As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian The Frisco Kid. The Northwest Arkansas native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: The Frisco Kid
Hometown: Northwest Arkansas
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Instagram: @thefriscokidlive Facebook: “Francisco Frisco Valencia (The Frisco Kid Live)” Snapchat: @thefriscokid7 TikTok: @frisco_bozzhog
Years in Comedy: 2.5 years
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Good Morning News NWA, Legendary Podcast, Back to Vida Podcast, District 3 Podcast, We Are NWA Podcast, Brock in the Morning Show
Comedic Influences: Dave Chappelle, Dane Cook, Fluffy (Gabriel Iglesias), Kevin Hart, George Lopez, & Paul Rodriguez
Favorite Comedy Album: Dave Chappelle “What’s in a Name?”
Favorite Comedy Special: Dane Cook “Vicious Circle”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Superbad
Favorite Comedy TV Show: The Dave Chappelle Show
Favorite Comedic Character: Jim Carrey “The Mask”
Favorite City to Perform In: Las Vegas, Nevada
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Life Experiences
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Hype Crowd
Favorite Comedy Club: The Laugh Factory in California
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
When I was around 14, I first experienced comedy as a passion on a school bus. It sounds simple, but it really sparked my passion for the whole industry. This school bus didn’t have a radio, so I joked that I would just become the radio, and that’s what I did. I became the comedy show on wheels for my friends, and it never stopped after that.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
My first time performing a stand-up comedy show was wild. I was so nervous and all I could think about was how am I going to get through to these people? How am I going to make their night and make them remember me as a presence on stage? I wanted to put these people in a laughter-chokehold. My want to do better and better on stage persevered from there and I really try to focus on connecting with the audience and making them feel like I am a part of their daily lives which makes them want to keep coming back. Eventually, the nervousness went away, but the good times kept rolling.
How would you describe your comedic style:
My comedic style would most likely be described as one that is something that people can really relate to in their daily lives; the things that nobody really wants to talk about, but that everyone wants to laugh about. I’m a story-teller and I tell it like it is. If something embarrassing happens to me or my friends, I am the first one to make a joke about it. I make the experience of life and this funny little world entertaining to all walks of life.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
The way that I set up the stage for my comedic writing includes gathering a simple ingredient list of a grain of humility, 2 ounces of love, 16 grams of hype, 3 teaspoons of real life, 4 gallons of happiness, and a dash of razzle-dazzle. Besides that, I sit with myself for a good while, think about the process of what will hit my audience with that gut-feeling of laughter at the right times. The flow of presentation is the most important. If the show doesn’t make sense to others, then it’d be a dud. I have to consider what jokes would easily transition into bigger jokes. I really like a suspenseful build-up so that each show ends with a feel-good bang.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
The comedy scene in my area is primarily formed based on the small-town bar scenes in which most people are looking for a quick laugh at someone else’s expense. This usually includes R-rated material which isn’t necessarily appropriate for everyone. This is something that I try to stand apart from. I want people to be able to laugh with me at all ages and from all walks of life. I want the people around me to feel comfortable to be in the presence of their families or loved ones when they come to see me. I want people to be able to brag about seeing my show and feeling as if it is inclusive for all. I hope to make my mark in this way and help the comedy scene in my area improve to become more inclusive.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
My judgement of success comes from the smiles and excitement of the people when they exit a show. I love to see them talking and interacting with one another, expressing their favorite parts and what made them laugh the most. For me, it isn’t necessarily about monetary value, but from the happiness I can spread to others. In a world full of things that hurt, laughter really is the best medicine.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Some of my closest comedic peers that I truly enjoy watching and performing and who inspire me on a daily basis in all aspects of life include: Kenneth Crabgrass from Fayetteville, Arkansas, and of course my team members who I work with constantly, Shaan Choppala from Bentonville, Arkansas, Ayla Sinclair from Bentonville, Arkansas, and our rookie comedian who just joined our team, Marco Antonio from Springdale, Arkansas.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
The most memorable moment(s) in my comedic career include times in which I would look out into the audience and see people from all backgrounds, all ethnicities, all different walks of life, and notice them all joining in together for one simple thing: to laugh. To join one another in something as pure as a smile or a laugh is the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced. These moments are magnified for me when I include special parts to my shows like joining together in singing, which is just the best thing ever! I would encourage anyone to come to one of my shows just for one of those moments.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
Even if I have a tough time during a particular show or if there isn’t the audience number that I wished for, or if something doesn’t turn out how I imagined it would, I learned that there is always someone watching that will get the most out of it and that there are always loved ones in my corner who will support me, and there will always be someone that I need to make an impact on, so I have learned to continue on and put my best foot forward and try and give the best show that I can at all times, despite the difficulties.
