J
ust coming off the stage of Norfolk’s Constant Convocation Center, comedian BruceBruce took the time out to speak with Seven Magazine. The Royal Comedy Tour has been on the road since February and has dates up to late May. When I spoke with the hilariously funny Bruce-Bruce, I wanted to know so much. What started him into the business of making people laugh and how has he sustained for so long in the industry? I knew he had been in the game for a while but he let Seven Magazine know just how long a while has been. “Professionally… I’ve been doing this for 21 years.Yeah-yeah… about 21 years and I’m still having fun!” Though Bruce-Bruce (born as Bruce Church) has traveled all over, as his career has grown into a list with all of the greats, he still carries his southern soul. You can hear it and feel it as soon as he speaks. He said to Seven Magazine, “Yeah, I’m dead country… in a big way.” It was no shock when he told me that he was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He does also have a residence in California. Bruce-Bruce starting out young before it all began on the stage was already a class clown. This all grew into something so grand in the early 1990’s. He had begun performing at the Comedy Act Theater in Atlanta. His natural way that had always made people laugh… at school and everywhere he went, eventu-
ally brought him into the spotlight. He spoke to Seven Magazine of how he felt that first time on stage. Where others may have been nervous their first time, Bruce-Bruce said with an electric energy that showed he still cherished that first moment, “I knew it… I knew it! It came to me!” BET scouts witnessed the determined the comedian’s talent after Bruce had auditioned quite a few times… and BET did take notice! 1992 HBO also took notice. From that point on the comedy circuit exploded for him, and Bruce-Bruce had become a household name in comedy. He’s been asked to do multiple appearances on the legendary Showtime at the Apollo, hosting the BET Comic View and he was also their tenth anniversary host. He has kept himself busy with not only his standup comedy tours and appearances, but also dabbling in commercials, like the one for Popeye’s Chicken. Bruce-Bruce, also known as, “Mayor of Comedy,” seemed to have done it all. He’s been a part of the Laffapalooza Festival (a 3 year run), and Comedy Central Presents: Bruce-Bruce show. Bruce-Bruce has also ventured into the world of hip-hop, doing music videos like Quad City DJ’s, “Come On Ride the Train,” and Outkast’s, “So Fresh, So Clean.” The distinguishably dressed-grand frame of a man has been an absolutely grand and distinguished artist in the comedy circuit. Bruce-Bruce has taken his comedy also to film with his own video, Bruce-Bruce Live; and has carried roles on movies such as The Sunday Morning Stripper, Hair Show, and State of the Union. He has also the autobiography, Baby James Brown. I asked Bruce-Bruce how his comedic demeanor was off the stage, and he replied, “every-everyday… I’m almost like a pimp.” Bruce-Bruce plans to headline his own show and tour. He told Seven Magazine, “I’m going to pick and choose comedians that I want to roll with me that are definitely funny.” Bruce-Bruce stated, “I’m going to bring up-and-coming comedians. I’m going to give them a lot of exposure with the world, people, going on TV, and let them know what it’s all about; how to do it so they can bring up the next people when they come up. ” To see more of what Bruce-Bruce has going on check him out at Bruce-Bruce.com.