“It’s a Nonstop Barrage of Laughter,” Josh Blue Talks to Wortham About Art, Life, and His One-Night-Only Asheville Show Oct 23

After winning Last Comic Standing and placing third on America’s Got Talent, comedian Josh Blue has become a national favorite, performing more than 200 shows a year and appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show, and more. With over 1.4 million Facebook followers and more than a million YouTube views, the Denver-based comic shared insights on his life, career, and what Asheville audiences can expect,

You grew up in Minnesota and spent time in Africa. How did those different places shape your sense of humor or perspective?
They are two very different forms of comedy. I think in the end it didn’t really matter where I grew up, it was more about the people I was around. To me, it was those people who were the real influences on me and my sense of humor. My family and my friends.

You tour around 200 dates a year—how do you keep your energy up and stay sane on the road?
I don’t! I have a lot of down time on the road, so it’s a healthy dose of forensic files and alcohol. I’m joking, but the shows itself really keep me going and motivated. I love performing for my fans.

How did your Paralympian experience shape your comedy?
When I was on the U.S. Paralympic soccer team, it was such fodder for comedy and my career. Being a part of a team of disabled people really opened the door for me to be comfortable and talk about disabilities in my life and career.

You’ve played stages all over the country. Any favorite moments in the South, or things about Southern audiences that stick with you?
I think one of my favorite memories was when I was opening for comedian Ron White. I was the first one to arrive at the stage door for soundcheck. The security guard at the door thought I was some homeless guy trying to get in and I committed 100%. I pushed past him and started running around the venue like a crazy man. He did not know what to do and we ended up having a great laugh about it. Southern audiences have a great sense of humor.

Is there a past comic or moment that still influences your work?
There are so many great comics out there that I’ve been influenced by. One memory that comes to my mind is Brian Regan. Whenever Brian meets somebody, he stands up and shakes their hand. Be it the door person, a sever, or the owner of the club, he treats everyone with the same amount of respect. I thought that was a classy thing. Just because you’re the headliner doesn’t mean you’re better than anybody else. Showing your gratitude for being there is very important to keep yourself grounded and to show the staff you appreciate them.

What’s something people might not know about you?
I’m trilingual. Not many people know that. I can speak English, French, and Wolof – a Western African language.

You just released your first book, Something to Stare At. What was that process like?
It was a long arduous process for me but I’m glad it’s finally out in the world. Next up on the agenda is… nothing. I’m going to enjoy not doing anything besides comedy. I’ve done so much over the past couple of years, it’ll be nice to have some downtime off the road.