Hero of the Decade: Curt Shackelford

When you think of a “hero”, you probably think: Firefighters, Cops, Military Men and Women, Doctors, and Teachers. Not me. My definition of “hero” is much looser and doesn’t play by Webster’s rules. That is why I have selected Curt Shackelford as my HERO of the DECADE (Curt, I’m available on January 30th for a set at Dr. Dremos)! A hero is someone who produces a product that leaves our society better off then how they found it. What has Curt Shakelford produced, you nay-sayers may ask? Curt is responsible for 87% of the laughter generated in Bethesda, MD on Saturday evenings. He would have 100% of the laughter, but there is a trick shot golfer who really hams it up for the country club types. But, that’s not really important….FORE!!!

To read more about this GREAT man...click the motherfuckin' link!

Curt has also produced some of the greatest comics that have ever come out of DC. (Curt, I’m also available to feature at the Hyatt on Feb 9th) No, he did not create Dave Chappelle, Lewis Black, Wanda Sikes, or Martin Lawrence. He’s not god. However, he is very clean which is super close to godly. But, who cares about Dave Chappelle, when you’ve got Rory Scovel, Ryan Conner, Justin Schlegel, Jon Mumma, Danny Rouhier, and Dawn McClear. That’s right…HE CREATED THEM!!! (Curt, I can’t do FEB 16th because I’ll be performing at the DC Improv that night) Curt’s natural ability to recognize raw talent (without it hitting him in the face) is second to few. When Rory wrote a fantastic joke…Curt was there. When Ryan gave his personal insight to a social issue…Curt was there. When Danny made a funny voice...actually, that was Curt. Anyway, the point being is that without Curt, where would the DC Comedy Scene be? (Curt, I’m also available as of now, the entire month of March) I don’t want to think about where this scene would be without the likes of Mr. Greg Estrada.

The venues that Curt created helped advanced the “chosen” talent very, very, very quickly. Dr. Dremo’s on Wednesday and Topaz on Thursday night; the Big 3 were there; practicing and getting better. New comics also flourished, as long as their friends didn’t have to work late. You got to hand it to old Curt…Dr. Dremo’s was the best open mic in America for as long as I remember. That’s right…AMERICA. Can anyone else tell me where you’ll regularly find over 100 people at an open mic? (Seriously, my March is WIDE open Curt. You do know that I am actually funny, right? I’m not Dave George funny…but I’m trying.)

So, for all the ups and downs we’ve had along the way we all really do owe Curt a great big, “Thank You”. No matter if you’re a Rory Scovel, Hampton Yount, or some horrible, piece of shit new comic who doesn’t deserve any stage time, or if you’re a veteran who has put in their time, argued and fought with Curt, kissed made up, and still NEVER get booked….we still all owe him at least a “thank you”. So, THANK YOU CURT! (Also, the entire month of April is wide fucking open for a Hyatt show.)

In closing I would just like to say that without Curt Shakelford I would not have had the fast start to my comedy career in DC. He put me up often and allowed me to perform in great rooms like Dr. Dremos. I’m very sad to see that place go. It’s where I cut my teeth. It’s where I shed my fear of the stage and it’s where I smoked a lot of pot and drank a lot of beers. I’m sad I won’t be performing there again, but when God closes a window, he always leaves a door unlocked for a sexual predator.

Thanks Curt.


***Sorry it took me so long to write this blog, but I wrote the entire thing backhanded.***