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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 1999)
Aggielife Page 4 • Tuesday, September 7, 1999 l|fc i Entertainer brings outrageous comedy act to College Static BY JEFF WOLFSHOHL The Battalion R odney Carrington is here to please no one. He does, however, vow that you cannot go to his show without cracking a smile. A promise he plans on keeping. Carrington has been doing stand-up comedy for 10 years. With the release of his second album, Carrington said he is optimistic about the future of his career. “I am very happy with the way things are going in my career,” Car rington said. Though he sports a cowboy hat and speaks with a drawl, his act is not exclusive to a country audience. The R-rated show is best suited for the politically incorrect. The politically correct will not be barred from en trance, but might experience a numbing sensation in the ear, tongue and throat area. The morning show on 96.1 KAGG uses clips from his set as a way to wake up the people of Bryan-Col- lege Station. Terry Hunt, a disc jockey for KAGG, said Carring ton talks about real-life situations in his songs and is not afraid of controversial subjects. ‘‘Carrington talks about personal things in every day life that people might be scared to bring up in front of anyone,” Hunt said. Hunt said Carrington’s act is more raw than coun try comedian Jeff Foxworthy’s. Carrington’s first album, Hangin’ With Rodney, was released last year. There are more than 50 minutes of high-octane, outspoken, off-color humor. Carrington said his humor is not intended for everybody, and some people might be offended. “I realize that 1 can’t please everyone, and 1 don’t intend to,” Car rington said. “I tell the truth and say what’s on my mind.” Carrington’s main concern is honest humor with telling as few jokes as possible. “I can’t stand it when people want to tell me a joke,” Carrington said. “They get old and I’ve never heard one that’s made me laugh.” He said when he was in college, he signed up with the theater pro gram and was able to find something in himself that influenced the rest of his life. “It was a natural transition, being on stage,” he said. In 1996, Carrington ventured to Canada for the Montreal Comedy Festival. He said the festival was a great learning experience. “Everyone hangs out at a bar to drink and tell stories,” Carrington said. “I was able to meet comedians who you only hear about.” Carrington said he is now at a place in his career where he can pick and choose where he performs. He said early in his career he would trav- "/ realize that I can't please everyone, and I don't intend to, I tell the truth and what's on my mind." — Rodney Carrington Comedian/Musician el hours to perform, receiving less than $100 per show. “I slept in my truck and lived off beanie-weanies,” Carrington said. Despite the rough, sought-out work, Carrington said he has no regrets. He said it was something that he just did, having a great time in the process. “I had the best times of my life,” Carrington said. "It was a time of pure freedom.” With the new venue of exposing new artists being mu sic videos, Carrington said he is enjoying the ride. “After 10 years of doing stand-up, to have the oppor- tunity to do something a little differ ent, like a music video, is a welcome change,” he said. The first album contains two songs which have been made into videos. “Dancing With A Man” is being played on the Great American Country Net- vyork and “Fred” premiers Oct. 6. Comedian Carrot Top makes guest appearances in both the videos, though he is hard to recognize. He plays the part of a woman, caked with make-up and revealing clothes. Carrington said he has a close and personal relationship with Carrot Top. “He is a good friend and I had a “great time working with him,” Car rington said. Carrington said he now has more leverage with his record label. He said his second album, under Platinum Nashville, is more raw than the first. Dubbed the real “live” album, it was recorded in 1995. The live album was actually sold at some of his performances to the audience. “The second album is for the fans who wanted more after hearing the first but were not able to go to any of the shows,” he said. Carrington said Sam Kinneson is one of his biggest in fluences. Kinneson was someone who has always been honest and real to him. Carrington said being honest is an important quality usually lacking in the entertainment business. At the moment, there seems to be no long-term break in Carrington’s busy career. After touring, he is planning to record a third album in January and release it around June. Carrington said the only advice he has for college students is to relax and enjoy life — rightful what he loves, speaking cally correct and not wot Rodney Carrington bt forming at Shadow Cany i-noiot <n k11 <»i <,oinmsnuv ly put from a man who is havingfc his mind without the crutch ofbeiK tying about any repercussions, ings his set to College Stationlonig JOIN Student Government Association! University Committees University Committees is a collection of 30 committei made of Texas A<SM students and administrators uk staff. Our purpose is to represent the student body's voice, through the medium of student government, on issues that affect student life. Thes committees are appeals panels, selections boards, o* advisory boards for which student representation is key. ■ For more information and an application come b the 56A office in Koldus or check out our website at http: //ucomm .tamu.edu APPLICATIONS DUE MONhAV. SEPT. 13. 1999 Jp.m, S6A OFFICE