Tuesday, January 05, 2010

My Past Came Back To Taunt Me

Some of you may be aware of the fact that some 23 or 24 years ago I did stand-up comedy in the Bagwine area.

It was a solo musical/comedy act that I did posing as a third-rate lounge singer named, Joey Goodbar. I had some good times and a relatively small but fiercely loyal following.

I just never took my comedy act as seriously as I should have, and truly pursued it. I regret that sometimes. Perhaps regret is not the right word. In fact, I know it’s not.

I think the most accurate way to describe my feelings about no longer doing comedy is that… While I rarely mention it, I miss it…alot.

I decided that it is time to stop missing it. Today as I stand a mere one month and two days away from my 45th Birthday, I am going start the pursuit anew, and not merely on a local level and not while hiding behind the guise of, Joey Goodbar.

I am going to try to get gigs on radio, TV, and of course doing live shows while being known simply as Matt Mahoney.


I am going to start today working on a new website which will serve as my contact point for perspective employers.

It is going to take quite a bit of work. I have to build a resume…establish a database of TV/Radio media contacts and show producers, and continuously send topical emails to these contacts in order to get on their shows.

And as much as I hate to…I’ll have to start utilizing Facebook and Twitter. Oh the crosses we bear to achieve a dream.

I think if I apply myself I can do it. My selling point is that I am not just a comedian. I am a commenter on social, cultural, and political goings on in the talking head mode who happens to be pretty damn funny. Other pluses?

I am not an ideologue. I can look at issues from a wide array of angles, and appreciate all viewpoints. I'm like an anti-Olbermann, an anti-Beck...an anti-Dickhead.

I actually know the mindset of the vast amount of Americans who do not live on either coast. I can speak with a plain, rough around the edges voice which actually connects with people outside of the beltway or Manhattan and L.A.

I’m kind of excited. If I can successfully blend my love of politics, culture, and comedy into something more than Bagwine Ruminations I will be a happy, happy man.

I guess my attempt at this can be considered my New Year Resolution. I still have to first and foremost deal with everyday life such as spending time with Ryno, helping to pull Schmoop and I out of some difficulties, and all of the other commitments, but…

If something comes of this, the other stuff will not only take care of itself, it will be better. Much better.

So there you have it. That’s my goal for 2010. I hope to have something to show you in two or three weeks, and don’t worry…This site will always continue to carry on no matter what happens.

Oh and if you want to or know a way to help out, please shoot me an e-mail or a comment.

Cheers!!

33 comments:

Lu' said...

Hi there mmmmMatt-Man. Happy New Year! Sounds like you've got a plan. I think the Internet will assist you in your renewed comedic rise to stardom or at least help you squeeze a glass from the cash cow :)

Schmoop said...

Lu: You my friend...If I get anything from the cash cow, I will be sure to toss some milk your way. Cheers Lu, and Happy New Year!!

Tug said...

Wow, that's AWESOME! Best of luck, I really hope this works out for you - you deserve it, & I can see how you'd make it!

Much luck, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Schmoop said...

Tug: Heyyy There and Thank Ya very much. Happy New Year, and here's to a great 2010 for you. Cheers Tug!!

boo said...

Matty, you are one of the funniest people I have ever encountered. Your mixture of appalling irreverence and startling observation almost guarantees that you will be successful! Best of all, you can genuinely laugh at yourself - a trait that is both endearing, and highly comical.

Jeff B said...

You've definitely got the savvy to put it all together. Live the dream baby!!

Anonymous said...

I believe you can do it.

Do you have "connections" already? I have no advice to give you except go for it and don't take no for an answer.

Unknown said...

Brake a leg & all that stuff.

If my clergy colleague's ex-wife still owned that huge bar here in Louisville, I bet I could get you a gig. However, she doesn't and, as I remember it, the patrons there seldom paid any attention to the entertainment.

You can Call me AL said...

Awesome!

I wonder if Sarge would like to sit in the front row at your next show..... Now that would be funny!

Really in all seriousness, You're one funny dude. I don't miss those $15.00 dollar words you use to zing by...Jeebus Christ! Way too early in the morning for this old guy.
But I like the shit you put between the subject of your post. Really well thought out stuff, if you don't pay attention, you won't get it.

katherine. said...

really and truly?

Scott Oglesby said...

Joey Goodbar may be the single greatest name of a solo musical/lounge act/stand up comedian that I’ve ever heard. I know that I’d sit at the bar and put bread in your jar and ask, “Man, what are you doing here?” ……..Although Matt Mahoney works too.

If you need any help at all with the website shoot me an email, and I’ll have my wife help you out. She does them everyday. If you use a pay Wordpress account it’s actually very easy to set up what you want, you can sell advertising and shamelessly self-promote. If you can get a few gigs under your belt, I may be able to help you score some bigger ones. I’m fairly good friends with Eddie Ifft (google him) and he does do international tours and sells albums, which is the route you’d have to eventually go to make decent money.

