I try to go out of my way to find that special talent in St. Louis that may go unheard of in the exuberant media circle. Comedian HD Reeves is all over the place, hosting shows, coordinating events and making people laugh.
I sat down with him in St. Louis right after he'd just finished a prolific fundraiser to help a cancer patient with their insurance. Here is his story and it is a big one.
Rod: How are you man?
Great! God is good to me every day, even on bad days I find joy in God’s word.
Rod: Now explain your stage name?
It has nothing to do with my name, but is because I wanted to create an identity nobody would forget. At 6’ tall, 300lbs, I'm a large presence, but it’s my even larger personality that cannot be ignored! Once you meet this tower of comedy, you’ll remember my name!
Rod: So you are a comedian, what else do you add to your resume?
Mid 2010 I started off acting & landed a small role in a Tru TV pilot called ''Venom Force'' then had the pleasure of working with some big names in a movie titled ''Call Me On Tuesday'' Starring Jason London, Kevin Sorbo, Danielle Harris, Lochlyn Munro. While at the same time writing funny skits, cartoons, movie shorts, I found myself searching for a more creative outlet and met my now friend Jason Nelson, who gave me the idea to try stand up. We did 2 different rooms my first night and I have been hooked ever since. But I do still wonder if he just needed a ride to a show? (lol)
Rod: I see you be getting your grind on, what would you say to other comedians who are out there trying to get the laughs?
Thanks for noticing! I grind & hustle so much I put them together & call it the ‘Grustle’. I find that you need to hit as many open mic’s that you can in all types of different clubs, venues or any place that will accommodate you. I’ve done plenty spoken word open mic’s, just to get in front of an audience. You also have to help your other up and coming comics, don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Don’t be scared to talk to a ''big name'' because they were you at some point.
Rod: You’ve coordinated a benefit recently tell me about that?
I met Matt Collins my first night doing stand up. We have kept in touch since then & he called me one day to open for him at a benefit show. I have done four others for him as well since then. The latest one he picked me out of an entire line up for a fundraising event to help a lady who is battling cancer without insurance, and we raised over a thousand dollars. It’s a blessing that I can talk junk thru a microphone and it helps out people like this. Simply amazing! All these comic did the same, Kenny Kinds, Joe "the Animal" Lancey, Cathy Babis, Tyrone Robinson, Randy Toles JR, Marquise Moore, & Matt Collins.
Rod: Name some of the hottest comedians you had the pleasure of working with?
Matt Collins’ ''Who's Got Jokes'' tours with Tracy Morgan & John Witherspoon & more movie credits than I can list. Brandon "Hotsauce'' Glover-Comedy Central & Showtime Specials. Arvin Mitchell-Def Comedy Jam & much more. Ted Denson & Tyrone Robinson both have national tours weekly. The Hottest up & coming comic from the ‘Lou’ Marquise Moore. The ability to work alongside some of these guys is amazingly rewarding.
Rodney: A little about your life?
I lived in some rough places, under all kinds of circumstances, living fast and facing the daily ‘grustle’. At 14, I got a job at a local soul food restaurant and it wasn’t long before I was promoted to cook. The owner would tell me to: “Keep your white ass behind them doors! I don’t want these black folk to know some white boy cooking they soul food.” I’ve learned early on, adapted to fit the situation! Learning to adapt to so many situations and events, I figured out a way to creatively view the world and speak my mind. This is what has led me to who I am and where I'm at today.
Rodney: It was great chatting with you I wish you the best in all that you do?
Thanks a lot Rod! I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for a good friend & comedian Ben Flug, the creator of No Name Comix, we have joined forces to take the St. Louis comedy scene to a new level. Don't forget Saturday, Jan 28, 2012 at 7pm. Come see 'The FUNNY B4You Lose Your Money' at the Oz in Sauget, IL. No Name Comix brings you the 1st & hopefully annual ''STUPID BOWL I''! Cover $5/VIP $10, featuring Jovan Bibbs, Matt Collins and many more! If you want a discount hit me up to find out the password.
For more on HD Reeves click here, and you can read the previous interview on funny man Randy Toles by clicking here.
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