I had the joy of working with some of my favorite comics a few nights ago and normally I would have to re-tell you about how funny they were. However, on this particular evening…it was recorded. When Ken Davis calls and invites you to be a part of his “Ken Davis and friends” DVD, I’m there. And we had a riot! Bean and Bailey, David Pendleton, John Branyan, Ken and little ol’ me.

Thanks to our friends at Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego and Pastor David Jeremiah, we worked our stuff in front of a capacity crowd of 1,500 people. Dan Marlow caught it all on tape…I think he hit the record button..?…and hopefully this fall, Captain Dan will have it out on DVD. Keep checking back for more information on how to order this family friendly comedy DVD!

 David

Hey friends…

I’m in the Dominican Republic this week, July 7-14 with Betsy, Hannah and 14 of our good friends. We are having a ball! Be sure to scroll over and check out our photos that I’ll be posting all week. I partner with an organization called New Missions. We will assist them as we visit local schools, medical clinics and area churches.

We are taking two trips again next summer and I want you to join me! Send me an e-mail or contact New Missions and let Dave Nowak know you are interested.

Feel free to visit our blog spot while we are in the D.R. this week! http://deanmission.blogspot.com

David

When summer hits, a few things come to mind: Chicago Cubs baseball and taking a group of my friends down to the Dominican Republic on a short term mission trip. I have two trips this summer….June 23-30 and July 7-14. I know its too late to invite you this summer but my good friends whom I partner with, New Missions, have helped me nail down dates for summer 09′.

Mark them down now! June 22-29, 09′ and July 13-20, 09′

 These are great trips! We have a wonderful relationship with many of the locals. Pastors, teachers, nurses, kids.. and more kids! Feel free to send me an e-mail and I’ll do my best to answer any questions you may have.

 David

   Hey friends….mark your calendar! I’ll be with my good friend and VERY funny Chonda Pierce on Saturday night, April 26 at Blackhawk Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This promises to be a night of laughter…and love. OK..probably more laughter. She has such a great heart and has been very kind to me over the last few years.

I not only enjoy our time on stage but also treasure our long laughs and odd stories we swap behind the curtain. Chonda has been through the fire and back…and lived to tell about it. I promise, you won’t want to miss this very special evening. Be sure to visit www.chonda.org  or click here for tickets. OH…play it safe that night and bring a change of pants! 

 David

I’m in the process of reading Bob Newhart’s book, “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This!” I love to read books by comics, for the most part.  Bob has some great insight and he is also known as a comedian who does G - PG material. In todays world of entertainment, clean is rare. The following is his list of secrets about comedians:

Comedians are sadistic.

Comedians are self-absorbed.

Comedians have multiple personalities.

Comedians have a perverse sense of humor.

Comedians can bury a joke just like your uncle.

Comedians can teach you something.

Some comedians cannot tell a joke.

All comedians are thin-skinned.

I received this a few days ago and I wanted to share it with all my friends. First of all, it reminds me how quickly time passes. Second, this is God’s way of telling me that when I offer advice to people, speak the truth. I remember the conversation I had years ago with this young man….and it paid off. Here it is….

 I know you’re not gonna remember this, but about 10 years ago I contacted you about what you went through at the second city.  You gave me some great advice and insight.  I moved to Chicago and made it through conservatory and all the auditions, and even became a regular performer at the iO.  Now I’m traveling all over the Midwest working bars and comedy clubs as a standup.  Just cutting my teeth as a feature act for a lot of the bookers and talent agencies out there.  I saw you when I was 15 at the Illinois Christian Teen Convention in Springfield, IL.  You’re the first comic I ever saw live, and I knew its what I wanted to do.  I’m not a Christian Comedian, but rather a comedian who happens to be Christian.  I’m doing this for a living as a clean comic.  My first church gig is in a couple months.  Not exactly sure why I’m sending you this, but I sort of feel like I should thank you.  Seeing you inspired me, and your advice helped me.  Thank you.

Jeremy Nunes
“Front Porch Comedy”
www.jeremynunes.com

These boys are going to have their own sitcom someday…

Hannah and I had the joy of spending a weekend in Florida. We went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and right before our eyes…the crew from HSM 2 came out and started performing. I was blown away by how many kids…and adults…knew every word to all the songs. I felt a little out of place but I tried to keep up….here is what I recorded.

          I gotta tell ya’… I love doing comedy and watching people laugh but for me, there is no greater thrill in life than taking friends with me on a week long trip to the Dominican Republic. It began about 4 years ago when my good friend, Mike Williams introduced me to a mission organization called New Missions. Our family has a sponsored child in the D.R. so when Mike called and invited me to join him on a trip there for a few days to see how this ministry worked, I jumped on it because I wanted to make contact with our child.

It was such a positive experience that I vowed the next time I came to visit, I would bring as many people as I could in order to help these wonderful people. The response has been overwhelming! Our numbers have been so big, New Missions has asked me to take two trips this summer. Please pray for our group as we travel back this June and July. If you have any items that could help us, feel free to send me an e-mail. We are always looking for shoes, flip-flops, childrens clothes, toys, school supplies, medical…etc.

 Also, let me know if you would like to take a group from your church? I can arrange this for you. I promise, it will be the greatest week of your life!

David

We had a great time at our recent Veteran Comic’s Retreat in Nashville. It was refreshing to catch up with a lot of old friends and also meet comics that I have heard a lot about but never had the luxury of meeting face to face. Be sure to visit my flickr page and see some of the shots we took!

I’ve included a few of the moments that stick out in my mind from those brief few days we had together:

1. Cleto Rodriguez could read Lamentations and I would laugh for an hour. He is that funny.
2. Watching Mike Williams and Justin Fennell come out of their hotel room on the first night wearing nothing but tank tops and matching boxer shorts.
3. Comic who can slay the crowd without breaking a sweat: Darren Streblow
4. This guy is funny but does he really talk like that? -Isaac Witty
5. Our best workshop-Ken Davis
6. God is Good moments: Hearing how God has healed, and is healing,  Kenn Kington’s daughter and Tim Hawkin’s wife.
7. Scratch your head moment: Brad Stine blowing in at the end of the final session and sharing with us “words of wisdom”.
8. Best line from the comedy showcase: John Branyan closing out his set and sensing the crowd was not responding…”OK…never use new material at the end of your set!”
9. How lucky are we? Ken Davis, Chonda Pierce and Jeff Allen hosting the two night comedy showcase.
10. Mr. Host/great talent/intelligent comic/all around good man-David Pendelton
11. My favorite spouse of a comic-David Pierce…he takes care of Chonda.
12. Best musical/political bit-Paul Aldrich. See for yourself his songs about the soon to be President on youtube.

Hey friends….can’t wait ’till next year. Thanks for a wonderful two days.

David