I personally think that if you do put your heart and soul into this you WILL be successful. You are smart, witty, quick, well spoken, likeable, intelligent and just the right amount of irrelevant. I’m proud of you buddy, and I wish you all the tenacity in the world! I’d wish you luck but it doesn’t take luck, it takes tenacity.

Schmoop said...

Boo: Well thanks and as always its good to see you. I hope things are well and a big ol' Happy New Year to ya. Good luck in everything. Cheers Boo!!

Jeff: Thanks and that has never been my problem. My problem has always been my attention span. Cheers Jeff!!

Lady: I have no connections. zip. zero. nada. I am starting from ground zero. Cheers D!!

Schmoop said...

Nick: That was a problem back when I was doing comedy. I played mainly in bars rather than comedy clubs. A bar audience is much tougher to work. Cheers and Happy New Year, NIck!!

Al: Why thank you and HA HA, Charlie would dig me wouldn't he? And you comment shows that YOU get me and how I write, Happy New Year and thanks. Cheers Al!!

Kat: Purrrrrr. It's good to see ya. Yes, I am deadly serious, which is a rarity for me. Happy New Year and best of luck in eveything. Cheers Kat!!

Schmoop said...

Scott: You are too kind as always Scott, but I dig it.

I could very well end up needing some website help. I am okay at stuff like that but nowhere near being incredibly proficient. Thanks for the words and the suggestions. Cheers Scott!!

Michele said...

Will my continued readership help? Because really, that's all I've got. I'm pretty much krill on the whale food chain of life when it comes to show biz. Good luck.

Ken said...

I think that's awesome.
You can make it happen, all you gotta do is want it. I'd imagine the rest of us here will support you any way we can. Although if you start asking for money that'll weed out quite a few. But you never know who's reading and what they want to spend their money on.
Go for it Matt! Make it happen!

Dana said...

I like dreams ... especially when they come with a plan!

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help out!

Clay Perry said...

excellent idea... a gig at the punchline in atlanta would be good... i'll bring an airhorn, doritos, sweaty jewish chicks, and a huge crowd to yell for you!

Schmoop said...

Michele: Of course it will help. How could I go wrong with a librarian at a major University in my corner? I may need a good Dewey Decimal Sysytem joke at some point. Thanks Michele. Cheers!!

Micky: Ha. I won't hit ya up Mick. I just have to find the discipline I have when I avoid meat during Lent. If I can do that, something good will happen. Cheers Mick!!

Dana: Thanks Dana. For once, I have half way thought things out. I usually just jump into things without a plan. Cheers!!

Schmoop said...

Clay: Ha!! I take it you've done just that before, Clay. Cheers Clay!!

Deech said...

Matt-Man,

Kudos to you bro! I made a similar decision many years ago regarding Music. Unlike yourself, I never had the cojones to pursue it.

The Joker and the inmates at Arkham wish you all the best in your new/old found profession. Keep us little guys in mind when you hit it big!

Schmoop said...

Joker: Ha. Well you should reconsider pursuing your music. You and your fellow inmates could put a band together an play some jailhouse rock. Cheers Joker!!

Phfrankie Bondo said...

...Phfunny is as phfunny does.

You've got it, sir.

Go get 'em, ya knucklehead!...

Dianne said...

the death of George Carlin has left a void in the comedic universe and if anyone could fill it matty it is you

Schmoop said...

Phfrankie: As I respect your sense of what is phfunny, I truly phappreciate that. Cheers P-Man!!

Dianne: I thought of him, Lenny Bruce, and Wil Durst when I typed this. But those are big shoes to fill. Thanks Di. Cheers Sexy!!

Jay said...

Hells yeah! Crank up the funny and the marketing machine to go with it dude!

See you on Twitter!

Seriously, if anyone can do this YOU CAN buddy!

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

See..I am starting the radio gig back up and you are going stand-up...

Iffen you want to do a spot on the Radio Happy Hour, let me know and we will book you in...I have contacts there..also web site help is available if needed.

2010 Vinny Bond and Matt Mahoney take on the entertainment world

DILLIGAF said...

Hey!!! Record some skits and mail them to me and I'll play them on my internet radio show!

Every Saturday night at 9pm UK time on www.scooter-forums.com

The Drunk Punk Show.

You'll achieve infamy from that!!!

fourdinners@aol.com

Schmoop said...

Jay: Well I appreciate that buddy. I just think that some people have more faith in me than I do. Cheers Jay!!

Bond: Thanks Vin. I have to go back and sift through my nearly 1,400 posts ans see what I can assemble into an initial act. Cheers Vinny!!

Four: I will, it will just take a bit of time. I am going to try to remember to listen this Saturday when I get off work. Keep sending me the reminders in my email, funny man. Cheerd FD!!

Ken said...

Damn It!!! Someone has to ask....

did you get the CD from Mr. Bondo Delta Guy or did you NOT get the CD from Phfrankie?????

Schmoop said...

Micky: No. I didn't get a CD from P-Man. I take it he sent one. Damn. Cheers Mick!!

Ken said...

Crap!! I gave him your address.

Schmoop said...

Micky: Hmmmm? I sense a conspiracy, or our mailman screwed up AGAIN. Cheers Mick!!