What does it take to make people laugh for a living? And what happens when nobody laughs?
For more than 40 years, comedian, musician, and songwriter Paul Aldrich has entertained audiences with his unique blend of clean comedy, musical impressions, and clever observations about life. With 16 recording projects and performances across the country and internationally, Paul has made a career out of bringing joy to others. But as he reveals in this delightful episode of The UPside Conversations with Marion MacKenzie, being funny is serious business! Behind every great performance are years of practice, creativity, resilience, and the courage to face an audience that may—or may not—find you funny.
Paul admits that comedy can be both the best and worst job in the world. One evening, after a particularly successful performance, a woman approached him, deeply offended by one of his most popular comedy songs. Her words were devastating. But moments later, a young boy who had heard the very same song approached Paul with his mother and enthusiastically told him how much he loved it! Two people, the same performance, and completely opposite reactions. It was a powerful reminder that even with the best intentions, we cannot control how others respond to us.
So how does a comedian recover from rejection, criticism, or the occasional disastrous performance? For Paul, the answer goes far deeper than developing a thick skin. His confidence comes from knowing that his identity isn't defined by his career, his successes, or his failures, but by his relationship with Jesus Christ. That foundation, along with the encouragement of family and trusted friends, has helped him navigate the loneliness, uncertainty, and emotional highs and lows of life on the road.
And at 70, Paul shows no signs of slowing down! He's bringing his humor and musical talents to new audiences through cruise performances and his latest production, Mock and Roll: Classic Comedy's Greatest Hits, a lively tribute to the comedy and music that inspired him. Join us for a fascinating, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt conversation about the art of making people laugh—and the deeper lessons we can all learn about resilience, faith, and finding joy along the way.
Watch The Art of Making People Laugh | Paul Aldrich on The UPside Conversations.
Learn more about Paul at www.paulaldrich.com.
