LAKE COUNTY — People almost never envision a 10-year-old, red-haired, 57-pound boy doing stand-up.
Until now, Lake County”s own Tyler V has broken the barrier for the just barely double-digit-age comedians.
Tyler Vanderwall is probably the opposite of what most people might expect to find at a comedy club.
His first public performance was last spring at Konocti Christian Academy”s annual talent show. Since then he”s performed for Refuge youth group at Grace Evangelical Church, Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.
He won first place at the Lake County Fair Amateur Talent Show and is now performing with professional comedians in the Bay Area.
He begins his shows approaching what seems to be an overly large microphone. He”s described as having the confidence of a seasoned showman.
He grabs the mic and takes charge of his performance the way people might expect of a much older performer, according to those who have worked with him. He pokes fun at his parents by noting that they were married for such a long time before he was born that he really should be an 18-year-old freshman at Chico State if only his parents had “gotten with the program earlier.”
Sonoma comedian, Uncle Charlie Adams, visited Finley recently to entertain at a Christmas party.
Adams said, “It”s tough to go on after Tyler, he”s not just cute, he”s really good.”
Probably one of Vanderwall”s biggest fans is professional stand-up comedian Juan Carlos. Carlos has performed at many of the major comedy clubs on the West Coast. He is the resident comedian at the new venue for comedy in Sonoma County, Sweet River Grill. He will be seen on the Discovery Channel”s show ?I Almost Got Away With It” in an episode airing on Thursday.
“I love Tyler”s energy and at such a young age to be as comfortable on the stage as he is, is a real good sign of someone with the potential to be great. I”ve booked him on my shows at the Sweet River Grill in Santa Rosa and plan to keep him on solid rotation, as he”s very funny and the crowd loves him. His next show here will be on Jan. 7,” Carlos said.
Sonoma Disc Jockey Rob Cervantes of Monkey Fight Comedy Night at the Sweet River Grill in Santa Rosa has seen a lot of stand-up comedy in his line of work and said he loves having Tyler as an opening act. “He”s funny, brilliant and over the top!”
His upcoming shows take place at Monkey Fight Comedy Night at Sweet River Bar and Grill in Santa Rosa on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., the KO Comedy Club at Tommy T”s in Rancho Cordova, Jan. 21 and at Clear Lake High School Sober Grad Night on March 3. For more information on upcoming events become a friend of Tyler V”s Facebook page.
