Andrew Rivers was voted the June/July Spotlight Comedian.  Like most comedians, Andrew had a lot to say see below...

 

What inspired you to be a comedian?

There's a lot of things that inspired me at several important junctions. Before I ever got on stage, I roasted my brother at his wedding. I guess it's cliche, but people kept telling me I should get into stand up.

I lost my job within the next week, and after a few months I decided to stop complaining about my life on my couch and take it to the stage. My dad kept telling me to do something with my life essentially. I kept saying I didn't want some crappy job. I think the exact quote was "I didn't say you had to get a job. Just do something. Learn a skill."

Once I got on stage, my friends convinced me I was actually good. I had a misconception that I had an advantage because maybe I was born with it. I read a book later called "The Talent Code" which was a little deflating but inspiring. To summarize, "Talent isn't born, it's Grown." So that was really cool.

Around April, I had a birthday party downtown with a few friends, I ended up getting really drunk and getting punched in the face. I got knocked out, and don't remember much of what happened. I don't remember doing anything that was punch worthy, but my standards are different than other people's I guess. Come to think of it, I should have gone to the hospital. But I'm a man! haha. But I guess it was sort of a 'wake up punch'. I felt that wasn't the best use of my time, ya know. So thats when I started keeping track of shows, and going to every open mic possible.

From there, I've been inspired by people telling me to quit. Joking or Serious. I get inspired by people telling me I suck. I get inspired to prove people wrong. I get inspired by the government unemployment program ending soon. I get inspired by my own progress. I try to use anything I can for inspiration. Basically the fact that I don't want to go back to a real job keeps me working as hard as I can.

Finally, an easy question. Bill Burr is my favorite comedian. I like him because he talks a lot about his own stories, his own weird thoughts. But it's off the wall. I find I can relate a lot to the things he says, which makes it funnier.

Other comedians that inspire or influence me is a little tougher to wrap up. I try to take a little something from everyone. That's why I started this book where I have the headliners I meet (big or small) sign it with any advice they have for a comedian. Lots of people have put lots of different inspiring things. Jay Mohr wrote "Man is what he continually does. Be a Comic." which I thought was cool. That makes it sound so easy. Just do it. It was cool.

Christopher Titus actually had a huge influence from the start. When I was FIRST starting before I had my book. Before I even had done more than 10 open mics, my dad interviewed him while I was on the show and asked for advice. He said a couple of really cool things; "Don't be afraid to not be funny" which he explained that you've got to constantly try out new material, even if you think it sucks. Just try it. "Write everything down" that joke may not be funny right now, but it could be one day if you revisit it and figure out a way to re write it. He also put "Never stop writing, and never stop RE writing." A joke is never complete. You can always add something to make it funnier.

Recently, I had some interesting conversations with Rich Vos. I don't want to make this thing too long. I wrote about it on my blog. (AndrewJRivers.Blogspot.com)

Last but not least, I think Owen Smith who headlined our Brain Cancer show said something really powerful. He said "Credits don't matter. All that matters is that you're funny." Which I think is a fun reminder not to let your past get in the way of your future and to stay humble. Granted, I don't have credits worth mentioning at this point. But hopefully one day, when I do, I can remember this.

Oh, and I can't forget, I met Gilbert Gottfried. He wrote in my book "Give Up"

To quit in a few months and go work at McDonalds for the rest of my life. What kind of question is this? I guess some people might want to use it to get into acting or something? That would be fun but I'm hooked on Comedy. I want to do this forever, no matter what else happens. At least for now. Ask me again in a few months. Or you can ask me again NEXT month when I get voted the spotlight comedian again! Comics! Step your game up. I'm takin over this shit! lol.