Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Graves.
Casey, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After graduating from college, I set my sights on pursuing a career in acting and headed to the vibrant city of Los Angeles. However, fate had other plans when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, bringing the entertainment industry to a standstill. Forced to make a tough decision, I returned to my roots in Florida, recognizing that the current circumstances made it financially impractical to continue out there.
Now I’m back home, doing auditions on Zoom, not feeling the same as it was. All of a sudden my buddy told me that they have these “Open mics” around town, where you can go up and do comedy for 5 minutes at a time. I pushed it off for months. Then as it was, this virus was making a big impact on my family, to a point where they were split apart because of individual differences. To be honest that was the point where I sat down and wrote a bunch of stuff because I was sick of everyone’s complaints.
It was during this challenging period that I decided to channel my frustrations into something creative. Faced with the unraveling of familial bonds, I took a seat and poured my unfiltered thoughts onto paper. It became a cathartic exercise, a way to express my discontent with the chaos surrounding me, which as it turns out, got my whole family laughing, and bringing everybody together again.
In essence, what started as a detour from my acting ambitions became an unexpected journey into the world of stand-up comedy, prompted by the need to find humor amid the turmoil and discord that a pandemic had brought into my life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh, you know, comedy’s about as smooth as a gravel driveway. It’s a rocky road, my friend. First off, you’re dealing with a room full of strangers who are just waiting to judge whether you’re funny or not. It’s like a gladiator arena, but instead of swords, you’ve got your punchlines.
Then there’s the constant struggle to find your voice. You start off imitating your heroes, thinking you’re the next George Carlin or Richard Pryor. But eventually, you realize you’re just a pale imitation. It’s like trying to do a cover of a Beatles song – good luck with that.
And don’t get me started on the hecklers. They’re like mosquitoes at a barbecue. You’re just trying to enjoy your meal, and they come buzzing around, trying to ruin the whole damn thing. But you gotta swat ’em away and keep going.
But here’s the thing – every bomb, every awkward silence, every heckler, they’re all part of the journey. It toughens you up and makes you sharper. Comedy’s a war zone, and you better be ready for battle. But when you hit that sweet spot, when you make a room full of strangers laugh, it’s like winning the damn lottery.
It’s addictive. So, yeah, it’s been a bumpy ride, full of highs and lows. But that’s the nature of the beast, and if you’re gonna do comedy, you better be ready to ride the rollercoaster, my friend.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Well, I specialize in not sounding like a robot, and I’m known for being the guy who can turn your average text into something worth paying attention to.
I guess I’m proud of surviving in this crazy digital world, where everyone’s fighting for attention. It’s like a damn text battleground, and I’m holding my ground. I don’t know, maybe it’s the fact that I can shoot the breeze with you like we’re at a bar, and then turn around and drop some of my two cents on it and get people spitting up their drinks on whatever we were just talking about. I’m the working-class hero of the text, man. No fancy frills, just straight talk, and good fun.
So there you have it. I’m out here doing my thing, navigating the wild world of words.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success is about being able to pay the bills without feeling like you sold your soul. It’s about waking up in the morning and not wanting to punch a hole in the wall because you hate your job. But it’s a moving target, you know? Just when you think you’ve hit it, it shifts on you.
And let’s not forget, that success ain’t just about money. It’s about relationships, not having a panic attack every time your phone rings, and maybe, just maybe, having a few laughs along the way. So, success? It’s a work in progress, my friend, and it’s a different journey for everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.caseygravescomedy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseygravescomedy?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@caseygravescomedy
Image Credits
Dania Beach Improv, Miami Comedy, YIFNO comedy show, and The Taurus
