Today we’d like to introduce you to Bert Cornielius.
Hi Bert, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I come from a family of singers and performers. The Cornelius brothers and sisters rose and had chart-topping hits since the 70s. Originally music had my attention since I was a kid but I have always been a storyteller at heart. About, 10 years ago I was in a sketch comedy troupe called The Power of Color.
My wife was also one of the actors and one day during a show a comedian was running late so my wife volunteered my stand-up comedy services… which I had never done before in my life. She literally told me if I bomb I can’t come home so do great.
I performed and instantly fell in love, 10 years later I’ve had the pleasure of working with performers and entertainers across the country. I recently performed with Tommy Davidson who I’d never imagined I’d work with as a kid watching in living color after the Simpsons in my grandmother’s living room.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The grind of stand-up comedy isn’t for the weak at heart. You’ll gain friends and lose them. Family will support then all of a sudden can’t show up to your show but can spend the money to see Kevin Hart’s tour for $120 a pop and your show was only $10. What I am saying is you have to be able to have thick skin and learn to roll with the punches when your dream is at your fingertips.
Try your best to not take it personally when you’re on a flyer and get a call that you’ve been replaced because the headliner brought his friend down. You have to still be in love with the craft when you’ve spent thousands in a promo for only 10 people to show up. There comes a time when comedy becomes a breeze filled with travel and great money, my biggest fear is quitting before I see that into fruition.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Mr. Show Entertainment LLC is my personal brand for bookings. Being a branded comic with an LLC puts me in a solid legitimacy in which I am able to provide entertainment services for a wide range of clientele in and out of the club space.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to be funny. Everything else will follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.bertccomedy.com
- Instagram: @bertccomedy
- Facebook: @bertccomedy
- Twitter: @bertccomedy
- Youtube: @bertccomedy
