Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Unity church presents comedian, songwriter Psychospiritual experience
“If music is the universal language and laughter is the best medicine, then Greg Tamblyn has a license to heal anywhere in the world,” the Topeka (Kan.) Capitol-Journal writes about the comedian and songwriter, who performs in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday at Unity Church of the Ozarks in Bentonville. Tickets are $15 per person or $25 for two.
Dubbed a “contemporary Mark Twain,” Tamblyn lives in Nashville, Tenn., but claims Kansas City as his hometown. His performances have been called “‘psycho-spiritual adventures’ that take his audience on a musical joyride in the profound and the absurd, the personal and the universal, the psychological and the spiritual, the sacred and the silly,” reads a press release provided by the church.
“If you’re expecting funny, you’ve come to the right place,” agrees John Conquest, writing for 3rd Coast Music. “Tamblyn’s combination of penetrating wit, shrewd insight, deftness with words, amiable stage presence, and dry delivery makes this the funniest, most laugh-outloud musical humor I’ve heard …”
The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette asked Tamblyn to talk about his act. Here are his responses.
Q. How did you get started in comedy?
A. My mom said I was the most serious little kid she’d ever seen. My dad and brother, however, were funny. Some of my friends were funny. I noticed that funny was more fun than serious. So I decided to learn how to be funny. When I started writing funny songs in Nashville, I never thought it would turn out to be a career. But I’ve been getting away with it for 25 years.
Q. What can audiences expect from your act?
A. Award-winning songs, humor, positive messages. We’re mostly
having fun with our pit stops at the Another Friendly Growth Opportunity station. Things like relationships, romantic love, kids and parents. Cultural influences like technology, advertising, whiny victim love songs. Some of my songs mix science and spirituality. I have a bachelor’s degree in geology, although in college I had trouble with physics — when I signed up I thought it said “psychics.” It wasn’t what I expected.
Q. How hard is it to mix comedy and religion?
A. Not hard. God has a sense of humor. As somebody observed: The test of whether you have a good religion is if you can laugh about it. (That said, see answer No. 2.).
Q. How do “church ladies” react to your show?
A. Mainly they offer me pies. A few end up throwing them.