“Rik did a fabulous job tailoring his presentation to fit our group. His unique ability to not only have our group laugh but also learn something in the process makes him one of the best speakers I have had. Our group has a tough job working in the customer service and support role, his presentation helped motivate them to do better in the workplace. I highly recommend Rik!”
K. D., CMP
Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives
“We had the privilege of having Rik at our Annual Conference where he performed and spoke both as himself and in character as Barney Fife. He did a great job interacting with our attendees outside of the sessions at which he spoke. They all enjoyed the added element his presence brought to the event. His keynote information was very insightful and we got many positive comments on having Rik at our Conference this year. He was a great person to work with both onsite and off and we thoroughly enjoyed having him at our event. Thanks Rik for making our Conference great!”
Beautiful trip to St. George, UT for the Rural Water Association and had time to see a bit of Zion National Park. Pretty scenic!
“The Pick TN Conference thoroughly enjoyed our time with Rik Roberts. His comedy show had our conference attendees laughing all night! On top of that, the next day gave a wonderful leadership workshop! Rik Roberts exceeded our expectations. I will highly recommend you to any group!”
Amy Tavalin, PICK TN CONFERENCE
What is better than performing for a room full of Ag folks? Having legendary radio personality Taylor Brown emcee the event! Taylor Brown is widely known as one of the nation’s leaders in the field of agricultural broadcasting. With perhaps the most recognized voice in the intermountain west, Brown has played a huge role as an advocate for western agriculture since he joined the Northern Broadcasting System as a regional farm broadcaster in 1979. Today as it’s owner, he heads up a team that every market day produces over three dozen news, market, weather and sports information programs for over 60 affiliated radio stations in 4 states; plus two daily ag television programs that are seen on 10 Montana and Wyoming TV stations.
Thanks to the Great Falls, MT Chamber for putting on an Ag Appreciation event. These hard working folks deserve a night out to laugh and relax. And thanks to Taylor Brown for making the night run smoothly!
If you are like me it can be hard to share your feelings. Valentine’s Day can put the pressure on you to express yourself even if you aren’t very eloquent or articulate. This song communicates those feelings the way a kid might say them. Hope you like it and get a chuckle or two as you watch.
Watch “I Love You (Kids Mix) https://youtu.be/APuZf24NybI
When you get to combine your passion with a purpose magical things can happen. For me, this occurs when I perform comedy for a cause.
Since 2004, Laugh All Night has been hosting comedy concerts at churches across the country. Laugh All Night is designed as an opportunity to invite your church and community to a hilarious comedy event that will be enjoyed by everyone.
Recently, I had the opportunity to perform in the Seattle area to help raise funds through Laugh All Night for NEW MISSIONS. New missions is an incredible organization that has been establishing local churches and Christian schools in Haiti and the Dominican Republic for the past 30 years. This provides children with education, food, and medical care so they can grow strong and make an impact in their community.
My family supports New Missions by sponsoring children in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Because when your passion and a purpose combine – magical things happen.
I also got to check out some of the beautiful scenery and cool local stuff in Seattle!
“I am not even sure where to begin, RIK ROBERTS, just WOW!! So every year we have a two day event “Calloway’s Nursery, Inc. Product Knowledge Extravaganza” where we split all of our store personal from Calloway’s Nursery, Inc. Rik made it so different! He mixed comedy in with his keynote speaking as well his Barney Fife get up and just took the stage like we have NEVER seen before. I was just sitting back and watching people fall out of their chairs laughing! NO LIE!
So at the beginning he dressed in costume which he wore so well (looked like the real thing!) and walked around talking and laughing with everyone, cracking jokes! Then right before the show started he called a few of our employees up to the front and gave them citations! This was a BIG hit! We had been talking and emailing with him before the event and he had us give him a few names with a little back ground on the employees. Then he created citations from the information we provided him. This was the funniest thing ever, the look on their faces!
Then when he got up to speak everyone was rolling. It was clean, fun, comedy, keynote clear message, outstanding, eye catching – all rolled in one!
In the past people get bored and sit on their phones, while the speaker is speaking. But this year I didn’t see NOT ONE person NOT paying attention!!! The only phones I saw out this year was everyone recording!
Rik is most definitely the best speaker we have had doing our events over the past 12 years!! I had so many compliments I can’t even count! If someone is looking for something different, fun, upbeat, attention getting RIK ROBERTS IS THE BEST!!
