Here We Go

When I boil my job down to the essential elements that make up what I do to earn a living, it always comes down to this: I am a writer, a musician, a comedian, a ventriloquist and an entertainer. In other words, I have all these skills that have no application to real life.

I’m good with that.

I’ve been doing whatever it is I do (that which cannot be named?) for a lifetime. I work hard at it and I’m grateful for whatever it earns me.

But for the past couple of years my work has veered off into a new territory, one that I could not have foreseen and would never have predicted.

I’m inspiring people – of all ages, though many are young – to do something akin to what I do.

Three years ago my first book, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Ventriloquism” was published. It has sold well. And I have heard from numerous people, from all walks of life, who took the lessons and instructions in the book and have gone on to become professionals themselves!

Just what I need: more competition! It’s only a matter of time until I get replaced by one of my students!

Even more humbling are the countless videos, pictures and letters I receive from people who have been inspired by my work and are now doing an act like mine. And they’re good!

Here are just a couple of examples:

The first is Danny Ulibarri, a young man who took my act and gave it an update (for the younger generation) and has become a favorite at his school. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then I am not only flattered, but I am impressed. Check out his work on stage at two different assemblies (The Sundance Talent Show!) from 2012 and 2013:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9VEebB91gM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDmWwA_QPSM
 
He’s obviously been practicing, and the reception he gets from the audience is the kind of thing any comedian lives for. He says he’s inspired by yours truly. The truth is that young Danny has inspired ME!

There are a lot of others: Chris Gallagher, a 15-year-old future star has been following my career and working on an act for a while; Erin Eppel is Canadian, and honored me by making her school project a report on my career, for which she received an “A!” And it’s not just children that have been moved to do something by my modest little vocation. La Donna Martinez sent me a note on FaceBook after seeing my act in person, telling me that I had motivated her to take piano lessons.

Then there is my friend Caden, a young man who already signs his email “Comedian.” His parents had me send him a Birthday card this year, and one of his gifts was “Ramon,” a puppet they purchased on my website. He sent me his picture, and the framed note I had written him. It’s pretty exhilarating, except I am becoming paranoid about the number of people I’m influencing. It’s only a matter of time before the student takes over the teacher…

This kind of feedback is more than gratifying. It’s personally rewarding and pleasantly unexpected. I’m thankful. I’m thrilled that I’ve been able to help people, families, young folks and adults and professionals, to accomplish a goal and maybe find a path to a job.

Truth be told, this is the kind of thing that inspires me to write more, work harder and have more good material every time I hit the stage.

I’m performing at The Comedy Cabaret in Marlton, New Jersey on Saturday May 11 and Saturday May 18. COME AND BE INSPIRED! Tickets and showtimes can be found at the club website.

If it’s true that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the multi-national conglomerate known as “Budweiser” paid me the highest endorsement a comedian can get:THEY STOLE MY THEME! Yes, the “Here We Go” slogan the beer company currently uses is a direct rip-off of my 17-year-old opening song/rave-up/comedy song by the same name: HERE WE GO. It’s documented on video by such reputable companies as Warner Bros. and can be found on countless Taylor Mason videos dating back to 1999!

So here is my response to Anheuser-Busch and their hip advertising people.

Thanks for reading!

Taylor