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
I would say that the over-arching reaction that I tend to get from people once they realize I can make them laugh, is one of shock. They don’t realize I am a performer until I present myself on stage as “The Frisco Kid”. I really embrace my persona while performing and tend to become a magnified version of myself on stage. I love my alternative personality – it’s my secret weapon to be able to turn into my favorite type of person in front of an audience – a comedian.
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Building a career in stand-up comedy isn’t one for the faint of heart. It can be and is a full-time gig on its own. It’s full of networking, selling yourself, making sure that if you talk the talk, you can walk the walk. The perseverance that you have to have to not give up, is immense. It truly it a stair-case situation in which you have to build upon how good you were previously, and continue to make changes based on self-criticism, which can be difficult at times, but has made me a better person for it.
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
One thing that I would change in the world of comedy, if I could, would be to make it as respected and valued as other performances/performance types. I don’t think people take comedy seriously, which I know is almost redundant in itself, but it’s my career – and should be treated as such.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
My team member, Shaan Choppala, advised me and influenced me to really focus on cleaner, more wholesome content that all could enjoy, instead of a very niche set of comedy that may only reach certain individuals. I want my content to be as inclusive as possible.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“The Slow Cruise to Hollywood: A Comedy Special with The Frisco Kid”.
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I connected with the actor Michael Rooker, who plays Yondu on Guardians of the Galaxy, particularly the second movie in the series. I loved his character and it really touched my heart in how he portrayed a father-figure to those he loved. I ran into him in Bentonville, Arkansas and really tried playing it cool – giving him a simple head-nod, giving him space, acting like it wasn’t a big deal, but man, it totally was for me. In my head (and when he wasn’t looking), I was freaking out at his presence. I eventually gave in to my desire to meet him, and asked for a picture with him. He was great and thought it was hilarious that I had been scared to meet him or show my true emotions at first – almost like a kid in a candy store…or more like a Frisco Kid in a candy store.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
One of the weirdest places I have ever performed in would have to be the three-in-one bar called “The Block” in Florida, in which there was a comedy club, a honky tonk, and a bar, all in one place. It was so funky and fun! I had a really good time and wasn’t even prepared to do a comedy show, but they let me in on a whim and it ended up being great.
A Frisco Kid Fun Fact:
I LOVE Brittany Spears.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
I would say that my ultimate goals include making it far enough to have my own Netflix special as well as making sure that I have enough money to be able to donate and fund charities such as Make-a-Wish and any charity that deals with children or even people out there looking for second-chances in life. I want to make a difference in the lives of others. Investing in my own community and helping local businesses are also very close to my heart. I am currently trying my best to incorporate helping local businesses gain more traction by bringing audiences to their business at my comedy shows in which they host me on their property.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
I would say that potential comedians need to make people believe in them. They need to be confident in themselves, portray a sense of ownership of their jokes, and be proud of what they present.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I think that the future of comedy is heading towards people only using audience interaction as a form of comedy and using only clippable moments for social media. I hope to make a stand in which it goes back to the way I was raised with comedy – a true stand-up show in which you tell a story and make a lasting impression based off of genuine events where people want to listen rather than feel the need to be the comedian as well.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
The TV sitcom in which I would like to write an episode for would have to be The Office. I would make the particular episode based on a scenario of “Dwight’s Plight at the DMV”.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
The comedy club that I would choose to perform at would be The Laugh Factory set in California. The three comedians I would choose to perform with would be George Lopez, Dave Chappelle, and Gabriel Iglesias “Fluffy”. Although, I would switch out “Fluffy” for Bernie Mac if I had the option of choosing a comedian that has passed away. The show would open with “Fluffy” with a quick follow-up of my own performance, followed by Dave Chappelle, and a strong finish with the great George Lopez.
What’s next for you:
The next steps for me would have to be making a crack in the business and establishing myself in my own community as well as make a name for myself along the way in big cities. I want to make a better community for comedians in my home-town and make it an easier path for those who follow me than it was for myself.
Why should a person always laugh at life:
When you are mad, you think about things to be mad about. When you are sad, you think of the saddest things in life. But man, when you laugh, you don’t think about anything except being in the moment and enjoying the smile on your face. Life is about those moments in-between the mad and sad. One of my favorite quotes to say is “Always find a reason to laugh. It may not add years to your life, but will surely add life to your years”.
Follow The Frisco Kid’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: The Frisco Kid
Youtube: The Frisco Kid
