Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrian Washington.
Hi Adrian, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started doing comedy in St. Cloud on Feb 24th, 2004! So I just made 20 years! I was hosting at First Street Station when I could for about 6 months, and decided to start doing my shows! I’d rent out event centers/ballrooms wherever I could at the time. I did that with no consistency for about 3 years and then started doing my shows at the Red Carpet Event Center. I have been doing monthly shows there ever since. I’ve been blessed to begin touring nationally for about the last 2 years with Donnell Rawlings, aka Ahy Larry from the Chappelle Show! That’s a whole other interview! But it’s been amazing, and I feel incredibly blessed to be able to do what I love for a living.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I started, there was no social media, so you had to go out and promote and get followers. You can’t afford to make flyers and watch people leave them or put them on the ground. As I mentioned before, consistency makes things easier. You’re at one place one month, another place the next. Then you start thinking that you can’t live somewhere like St Cloud to be successful. You must know it’s meant to be, keep God first, and work hard.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with what you do?
I’m a Stand-up Comedian; my company is 1Mic Ent, and I started in 2012. Specialize in booking national and local comics. I’m very proud that I didn’t have to leave St. Cloud to be successful. It was not at all, but it was so worth it! What sets me apart from others is that I knew long ago that I had to start my own thing to do it how I wanted to. I didn’t want to have anyone say you have to do it like this or like that. And honestly, I love comedy and everything about it. So, my obsession/hustle with it sets me apart.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
You have to want it—no one will give it to you! You have to have a drive and determination for it. Especially in comedy, you only make money for a short time. I had a job for 13 years while I was pursuing my dream. Earn it so no one can say it was given to you. Put in the work!
Contact Info:
- Website: Funnymanadrian.com
- Instagram: @funnymanadrianw
- Facebook: 1Mic Ent LLC
- Youtube: @AdrianWashingtonComedy
