In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone walks us through one of the most humbling and revealing moments of his career: flying to Nashville for a Monday night new material show—just to audition at a club in the same chain he already headlines in Chicago. It’s a story of emails ignored, nerves rising, and the quiet power of networking that speaks louder than a setlist.

Joined by Dobie Maxwell, the two comics unpack the true cost of being funny for a living—why the grind never stops, what’s changed in comedy booking, and how professionalism, perseverance, and likability matter more than ever. From being vouched for in a greenroom to mentoring the next generation, this episode reminds us that the real climb in comedy isn’t always the one audiences see.

Key Points Discussed:

• Why Vince had to “audition” at Zanies Nashville despite headlining elsewhere
• How networking and humility created a cascade of support before he even stepped on stage
• Dobie’s origin story with Dale Jones—and why a small favor changed a comic’s life
• The evolution of the comedy business: then vs. now
• Why “funny enough” isn’t enough anymore—and what matters more
• The role of sales, social skills, and likability in the modern comedy scene
• How mentorship works in both directions—when a 24-year-old comic helps a 42-year-old vet

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone sits down just one week after recording his brand-new comedy special, It’s Not All Peaches, at Brad Garrett’s Club in Las Vegas.

With the lights off, the cameras packed up, and the adrenaline wearing off, Vince reflects on the whirlwind leading up to the special—and what happens once the big moment is over. Joined by Dobie Maxwell, the two break down the emotional whiplash of finishing a major creative project.

They get honest about the vulnerability of performing personal material, the temptation to immediately pick everything apart, and why letting go of perfection might be the real win.

Key Points Discussed:

• What Vince felt walking off stage after filming the special
• The mental come-down after a massive creative high
• The pressure of doing "perfect shows" all week before the recording
• Why the final performance still surprised him

• • How artists process big milestones—and what's next after the tape stops rolling

  
  

  Whether you're a performer, speaker, or anyone who’s ever put everything into a big moment, this episode is your backstage pass to what comes after the standing ovation.

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell tackle one of the trickiest parts of stand-up: how to truly connect with an audience.

From mismatched energy to misread rooms, the duo shares lessons from decades of performing in every type of venue imaginable. They unpack how comics can lose a crowd in the first 30 seconds—or win them for the full hour—and why reading the room is more important than reading your setlist.

Key Points Discussed:

• How to match your energy to the room without faking it

• Why the first 15 seconds on stage can make or break you

• The difference between pushing material and building trust

• • When (and how) to shift gears mid-set if the crowd isn’t biting
  • Why some comics bomb even when their material is solid

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  If you’ve ever been on stage and felt the crowd slipping away—or just want to know how pros adapt on the fly—this episode is your guide to making that critical audience connection.

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