2014! Welcome to the Party!

On December 31 parties were ramping up all over the country in preparation for the New Year. Homes turned into night clubs and night clubs turned the party meter up to 11. On this night everyone gets in on the action of ringing in a new year with a party, from casinos to churches to neighborhoods to comedy clubs. The biggest block party of them all is Time Square where people come from all over the world just to welcome the New Year. Bringing in the New Year with a party goes together like bacon & eggs, biscuits & gravy, and well, like Dick Clark & New Year’s Eve. But what about the rest of the year, where’s its party?

When we leave the party, we are wearing a smile, anticipating dreams coming true and oftentimes forgetting when we wake there is a hangover waiting. It’s almost a foretelling, for too many it seems, that the hangover we are nursing is a precursor of what is to come for the year. Real life replaces the dreams and anticipation with pain, hurt, depression, just plain being sick and tired. The New Year with all its hope and promise at the celebration on December 31, even on January 1, seems to get short changed as the days roll by.

January 2^nd and following receives no party, no celebration because this is when the work really begins. The exercise, the planning and the rest of the new dreams from December 31^st now have to be put into action. It’s now when the rubber meets the road. This goes against today’s popular notion of instant success, glamorous riches and a life of ease. But ask anyone who has achieved those “dreams come true” experiences and they will tell you there was nothing easy about it.

There is something to be said about perseverance, goals, determination and hard work because each of those words are what it takes to achieve your new year’s resolutions. That’s when the real party begins, what happens on December 31^st should really be the first of many that occurs throughout the New Year.

I heard recently January 6^th tops the list of the most frustrating, angry and discouraging days of the year. The reason is that is how long it takes us to totally forget and give up on our dreams. Just 6 days is all. No wonder there are no more parties during the year, what is there to celebrate?

I have decided this year it will be different. 2014 will be the year of the party. No matter how large or small, every victory keeps me focused on my goal and strengthens my resolve to succeed, so it’s worth the year long party. With this renewed determination I have already seen small victories worthy of a party. I have already scored a meeting with a television executive, in talks with a national headliner about co-headlining some shows and various other events have validated my journey toward my dreams. As each of you win your own personal victories you can join me in making 2014 the year of the party.

So I say, “2014, Welcome to the party!”

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

The house is filled with the aroma of sugar cookies, evergreen and pumpkin pie. There is Scotch tape on the table and wrapping paper pieces fallen to the floor. In the living room, there’s a tree with lights blinking to the beat of a song as they reflect off the ornaments that have been hung. Stockings hang from the mantel like shelf waiting to be filled with small gifts and fruit. Soon there will be carefully wrapped presents placed gingerly under the tree only to be ripped open not so carefully nor so gingerly Christmas morning. As the day continues on into night, and with full stomachs from the Christmas feast, families will shuffle off to bed, knowing they have lovingly and stressfully placed another holiday in the books. Better yet, they have created yet another Christmas memory.

Each year, with great anticipation, I looked forward to Christmas Eve and the family Christmas party. Through the years Mom and Dad made sure my brother and I received a great Christmas. Although we were far from rich and Dad was often laid off in the winter, they still managed to get us a bike or record player. One year they even got us an Atari complete with Pong and Donkey Kong. I even recall receiving Star Trek Walkie Talkies one year. I know we received several gift each year but I only remember a few. However, what I do remember are the family parties.

Each year it was held at my Aunt’s house and was always chalk full of food. It was good food to. My aunts cooked, my grandmother cooked and my mom cooked. They were all wonderful cooks and none of us ever stopped with just one plate, nor, in some cases, did we stop with two. The desserts were out of this world. Cakes, pies, fudge, and cookies spread across the table with tiny hands being smacked as they reached for them before the regular food. If you ever left hungry it was because, well, I don’t know anyone that ever did cause we were always stuffed by the end of the night.

The biggest excitement, at least for me, was when all the cousins arrived. We all have our roots right there in Boyd County, Kentucky but as often happens, people move. As was the case for a few who had moved to Michigan, Ohio and Texas but this time of year it was rare if any of the prodigals didn’t return. When everyone arrived, the laughter reached epic proportions. The older cousins would slip away to do what they did, the younger ones would play throughout the house while those of us in-between bounced back and forth. There was so much fun and happiness there as our Grandparents looked upon us smiling but knowing it wouldn’t last forever.

