You would think these guys’ nerves would be on edge moments before they hit the stage, but comedic great and headlining act Eddie Griffin was chillin’ in his dressing room calm as can be. Eddie and the other seasoned comedians were all cool, calm and collected – jonesin’ and catchin’ up with each other before stepping out in front of the crowd.
The mood backstage was very lax and jovial, with serial outbursts of heavy laughter. But what else would you expect from a bunch of funny guys?
If I didn’t know any better, I would assume it was all play and no work for these veterans. But once I got the chance to chop it up with a few of them, I quickly realized that even though these dudes may appear as if they play hard, trust, they work even harder.
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TK Kirkland, easily the biggest name next to Griffin broke it down. “This business is complicated, but you have to outthink the business.” Wise words from a man who’s worked his way from opening for hip-hop acts such as Jay-Z, Dr. Dre and the Ruff Ryders back in the day, to owning his own movie distribution company Caviar and Patron Entertainment.
Kirkland, NAACP award winning comedian, actor, singer, producer, writer, director, philanthropist (he insisted I mention it all!) Griffin, and several other comedians backstage dedicated themselves to connecting the dots. “This is showbusiness,” Eddie told me after he exited stage left.
While the crowd was recuperating from his side-splitting set, he was backstage in his dressing room scanning post-performance documents that needed to be signed, sealed and delivered. His gift of comedy is what drove him to the top, but turning his talent into his trade is what kept him there.
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From opening and hanging out with comedic legends like Richard Pryor (they had a father/son relationship) to headlining his own shows, including a recently confirmed year long engagement with Las Vegas’ Rio Casino starting in April of this year, Eddie’s earned his spot amongst the greats to ever do it.
Catch him in his first play ever, A Fool and His Money by David E Talbert, premiering on BET on June 3rd later this year, or live on tour.
For tour dates or to check when Eddie Griffin will be in your town, scan below or visit EddieGriffin.com.
April 6, 2012 – New Orleans, LA – Harrah’s New Orleans
April 7, 2012 **With John Witherspoon, Anthony Anderson and Kym Whitley – South Bend, IN – Morris Center
April 13-14, 2012 – Miami, FL – Improv
April 20-21, 2012 – Timonium, MD – Magooby’s Joke House
April 27-28, 2012 – Denver, CO – Improv
May 3-6, 2012 – Washington D.C. – Riot Act
May 11, 2012 **With Erykah Badu Laugh & Love Tour in Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
May 18-19, 2012 – Chicago, IL – UP Comedy Club
May 26, 2012 – Pittsburgh, PA – Monroeville Convention Center
June 15, 2012 – TBA
June 16, 2012 – St. Louis, MO – Lumiere Place Casino & Hotels
June 23, 2012 – Ajax, Ontario CANADA – Ajax Convention Center
June 30, 2012 – San Antonio, TX – Shrine Auditorium
July 13-14, 2012 – Pleasanton, CA – Tommy T’s Comedy House
July 28, 2012 – Jacksonville, FL – Times Union Center
August 10-11, 2012 – Virginia Beach, CA – Funnybone
August 18, 2012 – Savannah, GA – Savannah Civic Center
September 2, 2012 – Atlantic City, NJ – Boardwalk Hall
September 28-29, 2012 – San Jose, CA – Improv
October 5-7, 2012 – Cleveland, OH – Improv
October 12-14, 2012 – Houston, TX – Improv
October 26-27, 2012 – Dayton, OH – Funny Bone
November 9, 2012 – Mashantucket, CT – Fox Theatre
November 16-17, 2012 – Virginia Beach, CA – Funnybone
