Rodney Carrington, a widely acclaimed standup comedian from Longview, Texas, will be amusing Starkville at Remmington’s Hunt Club this Wednesday night. Although commonly referred to as a “country comedian,” Carrington argues that he isn’t that at all.
“I don’t talk about deep fried chicken and huntin’ and all that bull, I talk about stuff that everybody can relate to,” Carrington said. “They might not have thought I’d say it, but they can all relate to it.”
Although he doesn’t target a country audience, many times that’s what he gets.
“I travel everywhere and the response is always good,” Carrington said. “But down south there’s always more drinkin’ in the crowd. Everybody likes it though. Funny is Funny.”
Frequently compared to Carrot Top and Jeff Foxworthy, Carrington’s act is like neither. His approach to life and all that goes with it is unique.
“There’s nobody like me,” Carrington said. “I’m the only turd in the field, and I like it that way.”
Carrington makes it obvious with his CD titles, Live: C’mon Laugh You Bastards, Hangin’ With Rodney and Morning Wood, that his show is different from most and he confirms that with the upcoming release of his fourth CD, Nutsack, which should hit stores in January of 2003.
Much of his show is the same material that can be heard on his CDs, but there are some new things in store.
“I don’t have any expectations. It’s not scripted or anything, but you might hear a few things you’ve heard before,” Carrington said. “There’s always some things you haven’t.”
Bill Norris of Remmington’s, however, does have at least one expectation.
“He sells out everywhere he goes,” Norris said. “I’m not expecting there to be an empty seat in the house.”
Carrington usually performs for crowds of about 1,200 to 2,000 people, and even as many as 5,000 on occasion. He rarely plays in small venues such as the Hunt Club.
“It took a lot of begging and arm twisting to get him here,” Norris said. “This could be the last time he ever plays in Starkville.”
To accommodate for the expected large crowds, the Hunt Club and Coyote Concert Hall will open at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. VIP seating will begin around 7:30 p.m., and general admission seating will follow soon after. For optimum seating, Norris suggests arriving around 6 p.m.
“It’ll start when I get there,” Carrington said.
For tickets, call Bulldog Lanes at 323-2892, or go to the front desk. VIP tickets are $37.50, and General Admission tickets are $27.50. You can also visit Carrington’s Web site, www.RodneyCarrington.com to hear audio clips and order CD’s and T-shirts.