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Page 4 • Tuesday, September 7, 1999
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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
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ly put from a man who is havingfc
his mind without the crutch ofbeiK
tying about any repercussions,
ings his set to College Stationlonig
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