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2018 Carson City Clean Comedy Challenge Winner is Heywood Banks!

8/30/2018

 
After winning the Nashville Scholarship Challenge and qualifying to enter another 2018 Challenge for free, Heywood Banks out of Michigan made the most of his opportunity and won the entire thing in 2018! 

Joining Heywood in the finals were Rodney Norman out of Salt Lake City, Amanda Cohen from Los Angeles, Mike James and Brian Kohatsu from Arizona.

This year's Carson City Clean Comedy Challenge was judged by Geechy Guy, Leslie Norris Townsend, Kat Simmons, Joby Saad, and Marty Simpson. Special appearance made by Joe Piscopo of SNL fame.

2018 Chicago Winner is Rhonda Corey!

7/24/2018

 
Rhonda Corey from Rhode Island won the 2018 Chicago Clean Comedy Challenge in near Chicago, Illinois at the Comedy Shrine. It was a great competition and showcased talent from all over the country! But in the end, Rhonda prevailed.

The 2018 Chicago Challenge was judged by Leslie Norris Townsend, Joby Saad, Rocky Laporte, Bill Gorgo, Marty Simpson, and James Wesley Jackson. Finalists were John Petlicki, Rhonda Corey, Karen Knotts, and Bo Schuster.

JOE PISCOPO Added as a Judge in Carson City!

7/8/2018

 
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He hosts the morning radio program, AM 970. This is his talk show where he discusses many different kinds of topics that vary a lot in stories and guests. If you need to listen to a radio show during your morning commute, you really should try and have a listen to Joe Piscopo’s AM 970. This radio has got all of the current news covered, and you even get entertainment topics covered too. And you get to listen to Joe’s smooth voice and smart wit while tuning into AM 970.

AM 970 The Answer is a radio talk show that is hosted by Joe Piscopo, which airs every weekday from 6 to 10 AM in the mornings. So it could be the perfect radio show to listen to while you are going on your morning commute. Joe certainly has a lot going on the show, as he gives his opinion on the latest events that are occurring around the country and the whole world too. So you can be updated with the current news and any other political event that you want to know about through Joe’s The Answer radio show.​

Joe also takes listener questions to the radio show, so you can give him a call if you want to voice your opinion on a radio station. The radio show is called The Answer for a reason. Joe will gladly take calls during certain segments of his radio show. So you can rest assured that you are going to get some time to speak on the show if you wish too. Mr. Piscopo entertains many guests, and that includes listeners on his show as well.

There are also a lot of guests on the show. Politicians, other actors, comedians, journalists, and anyone of note is invited onto AM 970 The Answer, to speak out about issues that are affecting them and the people. For politicians, Joe Piscopo has invited both democrats and republicans onto his radio show. Joe himself is a conservative, and so if your political views align with Joe Piscopo’s views, you should be listening to his radio show. You could learn a lot about the current party politics, and get entertained by Mr. Piscopo’s brand of raucous Italian humor.

You can listen to Joe Piscopo, without fail on his radio show every morning if you go to the radio channel AM 970. You can also tune into his radio show using the internet. There is also a SoundCloud page, where you can stream his radio show over the internet. This internet radio streaming makes it convenient for you to listen to Joe’s radio program. And you can listen to his program any time that you want. You could even check out his past shows of his The Answer program if you look through his archive of shows as well. You could listen for hours to his amazing voice over the radio.

2018 Nashville Winner is Heywood Banks!

6/2/2018

 
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HEYWOOD BANKS from Michigan wins the Clean Comedy Challenge Nashville 2018 at The Third Coast Comedy Club, Nashville, TN.

Leslie Norris Townsend, producer/COMIC brought, The Clean Comedy Challenge in it's 9 year of challenging all Comics to work Funny and Clean to Nashville Tenn. She had over 100 submissions and 15 were selective to compete. Other top 4 included  Lee Hardin, TN. Brian Kohatsu, AZ.,Mike James, AZ., and People's choice, Christy Conder, TN.

