Sounds of Laughter and Song at Walter Reed #4

My Fat Fingers ^ | 06/06/07 | Sensei Ern

[Sensei Ern]

We had our fourth comedy and music show at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, last night. It was all guys, and no one thought to bring a camera.

That means, no pictures.

This night's performers were: Baltimore Bluesman - John Pappajohn, comedians: Ron Bender, Key Fitz, Tom Myers, and guest comedian - Giovanni Diviacchi.

John brought in the crowd with some preliminary guitar playing that just wowed the crowd.

Tom got up and prepped the crowd for a night of laughter.

Giovanni, a relatively unknown DC comedian, delivered the funny that I would put up against any seasoned veteran.

Key, yes, that is his name, who looks like how Danny Bonnaducci would have turned out had he not straigthened his act up, had the crowd rolling.

Ron came up and delivered over 30 minutes of jocular volleys that had the crowd gasping for air to let out the next laugh.

John Pappajohn then wrapped up the show with more Delta Blues, graciously doing encore after encore...over an hour of awesome sound.

[Sensei Ern]

OK, here are pics, but they are from the websites of the entertainers, not from the show.

John Pappajohn - http://www.johnpappajohn.com

Ron Bender - http://www.myspace.com/ronbender

Tom Myers - http://www.myspace.com/ronbender

Key Fitz - http://www.myspace.com/keyfitz

Giovanni Diviacchi - http://www.dcstandup.com/giovannidiviacchi.shtml

Sensei Ern(myself) - http://www.myspace.com/reconcomedy

My apologies to Marion Morrison's family.

If you happen to see these guys performing in your area, please go to the show. Let them know how much you appreciate that they did the show at Walter Reed.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Great Job Sesi! I need to give you something this Friday.

As the Reader’s Digest used to say, “laughter is the best medicine.”

[trooprally]

ping to the D.C. Chapter.

Another great show organized by and staring our very own, SENSEI ERN!!!!

Thanks you Sensei.

[Clint N. Suhks]

Good job Ernie!

Now if we can just get someone who knows how to operate a camera!

[zoomie81]

Awesome :-)

[Sensei Ern]

My apologies to Ron and Tom. Tom’s photo did not show, and Ron’s photo is under Tom’s name.

[Sensei Ern]

“As the Reader’s Digest used to say, “laughter is the best medicine.” “

Red Skelton said, “Laughter is good medicine. Vulgar language is adding poison to the medicine.”

We don’t cuss in our shows.

[Sensei Ern]

TR, and all.

The success of this show really goes to you all. If you all weren’t out front of WR every Friday, I would never have gotten to know anyone inside, and never been asked to do a show. I would have thought, “WR takes care of its patients and they want to be left alone. I will pay my taxes and when I see a soldier on the street, thank them for their service and buy them a lunch.” I would never have thought of doing anything like this were you all not at post each week.

[Sensei Ern]

You are always welcome to join us.

[Bigg Red]

Good job! God bless you and all of the others for your work!

Re: We don’t cuss in our shows.

I am so glad to hear that. Why do so many comedians now think that vulgar language is necessary. About a month ago, my husband and I went to see a comedy act. I even called ahead to ask if it was R rated? The person I spoke with seemed to be saying that they cuss a little, but it is not that bad. It was bad! The guys were funny — and musically talented -— but they could have been very funny without being so dirty. I wanted to shout, “Does your mother know you talk like that?”

[Sensei Ern]

One way to get people to laugh is to shock them. An easy way to shock them is to throw in a cuss word. Many comedians take the easy road and use cuss words to make up for weak writing skills.

An example is Dave Chappelle. If you took out the vulgar language, his thirty minute show would be seconds long.

[JoyjoyfromNJ]

Thank you for organizing yet another show for our troops! Maybe we’ll all have to chip in and give you a bunch of disposable cameras to keep in your “kit”. :-)

[Albion Wilde]

Great job, Ern!!

[3D-JOY]

OH Sensei Ern...

I wish I could have been there. Maybe another show before the summer ends?

Your story of how you got to see the need was very inspiring! How I wish I could do more, and be there more often.

3D-JOY

[R. Scott]

Great!

[trooprally]

Your “GREAT” belongs to Sensei and troupe. I’m happy to pass it along.

[Mr] T

[Sensei Ern]

I am putting the details together for our next show, in Spetember. Lord Willing, it will be a full-blown BBQ.

I am hooking up with a non-profit that supports wounded soldiers. It should be a fun time.

[PleaDeal]

You da man, Sensei!!! Thank you so much for continuing to bring smiles to our wounded warriors faces.