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Special to the Daily Journal/Messenger

'I love what I do,' Gregory said. 'There's nothing better than sharing a laugh with folks.'

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Click on photo to enlarge

Special to the Daily Journal/Messenger

James Gregory, dubbed the 'Funniest Man in America,' will be performing at the Walhalla Civic Auditorium tonight, Friday. Tickets are still available at the Walhalla Chamber of Commerce or at the door.

WALHALLA — Toss away the one-liners and crumple up the dirty jokes.

Although punch lines are a comedic staple, they certainly don’t have to be the stand-up end-all.

James Gregory, comedian and list topper for dishing out the funnies, will be busting the belt loops of his audience at the Walhalla Civic Auditorium on Friday, tonight.

Gregory, who got a late jump on his path to comedic stardom, considers himself more of a storyteller.

“If you’re at my show, you don’t have to wait for the punch line to laugh,” he said. “You’ll be laughing the entire time.”

The self-proclaimed “laid back entertainer” has a deep appreciation for his fans across the country, but most specifically, in the Southeast.

Originally from Atlanta, Ga., Gregory has taken the stage in Canada, California, Italy and everywhere in between. But, in the last decade or so, he’s opted to tour mainly within a 400-mile radius of his home in the Peach State.

“I hate flying,” he said. “Anyone can tell you that and I’ll even joke about it, but I really dislike it. I will if I have to, but I’d rather stay close.”

South Carolina can consider itself lucky then, because Gregory said he feels like the Palmetto State is more of a second home.

“Everyone around this area is so friendly, and they really seem to embrace my work,” he said. “I got my first out-of-state gig in South Carolina. That was a big deal.”

But tonight and every night he takes the stage, he can look back on his initial “go” at the stand-up biz.

“In 1982, the first comedy club in the South opened up in Atlanta,” he said. “Every Tuesday, me and some buddies would go to the Punch Line and just be entertained by the comedians.

“Over time, they dared me to get up on these open mic nights because they thought I was funny,” he continued. “So, finally, I did.”

Convinced that he had gone through the same experience that all other comedians had gone through with their first performance, he was succinct in breaking it down.

“I was scared and my performance sucked,” he joked. “I wasn’t one bit funny, and I knew it.”

With his “never quit” nature, Gregory continued to plug away behind the microphone.

“It was so bad that I absolutely needed to get even with that horrible beginning,” he said.

His success in the business was anything but fast, while he noted that anyone who is now a household name went through a sure-struggle.

“You will more or less starve to death for 3 or more years,” he said. “For me, now anyway, things have worked out well.”

Gregory stands by his performance, stating that everyone who is in search of some insanely funny observations will enjoy his show.

“It’s hilarious from start to finish,” he said. “I’m not trying to sound like I’m bragging, but that’s the bottom line.”

From eight to 80 years old, people of all walks of life have been found at his normally sold-out shows.

Brought up with traditional ideas of working hard and loving life, Gregory says his brother may have missed the comedic boat.

“My brother is a plumber, and I think he’s way funnier than me,” he said. “But overall, I’m excited to be alive and be able to do what I like.

“I have lived long enough to know people, know life,” Gregory reflects. “My comedy is based on my life experiences. It’s real, it’s funny and the audience loves it. That’s why I’m still in business.”

Tickets are still available at the Walhalla Chamber of Commerce or at the door tonight.