The Competitors came from all over and participated in 3 days of a Comedy Bootcamp and Contest !! 
​
Past years of the Clean Comedy Challenge Competition have been held in Pasadena, Ca. at the world famous Ice House and other venues included are ANDERSON Ind. Hoosier CASINO, Lima Ohio, Senoia Ga, St. Petersburg's Coconuts Club, FL.

This year there are 2 more upcoming competitions coming to Chicago's Comedy Shrine on July 19-21 with veteran Judges like Rocky Laporte and Dobie Maxwell and Carson City Nugget Casino NEVADA on Aug 9-11 with Joe Piscopo and Geechy Guy judging along with shows creator, Leslie Norris Townsend. 

Andy Kindler

1/5/2018

 
The incomparable Andy Kindler was a celebrity judge in 2017. 
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James Wesley Jackson

1/5/2018

 
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What on Earth is an Enviromedian?
Hint: it’s not a what – it’s a who. That ‘who’ is the uniquely hilarious James Wesley Jackson, this planet’s only Enviromedian:

en-vi-ro-me-di-an    (en-vi ‘ ro-me ‘de-en)   n.   Taken from the words environment and comedian.
1.  A professional entertainer whose work is humorous in his treatment of environmental theme and character.
2.  An observer of the environment as in ecology, sociology anthropology, psychology, physiology and other ologies.


Jackson is one of the most beloved touring comedians of his era, and has been a fixture on the comedy circuit from coast to coast entertaining satisfied audiences in clubs, colleges and anywhere else that happens to have a microphone attached to a paycheck. Jackson has earned his stripes and earned a living – the hard way.

For years Jackson was the opening act for the legendary musical entity known as Parliament/Funkadelic or ‘P-Funk’, and toured the world over with one of the best live shows that ever stepped on any stage anywhere. The highlight of those shows was the actual landing of a spaceship known as “The Mothership”, which regularly sold out arenas of the highest order. James was a part of entertainment history.

He is also a part of standup comedy history. He finished third in the prestigious San Francisco Comedy Competition – the largest and most well respected comedy competition in the world – and was nominated for an Emmy award for his writing.

Jackson is a master at his craft, and has entertained audiences of a most diverse nature which is never easy. Only the true masters can do that consistently, like Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx and precious few others. Comedy is an art form.

With each audience as a new canvas, James Wesley Jackson continues to paint a hilarious picture of life to anyone who will listen – and many do! He has recorded a brand new DVD project called ‘The 21st Century Enviromedian – LIVE in Chicago’ and is about to set out on yet another live tour to promote it. Whether in person or on video, be sure and share some laughs with the world’s ONLY Enviromedian!
​

James Wesley Jackson is a one-man revolution in the field of contemporary entertainment.    He’s also the only living, breathing enviromedian.  James’ diversified background as a magician, teacher, lecturer, and counselor makes his enlightening comedic observations an entertainment treat for audiences of all ages.  His brilliant timing and versatility ignites the audience, enabling him to work large concert halls and intimate rooms alike.

www.JamesWesleyJackson.com


Rocky Laporte

1/5/2018

 
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Rocky LaPorte’s appeal comes from his everyman, streetwise style of comedy. Delivering laughs in his trademark Brooklyn accent, he has become one of the most sought after comedians in the country, and he just recently appeared on on the season 8 of NBC’s Last Comic Standing! Rocky received 5th place out of 10 contestants. A former Chicago truck driver and dock worker, Rocky has accumulated a slew of performances throughout his career, including being a featured comic on Showtime‘s The Godfathers of Comedy, a special starring five of America’s most hilarious Italian-American comics. On the big screen, he has been seen in two Tim Allen movies – Crazy on the Outside and The Shaggy Dog.

Performances
Rocky traveled with Drew Carey to Iraq to entertain the troops and was seen on the Showtime special Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie. Rocky has filmed his own Comedy Central Presents special and was voted the network’s second most popular comedian in a nationwide poll. He has performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and appeared on A&E‘s Evening At The Improv and VH1‘s Stand-Up Spotlight, along with sitcom appearances on Cheers and his own NBC pilot called the Rocky LaPorte Show.

