The people you work with is one of the best things about doing stand up comedy. I found out I would be opening for Bill Burr at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison, WI on November 4th 2011.
He has a long list of credits and accomplishments because he is fantastic. In the span of about 30 days which included this show Burr’s schedule consisted of theatres, performing abroad in Europe, selling out Carnegie Hall, appearing on Jimmy Fallon and being awarded the “Comedian of the Year” at the Boston Comedy Festival. He is on fire. And this guy got the privilege of opening for him.
My friend and self appointed Hype Man Southside Eric surprised me by buying tickets and driving to Madison with his girlfriend to see the show. It was a surprise because usually when I get a gig, he hits me with the “Hey dog, hook your boy up with them tickets.” I found out when we talked briefly before the show.
In the green room I talked briefly with Bill about sports and he mentioned he hadn’t been home in weeks. I would have loved to ask him more about comedy, being on Breaking Bad, working on the Chappelle Show or any number of awesome pieces of his career. But in my mind, part of being a professional is not bothering the people you work with especially in entertainment. If you want to be an asshole go work at Ed Debevics.
The show began and the crowd’s energy was incredible. I was strangely calm and confident when I went up. Being a fan of his work I feel like I know his audience. I started the show, did well and really enjoyed performing for them. Then brought him up and watched him destroy. While I had seen him before it was never from the same stage or in front of almost a thousand people. I have a couple phone camera pics but they aren’t great and WordPress is an unfriendly interface that hates me.
After the show ended we were walking down to the green rooms he turned to me and said “Great job.” He then went out and signed DVDs and took pictures with fans. While Bill was signing DVDs I spoke with Southside E and he said “You really did a great job” and good or bad he is always honest with me.
We hung out for a minute and then I drove Bill to his hotel. I warned him I was new to driving a manual. As we were headed out a couple of guys were walking and one of them yelled “GREAT SHOW BILL!!” Bill chuckled to himself and said, “Wouldn’t it be great if the car stalled, right here.”
I told him a quick story about how I recently learned how to drive a stick in one day on a trip from Chicago to Louisville. How I was sweating at a four way intersection when I stalled out my car for the third time at a stop sign. I was ready to implode from the anxiety and a lady leaned over her toddler who was in the passenger seat and yelled at me, “YOU ASSHOLE! LEARN HOW TO DRIVE!”
Blue Bird Cafe
Go hear once at least. The people who actually write all the songs that perform on CMT go here and play music. They also talk to the crowd and tell them a little about the song or a relationship they have with someone famous or whatever. FYI – Nobody speaks during the show you just sit and listen. http://www.bluebirdcafe.com/
Schermerhorn Symphony
They may offer student discounts, I saw Wynton Marsalis here, it was AMAZING. Again you may not have the time or cash to check it out but if you can.
One Symphony Place
Nashville, TN 37201
(615) 687-6400 www.nashvillesymphony.org
Station Inn
If you like blue grass at all this place is supposed to be where it’s at or if you just feel like something different. http://www.stationinn.com/
COMEDY
Zanies Comedy club
If you think you might go join their mailing list. They occasionally give away free tickets. www.zanies.com
NashvilleStandUp.com
All standup comedy shows in Nashville. They have an email newsletter where they give away free tickets and let you know about shows. They’ve plugged me too many times for me not to plug them. NashvilleStandUp.com
RANDOM THINGS
Las Paletas Gourmet Popsicles
The popsicles are awesome they are chocked full of fruit like kiwi, mango, pineapple and other weird concoctions. FYI – It’s cash only.
2907 12th Ave S
Mafiaoza’s Pizza
They have two for one pizza and draft beers on Tuesdays, I think. On that day it is overcrowded right after work 6ish. The kitchen is open till like 3am so nice place for some late night food or lunch in the afternoon.
2400 12th Ave S http://www.mafiaozas.com/
Belcourt Theatre
This place is an off beat theatre that replays classics etc. You can get a draft beer and watch a good movie. They also have midnight showings which can be fun. Of course there are regular theatres all around Nashville too.
2102 Belcourt Ave
Nashville, TN 37212
Nashville Farmers Market
This is in a ghettoish area but there is parking right next to the tents. If you are looking for fresh produce, Bam lettuce all up in your grill.
900 8th Ave N
Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 880-2001
Downtown Nashville Library
Lot’s of weird homeless walking around but they are harmless. There are some cool things to be found inside. PARKING – you can find free parking, I believe on 6th and 7th street also if you park underneath the library they will validate it at the front desk as you walk in for an hour free.
615 Church St
Nashville, TN 37219
(615) 862-5800 www.library.nashville.org
Bobbie’s Dairy Dip
It’s like Dairy Queen, if Dairy Queen was in the ghetto and kept it real.