Margraet Moore,
Executive Assistant/ Event Coordinator
Calloway’s Nursery, Inc.
Insights from 28 years of corporate entertaining
Are you considering hiring an entertainer for your next event? Excellent! This ten point checklist will help you trouble shoot the logistics and set-up before the big day. If hiring a comedian, think about how a comedy club is set-up and arranged. You will want to recreate that experience the best you can (minus the drunk hecklers).
Trust me, your entertainer wants to have a great show. I suggest going over this checklist with them to see what preferences they may have for their particular performance. And, of course, I would love to be considered for your event.
Thanks!
Rik
A PA system that is powerful enough to fill the room with clear sound is necessary. Don’t rely on overhead speakers in the ceiling for sound. Generally, they provide a sound that is ‘tinny’ and are not strong enough to do the job effectively. Having a wired mic is preferable to a wireless mic. Wired mics don’t have problems with interference, and they don’t have batteries that can go dead at the wrong time. If you don’t have access to a good PA system, don’t fret. Call up your local music store and see if they can set up a rental system for you.
The proper lighting can really go a long way towards making your event successful. You want a light that is focusing on the stage. A spotlight is preferred. It allows the audience to see the performer clearly. The performance is much more effective if the audience can see facial expressions, and body movements. If you dim the surrounding lights, it focuses attention on the performer. Just as with the sound system, if you don’t have the proper lighting at your venue, a proper spotlight can be provided by your local music store as well.
The show works most effectively with distractions kept to a minimum. I have found that it is best to start the show after dessert has been served and the plates cleared. If you have awards to present, consider having the entertainment before the awards. The fresher the audience, the better for the entertainer. The show is always more successful with a less-inebriated, focused audience. A long, drawn out awards ceremony before the entertainment tends to tire people out, and makes them a less enthusiastic audience.
The closer to the audience that the performer can be, the better. Seat people right up to the stage if you can. Performers feed off the energy of the audience. Having the audience close to the stage creates an intimacy that makes the show much better. Set the stage along the room’s longest wall. Don’t put the stage at end of a long room. Again, you want all the audience members as close to the stage as comfortably possible. If a dance floor is required for dancing after the comedy show, consider breaking down tables and creating a dance floor after the show is over. NEVER separate the audience from the performer with a dance floor or buffet line.
Make it as easy as possible for the audience members to see the stage. Having audience members who have their back to the stage, who have to turn their chairs around, or strain sideways to see the stage makes it difficult for them to enjoy the show. Keep this in mind as you set up your seating arrangement.
A clear and respectful introduction gives credibility to a performer. Have the President of the company or some other key influencer within the organization make the introduction. It adds credibility to the performance and demands the audience’s attention and respect. This can go a long way towards creating a good kick off for the show. Don’t have someone get up and say something like, “Hey, I’m not sure who this guy is, but he’s supposed to make us laugh. Let’s see if he is as funny as Phil.” That is not getting the show off on the right foot. A professional performer will have at typewritten introduction for you to read from.
If the comedy show is going to follow a heavy, or sensitive subject, have a brief intermission to allow the atmosphere to lighten up. Or consider bringing up this subject matter after the show is over. Then, people will be in a better mood and will be better able to absorb difficult or bad news.
Having background music before a show, or during dinner, can create a pleasant environment for the show. Sometimes, matching the music to the mood of the crowd is beneficial. If they are low energy, some up beat music might be appropriate. If the audience is a bit on the rowdy side some more calming music might make sense. Music can always set a mood, both before and after a show. You don’t want to blare it, just pump up the enthusiasm.
It is best to have the performance start as close to the scheduled time as possible. If the dinner is running long, it is best to wait until dinner is done and plates are cleared. But try to avoid delaying a show too long. You don’t want a show scheduled to start at 8 to finally start at 9:20. The audience will be tired, especially if they have spent all day in meetings, or if they simply worked all day before your event started. It is especially important to have your performer go on earlier in the evening if your event is on a Friday night. Long work week + too many drinks = marginal show.
Remember that comedy is fun. You have hired a professional who will give your audience a wonderful experience. Sit back, and enjoy the show yourself. Life is too short to ignore moments to laugh.
Please join me as I warm up the audiences on set at Huckabee! Ticket info can be found at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/huckabee-17575240483
