Thoughts on Stage Names

[nixonjames]

My issue with Jimmy results from a tic of my entire life being scolded for making sure people called me by my name from my father (who resented Eddie turning into Eddeh Lee-uh) we're from texas. And i do a lot of dry, dark stuff. Initially I was writing a lot about texas related things so it felt easy. Tex was a nickname begrudgingly given me by over 3 sets of friends.

I've also considered rolling with it. I can imagine my grandpapa Wilhelm calling me 'Jimmy' in his staccato german accent.

Right now I've stuck to open mics. Too many to count really but the ones I make a habit of doing are Tavern at the End of the World 8 Weds (Charlestown), Grandma's Basement 9 Thurs (Fenway). And I sporadically hit up somerville (sally o'brien's, razzy's) monday, and Skellig in Waltham on Tues. There are more and some just starting as well. Would say I've put 4months of stage time in and a year of journaling before I got the nerve to go up.

Lots of great things here.
I've often thought of doing it as Jay Nixon. jim and jimmy make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. as far as the Z coming out in the james/nixon transition this has been a regular issue and one of the ones I'd sorta forgotten when I brought this up.

I think it's settled that tex will be a no go (unless maybe i'm playin lubbock or amarillo) but perhaps there's something to J. nixon
my middle name is Lee. j. lee. nixon? j. l. nixon? jill nixon? that'll shock 'em! sigh... this is fun to think about after hours of writing...

[crlygrl]

I don't think you should be so worried about what your name sounds like. Tex Nixon is trying way too hard. Just go with whatever you're called on a day to day basis. This thread is weird.

[Vercetti]

If it was me I'd go with J. Nixon. It's got a good ring to it.

We're actually Bizarro opposites...I'm from Boston and I now live in Texas.

[AJ Finney]

Just use you real name

[BobDope]

That's what Geechy Guy did.

[smellyhipster]

I'd see a guy named J. Nixon over a guy named Tex Nixon. The only Tex I ever liked was Tex Avery.

[bridgetosolace]

I don't think you should be so worried about what your name sounds like. Tex Nixon is trying way too hard. Just go with whatever you're called on a day to day basis. This thread is weird.

I don't see why it's a stretch to think that someone neurotic and self conscious enough to be a comedian might be concerned about the aesthetics of their name.

Not that it's weird NOT to be concerned.

Jay Nixon seems excellent. PG-13 was 100% right about James Nixon not working well, I was just thinking about the syllabic merits. I automatically assume one syllable first name and two syllable last name is good, but it's not always the case.

[suavepebble]

I've been thinking about primarily using a British accent when entertaining people professionally... thoughts?

[bridgetosolace]

I would be curious to see how the same set does with or without a British accent.

Matt Walsh mentioned on the recent Marc Maron podcast that fat people tend to get bigger laughs for the same joke, I'm just wondering if something similar applies.

British accents certainly do sound better than American, that's for sure.

[SlyBattery]

My thoughts on stage names

[suavepebble]

To appease an audience that I am truly shaken by, I am thinking about going on stage wearing crutches with my legs in a cast or possibly going up there in a full-fledged wheelchair.... thoughts?

[CaptainBreakfast]

In order to get them on my side, I was thinking of going up as a starving Haitian child with a head wound and no way back to my home country. Thoughts?

[Rob Delaney]

If I had a choice between seeing Jimmy Nixon or Tex Nixon or Cuntnibble Nixon I would probably see the one who was funny.

[Hated Milk Machine]

I used to tell people I wanted to change my name to "ANDY KNIFE" because I thought it sounded totally badass. But then I turned 8.

[scamboogah]

I once thought of going by my middle name 'Martin' because I wanted a job in Hollywood, and Marty makes me sound more Jewish, and Jews run Hollywood. Then I turned 15, and tried to stereotype less.

LIFE LESSONS.

[KOPHSKJX]

For the longest time (and to this day), I thought your pen name/stage name was JuanCarlos.

[Barmy Man]

I used to tell people I wanted to change my name to "ANDY KNIFE" because I thought it sounded totally badass. But then I turned 8.

Then you went back to Bill Knife, the nice boy.

[Jono11]

Marty makes me sound more like a free-wheelin' teenaged time traveler, and time travelers run Hollywood.

I think this is what you meant.

[dave]

in my case i need a stage name because another comic in town has the exact same name as me. he's successful, i'm doing open mics. but every time i try to get on people are like "are you HIM?" expressing excitement that someone so well established would come to their mic. and then i have to disappoint them and say no. plus how awful would it be if i ever did a booked show and people came thinking they'd see one comic and instead they saw me?

so while i love my given name, in this arena i have to cast it off for another.

i just use my mom's maiden name.

[JayP7]

Yeah just do whatever you like best. Probably what you use normally. If there's something weird like you specifically know of somebody with the exact same name.

If you REALLY hate somebody changing your name then let them know beforehand/afterwards. If they give you shit, or do it anyway, then fuck 'em. Either chew'em out or don't come back.

Certainly don't consider your act AT ALL when deciding, holy shit. James, Jim, or Jimmy can still be just as much from Texas. When you run out of shit to say about Texas or just get sick of it you'll still be "Tex". And worse people will start saying it with an annoying southern drawl:

"Well, lookee who we got heeeere! well why don't ch'all give a biig rounda applause fur Teeeeeeeex Nnnnnnnixon!!!"

People are assholes. Get use to it and don't let it affect you.