Comedy on the Cumberland returns with the roar of laughter

By Bill Larson | March 16, 2011 |

Clarksville, TN – Last night Comedy on the Cumberland returned to Clarksville with a show held in the Roxy Regional Theatre. The fifth Comedy on the Cumberland show featured Karen Mills, Renard Hirsch, and Donnie Pollard; and was emceed by Hank Bonecutter. The proceeds from the show went to benefit the Clarksville Hunger Project; a program ran by Empty Bowls of Clarksville; benefiting the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen, and the Urban Ministries Grace Assistance Food Pantry.

The show opened up with a video message from Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan who was the subject of some good natured  ribbing by Bonecutter later in the show. “Hi, I am Mayor Kim McMillian. You know we are so fortunate here in the City of Clarksville to have so many wonderful events like Comedy on the Cumberland, and I am proud as the Mayor to be able to say on behalf of all the citizens of Clarksville we’re proud to be a part of Comedy on the Cumberland. One of the good things about it is it serves so many charities here in our community. We think it is a wonderful event, and on behalf of the City Council, on behalf of the citizens of Clarksville, and on behalf of the Mayor’s office we’re here to say Thank you to Comedy on the Cumberland for what it does for our community, for the charities, and I hope that you will be a part of it, and enjoy the show.”

She was followed by Rita Arancibia the head of Empty Bowls of Clarksville. “Hi, I am Rita Arancibia and I am with Empty Bowls. I just want to thank you all for coming together tonight to fight hunger in our community. Empty bowls is a project we call hope not hunger. What we do is to try to help those who are here in our community with food insecurity, and who just don’t have quite enough to eat. The Empty Bowls program focuses on two of our local agencies Loaves and Fishes, Urban Ministries Grace Assistance Food Pantry.”

Linda Nichols of Loaves and Fishes

Linda Nichols of Loaves and Fishes talked about their program “Loaves and Fishes serves hot meal six days a week, Monday through Saturday. If anyone comes for food, they get food. We have 250 volunteers or so, and it’s a very good organization,” she continued, “Laughter is good for your health, and good for the soul.”

Beverly Dycus from the Urban Ministries Grace Assistance Food Pantry agreed, “Laughter is good medicine and it’s good to be together and to remember those in our community who are struggling and having a hard time.” She talked a bit about their program. “Urban Ministries provides an emergency food box program where we give people food to take home to prepare and feed their families. We serve approximately 5,000 persons every year with food given from this community.”

Attendees select from a wide variety of ceramic bowls

Each attendee of the comedy benefit was offered one of the ceramic bowls that lends the organization and their signature event its name. “The Empty Bowl reminds us that there are so many people who are hungry.” said Hank Bonecutter.

He then recognized each of the sponsors for the evening. The sponsors for this show included F&M bank, Wendy’s of Clarksville, and Wyatt-Johnson (Buick GMC Hyundai Subaru Mazda), with Clarksville Online, Discover Clarksville, Ad One Advertising, Clarksville’s Best Buys, along with CDE Lightband are serving as the media partners. Hank Bonecutter said “Each of the sponsors are so supportive of this franchise, and what we are doing, which is in our small way being able to use laughter to change our community.”

He also recognized the Roxy Regional Theatre which he called “a great venue for comedy with comfortable seats, and all of the talented personnel they provide.”

Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan walking on crutches

Bonecutter started warming up the crowd with some current events, “Since our last visit We have a new mayor, lets give a nice hand for Mayor Kim McMillan. I don’t think she is here yet, I am afraid she has broken another leg or something. You know When she started running for office she broke an ankle I think. Then all the sudden she was elected Mayor and broke a knee. God knows what will happen if she runs for Governor again, seriously!”

He then recognized Khandra Smalley from F&M Bank, on her birthday. “My Chocolate Sweetie” he called her, as her photo popped up on the monitors. He then led the audience in singing birthday wishes to her.

Comedian Donnie Pollard

Bonecutter then introduced the first comedian, Donnie Pollard. Pollard has a history in Tech support and can tell some stories that would have you rolling in the aisle. His face is a comedic weapon, which is used to good effect to get the crowd fully involved in his performance. He also has great body language which he uses to punctuate his jokes.

I actually used to work on computers over the phone in a call center. I know don’t look Indian but I did… I hated that job I really did. I hated it so much. I would have some of the dumbest person call me up, and you had to be nice to them. Because that’s what you have to do. Until I found out what the Multiple personality button does, the mute button. Hit that thing and say what ever the heck you want. If you ever hear that silence we are not looking things up, we are cussing you out mercilessly…

Bonecutter took the stage again and took some pot shots at all the We buy gold stores in Clarksville, asking the crowd if anyone had sold any gold there. “There must be something to it because Kevin Kennedy has moved his office in one of them. He’s a fairly bright guy isn’t he. You have to think that something is going on there.” He then encouraged the audience to share the joke with Kennedy, “You’ll be sure to tell him that joke, it’s not like I am not being sued by enough people already.” Bonecutter admitted he wasn’t actually being sued by anyone a few moments later.

Comedian Renard Hirsch

He then introduced the second comedian, Renard Hirsch.

Hirsch is a promising young African American comedian with a real world style of comedy. Hirsch was animated and had very good stage utilization. His number was very funny and kept the audience laughing.

Any Titans fans here” he asked. “I love the Titans man… maybe we need to show the Titans a little more love, you know when we see them out. Maybe we need to treat the Titans a little better… I see the Titans in Nashville at the clubs. I just walk right by them, I don’t say anything… So last time I saw them in the club, I had my Vince Young jersey on. I walked up to them, I saw Vince Young. I said Hey Man Vince Young. I took my Jersey off. I saw Chris Johnson sitting over there in the club. I was like ooh man. I pulled out my pen because I wanted something to remember this moment. So I walked right up to them. I was like hey guys, I love you guys but it would make my day if you guys could pass this pen and this jersey down to Randy Moss and get me his autograph. Because he is a real celebrity and I don’t see him every day.

The Roxy Regional Theatre then gave a short preview of their upcoming musical The Civil War. Segments three different numbers were sung by some of the cast members including Keith Patrick McCoy, Ryan Bowie, and Travis Kendrick.

Comedian Karen Mills

Hank Bonecutter then introduced Karen Mills.

Mills had to be one of the funniest comedians that has yet appeared at Comedy on the Cumberland so far. Her down home delivery clearly resonated with the audience in attendance.

I was going though a little town not long ago and I saw a sign on the church marquee that said “Stop, drop, and roll doesn’t work in Hell”. I just wanted to let you know that just in case you thought you had a plan. It won’t work! I decided there must not be very many menopausal women in hell, because they wouldn’t put up with it. They’d band together, overthrow the devil and get the air turned on.” a feminine voice in the audience seconded that notion with a “Amen!”… She then shared with the men in the audience a sure fire way to tell the difference between a woman with PMS, and a woman going through menopause. “A woman with PMS will kill you, but a woman going through menopause will force you to take your own life… Good luck to you!

With jokes like these she kept the audience laughing throughout her set.

The comedy series will continue with another Comedy on the Cumberland show on June 14th. Keep a eye out here for more information as soon as it is available! Bonehead Promotions is also producing a new series of magic shows at the Customs House Museum; the first Magic at the Museum show will be held on Saturday March 26th at 2:00pm. For more information and to purchase your tickets online, visit the Magic at the Museum page at the Bonehead Promotions web site.

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