Monday, May 2nd, 2011
Are Yo-yos Recession Proof?
From my perspective as a professional yo-yo man, it sure seems as if yo-yos are recession proof. As the economy tanked almost everyone suffered, and I am no exception. However, for the last two years I have seen an interesting trend in my business. While it has gotten increasingly difficult to book shows, when I [...]
No Comments » - Posted in General by mark
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
I May Be on America’s Got Talent Next Week
The only thing I’m legally allowed to say is:
4 Comments » - Posted in General by mark
Monday, November 26th, 2007
First Show for the Happy Hour Heroes!
Last Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, was the first-ever show by the Happy Hour Heroes. We are: Steve Brown, Mark Hayward , and Aaron Bonk. This group is the brainchild of Steve Brown, who bills himself as the Happy Hour Hero in his solo work. The idea is to be a modern-day Rat Pack with [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in General by mark
Sunday, September 9th, 2007
Rockin’ Out in Manitowoc
Friday night I had some time to kill in Manitowoc WI, so I went to see a movie. I was up there because I had a gig the next morning, and I was staying in a dive hotel. The movie I chose to see was Rush Hour 3, and I would not recommend it. The [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in General by mark
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
Warning: Possible Certified Check Scam on Performers
I recently got referred for a gig by a friend of mine. It was a wedding/anniversary celebration in Jackson Tennessee. I actually thought it was a legit gig until we started to talk about money. The guy said that he wanted to get my address right away so that he could have his accountant send [...]
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Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Watch for me on Nickelodeon’s Slime Across America
Yesterday, as I was setting up to do my first street show at Summerfest in Milwaukee, there was a big camera crew standing in front of me. I went over to ask what they were doing, and to see if they were going to be staying right there for long since I wanted to do [...]
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Friday, July 6th, 2007
A New Career High: My Face on a Birthday Cake
One of the reasons that people become performers is that they like the attention. Most of the time that attention comes in specific, expected forms. But I was recently offered an awesome new format: my photo on a kid’s birthday cake. Elijah’s mom took this photo of us after a show at the Burlington WI [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in General by mark
Monday, June 18th, 2007
Letterman’s Stupid Human Tricks Audition
I went up to Chicago this week to audition for Stupid Human Tricks from The Late Show with David Letterman. It was surprisingly low-key. I figured that there would be at least 100 people in line, and possibly 1000, but as it turned out, there were 18 registrants. I did my marshmallow tricks with the [...]
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Tuesday, May 29th, 2007
ChocolateFest Day 4
Today went well, but I’m glad it’s over. I’m TIRED. Everyone should spend an afternoon swapping stories with a couple of cowboys in a barn. I can’t recommend it highly enough. I had a long break in between sets today, and I had already planned on spending it sitting on my butt backstage. It turned [...]
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Sunday, May 27th, 2007
ChocolateFest Day 3
Today I had four shows, and they were only 30 minutes apart. It was exhausting. At least it was a nice sunny day though, so there were lots of people around to watch. Today’s high points: – On the way in I saw a car with the liscense plate “BON JOV1″ Awesome. – Buying my [...]
