In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone walks us through one of the most humbling and revealing moments of his career: flying to Nashville for a Monday night new material show—just to audition at a club in the same chain he already headlines in Chicago. It’s a story of emails ignored, nerves rising, and the quiet power of networking that speaks louder than a setlist.

Joined by Dobie Maxwell, the two comics unpack the true cost of being funny for a living—why the grind never stops, what’s changed in comedy booking, and how professionalism, perseverance, and likability matter more than ever. From being vouched for in a greenroom to mentoring the next generation, this episode reminds us that the real climb in comedy isn’t always the one audiences see.

Key Points Discussed:

• Why Vince had to “audition” at Zanies Nashville despite headlining elsewhere
• How networking and humility created a cascade of support before he even stepped on stage
• Dobie’s origin story with Dale Jones—and why a small favor changed a comic’s life
• The evolution of the comedy business: then vs. now
• Why “funny enough” isn’t enough anymore—and what matters more
• The role of sales, social skills, and likability in the modern comedy scene
• How mentorship works in both directions—when a 24-year-old comic helps a 42-year-old vet