The Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy pre-show Q-and-A series give you 10 questions of insight into your favorite comedians’ minds.
JR Brow may have been a comedian since the ‘90s, but he’s bringing his stand-up comedy to Phoenix for the first time this weekend. Brow oftentimes uses his guitar as part of his comedy and has opened for comedians such as Dana Carvey, Ray Romano and Bill Hicks. Brow will be performing at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy from Oct. 8 to 12.
When was the moment you realized you wanted to be a comedian?
It was 1990. I sat and watched the late Bill Hicks perform at a club in Austin, Texas, and he floored me. I entertained the idea of going up on stage and trying to make a room of people laugh, but after seeing Hicks’ show, I thought I could never do that! But then a week later, I went to an open mic downtown and watched the locals go up, and I said to myself, oh I can do that!
What was your best (or most embarrassing) moment on stage?
It was the opening act for Dana Carvey and it was a packed house – 1,300 people, all there to see Dana. I was three minutes into my 15-minute set, and I got my first house laugh. (That’s when everybody in the room is on the comic’s side). From that moment until my last joke, I had them eating out of my hand.
What’s one thing you want people to know about doing stand-up that nobody has ever asked you?
We’re mostly a friendly and supportive group, but we are highly competitive. We love to see our comic friends eat it. Not all the time, just every once in a while. Especially when we have to follow them in a show.
Who is your comedic inspiration?
George Carlin. There isn’t much that he didn’t cover in his 40 year journey.
What’s one thing you wished someone had told you about stand-up?
Eat early. Don’t expect anything to be open when your show is over. You’ll eat a lot of bad food in those towns that roll up the carpet as soon as the sun goes down.
What’s one item you never hit the road without?
My notebook. I guard it with my life. I’ve lost a few over the years and I can’t get those thoughts back. The only good thing is, I’m not worried about anyone stealing those thoughts, because I have the handwriting of a doctor.
What is your favorite city to perform in and why?
Downtown. The audiences are tough, and if you can make them laugh there, you’ll make them scream everywhere else. Great testing ground for new bits!
Describe yourself in three words:
Resilient, positive, lovable.
If you had one day left to live, how would you spend it?
I’d go on all the talk shows and tell everybody that “Tomorrow, I’m faking my death and going into hiding for about 20 years.”
What did you do the last time you were in Phoenix?
Nothing. I’ve only been to the lovely airport and driven through Phoenix. I’ll tell you next time how much fun I had during my first time to Phoenix!