5301 Charlotte Ave
Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 463-8088
Tomato Arts Festival
IN AUGUST
It’s once a year, eclectic, free and in east Nashville. You should walk around and check it out. www.tomatoartfest.com
Arnold’s Country Kitchen
Eat here once, it’s southern cooking in it’s glory. This place is only open during the weekdays on week day hours. You will have to take a nap afterwards.
605 8th Ave S
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 256-4455
COFFEE SHOPS
Fidos
“This funky coffeehouse is the heart and soul of Hillsboro Village. Fido draws a mix of Vandy students, Music Row execs and soccer moms. Coffee is the main attraction, but large sandwiches and all-day breakfasts are also draws. Egg McFido, a bagel piled with scrambled eggs and cheddar, makes a swell “morning after” remedy.” Description stolen from http://nashville.citysearch.com/profile/11340653/fido.html
1812 2st Ave S, Nashville, TN
(615) 777 – 3436
Cafe Coco
Open 24 hours, gets some strange people but they are harmless. I do not know why there are cameras all over the place I have never had a problem. They have bands play in the back and there will often be people studying, writing, reading, hanging out in the front. http://www.cafecoco.com/
Bongo Java
The hours here are decent, it is on Belmonts campus. Some friends of mine and I put on shows on the upper floor.
2007 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN
Bars
Flying Saucer
Have a beer here, they have a huge selection and I think Mondays are pint night so cheaper pints. And they usually have a beer that is “Fire Sale” so its cheaper. Beer cheese soup in a bread bowl mmmmmmm.
111 10th Ave S
Nashville, TN 37246
(615) 259-7468 www.beerknurd.com
Gold Rush
It’s a bar that me and some friends used to frequent. Good bar food and pretty laid back place.
2205 Elliston Pl
Nashville, TN 37203-5205 www.goldrushnashville.com
Bars In East Nasvhille
These bars are all in a walking distance of each other and are pretty cool.
Red Door
1010 Forrest Ave, Nashville, TN
(615) 226 – 7660
Beyond the Edge.
112 S 11th St, Nashville, TN
(615) 226 – 3343
(Chad Riden – Added to my list)
Sam’s Sushi @ Printer’s Alley & Church. They call him the sushi nazi, but Sam is probably the awesome person I’ve ever met. He’ll fill your belly for $5 if he likes you.
Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack. Open till 4 am fri & sat, closed sunday. m-f they are generally slammed as soon as they open their doors. Don’t even think about ordering the hottest choice, you’re not going to impress anybody and there’s no need to be a hero. Mild is pretty damn hot, and Hot is hot enough. Wash your hands a few times before touching your eyes.
Hot Diggity Dog around 6th south somewhere? not far from Arnolds, actually. Chicago style, NY, Boston, Nashville style dogs, Italian beef.. the fries are fantastic and the people are wonderful. Is goodness.
(Kelly C – Added)
My favorite Sushi place by far is Virago. Quite expensive normally (which is why I only go if somoeone else pays!), but Monday’s are 1/2 price sushi, which makes it very reasonable.
I would have to chime in that Sam’s is one of my favorite Sports Bars to watch a few Colts or Titans games and chill out!… See More
Past Perfect, a bar on 3rd Ave, has 1/2 price Bison Burgers on Tuesday nights. They are fabulous and it’s never crowded. 122 3rd Ave S
I’m also threw in a Hank Williams Jr. Video for flavor. (FYI, this was posted before he said some dumb shit about politics.)
Three movies that had death scenes which made me laugh uncontrollably were, in no particular order as follows:
2. Departed. If you haven’t seen the movie don’t watch this clip. Don’t even rent it, go buy the movie. The scene is the ending. Once you’ve seen the movie you will understand why this death scene is so good.
3. Titanic. The real life titanic sinking is not funny. But the titanic in the movie, cracks me up. When those bodies start falling off the ship. Their heads start hitting the railings and making that ping and clanging noise. I cackled. (I was not able to find a clip on youtube). (I also laughed in the movie when Leonardo DiCaprio showed his paintings of some woman and referred to her as one legged hooker.)
When I watched these movies I saw them with a date. My favorite of their responses to my involuntary laughter was “Your the only person who would laugh at that.” Eh, maybe.
I first came to Chicago, IL as a kid and enjoyed it but when I came here years later to visit my brother I became enthralled with the city. I knew at some point, I would live here too. I interviewed for a job but did not get it so I moved to Nashville instead.
A few years later in the midst of the biggest economic recession of my lifetime, two friends and I decided to quit our jobs and move to Chicago with no employment or income because we are GENIUSES!
*The posts here will unfold out of order. Pieces won’t always fit but check back, I think you will enjoy it.
