Now is about the time you are introduced to the SDT of stand-up...the bringer. See a bringer is a show that requires the comic to bring some friends to get stage time, sometimes it is 3 sometimes it can be like 7 or 10. That is like saying...hey...yea...you can come to the party...we like you enough to invite you...but bring some friends...and have them each bring some beer. Some guys get infected with the Bringer SDT, and they don't even know it. They think it is normal...but what it is, is a lazy club owner or promoter that wants you to do more work than him. In this day and age, we all have the ability to promote and over promote our shows. And the more bringers you do as a comic the harder it is to get people to come...because face it...even though they like you and know you are funny...they have heard all your shit 5 and 6 times before. Now some guys keep doing bringers because they think they are good...that is like the chick in school that always put out thinking she is popular. She was not popular because she was good...she was popular because she put out. And a crappy club owner loves a comic that can put asses in the seats, even if he is no good. Now...a good club owner will always book quality, because quality comics not only put asses in the seats...they put asses in the seats that want to come back.
After you have protected your self from the bringers...or have been cured. You move on. The next level is getting real money...yep paid. Now that is 3rd base in dating. WOW...they want to PAY ME! Cash money!!! This is awesome! After a while you really start getting down...why...because even though you got paid, you are not working as much. SO...like in dating...you want to be out as much as you can. But just like women there are only enough shows. You might have worked 8 or 9 weekends in a row in your area and you are on top of the world. Then...nothing....all your friends from open mic are gigging...why not me! Then self doubt creeps in...what is wrong with me, do they not find me funny any more? You go back to the open mics you abandoned because your were "working". Your friends are there...well the ones that do not have a gig the next night...and they comfort you..."Dude, you still are funny. Maybe you are not what they are looking for? Maybe you need to work on new stuff, or tighten the old stuff" That is comedy talk equal to, "go on a diet, change your hair style, get a new wardrobe."... Then...the phone rings...A gig! Whoo Hoo...I still have it! What you want me to do a 4 show weekend you are gonna pay for the hotel, a meal and I get $XXX ?!? Now you have your mojo back, just like when that cute chick you saw after that gig finally calls you to go out! You show up at the open mic...and all your buddies are happy for you...on the out side...but really pissed off and are questioning if they are funny now, why did he get that gig...I am better than him they think.
But you don't care...because you got a great gig...for now. It wont be long before the entire cycle starts at the next level. Being a road comic, and longing for a TV spot.
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