Sadly, in a way they were right. Mamaw and Papaw are gone as are some of my aunts, uncles, cousins and my Mom. It’s not the same now but it isn’t gone forever. I still remember those times. I remember the drawing of names and the family gift exchanges. Most of all I remember the love and laughter filling my Aunt’s home. So, I guess, in a way, it will last forever because I still have my Christmas Memories. This year make some of your own.

Merry Christmas.

NO RISK...NO REWARD - Good is the enemy of Great.

November 11, 1939 the Texas Tech Red Riders come to Shreveport, LA to face the Centenary Gents in a rain soaked stadium resulting in one of the weirdest games in the history of college football. In the course of this game there were 77 punts, 67 of which occurred on the first down. During the second half, the teams punted 22 times in a row. However, there was one record set during this game that perhaps will never be broken. Texas Tech punter, Charlie Callihan, punted 36 times for 1,318 yards. Texas ran only 12 offensive plays that day resulting in a whopping -1 yard total. When all was said and done the final score was 0-0.

The teams decided they would play no risk football and it resulted in mediocrity. Maybe mediocrity is being kind since neither team did anything to gain success. They settled for just filling up the time clock which resulted in not making the most of the opportunity provided. They decided mediocrity was good enough. Worse than that, they perhaps never saw it as a failure to only hold the status quo.

In his book, Good To Great, author, Jim Collins, tackles this very subject when he opens with the words, “Good is the enemy of great.” In the course of this book he gives example after example of businesses settling for good enough ultimately resulting in failure. In contrast, he introduces his readers to organizations/businesses refusing to settle for mediocrity. He displays the results of their decision to be great and not simply good enough...to not stay within the safe status quo.

This is a struggle encountered by every person in most every endeavor. I was given a personal example of this the other day when I created a poster for a show. I was quite proud of my creation until I showed it to my daughter, who I must admit is far more creative than I. When I asked her opinion of my work her response was, “Eh, it’s good enough I suppose.” Good enough? I don’t want good enough, I want great! When she took what I had done into her capable hands it transformed into just that. I was amazed at what it had become. If I had settled then it would have simply been good but I didn’t and neither did my daughter so it went from good to great - took the risk and gained a reward.

Businesses, or anyone really, who become great this is their motto. They understood to gain the rewards desired they must be willing to take the risks needed to achieve it. The same is true for an entertainer. Legends are the ones who refuse to settle for ‘good enough’ they continually strive for greatness.  Too many times when we settle it isn’t too long until what we once thought was “good enough” simply becomes “not good at all.” We deem the reward of great simply isn’t worth the risk, resulting in a score of 0-0.

No Risk….No Reward! Do not settle for good enough because when you look at it, there is nothing in it.

LEGACY: The Possum and a President.

As I sit here to write, one thought seems to permeate my mind, today is a day of legacy. For the past week all the major new shows, newspapers, and magazines have been taking the country back to November 22, 1963 in Dallas. Stories of young President Kennedy have been on overload in preparation of the 50^th anniversary of his assassination. As a nation, we have made him almost mythical as we reference all about him as an Era of Camelot. Although I may question his overall significance as a President, it does not escape me; his legacy is securely woven into America’s fabric and will be long lasting.

Yesterday, in Nashville, another legacy was celebrated. It was a legacy that touched me in a more personal way and although I never met George Jones, I will never forget how he has impacted this country. Over and over people have elevated him to the greatest country singer ever and who am I to argue. I remember the first George Jones concert I attended. It was in Ashland, KY and local favorite, Billy Ray Cyrus opened the show. As I stood there listening to BRC, Jones and the boys rolled up in their tour bus. It was the first time I had seen a tour bus and I knew right then I wanted one. When George strode out to the stage everyone stopped what they were doing and looked upon him, because, well, for us it was royalty standing there. We knew what royalty looked like, shoot, Loretta Lynn grew up just an hour or so south of us, so we knew.

Much like the young president we’ve all been hearing stories about all week, I’ve been reading stories of the Possum as Nashville prepared to celebrate his legacy. Over 100 performers gathered to sing, regale us with stories and just remember a hero. Yes a hero. Although he and President Kennedy have had their shortfalls and indiscretions they will both go down in America’s history books as heroes. So many of today’s entertainers owe a great deal to the “President of Country Music,” part of that debt we owe, is to love those who paid to hear you and be kind to those around you.

