"I
hope you like jokes" may seem an absurd way for a comedian to begin a show
but those are the words that comedian Dwight York uses to introduce himself to
his audience each night. Then the joke-slinging begins and never ends until York
says "goodnight" a couple hundred perfect one-liners later.
During the first of many appearances on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom
Radio Network, York joked, "I was homeless for awhile. I didn't want anyone
to know so I slept in front of a Ticket Master." It sent the morning crew
howling with delight, became Tom Griswold's "new favorite joke" and
was featured on The Bob And Tom CD You Guys Rock. Since then York has been a
regular guest on the show and was part of the 2005 "Friends of Bob and Tom
Show" concert tour.
__________________________________________
Comedian
Dwight York is not just a funny character with and an unforgettable style; he
has great jokes. A seemingly endless store of original and
clever jokes the St. Paul Pioneer Press calls “best one-liners this side of
Steven Wright.” Audiences agree. He is a crowd pleasing, critically
acclaimed, one of a kind showman. Dwight York is truly a stand out among stand-ups!
Dwight
has been a guest and can be heard regularly on the nationally syndicated radio
program The Bob and Tom Show and is featured on their CD You
Guys Rock; is heard regularly on XM & Sirius Satellite Radio and is the author of the book
The Vile File -- Jokes
too Sick for the Stage.
Club
appearances include: Acme Comedy Club –
Minneapolis; Comedy
Cafe – Milwaukee; Charlie
Goodnights – Raleigh; Crackers –
Indianapolis; Funny
Bone – all over; Go
Bananas - Cincinnati; Improv –
all over; JRs
Last Laugh – Erie; Penguins
– Cedar Rapids and Quad Cities; Punchline –
Atlanta; Skyline Comedy Cafe
– Appleton; Wiley’s –
Dayton; Wits
End – Denver; Zanies
– Chicago & Nashville
Other
Credits:
Finalist
1995 Vail National Comedy Invitational
Semifinalist 1996 & 1997 San Francisco International Comedy Contest
Chicago Comedy
Festival
Four Corners Iron Horse Motorcycle
Rally
Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary Celebration
Edinburgh Fringe
Festival
2005
Outback Concert's Friends of the Bob and Tom Show concert tour
Has appeared with Lewis Black, Jeff
Cesario, Dave Chapelle, Tommy Chong, Bobcat Goldthwait,
Dana Gould, Mitch Hedberg, Victoria Jackson, Jake Johansen, Carl Leifer, Richard Lewis,
Dave Mordal; John Pinnette, Kevin Pollack,
Doug Stanhope, Thea, Michael Winslow, Harland Williams, Bob and Tom Show's
Kristi Lee and Chic McGee and most all the Friends of the Bob and Tom Show
Dwight York:
a Brief History
Comedian
Dwight York’s act has always been smart, funny and to the point. It was
February 1989 when he took the stage for the first time. And from that very
first open mic set, York established what was to become his trademark style:
clever, concise, non sequitur, impeccably timed setup/punchline type jokes.
These finely crafted jokes, blended together with his quirky stage persona and
his unique style of delivery, quickly established him as one of Minneapolis’s
hottest young comics. Within two years he began working regularly as a
“feature act” at the (then hottest) Twin Cities comedy club chain, The
Comedy Gallery.
In 1995, while still working his day job and doing standup
part-time, York achieved his first major credit. He was invited to compete in
a major national comedy contest, The Vail National Comedy Invitational. There he
made it all the way to the final round and so impressed the contest co-sponsor
and contest host, Budd Friedmann (famous founder of the world-famous Improv
comedy club) that he personally invited him back for the summer tie-in event,
The Vail Comedy Festival. Not bad for a part-time comic with a day job.
In January of 1996, after seven years of honing his act and saving his
money, York took his show on the road. The highlight of that first year was
another contest. This time it was the prestigious San Francisco International
Comedy Contest where he placed second in his preliminary round and advanced to
the semi-finals (in 1998 he again entered and again advanced to the semi-finals
– this time placing first in the preliminary round).
As a full-time touring comedian,
York maintained his persistent and
patient approach. He continually added club appearances to his resume and depth
and polish to his act. In December of 1999 he added “published author” to his
list of credits with the release of the book, The
Vile File -- Jokes too Sick for the Stage.
2000 proved to be
the break-out year for Dwight York. In June he was invited to perform at the Chicago Comedy
Festival. Then in October a big break came his way. York was
invited to be guest on the nationally syndicated radio program, The Bob and
Tom Show. His first appearance was a tremendous hit. His joke, “I was
homeless for awhile – I didn’t want anyone to know so I slept in front of a
Ticket Master,” became Tom Griswold’s “new favorite joke,” was replayed
over and over and landed him a spot on the Bob and Tom CD: You Guys Rock. Since then
York has been a frequent guest on the
show, has become a favorite comedy club headliner in many Bob and Tom markets
and has worked several club dates with the show’s Kristi Lee and Chick McGee
and was a member of the 2005 Friends of the Bob and Tom Show Tour.
In April of 2002 a surprising little credit was added to
York's comedy writing resume. A joke from his website was reprinted in the
Reader’s Digest. Not a bad accomplishment considering the size of the
magazine’s circulation (world’s largest). Impressive, also, if you consider
the broad appeal of his humor. It sort of makes you wonder, where will Dwight
York’s comedy next appear? Hopefully, somewhere near you.
Contact info/bookings: Jeff Johnson - Penguins Entertainment Management:
319-846-9337;
jeff.johnson319@mchsi.com
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