Sunshine state spotlight: Pete Burdon
Published by Sareth Ney on Nov. 15, 2016 at 3:33 p.m.
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Pete Burdon was inspired to perform stand-up comedy a long time ago. He remembered watching countless comedians perform stand-up comedy including George Carlin, in 1970. In retrospect—Burdon did not know who Carlin was, held a conversation with him and remembered it took place at Greenwich Village in New York. Years passed and Burdon put comedy to the side, as he focused on his career. He got married, they raised a family and he had other obligations too.
In 2015, Burdon was asked to participate in charity events. He went to The Comedy Zone in Jacksonville and spoke with them. He asked if there were any shows he could take part in and said they did not. However, he was informed they had a comedy workshop. While participating, he was chosen to perform and he realized stand-up comedy was a release for him.
When Burdon first performed stand-up comedy, he remembered the feeling was like a drug and he invited his co-workers to watch. He had never been on stage before and recalled the lights shining upon him, noticed the microphone and encountered some mishaps. The most difficult objective for him was coping with the lights. Public speaking was easy for him, for his job required him to speak in front of 100s in attendance. When he overcame the obstacles, he performed his routine. He admitted some of the jokes did not land the way he wanted them to and he recovered from them.
Comedy specials and record albums which stood out to Burdon include Bob Newhart, Alan King’s performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and more. If Burdon could go on tour with any past or present comedians, he chose: Jonathan Winters, Tim Conway, Newhart, Don Rickles and Rita Rudner. For Rudner, he stated he would like to be the opening act. If Burdon could get roasted by comedians, he chose Bob Saget and Paul Reiser.
Other forms of comedy Burdon sees himself trying are mime, sketch and improvisational. He hopes to be a comedian for a musical act. He recalls viewing Pat Henry be the opener for Frank Sinatra. Burdon wants to try it once and see what the feeling is like. He continues to perform at charity events, when he can. In five years, he pictures himself performing at various venues. He jokes he is in search of early bird specials and senior discounts.
In 2015, Burdon was asked to participate in charity events. He went to The Comedy Zone in Jacksonville and spoke with them. He asked if there were any shows he could take part in and said they did not. However, he was informed they had a comedy workshop. While participating, he was chosen to perform and he realized stand-up comedy was a release for him.
When Burdon first performed stand-up comedy, he remembered the feeling was like a drug and he invited his co-workers to watch. He had never been on stage before and recalled the lights shining upon him, noticed the microphone and encountered some mishaps. The most difficult objective for him was coping with the lights. Public speaking was easy for him, for his job required him to speak in front of 100s in attendance. When he overcame the obstacles, he performed his routine. He admitted some of the jokes did not land the way he wanted them to and he recovered from them.
Comedy specials and record albums which stood out to Burdon include Bob Newhart, Alan King’s performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and more. If Burdon could go on tour with any past or present comedians, he chose: Jonathan Winters, Tim Conway, Newhart, Don Rickles and Rita Rudner. For Rudner, he stated he would like to be the opening act. If Burdon could get roasted by comedians, he chose Bob Saget and Paul Reiser.
Other forms of comedy Burdon sees himself trying are mime, sketch and improvisational. He hopes to be a comedian for a musical act. He recalls viewing Pat Henry be the opener for Frank Sinatra. Burdon wants to try it once and see what the feeling is like. He continues to perform at charity events, when he can. In five years, he pictures himself performing at various venues. He jokes he is in search of early bird specials and senior discounts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sareth Ney is the journalist for A Quarter and Dream Pictures. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications and Center for New Media from Colorado State University-Pueblo. He is a former apprentice to master of horror, Clive Barker. He is a Wu-Tang Clan inspired superhero, Wu-Man Chu. He is an award-winning short filmmaker; his goal is to write 150 articles in select time zones, inducts every article into his hall of fame, is a stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, founder and co-host of Pueblo's Independent Multimedia Podcast and is the festival director at Sareth-Fest Music and Comedy Festival.