Cuzin Maine to perform in Troy on Saturday
TROY, N.Y. » Local up-andcoming comedian Cuzin Maine will be live at the Hall this weekend for a special performance in downtown Troy.
Winthrop A. Ford, better known as Cuzin Maine, is a family-friendly comedian known throughout the industry as the “Next Best Thing.”
A native of Albany, Cuzin Maine has performed to sold-out audiences across the country and has opened for legendary comedians including Rickey Smiley and the incomparable Dick Gregory.
Cuzin Maine’s funny comes from within and audiences agree his biggest laughs come from simply being himself.
Presented by Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Johnson Communications, DJ TGIF, and Cuzin Maine, the comic’s upcoming performance, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, will be the taping of his first broadcast comedy special.
Tickets to the show are $39 or $34 available at the venue box office, by phone at (518) 273-0038 or online at troymusichall.org.
Q: How did you get the name Cuzin Maine?
A: When I first started doing stand-up comedy my original name was Mann Ford. As my style of comedy started to change leaning towards clean comedy I wanted to go with the name that is very relatable and people of all races feel connected to, so I sat back and thought about it and I said to myself “to be treated like family.” When I thought about family I thought about cousin. So that’s how Cuzin Maine was created.
Q: How did you first get into doing comedy?
A: I used to occasionally co-host with a very close friend of mine for the radio. And one day she said to me I should really think about doing stand-up, I’m really funny. So I told her I’ll think I’ll pass. And she said I tell you what - you try standup comedy but if you don’t even try you can lose my number. I cherish our friendship that much that I gave stand up a chance and I’m so happy she pushed me to be who I’m becoming.
Q: You’re from Albany, correct? Do you still call the Capital Region home? What do you like/ dislike about it?
A: Albany will always be home. One thing I love about the city is it’s such a melting pot stuffed with so much different kinds of talent - unheard talent. So thank God for people like Kevin Johnson who seek out the talent and tries his best to put us in the forefront. What I don’t like about the Capital Region is there’s such a great cloud of that crab in the barrel mentality. Everyone wants to make it, but it’s even more people who would love to see you fail. But it only makes people like me become so much stronger.
Q: What was it like coming up as a comedian in the area?
A: Coming up as a comic in the 518 area was very interesting and fun. You go to a lot of different open mic spots see how everyone has such different styles and somewhere along the way it teaches you how to find your own way of expressing yourself through comedy.
Q: What are you looking forward to about your upcoming debut performance at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall?
A: It’s my first onehour special being recorded for broadcast and it’s the first of many collaborations with Kevin Johnson and DJ TGIF. Kevin has promoted top comedians in this are and around the country including most recently a sold out Chris Rock tour stop at the Palace Theatre in a collaboration with Live Nation.
Q: Why should people come out to the show on Saturday? What are people in for when they buy a ticket?
A: People should come out to the show on Saturday because it’s really going to be a great show full with a bunch of surprises. I’m a familyorientated comedian who talks about just about everything without the cussing, raunchiness, and overthe-top profanity. And that’s what I’m bringing to this comedy game proving to people that I can be just as funny as the next without being disrespectful and tasteless. Plus I’m handsome too!