Meet Reno Collier | Comedian, Actor, and Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Reno Collier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Reno, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
I have found that the two biggest things that make me happy are peace and balance. I know that sounds like some karate kid nonsense but its what I try for. The problem is getting there. I can very easily A.D.D. out. Ive got one of those brains that has a hundred thoughts a minute. I tried to self medicate it for years, but it only made things worse. As a stand up comedian I’ve been able to harness it and include it in my act. Accepting it, adapting, and just letting it fly! Now, if I were a brain surgeon, it may cause problems, but in my case it works. Most importantIy, I have a killer wife who understands me and I talk to God a lot. Those two things seem to help the most, by keeping me balanced and as close to peaceful as a lunatic can be.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
So I started out in stand up comedy at the punchline in Atlanta Georgia. After college, my mom told me that I really didn’t fit into the traditional work environment (because I thought offices were stupid) and should pick my favorite thing to do and figure out a way to make money at it. I thought, ” I love drilling beers and telling jokes….. oh man…. Im going to be a comedian!” She said that she didn’t mean it like that, but she said it and I was gonna do it. Ive done a ton of tv shows, radio, movies, blah blah…. but the greatest times for comics was the beginning. I was teaching PE and bartending at the comedy club at night. One night I was offered three weeks on the road making 175 bucks a week…. the next day I quit my teaching job, ditched my apartment, and lived out of my car for four years. I was in an old 89 Nissan Sentra with a wheel chair hitch on the back (still have scarred shins) and an I break for bingo bumpersticker. Apparently, the previous owner didn’t party like me. I had a hot pot, cans of soup, and a rand McNally map. Since I had to address, I needed to be booked constantly for the free hotels. Id do a club in Texas and have 2 days to get to some biker bar in South Carolina. With no address and everything I owned in the backseat… it was a freedom and excitement I think everyone should feel. A head full of dreams, no fear, and slinging jokes for a little cash…… plus free drinks? Get out of town! Money and popularity ruin that……struggling is a gift if you realize it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in Murfreesboro so I would probably take you to the land fill…its exquisite this time of year! Just kidding…. I would probably take a day to go to Chattanooga. It has gotten to be a killer place to eat. The Farm to Table and St Johns are my wife favorites but I like to eat a fish sandwich and go to the aquarium. The white water rafting is fantastic and the mountains make me feel Im back with my family in West by God Virginia. In Nashville, I take people to the Opry, Roberts on Broadway, the Country Music Hall of fame, and in to Jacks Barbecue. I was kidding about the boro…. I love my town! The Stones River Battlefield is great way to get out and go back in time a little, Id take them to TN Craft Butcher and gaze at the wonderful meats, and then after a round of golf….go in my back yard and grill up that MEAT!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to recognize my wife, Sandy. She is my rock! When I was in the throws of addiction and was falling apart she never flinched. I was in a financial crisis, a drunk, and I was spiraling out of control. I was a real catch! She calmly went thru the hell of getting me back on my feet and and helped me find God. She is an amazing mom, stepmom, daughter, grandma, and wife. I freakin loooove her! Alright… enough about her…wheres the questions about me?

Website: https://renocolliercomedy.com

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Twitter: @iamrenocollier

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www.renocolliercomedy.com