That’s Showbiz part 1

That’s Showbiz

Lessons I learned growing up in a show business family and how those lessons can help you achieve success.

Lesson 1. Always be prepared to perform.

We were driving to Orange County; my parents were performing at Disneyland Hotel that night. I was bored and trying to sleep in the backseat when I heard my dad say to my mom. “Georgie would be great for this show tonight.” I didn’t want to perform. My only other public performance was a few months prior in my 6^th grade talent show that I had to perform in for a grade in music class.  I was happy I got some laughs from the students and a passing grade in class and I was going out on top. Now my parents are talking about me doing my little stand-up comedy routine on a professional show with them.

When we arrived they told the booking agent that I was part of their act. I wasn’t I had a little stand-up comedy routine that my parents helped me with for my music class in school and now they have me performing at Disneyland Hotel.

The MC (Master of Ceremonies) asked my mother “How do you want me to introduce Georgie? Do you want me to tell them he’s your son?”

She replied, laughingly, “No, Let’s see how he does first.”

No, pressure!

For a couple of hours I was going over and over my comedy routine. Mom and dad were introduced and I could hear all the laughs that they were getting as I watched from the wings. They took their bow gave me a big hug and the MC introduced me. I walked out and for the first time I was on a professional stage. Walking out on that stage was so frightening, the spot light blinded me I couldn’t see the audience, which was probably a good thing standing on stage and being able to see that many people might have been overwhelming.  It took me a couple of seconds to gain my composure and think about what my first joke was. I began to speak and heard my voice through the preview speakers on the stage and that threw me off, but I continued on and I told my first joke. I got a little bit of laughter. I continued telling my jokes and the laughs continued. I finished my routine took my bow and walked off stage. I was elated that I did it but glad it was over.

The MC walked out called me back out to take a bow and told the audience I was Tulara Lee’s son. I guess my performance was a success. Backstage the agent that booked my parents on the show handed me a $20 bill for my performance. My first paid show.

The first lesson I learned was always be prepared you never know when you might get an opportunity to prove yourself and who knows you may earn $20.