saturday Night Live.” During his four seasons at “SNL,” Schneider was nominated for three Emmys and a Peabody Award.
Schneider is an active supporter of several charities. He founded “The Rob Schneider Music Foundation,” which helps provide music education for middle school and high school students. Schneider was born and raised in San Francisco. He lives in the Los Angeles area.
It was only natural that Finis would go into show business. His father was a successful song and dance man and one time Vice-President of Sammy Davis, Jr. Enterprises. Being exposed to that kind of talent and encouragement, he followed up with formal training at the Chicago School of the Arts and Columbia College. In his early days Finis was a member of two Chicago singing groups, entertaining audiences all over the city. "First," he says, "I joined the Chicago Community Music Foundation. Then several members of that group got together, and we formed the Weapons of Peace." That group eventually recorded an album on the Playboy label. In 1980, he moved to Los Angeles, where he formed an alliance with Al McKay, former rhythm guitarist/composer of the supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire. He worked with McKay for several years and started doing comedy at night.
He says that every comedian hopes to be discovered on some magical occasion, and that breakthrough occurred for him in 1981 when he took to the stage at the famed Comedy Store in West Hollywood on Audition Night. "It was a star-studded night with people like Sally Field and Richard Pryor in the audience. After a bit of clowning around, to my amazement, Richard Pryor came on stage. Then Robin Williams came on stage. We do an improv together, and that's the first night of many nights things happened like that." Soon afterwards, celebrities started coming to the Comedy Store to see Henderson perform, and, on a night he will never forget, he got a special telephone call from Pryor's office, "Richard wants you to be his opening act for the filming of "Live On Sunset." This opened the door for opportunities of association with many other great superstars His growing popularity led to a recording contract with Motown Records. "I was with Motown from 1983-85," he says. "They brought me in like gangbusters, but I was there when the company was going through turmoil. There were personnel changes, and they were moving into motion pictures. My first album sold well." Henderson performed in the films Wired and I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. His television credits include performances on 227, Bustin' Loose, Dance Fever and Nashville Now.
Finis currently headlines all over the world in major comedy venues, casinos and on cruise ships. There is something about Finis Henderson's performance that makes him stand out from every other musical impressionist in the business; His obvious passion for entertaining uniquely combines with his elegant style and limitless talent. Finis delivers a clean, fun and thoroughly entertaining show. The marvelous gift he was given is now his gift to us... polished to perfection! When magicians refer to Houdini, they call him the "Master of Magic". We will say the same of modern day impressionists when they refer to Finis Henderson as the "Master of Voices".
Truly unique in name, truly God-given talent, truly an entertainer's entertainer!
"This job is great, to go around and
make people laugh, The adrenaline just
goes right through you. It's hard being a
BROTHER like me…"
Notoriously known for his high-energy stage show, Comedian/ Actor Mike "REDBONE" Alcott has been ripping up clubs and colleges all across the country with his quick wit and unpredictable physical comedy. REDBONE's greatest asset is his stage presence and versatility, being able to perform at Non urban mainstream comedy venues (COMEDY CENTRAL) to Urban comedy venues (BET's "COMIC VIEW"). REDBONE likes to brand is comedy as "COLORBLIND" COMEDY were all races, creeds, and colors can enjoy his performance and walk away with a smile on his face.
Hailing from Savannah, Georgia, he was brave enough to test his comedy routine in 1998 at Comedian Aukentunda's Comedy Bash at age 24 as a bet from a friend and has not turned back since. He won that bet and then some, now performing a steady schedule of comedy gigs around the country. A former Chevrolet car salesman, REDBONE is now tuning up audiences around the country and turning out an assembly line of demand and "BUZZ" around the entertainment industry.
REDBONE has been featured on BET's "COMIC VIEW" since 1999 and has featured as a headlining comedian on the RJE Urban Comedy Cabaret Tour, which is the largest and highest grossing comedy tour EVER targeted towards colleges/ universities. From UCLA to the University of Miami, REDBONE has been spreading COLOR BLIND COMEDY and LOVE throughout the country. REDBONE was recently casted in the motion picture "CRACKER JACK" that will hit the silver screen soon.
Matt Davis is a firm believer that nothing is sacred… nothing is safe.
For over a decade the 28 year old comedian has been mocking conventional thinking and the status quo through his faced paced and often irreverent performances. Believing nothing is “off-limits” his material ranges from the taboo and unspoken to the simple facets and truths of everyday life all spun together by an off track train of thought at full steam ahead.
After first taking the stage at 17 Matt honed his writing and performance skills as the house emcee at The Comedy Club Stardome, a 450 seat plus venue averaging eight shows a week, where he was fortunate to work with such comedy great as Dave Attell, Dave Chappell, Kevin Pollack, and countless others. He has since performed in 2000 seat theaters working with artists such as Dwight Yoakam; and has gone on to log his own headlining dates at some of the best comedy clubs and venues in the country (The Funny Bone in Pittsburgh, The Punchline in Atlanta, The Stardome in Birmingham, AL to name only a few). He’s worked from Seattle to the Bahamas and everywhere in between. Including a two month stint as the requested feature performer on the “Mo Show” in Las Vegas where the Las Vegas magazine called his erratic on stage behavior like watching a “tightly wound spring.”
In 2005 Jagermeister sponsored Matt Davis for a four-month tour at the end of 2005 through the beginning of 2006. Around the same time, as a member of the writing team 5 Guys in a Garage, Davis was instrumental in the digital licensing of Jabtv.com's catalog of animation and live action shorts. As he continues to both promote existing projects and develop new ones with 5 Guys in a Garage, Matt is also collaborating on several projects with others as well as writing and producing his own short films.
Matt also hosts and produces the bi-annual “Sinner’s Banquet” shows, and was the opening act for (and is featured in the behind the scenes of) Dave Attell’s “Your Mouth’s Not Pregnant” DVD. In 2007 Sony’s Crackle.com awarded Matt an Editor’s Choice award for his stand up video touching on Valentines Day, Pirates, and Prince’s Half Time performance.
Matt will be performing at The Comedy Club Stardome February 8 - 10, 2011. Tickets are available online at www.stardome.com. Learn more about Matt Davis at www.DavisComedy.com.
