Welcome back. Glad you're here.

Everybody has a thing. A niche interest they care about way more than the average person. Something they will rearrange their schedule for, plan trips around, spend money on without overthinking it. For me, that thing is standup comedy. This week I want to talk about why that matters locally right now, because something is quietly happening in our backyard.

In today's post:

Everybody has a weird niche thing they're into. Mine is standup comedy.

I have planned solo trips to New York City around it. The Comedy Cellar on MacDougal Street. The Stand. Gotham Comedy Club. I have sat in rooms where I didn't know a single person and laughed until my face hurt and considered it one of the better nights of my life. I go to New York at least once a year and comedy is always on the itinerary.

It doesn't stop there. The Comedy Store in LA. Comedy Works in Denver. Zanies and Second City in Chicago. I have seen Bill Burr more than three times. I have seen Dave Chappelle twice, though I will note for the record that my wife Hannah once made me miss a surprise Dave Chappelle appearance at The Stand in NYC because she didn't want to go to the show that night. I hold no grudges. I just think about it sometimes.

I was in the room at The Ryman in Nashville when Bill Burr filmed his Netflix special. I have seen Chris Rock, Jim Gaffigan, Mark Normand, and more shows than I can actually remember at this point. It is the thing I care about that most people in my life do not fully understand, and I have made my peace with that.

What I love about standup is what I love about any great storytelling. A comedian walks out alone, no props, no band, no safety net, and tries to make a room full of strangers connect over something true. When it works, it's one of the most purely human things you can watch. When it doesn't, you still admire the attempt.

I say all of this because something is happening in the Tri-Cities that genuinely excites me.

Blue Ridge Comedy Club in Bristol has been quietly building a real comedy scene in this region. Shawn Carter opened it and has been doing the work of establishing something that most mid-sized markets don't have. A consistent venue, a consistent lineup, a reason for comedians to put the Tri-Cities on the map. That matters more than people realize. A real comedy club doesn't just happen. Someone has to want it badly enough to build it from scratch.

And now, in a week's stretch, Kingsport has two comedy events on the calendar. Two. That is not normal for this city, and I think it's worth paying attention to.

One of them is Don't Tell Comedy, which if you don't know it, is exactly what it sounds like. Secret venue, secret comedians, announced the morning of the show. It started as an underground thing and has grown into one of the most interesting live comedy concepts in the country. They're bringing it to a rooftop in downtown Kingsport on April 18.

The other is BrewHaHa, the Kingsport Chamber's annual event that this year is leaning fully into the comedy angle, bringing three national comedians to MeadowView on April 24.

Two shows. One week apart. In Kingsport.

The scene is emerging. Go support it.

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

Don't Tell Comedy | Saturday, April 18 | Doors 7:30pm, Show 8pm A secret rooftop venue, secret comedians, and the location emailed to you the morning of the show. This is Don't Tell Comedy's format and it works. 21+ only. Only a handful of tickets left. Get tickets

BrewHaHa | Friday, April 24 | 6pm-9pm | MeadowView Convention Center The Kingsport Chamber is bringing three national comedians to MeadowView for a night of pizza, beer, and laughs. This one has been growing every year and the 2026 version looks like the biggest one yet. Tickets are $50. Register here

Corner of Memorial Blvd and Central Street. A historic 1900 home, an 8-unit motel, office space, and two additional lots, all being sold together as one package. Zoned both commercial and residential. You can restore it, redevelop it, turn it into short-term rentals, or build something entirely new. If you've ever wanted your own version of the Rosebud Motel from Schitt's Creek, this might be the one. Sold as-is.

What do you think they're asking?

The question is the price. Vote down below

Interested in reaching a growing audience of Kingsport readers who care about this community? Reply to this email to learn about Community Partner opportunities.

This newsletter works best when it's a conversation. If you know a story that needs to be told, a person doing something interesting, or a place in Kingsport that matters to you, send it my way. Every documentary, every feature, every post starts with someone saying "you should look into this."

That's it for this week. Thanks for trusting me with your inbox. Let's tell some stories.

Talk soon,

Ryan