A professional speaker and humorist is how Jeanne Robertson defines herself. With more than 50 years in the business, the 1963 Miss North Carolina has made a career on the stage with a microphone in hand sharing her quick wit and funny stories with many a convention attendee and a growing fan base of all ages. Robertson was content with traveling and booking speaking events with meeting planners for her professional life. Then five years ago, the Internet took some of her clever clips viral, not only changing her perspective but also bringing her humor to a much larger audience. Now, Robertson’s shows are in arenas all over the country, over the SiriusXM satellite radio air waves, on social media and on CDs and DVDs sold by the thousands. Robertson’s YouTube clips keep people laughing out loud every day with titles like: “Don’t Send a Man to the Grocery Store,” "Don’t Go Rafting Without a Baptist in the Boat” and “Don’t Line Dance in the Ladies’ Room.” A native of Graham, Robertson and her husband, Jerry, whom she lovingly refers to as “Left Brain” in her comedy, have their roots firmly planted in Alamance County, although she may spend more time in those Carolina blue skies in between her destinations. A former physical education teacher and basketball coach, her 6-foot-2 frame is only taller when enhanced by her high heels. This beautiful grandmother is a devoted Elon University supporter, proud of her Southern heritage, unafraid to discuss humor in aging and still doing what she loves most every day, making people laugh.
ONC: When you’re not traveling, do you work from home?
JR: We’ve added on to the house six times, because we didn’t want to pay for office space, and one room has now turned into three. We are in the process of installing a new computer, which is like birthing a baby. If you open up this desk, everything will fall out. Can you tell us the impetus for you becoming a speaker?
Actually, I have been a professional speaker, which now starts my 51st year. I got started because even though it was the only pageant I ever entered, I became Miss North Carolina. That year in 1963 and into '64, I made more than 500 little speeches, not hour and a half shows that I do now, but I was on my feet every day giving remarks, so I developed a reputation that I was funny. It took about a week, but it was just like a duck to water. I crowned the next Miss North Carolina, and the following week, I spoke at four meetings. I just never looked back. I have done everything else. I went back to college, graduated and taught physical education and coached, but I kept speaking all summer and every weekend. I printed little brochures, always humorous, not motivational, and there’s a difference. People would say, “Why don’t you go out to California and try to get in the comedy clubs?” Every Holiday Inn had a comedy club practically back then, but I had no desire to do that, because professional speaking was so good to me. I felt at home there. I enjoyed it. I joined the National Speakers Association and eventually became president, so I know speakers all over the country, and they’re my family. How did your professional speaking career mushroom into your humor shows?
In my late 60s, I embraced the Internet. I encourage people my age to do it, not all of it. I don’t have time for all of it, but if you’re in business and not embracing it, you might be going backwards or standing still. So I embraced the Internet, and I went viral twice. It is the most exciting thing, because you are getting 10,000 hits every hour. It just lasts a little while. Then SiriusXM satellite radio started playing me 10 or more times a day on their family comedy channels. So some people came to me from Nashville and said, “You can sell tickets for theater shows.”
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