Perhaps he lost his footing on this from time to time, but he never forgot it. Paying for funerals for friends, Johnny Paycheck for instance, setting up scholarships, giving young artists tips to help them advance their careers and the list would go on. With all his music and talent that introduced us to the man we affectionately called “No Show” his true legacy will be that of simply being a good man who loved. He loved his family, friends and his fans. So it isn’t any wonder his funeral at the Grand Ole Opry was packed or that his final “No Show” concert was sold out with people standing in the rain outside watching on jumbo screens.

His will be a legacy, not so much of songs about a broken heart, as it will be one of love, because if you have never loved then you have never had a broken heart. Thank you George Jones.

EVERYONE DESIRES SUCCESS

Everyone desires success. Our definition of what success looks like may differ but we all want it. Maybe you define it as riches in the bank and a mansion on a hill or perhaps just a comfortable living would be success to you. A nice family with kids who do well in school or simply a happy life is how you would define it. Regardless of your definition, you want it, we all do and it’s nothing to be ashamed of nor should you feel guilty to want it. Success is a good thing. It’s our definition that sometimes gets out of whack or its all consuming pursuit that causes ulcers but overall it is ok to have success. Bookshelves are filled by authors, each with secrets on how to achieve it, regardless of the definition.

So I've been thinking about this a lot lately and decided there isn't just one formula for success because definitions vary. The areas in which it can be achieved are just as numerous and requires a different matrix to quantify true success. Although there may be some similarities or areas where each overlaps, you can’t just have one formula or step by step process because it’s just too much.

However, I’m going to offer up what I think will help you achieve success. Although you may be able to apply some of it to several areas, I have a specific area in mind but you must decide where and how it may or may not apply to you. I will in no way tell you, “If you do this you will be a success.” No blog, article or book should boast of such a claim. This subject isn't like some gourmet meal you can achieve simply by following a recipe. However here is my two cents worth on the subject, apply what you can to where you can or just toss it, which also may be your first step to great success. Here it goes.

DREAM. We are only limited by the size of our dreams. If you dream small you will achieve small and if you dream big you’re bound to achieve big things.

WRITE. Yep, write. Whether its journals, poems or just three pages in the morning where your mind is flowing to your pen just jotting down what’s there, just write. All the greats do it.

FOCUS. This helps you set goals to achieve whatever kind of success you are seeking to achieve.

DEVELOP. This area encompasses a large area but mainly I am talking about you. Develop yourself mentally, spiritually and your skills needed to gain the success you seek.

EFFORT. Simply put, nothing worth having ever came about without putting forth the effort it took to achieve it.

PROMOTE.  This is self explanatory. I was told I was in the self-promotion business more than anything else and as a comic very true.

Just six simple things that will, I hope, aid you as you travel your road to great success, no matter how you define it or in which area you want it.

Finding Your Voice

I love the TV show NASHVILLE and watch it every week. Even if I am on the road or scheduling prevents me from viewing it, I’ve got my DVR set up to record it. So if I haven’t watched it on my laptop in a hotel someplace then it is waiting on me to get home. There are several reasons I like the show but mainly the songs and I have been to a lot of the places they show. Put simply, I love Nashville both the city and the television show. This new season started with Rayna James recovering in the hospital as a result of a near fatal car accident. After struggling for weeks not being able to sing, she makes a statement that really struck a chord with me.  She simply said, I lost my voice and don’t know if I will find it again.”

When I heard that line I thought, “WOW, how profound a statement to make.” Now I know she was referring to her actual singing voice but I thought about how many people in their lives don’t know what their voice is. When my oldest daughter was younger all she wanted to do was be a Marine Biologist. Dolphins where her thing and she researched colleges while she was still in middle school in order to accomplish that goal. But her Mom and I knew that isn’t where her talents lie. She is an amazing creator of stuff. Her mind just works in a way that enables her to create amazing promotional material in moments that would take the average person days, even if they ever get it. It took her awhile to find that out herself. She even enrolled in college wanting to be an engineer before actually finding her voice.  My other daughter is still searching for hers and at this point it depends on the week what that voice is but I am confident she will find it.

Finding ones voice is more than their career choice, it’s figuring out who they are and being happy with the results. As a comedian I had to ask myself that question, “Who am I? What is my voice?” Once I figured that out my career started taking off. However, I hear and see many younger comedians struggling with this that in some ways seems so simple, but I know it’s not. Too many want to be someone they are not because they think that is what it takes to be successful. Funny thing about imitating someone is people only imitate originals – only those that have already found their voice. No one copies a copy. I think that is why some childhood stars find it hard to move on as adults, they haven’t found their voice i.e. Miley Cyrus. Finding your voice is about knowing who you are as a person and letting that carry over to your career. Your voice is who you are in your core. So look hard for it because it is worth the effort.

