Mulhern to be Roasted by the RI Comedy Hall of Fame
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT!
On Sunday, November 5, 2017, The RI Comedy Hall of Fame will be roasting Cat Country Morning Man, (WCTK-98.1 FM’s) Brian Mulhern.
The question is: Why?
Quite honestly, we’ve run out of local celebrities to insult and since Gordon Fox will be in a halfway house, (and Gina keeps refusing us), we went with Mulhern. Our sincere apologies.
On the roasting dais that day?
RI’s own Frank O’Donnell will be hosting the event, Ace Aceto from the RI Comedy Hall of Fame will be speaking, along with the owners of Funny4Funds.com, Bill Simas & Mike Murray, from 94-HJY Paul and Al’s Show, Kevin Mulhern “Yes, he’s Brian’s brother”,The Rhode Show’s, Brendan Kirby , LITE-105’s Amy Carlson Pontes & 92-PRO FM’s Jessica Schiano. Brian’s friend, Jeff Hopkins from the Guggenheim Museum in NYC will be on hand to draw raffle winners and we’re also hoping that Carla Buonaccorsi Mulhern, (Brian’s wife and handler), will say a few words.
Brian’s charity of choice is The Tomorrow Fund which benefits children with cancer. (http://www.tomorrowfund.org/)
The event will be held at the Smithfield Elks Club on Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 3pm. The Pats have a BYE week so you don’t have an excuse not to attend.
Tickets are $15 and will be on sale in a few weeks. (Watch this page for details)
Comedian John Perrotta for the RI Comedy Hall of Fame
Hire the Right Comedian or Pay the Price
It’s easy to hire a stand up comedian for your event. Comedians are everywhere. They lurk in the shadows waiting for their not yet paid for IPhone 7’s to ring and be offered work. Facebook is full of stand up comedians, as are entertainment booking sites, such as GigSalad.
Just about every place you look, you’ll be able to find a stand up comedian. Finding a good stand up comedian, however, can be a challenge. You’ll need to do some research before handing over your money to just anyone with a cheap suit and a microphone.
Why?
Stand up comedians are not created equal.
There are no requirements necessary before referring to yourself as a stand up comedian. There are no special licenses or permits. You can perform at one show in front of four people and call yourself a comedian,or you can perform hundreds of shows over many years and call yourself a stand up comedian. That’s where the confusion comes in and that’s why doing some homework before you begin looking for your comedy entertainment will ensure you hire the very best talent for your event.
Comedian Joe Hebert, owner of the RI Comedy Hall of Fame
5 Important Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Stand Up Comedian
1.) How long have you been performing stand up comedy?
If the comedian is your main entertainment for the evening, nothing less than 10 years of steady stand up work is an acceptable answer. (There are exceptions, of course, but 10 years is a good rule of thumb.)
2.) Do you have video I can look at so I can see if you’re a good fit for my event?
No video? No job.
3.) Can you provide references from people you’ve worked for in the past?
A no answer to this question should signal a red flag. Every comedian should be able to provide at least 5 references from satisfied customers.
4.) Can you work clean?
Depending on the event you are planning this is a crucial question. If you’re looking for someone to perform at your best friend’s bachelor party, you may not care if the comedian you’re considering can work clean. However, if you’re planning an event for your office, your church group or your Aunt Ethel’s 90th birthday party, you want a comedian who can work 100% clean. No cursing, no sex jokes and nothing that would embarrass you or your guests. If your comedian cannot work clean, I suggest you keep looking.
5.) Do you have an appropriate sound system?
This is such an important question, I’ve saved it for last. The comedian you hire MUST have a professional sound system, (Speakers, amp, microphones, stands) before you make an agreement. A sound system is usually the last thing a person thinks about before hiring a comedian and it’s one of the most important. A customer simply assumes a stand up comedian has their own PA system, much in the way you assume a plumber has his own wrench. Pros have their own sound system.
Money
Money is a major consideration when hiring stand up comedians. Rates for stand up comedians can be all over the place. I’ve seen comedians ask for as little as $25 to as much as $1500.
What I do suggest, is starting with a budget in mind and working from there. As with most things, (and it’s especially true in stand up comedy), you get what you pay for. If you’re hiring for an important event, a lower price may sound attractive, but when it comes to showtime, you may wish you had paid extra for a true professional.
Questions About Hiring a Stand Up Comedian?
If you still have questions, (or are in need of a professional stand up comedian for your upcoming event) call Dana at the RI Comedy Hall of Fame: 401-261-3120.
