AGT Comic Comes To Nashville

On May 8, for the 2nd time this month, I enjoyed an evening of entertainment in Nashville.  

My wife and I went on a mid-week date to Zanie's Comedy Club in South Nashville. 

Over the last 2 decades, I've gone to this club an average of two times a year. 
I've seen some of my favorite comics perform there. John Pinette, Jeff Allen, Rik Roberts, Taylor Mason, Jeff Dunham, Greg Warren, Ken Davis, Paul Aldrich, and Brad Stein to name a few. 

The comic we went to see this time we actually saw for the first time in the comfort of our home.
Back in the summer of 2017, he was the runner up on NBC's America's Got Talent, season 12. That's the year that the young ventriloquist, Darci Lynne, won the competition. 

Over the years Paula and I have seen
3 acts connected with AGT, in person. We saw season 2 winner, Terry Fator, and judge, Howie Mandel, at our local performing arts venue, SKYPAC.

We saw a third AGT contestant, The Russian Bar Trio, an acrobat act, perform at a local minor league baseball game. 

We would make our 4th IRL connection with an AGT alumni during the 2nd show at Zanies on May 8. 

This visit to the comedy club would be different in several ways. Never before had I been to a 2nd show. I liked going to the early shows. Also, the room was sold out. This meant the club, where the tables are very close together to begin with, would be very very congested. 
The third change would be the club's policy regarding cell phones. More on that later. 

The night started out on a good note.  as Although we got there just 10 minutes before the doors opened the one handicapped parking spot behind the club was unoccupied. 

The line to get in was already wrapped around 3 sides of the building to the back of the parking lot. All we had to do was step out of the car and we were in the queue. 

The doors opened at 8PM with the show scheduled to stat 30 minutes later. 

The third thing different about this visit involved cellphones. Patrons were required to set their ringers to vibrate and put them in one of these pouches. 

The pouch has a lock that once closed requires a special tool to open it. This is done a couple of reasons. One is short term and the other is long term. It keeps people from using their phones and disrupting the show. It also prevents recording of unauthorized audio and video that could be posted online. 

We knew about this new cellphone policy ahead of time. Paula decided to leave her phone locked up in our car. I brought mine in just in case we got the opportunity to get a picture taken with the headliner. 

Once inside the showroom, for only the 2nd time since we started coming to the club, we were seated at a table on the upper level; the first one at the top of the stairs. This was our view of the stage. 

We settled in and ordered our food and drinks. Even though it's just the usual unimaginative bar/lounge menu the food at Zanies isn't bad. The fries are rather tasty and the best thing I've ever had there. 

Now that I shared the details of getting to the show, let me tell you who we were there to see. 

 This guy was so funny on his initial appearance on AGT and most recently on AGT: The Champions shows, Paula and I both agreed we'd enjoy seeing him in person. 

Back in March when I saw that he was going to be in Nashville, we bought tickets.  

The only thing I was a little apprehensive about was that his "clean" act from AGT was not going to be the one we saw at a club. Although not surprising it would a bit of disappointment if his club act was "blue." 

At 8:30, as usual, the song "Soul Man" by the Blues Brothers, played loudly to  signifying that show was about to start; hushing the crowd. The club spokesman took the stage making announcements. He also requested that everyone lock their cellphone pouch. 

Usually, a Zanies show includes an emcee, a featured comic and a headliner. But not on this night. Only Preacher's younger brother, Justin, preceeded him on stage. He did about 15 minutes and was pretty good. 

Preacher was funny from the moment he stepped on stage. His starting point was talking about his history with and experience on AGT. He began by explaining how he lost a million dollar prize to a 12 year old girl. But he did it in a very humorous way. 

I am happy to say that he was the same clean likable guy on this stage as he was on TV. He kept us laughing for about 45 minutes. 

I think my wife enjoyed him more than I did. She laughed all the way through the night. This made me smile because she really needed a night out to "let go". 

My moment in the spotlight came at the end of the night. Just before Preacher set up for the post show meet & greet he asked the crowd if they had any questions. 
I took advantage of the opportunity to shout out from the balcony, "How did you get your nickname?"

He said that when he was just a few months old, a woman at church looked at him and told his mother that he was going to grow up to be a preacher. From then on, Jovan Lawson, became "Preacher." 

Like I mentioned there was a "meet & greet" afterward but being on the upper level I knew I'd be way back in the line to get meet him. Rather than wait 30 minutes or more we just decided to leave. 
A Zanies staff member unlocked my cellphone pouch on the way out. We walked to our car and our night out was over. But it was one we'll remember and talk about for a long time. 

If this famous comic comes to a venue any where near you I highly recommend make the effort to you go see him. It will be well worth it. Because when it comes to comedy, Preacher Lawson, delivers the "gospel of funny."

Have you ever been to a comedy club? Who did you see? Who's your favorite comic? What's was your best mid-week date night? Please post your answers along with any other comments or questions on my Facebook page. 

Thanks for coming by to read this post. I hope you enjoyed it. Come back on Monday and I will share with you yet another aspect of being a Yankee Near Nashville.