Your voice is unique to you and you are an original. Find your voice.

NOW WHAT?

I recently had the dream show of my career. I returned home to perform in the theater I grew up around. That venue was the one I would go by as a kid and wish I could stand on that stage. Well on September 28^th 2013 I did that very thing. I stood there and gave a nervous yet very funny comedy show. As I looked back on the video of that night, I saw they were laughing from start to finish. When I left the stage I had absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Although, because of the nerves, I forgot some jokes I wanted to do, my mind went blank for a couple seconds that seemed like an eternity and I was shaking but no one seemed to notice. However, the question today is: NOW WHAT?

Once I have accomplished this dream, now what will I do? I know the answer to that question because I have been asking and answering it to myself a million times in the last few weeks. But isn’t that always the case when something is accomplished? I was watching the movie El Dorado with John Wayne and James Caan and that question was asked. That’s the time when I had to ask myself the same thing. James Caan’s character, “Mississippi” had spent the last couple years hunting the three guys that had murdered the man who raised him. He had just killed the last man when he met Cole Thornton (John Wayne). After Mississippi accomplished his two year quest Cole asked him, “Have you given any thought to what you will do now?” Basically…Now What?

It’s a question that needs asked periodically in life when something is accomplished. When your job changes or is dissolved, now what? When you lose someone you love, now what? When a relationship ends or a new one begins, now what? Those two words carry a lot of unforeseen weight, until they are used then it’s as if the weight of the world rushes over you.  I think it’s this way because you think about and look forward to (good or bad) something so much that often what will happen afterward isn’t given much thought, if any, at all.

With 2013 winding down and 2014 already starting to ramp up with all of its unknowns and challenges, I need to ask myself, NOW WHAT? I have had a pretty good year. I got to accomplish a dream, my calendar was semi-full and people are beginning to think I may just make it. As I look at 2014 I’ve got to ask myself, now what? What will I do to move my dreams to another level? What will I do to take on new challenges? How will I take my comedy career to that stratosphere in which the big dogs fly? What can I do now that will get me where I need...want...to be?

With that I ask you as well as myself - NOW WHAT?

A Little Bit of Nothing in New Orleans

I have started, deleted and restarted this version of the Red Boots & a Smile blog I bet a half a dozen times or more. Sometimes it’s just hard to be creative. Sometimes it’s tough to draw from all the thoughts that run through my head and narrow it down to just one. Sometimes I just have nothing, nada, blank. Should I be funny or profound? Should I report about my stay here in New Orleans or just life on the road in general? Perhaps a story about me being an original Bigfoot Hunter would be enjoyable for you to read. But here I am at a desk in a hotel room with nothing.

It’s raining outside so walking around the Big Easy would be miserable. I hate getting wet by the rain when all I really want to do is have fun. There are things I could do while here though even in the rain but at this point I just need to get ready for the show I have tonight. This town remains one of my favorite places to visit. The history, the fun, and the ghosts that haunt every nook and cranny make for an exciting weekend each time I am here. If only I had more time.

I could write about how hungry I am becoming and would love a hamburger or Cajun food of some kind. Perhaps I will grab a bite to satisfy the craving I have. Yesterday I had shrimp and some beignets as I always do here. I usually have the crawfish but they are out of season so the one item I was looking forward to the most is still in water waiting for me to return in the spring. So today I will just have to settle for some pulled pork in the hotel lounge.

Today is just a day to work and get ready for the show. I had enough of a “day off” yesterday. Got to keep my nose to the grindstone (which by the way never made much sense to me) and get stuff done. Always stuff to do and get accomplished. I sometimes feel guilty taking a break but that feeling never lasts too awfully long. I am not sure if I would ever have enough time to see and do all I would like to do here in New Orleans. Theirs is just so much here.

But alas, I will leave here tomorrow on a plane back to Florida having left things here undone. They will just have to wait until I come back and I will be back. This is the cool benefit of doing what I do. Being a comedian has afforded me the opportunity to visit places and do things that I would have otherwise never seen or done. So as I conclude this little blog about nothing, I sit here in my hotel room grateful for what I have gotten to do and this job that allows me to do it.

