Kenny Bob Davis passed away September 5, 2016. He was a veteran comedian, actor, musician, singer and a welcome addition to any show or golf event line-up. Kenny Davis began as a 60’s guitar playing folk-singer, playing bars and at the beach. He formed a band in the 70’s & moved from Los Angeles, CA clubs to many years in the casino showrooms of Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The Kenny Davis Road Show was voted “Lounge Act of the Year – 1977”. In 1978, KB opened as a solo comedian for Eddie Rabbitt and since then opened many concerts for stars such as the legendary George Burns, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Roy Clark, Vince Gill, and Larry Gatlin. He headlined all over the U.S. as a solo stand-up comedian, or a one-man corporate showman and was a multiple USO performer for our military aboard several aircraft carriers at sea and for our Marines in the field. (He was a veteran USMC Corpsman) Kenny Bob performed at or played in over 300 Charity and PGA/LPGA Tour events. You may also remember him as an actor on Gremlins,ER, Zach and Cody, Sisters and Murder She Wrote. Kenny Bob Davis was not only funny, but also a kind soul who genuinely enjoyed bringing smiles to the faces of the many audiences who were lucky enough to have seen him. He will be missed.
Here is an interview we were lucky enough to have with Kenny Bob.
Recovery Comedy: What were you like as a kid?
Kenny Bob Davis: I grew up in Burbank California as the son of a career studio prop master who brought me and my friends to the sets of a lot of very famous films… (High Noon, From Here to Eternity, Alan Ladd Films, Sands of Iwo Jima and several other John Wayne films… I was always the class clown and always in trouble with teachers for carrying on and showing off. I needed more attention than others and I grew up obsessed with being the most popular, the most funny, and the most imitated kid…
Recovery Comedy: What made you decide to become a stand-up comedian and how long have you been performing?
Kenny Bob Davis: I morphed into a comedian from being a successful folk singer, show band leader, single entertainer and musician. I have been a pro in show business since 1970.
Recovery Comedy: Were you performing stand-up comedy before you got into recovery?
Kenny Bob Davis: Oh Yes, for many many years…
Recovery Comedy: Does your comedy have a message and if so what is it?
Kenny Bob Davis: Be funny and it is never the audience that causes a comedian to fail…
Recovery Comedy: Who are your comedy idols?
Kenny Bob Davis: Jonathan Winters and George Carlin
Recovery Comedy: Where does your inspiration for material come from?
Kenny Bob Davis: True Experience in my life…
Recovery Comedy: What is your joke writing process?
Kenny Bob Davis: I do not write jokes per se, they just develop from years of stage time as a performer in clubs with a my band 50 weeks a year, 4hrs per night, five nights a week… and whatever happens during the day… funny comes to me … It is a gift…
Recovery Comedy: Is your family supportive of your comedy career?
Kenny Bob Davis: Mom was, Dad no…
Recovery Comedy: Is comedy part of your healing process?
Kenny Bob Davis: Always has been, before and after sobriety…
Recovery Comedy: What was your worst experience performing comedy?
Kenny Bob Davis: Doing a show at Coto De Caza with a French fry light for lighting and no PA system…
But I made it work due to Ad Lib skills and experience… and a refusal to fail…
Recovery Comedy: What was your best experience performing comedy?
Kenny Bob Davis: Opening for Mr. George Burns in concert in 1988 at the Bakersfield Convention center…
Recovery Comedy: What is your favorite joke?
Kenny Bob Davis: No favorites… I just love being funny…
Recovery Comedy: What is your comedy dream?
Kenny Bob Davis: Writing my bio and selling it in a book…
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