Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

Beyer grad proving he's a funny guy, launching CD

After opening for the likes of Dave Chappelle and Jim Breuer (Goat Boy on "Saturday Night Live") comedian Kris Tinkle is coming home to Modesto.

The 1993 Beyer High School grad is holding a CD-release party tonight at the Fat Cat Music House & Lounge for his new album, "Almost Awesome," on the Rooftop Comedy label.

The show will also feature performances by comedians Joe Tobin, Kevin Munroe, Edwin Li and Curtis Rangel.

Tinkle (yes, that's his real name) specializes in self-effacing, adult-oriented humor that covers everything from his experiences substitute teaching in Oakland to his romantic misadventures.

"It's about stories that have happened to me, stuff I've been through," he said in a phone interview from his San Francisco home.

He loves stand-up because of how raw and risky it can be.

"It's pretty honest," he said. "There's one dude up there. There's no question, if you're an audience member, who was working hard on stuff and who wasn't working hard at stuff."

Tinkle always has been interested in stand-up comedy but didn't give it a try until he went to San Francisco State University. He taught comedy for a while at the Oakland School for the Arts, bringing the students to a club for their own stand-up experiences as a final exam. One year, Chappelle attended the show and gave the kids feedback.

He's now been performing professionally for seven years, playing clubs throughout the Bay Area. He recently performed for a sold-out crowd of 500 at The Improv in San Jose. Tinkle also has performed on multiple USO tours in Iraq, Kuwait and Japan.

This spring, he's moving to Los Angeles to see if he can break into TV or film. But he will definitely keep up his stand-up comedy.

"The main goal for me is to be great at stand-up," he said. "I'd rather be great at that first and then do acting later."

For more on Modesto area arts, visit. www.twitter.com/lisamillegan.