Dale Jones is a comic you do not forget. And he’s one of those comics you MUST SEE LIVE in a club (or anywhere!). While you’ve probably seen him on TV (most notably NBC’s Last Comic Standing) there’s a LOT you’re missing.
A good example is reading a single panel gag. The joke itself may be good on paper. You might smile or even chuckle. Very rarely do you see one that actually makes you “laugh out loud”. But you and your friends will sit around and tell the same joke, and your neighbors will call the police because of all the noise your laughter is making. It’s just not the same.
The thing that makes Dale funny is Dale. His jokes are funny, yes. But like the single panel gag on paper his act is something you very much appreciate in person, and with as many friends as possible.
The last time I saw Dale (before the Louisville Improv closed) he had the audience in such a roar it was as loud as a Katy Perry concert with thousands of tweenies. Wait. I mean an AC/DC concert. Point is I laughed so hard I couldn’t catch my breath. Yes. He’s that funny.
Do yourself a favor: once you’ve read this interview go to his site, check out his calendar and see when he’s coming to your city. GO TO HIS SHOW! You’re welcome.
BAD HALO COMIX
Tell us a story from your childhood. Did that experience influence your path to becoming a comic?
DALE
I don’t have any specific stories. Maybe I’ve blocked them. I know first thru third grade for me was a nightmare. That’s when I found out if I was funny my underwear didn’t go over my head that day.
BAD HALO COMIX
Can you remember what your first experience with live standup was?
DALE
Tuesday Jan 12,1993 - 3 min at Zanies in Nashville,TN. I bombed horribly. Got one laugh that night and that’s all it took. I was addicted. I came offstage feeling like a million dollars. People were staring at me wondering why I was so happy. From that day on I was at that club every time the doors opened and 2 yrs later I went full time.
BAD HALO COMIX
So if you hadn’t become a comic what would you be doing instead?
DALE
I’d probably be dead. I’m not kidding. Before standup my goals included seeing how much I could drink.
BAD HALO COMIX
Tell us about your experience with NBC and Last Comic Standing. How did it affect your career?
DALE
At the time, Last Comic was an emotional roller coaster. I always over analyze things. I had convinced myself - This is it. Do or die. But it’s never do or die. It’s just a step. Another step. I know that now. Stand up is marathon not a race. That goes for any career. I know that sounds corny but it’s true.
I didn’t make it as far on the show as I would have liked to but I still got a lot more out of it than I ever thought I would. Because of Last Comic I found my manager. Well actually he found me. He sent me an email and said “Congrats! You’re going to need a manager soon.” And I replied. “Well since you’re the only person who’s offered….. Congrats! You got the job!” Since that day his has helped me tremendously with everything. Personal and professional. I wouldn’t be where I am right now without him.
BAD HALO COMIX
Your act is very… uhm… active. There’s a lot that you do with your body. Your face is very expressive. A few ticks here and there. How does all this relate to your routine?
DALE
As far back as I can remember I loved watching Abbott & Costello, Looney Tunes, Jerry Lewis, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Tom & Jerry and Laurel & Hardy reruns. Then I moved on to Tim Conway & Don Knotts. Then came Steve Martin, Richard Pryor and Saturday Night Live. Followed by Bobcat Goldthwait, Howie Mandel, Bob Nelson. The list goes on and on. I just love physical humor. I also love quick one-liners - Rodney Dangerfield, Steven Wright. So I do my best to combine the two. Anything I’m doing onstage relates to the routine. Facial ticks, fidgeting, whatever it is that day. I use everything.
BAD HALO COMIX
As a comic is it important to stay current with your material?
DALE
For me, the most important thing is to have material that you love performing. That will keep you current. If you’re not having a good time the audience can smell it. And they will resent you for wasting their time.
BAD HALO COMIX
There seems to be a lot of meanness and crude humor in comedy today. You’re one of those rare comics who manages to make the crowds roar with laughter without “going blue”, as they used to say. You may tow the line from time to time, but there’s far worse out there. Even on TV. Is it something natural to you, or are you sometimes tempted to push it? Is there a line you won’t cross?
DALE
That is pretty natural to me. I can be very blue sometimes. It depends on the venue. But it always comes from an innocent place. I hate making fun of people. That’s the line I won’t cross. Unless you’re heckling me and messing up the show. Then all bets are off.
BAD HALO COMIX
Now for the bomb: It’s inevitable that even the best of the best may have an off night. While I’ve never seen you bomb (can’t even imagine it!) is that something a comic can prepare for?
DALE
Here’s the truth - EVERYONE BOMBS. If a comic says they’ve never bombed they’re a liar. And you can’t prepare for it. It’s personal. You’re baring your soul to drunk strangers and being rejected. All you can do is try to learn from it. And write like crazy to stop it from happening again. But it will. I like to call it - The Great Humbler.
BAD HALO COMIX
From what I’ve seen in your shows there isn’t a lot of space to be filled by hecklers. Too much laughter. But there are always a few. How do you respond to them now compared to your early act?
DALE
In the early days I would scream “Shut the Fuck Up!” Clever huh? Not so much. That caused more damage. Now I do it the right way. I let them babble until the crowd hates them. When the whole room is on your side, handling a heckler is a cake walk. You can’t lose. Unless they’re armed. But that’s another story.
BAD HALO COMIX
As for being on the inside of the business of comedy on the road these days, how does it compare to what you imagined when you were young and dreaming of becoming a comic?
DALE
When I started out I didn’t have a plan. I just wanted to be a comic. I didn’t even expect to get paid for 10 yrs. So every day is a surprise to me.
BAD HALO COMIX
Speaking of being young, there was a time when you couldn’t turn what you were doing into a career. What did you have to do to make ends meet?
DALE
When I started going to open mike nights in Nashville I did standup at night and worked my factory job during the day. Two years later I quit the factory and became a full time comic. Since then I’ve never had another job. Stand up is it. I’m very blessed.
BAD HALO COMIX
So you’re here now (been for awhile), on your way to becoming a household name and making a lot of people laugh. What have you discovered about the people doing the same thing you are? Is there a sense of community between yourselves (comics) and club operators? Or does that old school tradition of “us vs. them” still exist?
DALE
The Us vs Them will always exist. But I’ve surrounded myself with people who don’t think that way. Now I just see it that everyone has a goal. And if you help people reach their goal, they will help you reach yours.
BAD HALO COMIX
What kind of rivalries have you seen between other comics? Other than your wife do you have a rival yourself?
DALE
Here’s what I know - You can’t spend your time watching people pass you by. It will drive you crazy and make you bitter. Keep your head in your notebook. Everyone’s journey is different. My biggest and only rival is the voice in my head that tells me I’m not good enough and I beat him every time I write a new joke.
BAD HALO COMIX
Do you have a favorite city to perform in? If so which club do you love returning to?
DALE
I have two favorites - The Punchline in Atlanta and McCurdy’s in Sarasota,FL. The owners and staff at both clubs are my family.
BAD HALO COMIX
Finally, if a future heckler is reading this interview is there something you’d like them to yell out at your next show?
DALE
I’d like them to yell, “We love you Dale!” But only once.
Next time you see Dale (at one of his shows or on the street, or in a public restroom) tell him how much you love him. He loves being loved.
