10 days ago
35
0
You never know what you’re gonna get on the road. Ultimately, for me, I do it for the long-set stage time I can’t get in Portland and the adventure of it all. Shout out to Derrick of the US Fish & Wildlife Service who drove us back to our car when the 4 mile loop trail we were on was absolutely not that - we seriously thought about swimming before he showed up! However, when you get overflow crowds, happy venue owners who want you back, thank yous from people who truly enjoyed themselves and bring home a few dollars on top of it - well, that’s cool too. When 50+ people come out to see the show in a smallish town it really is a great feeling - from the guy who came with his teacher wife and her friends and was happy “it didn’t suck at all” to the 13 year old who came alone because they “love stand up and never get to see it live” - it really is the good stuff. The show in La Grande (The Big) even got featured in the local newspaper… in print no less! As far as sleeping is concerned, it seems like the way to go for low-level comedy touring are the motels that used to be chain properties but no longer are able to keep up any kind of corporate standard. They used to be Red Lions or Ramadas and are now a “Sleep & Shit” or a “You Can Smoke in Your Room!” I don’t mind stained carpet, and let’s face it, if you shined a black light on a Four Seasons room - it would be only a little less gross. I’m fine with the off brand Cheerios at the breakfast bar, and if they have real milk instead of just coffee creamer - that’s four fucking stars from me. Finally, people in small towns know you’re not from there and are usually genuinely curious about your story. I had a bartender in Idaho ask me what I really wanted when I was looking at the beer list and specials. I said I would love a Manhattan and proceeded to show her how to make it once she found some vermouth in the kitchen. It was most terrible/best drink I’ve had in a while.