Rocky has opened for the likes of Garry Shandling, Drew Carey, Tim Allen, Louie Anderson, Hootie and the Blowfish and the Righteous Brothers, just to name a few. His clean, blue-collar style of comedy continues to increase in popularity as he travels the country.

​(www.RockyLaporte.com)

Kat Simmons

1/3/2018

 
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Kat Simmons is a 30 year veteran of the international comedy club circuit. You may have seen her at The Improvs, Catch A Rising Star,  the Comedy Channel, Fox’s Comedy Tonight, or on Candid Camera.  She has toured with The 3 Blonde Moms and won the eWomen Network's international talent contest in Dallas in 2009. 

Kat has a unique talent for combining physical comedy with real life situations that everyone can relate to. She has been favorably compared to the masters of the craft, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and Red Skelton. She is one of a few physical comediennes working today. You may recognize yourself in some of her material as she honestly shares with the audience as though they were all long time friends.  She delights in bringing to the stage the very things most people keep a secret.  She speaks the truth, making it easier for the rest of us to be honest with ourselves.

Kat has a versatility and approachability that makes her perfect for large corporate functions, casinos, comedy clubs and private parties. She has a knack of incorporating the group at hand into her show and finding that common thread.  She makes them part of her performance. She has performed for a wide variety of groups from tow truck drivers and fence contractors to doctors and engineers.  She is a favorite at womens' events because she tells it like it is. Her humor is clean and elevates and enlightens her audiences.

She has appeared with Tim Allen, Kevin Nealon, Kenny Rogers, and most recently, legendary motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar. She is in high demand to headline corporate events.  She is not only a comedienne, but an inspirational humorist making her a great choice for your keynote speaker as well.  She loves to share her own spark to ignite yours.

Kat moved back from L.A. to the beautiful Carson Valley (just below Lake Tahoe) , to do what she loves in the area she loves. She came back to have her children and while not in the hub of LA, it provided her with new opportunities. She quickly began doing corporate events and  she produced her own comedy show for 15 years at the Carson Valley Inn Casino, in Minden, Nevada.  She also teaches comedy workshops and it is her greatest joy to help others find their empowerment through humor.

​(www.katsimmons.com)

Geechy Guy

1/3/2018

 
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​Geechy Guy started his career in his hometown of Rochester, MI. Beginning with magic at age 6, then juggling and unicycling at age 12, he settled on standup comedy at the ripe old age of 19. Geech was invited to San Francisco in the late 80’s to compete in the prestigious Comedy Competition there. Finishing in the top 10 out of 500 comics, two years in a row, he headed down to Los Angeles to see what could happen. Shortly after arriving, Geech secured a spot on TV’s “Star Search,” (where he beat Ray Romano among others) and went on to set the record for the most appearances by a comedian. 

Speaking of records, Geech set another one in August ’93 when he told 676 jokes in one hour to land himself a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Staying in LA, Geech went on to make over 75 national TV appearances, including three on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” While touring the country as the opening act for the legendary “Righteous Brothers” (200 shows in 4 years), he moved to Las Vegas in 1996 and started to perform there. Three years, over 25 casinos and several cruise ships later, Geech took a yearlong offer to star in a show in Reno, NV (“Nightbeat"). So he, his wife Alta and their two cats Oscar and Emmy (get it?) all headed to “The Biggest Little City in the World.” Buying a home and settling there, Geech was soon asked to star in another show, “The Geechy Guy Happy Hour.” Playing for over three years, the show had successful runs at Harvey’s, Harrah’s Reno, and Circus Circus Reno.  In 2003, the success of the new “Star Search” and the popularity of Ray Romano sparked a renewed interest in Geechy Guy and his career. This led to appearances and mentions on “CBS This Morning,” “Entertainment Tonight,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “Esquire Magazine.”

In 2004, Geech and his wife decided to make a big change and moved to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands.  There he performed on cruise ships and casinos.   Returning to the mainland in 2006, Geech spent the summer entertaining at the Tommy Bartlett Show in WI.  Then in 2007 he launched the ambitious “Every Station in the Nation” tour.  During the run of the tour, he performed concerts in over 100 cities where “The Bob & Tom Show” is heard on the radio.

