Comedy: Tommy Johnagin

By PF Wilson
CityBeat

Don’t be shy about your dreams because you never know when your openness will lead you to the next part of your journey. Like many comedians, Tommy Johnagin knew from a young age he wanted to do stand-up comedy.

“I, at 8 years old, was watching Letterman,” he recalls. “My mom and my stepdad came up with the plan that I could stay up and watch the monologue and the ‘Top Ten.’ I felt I got a victory in that decision.” Young Johnagin was enthralled with Letterman’s comedy, and that didn’t go unnoticed.

“My stepdad told me, ‘You know, David Letterman started out as stand-up comedian.’ At 8 years old I thought, ‘That’s what I’m going to do; I’m going to be a stand-up comedian.’ ”

He told everyone, with mixed reactions. Finally, at age 18, it began to payoff.

“I was at the gym in my hometown and I was working out,” he says. “This guy I was buddies with said, ‘You want to be a stand-up comic, right?’ ” Remember, at this point, Johnagin had only seen stand-up on TV.

“You should come with me,” his friend said. “There’s an open mic in St. Louis.” Upon his second visit to the club, he was on stage and has been a stand-up ever since, appearing on The Late

Show with David Letterman several times. Tommy Johnagin performs at Go Bananas Thursday-Sunday; tickets are $10-$16. 8410 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, 513-984-9288, gobananascomedy.com .