Mass Comedy: with Lavell Crawford
COMEDIAN LAVELL CRAWFORD HAD KANSAS CITY LAUGHING, by Crystal Booker
KANSAS CITY – Lavell Crawford, Joe Clair and Dominique dominated the stage during a recent performance at Kansas City’s Uptown Theatre. The late Jus Jay was scheduled to host this event, but comedian Bobby J filled in rather nicely. The show, which was dedicated to the memory of Jus Jay, was attended by widow Kristyn “Jus K” Jackson and his mother, Stephanie Owens. It was a beautiful evening as many of the natives came out to show their support. Afterwards, I was able to catch up with Lavell for a little Q&A expression.
CRYSTAL: How long have you been doing comedy?
LAVELL: Going on about 22 years.
CRYSTAL: Wow! That’s a long time. How did you get started?
LAVELL: Late 80’s early 90’s, I was just watching TV and I’d watch things go down in the comedy scene. My cousin was dating a guy who was a comedian. And I didn’t think he was that good, but he was doing it. At that time, Richard Pryor and Sinbad were the only two people I knew that were black and doing it. So, I thought about it. And I kept watching. I said “man I can do this.” I used to make jokes on the corner. I had a girlfriend at the time. I used to make her laugh, because I do impressions of everybody at my church. She said “you should go down and try out.” I said nah. But then I said I was gonna go on ahead and try and do it.
So I called “The Funny Bone” in St. Louis. I called for like 5 months and they’d never put my name up. Finally, one night I called and they put my name up. When I went down there, it was like a whole new world. It was like a calling from God. And you know when God prepares ya, he prepares your path before you get there. So it can be right for ya. I went up on that stage the first time. I went up. I got big laughs and I just went into euphoria. I finally found my place and that’s how I started. You ask for 22 years, you get a long story.
CRYSTAL: That’s awesome! How do you like Kansas City so far?
LAVELL: Man, I’ve been to KC a hundred thousand times. It aint changed none. It’s a good city. A good feelin. I’m from St. Louis. So it ain’t no different. I went to Missouri Western State College. And my baby sister went to UMKC. So, we’re familiar with the area.
CRYSTAL: Did you know comedian Jus Jay?
LAVELL: No. I did not know Jus Jay. I never met him. I see that he was well loved. No matter if I knew him or not, when somebody loses their life and they were a comedian, bringing laughter to people, I’m sure he got a place in heaven somewhere.
Lavell Crawford shares a few laughs with Mass Appeal’s Crystal Booker
CRYSTAL: If someone wanted to know what’s going on with your career, is there a website they can go to?
LAVELL: I’m building a website. But I do have Facebook and Twitter. I got a MySpace page. And my schedule is on my Facebook fan page.
CRYSTAL: Do you have any advice for aspiring comics?
LAVELL: I aint got no inspirational words. If you can’t inspire yourself, you aint gone do it. You got to inspire yourself. Don’t believe your friends. Don’t believe yo mama. Don’t believe nobody but yourself. And then be yourself. Don’t be nobody else. And be honest with yourself, because real is funny. Lies come back to haunt you. You just got to be true to the game. Comedy is one of them things. It’s a hard, hard job. You gotta hustle and stay on your game. You gotta be right and honest about yourself. And have a good work ethic.
CRYSTAL: I want to that you for taking time out to speak with me. It’s been a pleasure.
LAVELL: Thank you.
Crystal Booker, a distinguished member of the Kansas City Film Critic’s Circle, is the movie critic of Kansas City’s Magic 107.3 FM. She is also a contributing writer to I Love Black Movies.com. To view her movie reviews, click here. For the latest reports, check out “Crystal on the Scene.” She welcomes both your questions and comments at cbooker@massappealnews.com
August 12th, 2010 at 11:13 am
dude you need to drink some water
August 13th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
drinking water would be a good start. but homeboy could use some Slim Fast, Slim Faster and Slim Fastest.