Interview with Perry
1. Do you remember the person or show that made you want to perform comedy for a living?
I never intended to be a comedian. But, after spending a few years at it, I wished that I'd done it
earlier. We all need to laugh and enjoy life. The world seems to get more complicated and
finding something to laugh at gets harder all the time. I just hope that Branson keeps helping
people laugh so that we attract more visitors.
2. What has been your most memorable experience as an entertainer?
I guess my most memorable experience would be accomplishing a pre-show for the Presleys. It
was something I'd never done before and I doubted that I could accomplish what they wanted me
to do. Rick Billington, another Presley employee, took the part of the theater manager and we
became the team that created the 30-minute show that caused most of Presley's ticket buyers to
get in their seats more than 30 minutes before their 8:00 show started.
3. What's the best advice you've gotten from a fellow comedian?
I wouldn't say that I've gotten ‘advice' from other comedians. What I've tried to do is watch other
comedians in their performance and try to figure out what they do that I could use to be funny
myself. It's not JUST the jokes. There's the delivery, facial expressions, body language and the
overall appearance with clothes or props.
4. For people who want to do what you do, what aspects of the craft or business are most
important for them to learn?
Comedy is like anything else. You won't get 100% out of your customer by putting 50% IN. You
have to do the best you possibly can every time. Having a mental ‘file cabinet' of jokes that you
can bring into use as needed is absolutely necessary.
| Jimmy Ponder |
| Dee Allen |
| David Ponder |
| Diana |
| Perry Edenburn "Harley Worthit" |
| The Branson Brothers |
| The Branson Brothers |
| The Branson Brothers |
| We honor our Servicemen |
