A fund-raising benefit for stand-up comic Mike Veneman will be held at
8:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18 at the Funny Stop Comedy Club, 1757
State Rd in Cuyahoga Falls. Veneman, 53, was recently diagnosed with
Lou Gehrig◊s Disease, or ALS. Donations are requested for the price
of admission with no set minimum, and all the box office gate receipts
will go to him for his health care costs.
The event is sponsored by the club and WNIR 100.1, whose morning talk
show host Stan Piatt (330-673-2331 ) will be the Master of Ceremonies
for the lineup of talent.
Mike Veneman grew up in Steubenville and graduated from Kent State
University. He started his comedy stand-up routines in 1985 and hit
the national circuit perfecting his delivery and timing. Frequently
he returned to the Cuyahoga Falls club to keep the laughter rolling.
The Northeast Ohio comedian hasn't lost his "redneck" sensibilities,
but he has been forced to stop performing because his diaphragm and
vocal chords are too weak. He has presented nearly 5,000 shows in 47
states and seven foreign countries. After 24 years he has to hang up
the mic, the Stow resident said.
He has written for redneck comics Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy
(Dan Whitney), and others, and Veneman has contributed material to the
CMT Music Awards ceremonies in 2005 and 2006.
He returned to KSU in 1995, but this time he was in front ot the class
to teach upcoming and hopeful comedians. Known as ∆The Professor,≈
his Comedy 101 workshop classes have been popular, and many of his
students are on the road at clubs.
The lineup on the evening of the fundraiser will have 15-20 comics,
including national and regional and headliners such as Charlie Wiener
and Kenmore native Mike Connally, along with some of his former
successful students.
Reservations should be made by calling the Funny Stop at 330-923-4700.
Food and beverages are available for purchase.
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio —
