The Comedian
by Chris WellsI’ve never written an article about a comedian in my life. I guess if I could spell, it would have been done a lot sooner and made things easier. Ha? Ha? Granted, the professional comedians that we see everyday on the tele are funny as hell but no one locally has cracked me up. That is until now and I just had to represent. Raleigh native Mello Mike Miller is one funny m---------------r. He delivers his art with flair, laid back delivery with an underlining air of charm and wit. I’ve been known to tell a few knee slappers myself, but not like this dude. Timing, building the story, the delivery, the come around, hell, all of the basic elements are there and then he kicks it up a notch and then another. His set reminds me of chilling with your friends and talking about the comings and goings of everyday life with the funniest person around being the ringleader. Mello, a name given to him for his laid back nature, has opened for well known comics Ralphie May, Dave Attell, Pauly Shore and last comic standing winner and host Anthony Clark. He performs regularly at Raleigh’s world renowned comedy club, Charlie Goodnights, on Wednesday nights. Within the next few months, Miller is planning on taking his act on the road so keep your ears open to get the scoop on his shows. I suggest you remember his name because you will be hearing about him for many moons to come.
When did the comedy bug first bite you?
I can't really say for sure but I have always enjoyed making people laugh.
What inspires your comedy?
The crazy things that happen everyday. Just life in general which for me is always completely crazy. But then again, everything’s funny after smoking two blunts.
What makes you stand out from the rest of the pack, per say?
I have a laid back style and I just remain true to myself. I don't pretend to be someone else or something I'm not.
How do you write your material?
There really is no method to how I write. Besides, If I tell ya I'd have to kill ya!
Who are your biggest comedic influences?
Of course big names like Pryor, Hedburg, Murphy...but those who really
influence me are the ones that are around me, on the grind like me. Like Mike Spurlock, Dave Bailey, Merv Seymore....these will be names you hear in the near future.
Are you from talented family?
Yes. They all have jobs.
Have you ever bombed?
Of course. Any comic that says they haven't bombed before needs to perform somewhere else besides in front of their mom.
What is your greatest experience as a comedian?
Getting a ---- --- from telling a joke.... I don’t know, he must have thought I was really funny. Just kidding!
Do you have any big events in the near horizon?
Just my court date, but if you check http://www.myspace.com/mellomikemiller
dates will be posted for upcoming shows.
So, you're the youngest of 8 kids. How was it growing up with such a
big family?
We never got what we asked for at Christmas. All I ever wanted was a
train set. One year I thought I had it. There was a big present under the
tree so I ran over and ripped it open. But when I looked down, it was a shovel.
I was all crying like, "daddy this ain't no train set" and my dad said "on
the contrary son, it's the Harriet Tubman underground railroad set". It was
so messed up. I guess it was one of those do it yourself things. It even
had a tag that said "run-away negroes not included". That was a greeeeaaaat
Christmas.
