Messiah Simplex

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Goodbye, My Friend

For anyone who came from the Milwaukee Comedy Scene in the last decade, more likely than not Tony Miller was a big part of your formation as a comic. For years, Tony ran the comedy showcase/open mic at The Safe House in downtown Milwaukee, and then moved his show to the Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee. At both of these venues, Tony consistently produced an incredibly high quality show while still giving new comics much needed stage time. His shows featured seasoned professional comics along with fledglings and served as an atmosphere for growth and friendship.

It was so much more than just a comedy showcase. It was a comedy dojo, where comics serious about becoming better could work out alongside black belt comics and learn from them. Tony built a sense of community and camaraderie among the comics involved in the Milwaukee Comedy Scene.

In 2001 I decided that I wanted to do stand up comedy. I was working as the door guy at the Safe House and would go in the back room every Thursday night to watch Tony's show. When I finally worked up the courage to give it a try, I went on stage, last in the lineup, with a half dozen Jack Daniel's on the rocks in my gut. Of course, I sucked. Week after week, Tony gave me stage time and encouragement. Week after week, I got drunk before going up to do my 3 minutes. Week after week, I sucked. Until one Thursday night in April, when 3 comics Tony was counting on didn't show up. As the second comic of the night was on stage, Tony walked up to me and said "You're next. Think you can handle it?" I told him that under no circumstances was I able to handle going third in the lineup (I was stone cold sober). He told me that I was wrong and that I could absolutely handle it.

Tony forced me to go on sober and for the first time, I got laughs. Lots of them. I did more than 10 minutes and killed. The loudest laughs came from Tony. After that night, he started putting me up in one of the prime spots, right before Brian Green, and every week, I could hear his unmistakable, goofy laugh. Some nights, that's all that kept me going. Both Tony and Brian took me under their wings, mentoring me and helping me form myself into a real comic. And both became very good friends of mine in the process.

For Christmas, 2003 I bought a new microphone for Tony's show at the Safe House. The old one was beat up and didn't work well at all anymore. I took possession of the old one as a keepsake. I'll always treasure the microphone that Tony used to help launch so many comics, the mic I used on the first night I got laughs.

I worked the road with Tony Miller a few times and to watch him headline and take control of a stage was a beautiful sight. His comedic skills easily rivaled his generosity and kindness to new comics and friends. He was an established headliner on the road and well respected among his peers.

As some of you know, Tony Miller had been battling stomach cancer for a couple of years and was, as in all other areas of his life, fighting like the bad-ass that he was.

This morning, at 6:40 am, Tony Miller passed away, finally letting go of this world and going home. I hope he realized the breadth of his legacy among Milwaukee comics.

Thank you for everything, Tony. I'll miss you, my friend.

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