2009 marked Geechy Guy’s return to Las Vegas.  He debuted his original, three man comedy play “The Dirty Joke Show”.  The show has gotten rave reviews and is currently playing nightly at Hooters Casino.  In 2011, he made an appearance on “The Late, Late Show” with Craig Ferguson on CBS.   He also made it to the quarter finals on NBC's "America's Got Talent" and was named 2011 Comedian of the Year by Las Vegas Weekly magazine.  

(www.DirtyJokeShowOnline.com)

Bone Hampton

1/3/2018

 
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​As down home as collards and cornbread, as sharp as a pickaxe, and as funny as a possum in a petticoat, Comedian Bone Hampton is a master at making audiences feel like family. His clean, homespun humor, sharp wit, and easy delivery makes the Dove Award-winning “Comedian of the Year” one of the most highly sought after performers in the business. 

With more than 20 years in the game, his résumé is ever expanding with impressive stage and TV credits. The Texas native has logged countless appearances on ABC’s “The View,” including two stints as Guest Co-Host, and has served as personal gag writer for Actress/Comedienne Sherri Shepherd since 2010. He’s also appeared on ABC’s “Less Than Perfect,” NBC’s “My Name is Earl,” BET’s “Comic View,” and the syndicated talk show Comics Unleashed with host Byron Allen. And yes, that is Bone in the very funny national commercial for Church’s Chicken. 

No stranger to the big screen, Bone has appeared alongside Hollywood juggernaut Sandra Bullock in the romantic comedy “All About Steve,” and can be seen in the film “Woodlawn” starring Sean Austin and Oscar winner Jon Voight.  

When he’s not on set, the comedian/actor answers the call of the road, traveling across the country bringing merriment to the masses. As one of the superstars of clean/Christian entertainment, Bone is the host of JoyFest, the premiere gospel music festival. Bone has toured with the likes of Chonda Pierce, LeCrae, as well as Sherri Shepherd. He credits his success, in part, to “co-laborers in the faith”--friends such as Shepherd and Zachary Levi (“Chuck”) “who believe it is possible to be a Christian and make it in showbiz.”

His memorable appearance in the bestselling DVD, “Thou Shalt Laugh: The Deuce,” hosted Emmy Award-winning comedy legend Tim Conway (“The Carol Burnett Show” and “SpongeBob Square Pants”), led to a repeat performance in the follow up project, “Thou Shalt Laugh 5” hosted by Chonda Pierce and featuring Thor Ramsey (“Bananas”), Taylor Mason (Taylor’s Attic”), and Victoria Jackson (“Saturday Night Live”).

Known for his versatility, the former University of North Texas football player can lay them out in the aisle at church, as well as at the club. In fact, his career in entertainment began after a visit to a Dallas-area comedy club with college buddies that led to a chance encounter with comedian and Oscar-winning actor, Jamie Foxx. On a dare, Bone entered a contest for the best impression of Foxx’s iconic character, “Wanda the Ugly Woman.” He won!

The wheels of destiny were set in motion. Soon his pursuit of a degree in emergency administration and disaster planning was replaced with the pursuit of stage time. Bone began performing at local clubs such as The Steve Harvey Comedy House. It wasn’t long before he caught the attention of Harvey himself who became his stand-up comedy mentor. 

Bone took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles to pursue comedy full-time. Nothing could have prepared him for the culture shock that greeted him. Next to the hardcore acts he shared the stage with, his family-friendly routine seemed soft. But that fish-out-of-water experience inspired him to remain true to himself and to his God—no matter where he performed. He set out to carve out a niche all his own. (And carve he did!) In 2005, the Urban Gospel Alliance named him “Comedian of the Year.” His mission was simple—“I just like to have a good time. I just want to be the ringleader of the good time,” Bone says.

Ask anyone who’s ever seen Bone Hampton perform, they will tell you:  Mission accomplished.  Bone can be heard all day long on satellite radio, and caught on TV anytime your television is on.

(www.BoneHampton.com)



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Cities and Dates

Gutty's Comedy Club
​July 15-17, 2021
Other Dates TBA
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