It doesn’t how far from home you go, you might just run into a familiar face.
Jared Michael Hopgood, or JMH for short, was performing in French Polynesia last summer when a couple of people in the audience recognized him from his house gig at Irish Kevin’s in Key West, Florida.
“My friend was sitting next to the couple and the husband said, ‘That guy looks just like JMH from Key West.’ The wife said, ‘Oh I hate that guy, he is so vulgar and rude. That’s not him,’” Hopgood said.
Hopgood’s friend informed the pair that indeed, it was JMH.
At first they didn’t believe him.
“After that, the wife — the same person who a moment earlier was trashing me— said, ‘Oh, I LOVE his show! He’s hilarious.’ Then they came up and asked for pictures.”
The moral of the story? “People are funny,” Hopgood said.
Hopgood is in town for two weeks, performing a handful of apres shows at The Club in Vail. He performed at the Bridge Street bar a few years back, for a week each winter for about three years in a row, Hopgood said. Ever since the bar’s co-owner, Patrick O’Neill, has been hoping to get him back out here for a few weeks during the winter.
“I love to snowboard, so it’s great for me to come out,” Hopgood said.
Not a family show
On Wednesday night, Hopgood entertained the small crowd in the bar.
“He had me laughing for sure,” O’Neill said. “He’s a combination of a good musician and he’s hilarious. His jokes are a little bit lewd. But The Club isn’t really a family environment, and we don’t try to promote it as such. But he’s not as offensive as some entertainers we’ve tried in the past.”
Hopgood puts on an interactive show, involving audience members in his act.
“My comedy from each show basically follows what happens in the bar that night,” he said. “A good portion of my comedic material just comes to me on the spot. I’ve been doing this type of show for over 20 years, across six continents, so it kinda comes naturally when I’m relaxed.”
That means if you’re sitting in the first few rows, expect to get picked on. But in a good-natured way (most likely).
“If people can take everything I say as it’s meant — all in fun — I’m sure they’ll have a good time,” Hopgood said. “If anyone is moronic enough to take me seriously, they will definitely get pissed off. I’ve been very lucky, traveling around the world doing this type of show. Even audiences who don’t speak English as their first language have taken my sense of humor pretty well.”
No one left completely offended Wednesday night, O’Neill said.
“People randomly came in for a beer, and ended up staying for the whole show,” O’Neill said. “Everyone left with a bit of a beer buzz and a smile on their face.”
Outlandish things
The tourist crowds in Vail and Key West are pretty similar — they’re looking to have a good time. There is one difference though, he said.
“The locals in Key West know me, so they aren’t quite so shocked when I say outlandish things,” he said. “Locals here are usually surprised at some of my songs and things I say.”
Hopgood describes his original music as “Caribbean country rock.”
“I write happy songs, sad songs, and funny adult songs,” he said. “I’ve been doing comedy for quite some time. When I lived in England I did stand-up comedy at night clubs and comedy clubs, performing without a guitar, which was a great experience. It really forced me to sharpen my comedy skills because I didn’t have the guitar/music to fall back on.”
Randomly enough, there was a couple from Key West in the crowd Wednesday night, O’Neill said.
“They said they love him and go see him there,” O’Neill said. “He’s a riot and a good musician. We’re excited for the weekend, and to see what he can do with a packed house.”
High Life Editor Caramie Schnell can be reached at 970-748-2984 or cschnell@vaildaily.com.
Article source: http://www.vaildaily.com/ARTICLE/20120209/AE/120209842/-1/RSS
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