There's no going back for the former star of the ABC series "Rodney."
Stand-up comic Rodney Carrington said the recent return of sitcoms to network schedules is promising, but the entertainment landscape has changed since his "Rodney" days.
"There are so many options out there for people who want entertainment," says Carrington. "It's hard to capture anybody's attention. They can go to a clip on YouTube. They want the quick fix and then go on."
And so Carrington, who plays Saturday at the Silver Legacy in Reno, has returned full time to where he started – stand-up and recording. His new release, "El Niño Loco," is a departure, however.
"I usually record comedy albums and insert comic songs. This is all comic songs. There is no stand-up at all. It's to get videos out of and the first one is done, called 'If I'm the Only One.' "
"If I'm the Only One" features guest appearances by his "Rodney" co-stars Jennifer Aspen and Nick Searcy and singer Toby Keith, a close friend. Carrington co-wrote and co-starred with Keith in the film "Beer for My Horses," hardly a box office hit, but it's regularly shown on CMT.
"The title of the new CD came from the lady who comes to our house to help with the laundry. There's quite a lot of laundry. (Carrington has three sons, 10, 13, and 15, and one niece he's caring for, 16.)
"I asked her to describe what the boys are and she provided the idea for 'El Niño Loco.' "
Carrington was on a photo shoot for an album cover. He had a shot of himself holding a staff but pronounced it too biblical. He sat down and somebody threw a sombrero on him. He saw that shot and laughed. It became his choice for an album cover. Then came the laundry lady's words. Then came the songs.
"I did it completely backward. My whole life is a product of a complete lack of planning. I follow my heart. Twenty years ago I would never have believed somebody would pay me to talk. I spend a lot of time just shaking my head at it all."
"El Niño Loco" debuted earlier this year at No. 2 on Billboard's comedy chart, Carrington's seventh album to debut in the Top 10.
Those kids, by the way, are hardly loco. As much as people bemoan having pre-adolescents and adolescents to raise, Carrington says he finds it a complete joy. He plans his tours so he can be home with them in Tulsa, Okla., on a weekly basis, and he takes off summers for the same reason.
"They are good kids. They are well-rounded. I would be happy if I could freeze everything right now, but time goes on. I loved raising them. "
Carrington will release a Christmas CD this month. "Make It Christmas" is his first holiday project and is also his first serious music release. It's a package of traditional, straightforward tunes, like "White Christmas" and "O Holy Night," but it also introduces some new songs like "Camouflage Christmas," a tribute to U.S. troops.
Carrington has been one of the top 10-grossing touring comedians in the country for the past five years. He plays the Silver Legacy for the fourth time.
"I am truly blessed. And I love coming to Reno. That room at the Silver Legacy is a fun room. You're right on top of everyone, and that's where I like to be."
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.