NFL: Where Dreams become Reality

The first NFL game of the season was last night and this weekend we will all be glued to our televisions watching game after game as a long awaited season gets started. Many, I will even say most, of us will be watching just for the pure joy of the game. Others will watch because their spouse makes them and still others just to keep up with their fantasy football teams. Whatever the reason, it’s the ultimate struggle of strength and will to achieve victory. Every week each team pursues their goal to get to the playoffs and ultimately fulfilling their dream of playing in the Super Bowl. If you have ever suited up in a peewee league or even in the back yard, you have dreamed of playing in that ultimate battle and received the championship trophy. Of course you are always on the winning team. Why dream about playing in it if you are going to dream of winning it. That’s just silly to dream of something and then just shortchange your dream by not achieving the ultimate goal. Dream big or just don’t dream at all.

I remember as a kid playing in the family football game. I would be on one side while my cousin and best friend I had as a child, would play on the other. We did this just so on every other play he and I would “fight” just like they would during those Sunday afternoon professional games. To us it was the ultimate game, our National Championship, our Super Bowl but the odd thing about those gridiron battles, I don’t remember who won a single game. It was for the love of the game and just to have fun that we played. I do however, believe those games helped establish what accomplishing dreams is all about and I think if you ask the pros they will say the same thing. In spite of the work, effort and even the sweet it is supposed to be fun. No one dreams of things that aren't any fun. You don’t wake up excited to tell about the awesome dream of a root canal you just had and can’t wait to fulfill it. Dreams are fun.

Those early games also taught me that, if I want to achieve my dream, make it a reality, it takes effort. All I knew as a child of what I wanted to do as a grown-up was perform. I have always been a ham. I just didn't know how to achieve that dream so I tried a variety of efforts until I landed where I am today, a National touring comedian. I am not sure my cousin Paul knew what he wanted in those days either, but today he owns a very successful business in Huntington, WV, even winning awards for his efforts.  Those early days molded us into guys that know what it’s like to have a passion for what we want to do. They taught us to do all we can to make our dreams real even when there is a little struggle because those battles never last too long.

So, as I watch football all weekend I’m going to see dreams becoming reality then think of my own as it continues to unfold before my very eyes.

FOOTBALL

Today begins a long awaited day for many people. Today is the first Saturday of college football season. Even the most casual of football fans look forward to this day and will make this an all day event. Hor d'oeuvres finger foods, and grills will be fired up keeping the football watchers well fed. Refrigerators are full of pop, beer and various of beverages to stay hydrated during the many hours of gridiron battles. Then there are those families that struggle over which game to watch so they have a different game on each TV in the house with the one exception (these kids have to have something to watch in order to not get in trouble).

Fans go crazy when this season hits. They paint their faces, wear a team jersey and exchange their fine china for football shaped dipping bowls for the chips. Never leaving the comfort of home, we root for our favorite teams all the while turning out homes into giant tailgating parties. This is the time of year where families and friends get together to celebrate the ability to keep score as they cheer their team to a surefire win. However, on occasion our team comes up short and cleaning up after such a game makes the task hard to complete.

All this talk of football calls my mind back to my youth. When I was a kid I played in Jr. High school on the community league and we lost every single game. We were the Bears and how we growled at the beginning of each game. We were ready. We were winners. We were champions. During the game that’s how I played each game but to no avail. But these weren't my fondest football game memories. Those are the ones apart from the organized team. The most fun I had was playing in the field down the street in my neighborhood.

It wasn't really a field. Our football field was the backyards of several houses that were aligned perfectly, almost begging for us to play.  These were the best times. My brother and I would meet up with all the neighborhood boys take a couple footballs and head to our field. It didn’t matter to us if it was rainy or snow on the ground, we would play. Many a time I would return home covered in mud, wet and on occasion in need of a band-aid.  We kept score and there was a definite winner and looser but we didn’t care, we got to play.

No protection, no refs, no stripes on the field, just boys having fun playing a game the whole country loves. Now, none of us who played in that field went on to play in college. So no cameras ever caught us make the “play of the game” but we didn't care. We were all winners on that field, because we played for the love of the game. We played and not once was there a dispute on where to spot the ball or if it was touchdown or not. We just played.

This is how I approach my comedy career and how I suggest you approach yours. It’s for the love of the game. I’m just going to play.