After doing this for years you work a lot of different venues and meet a lot of different people. I have enjoyed working with almost everyone I have met. Sometimes you perform in awful circumstances and sometimes in the best circumstances possible. But generally the people you work with are the best part about doing stand up comedy.
I found out I would be opening for Bill Burr at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison, WI which for me was the equivalent of a musician opening for one of their favorite bands.
In the span of about a month including this show his 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.
Opening for him is one of the coolest things to happen to me since I started performing stand up comedy.
My good friend, Hype Man and self appointed Manager Southside Eric surprised me by driving from Chicago 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.”
For the show I had no expectations other than to do my job and to watch him do, what it is he does. 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.
We talked briefly about football and some other things before the show began. I wanted to record the show but as we were talking I decided to be in the moment and just enjoy it.
The crowd’s energy was incredible. My buddy Eric said that it was one of the best sets he has seen me have to date and he is always honest with me.
I brought him up and then watched him destroy. While I had seen him before it was never from the same stage.
After the show ended we were walking down to the green rooms he turned to me and said “Great job.”
He went out and signed DVDs and took pictures with fans. Then I drove him to his hotel and 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 laughed and said, “Wouldn’t that be great if the car stalled out right here.”
I told him the story of how I painfully learned to drive a stick shift in Chicago. When I purchased the car and drove it to a gig in Louisville.
I recalled how I had stalled out three times at a stop sign and one lady leaned over her toddler in the passenger seat to yell at me “YOU ASSHOLE! LEARN HOW TO DRIVE!” He laughed. I dropped him off.
The people were the best thing about Nashville but I compiled a list of some of the places, and things I enjoyed while living there.
FYI- The list is in no logical order, why would I do that?
MUSIC Sign up for email updates on these sites if you want to know what bands are coming through Nashville. http://www.mercylounge.com/ http://www.exitin.com/ http://www.ryman.com/
NASHVILLE SPECIFIC MUSIC
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.
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 refuse to not have a post in Jan. So I’m cheating and giving you a re-post from my facebook about Nashville. I’m also throwing in a Hank Williams Jr. Video for flavor.
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.
