You never know who is going to show up at a Kountry Wayne gig.
For instance, nearly a decade ago the rising “Help Is on the Way” comedian looked into his Cleveland audience to see former Cleveland Cavaliers player J.R. Smith.
“I had a joke we’re trying to get money,” said Wayne, calling from his Atlanta home. “I said, ‘I feel the money in the building.’ Pretending I was a pastor, I took my shirt off on stage and threw it to him and said, ‘Oh, Lord, it went to the right place.’
“He always supported my shows almost every time I came to Cleveland,” Wayne says of Smith, “which is one of the toughest crowds, but they always gave me the strongest response.”
That’s a good thing because he can use the cash.
Perhaps child support is driving Wayne’s incessant desire to work. After all, the father of 10 did call his first national comedy jaunt in 2017 “The Child Support Tour.”
“Oh, yeah, man. Hey, it’s those kids,” he laughed.
After being named one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” in 2021, 2022 was a breakout year for Wayne, who not only co-hosted BET+ reality series “I Love Us” but also starred in Amazon Prime comedy feature film “Strange Love.”
Then last year he appeared in Peacock original film “Praise This,” alongside Chloe Bailey, Quavo and Druski, as well as released his debut book, “Help Is On The Way.”
Also, his debut stand-up special, “Kountry Wayne: A Woman’s Prayer,” reached No. 1 on Netflix’s most-watched list in the U.S.
When discussing his success, Wayne isn’t shy about revealing his secret — basically doing whatever he can as often as he can.
“I’m surprised about that a lot more people haven’t taken this route,” he said. “They just really sit back and wait on the industry to call them. They’re not paving their own.
“I’m on the way to do skits right now. I’m still auditioning for movies, doing my own movie. I’m preparing for stand-up. It’s like, doing everything.”
Therein lies Wayne the businessman, who may come off as country and backwoods but is fueled by a deep desire for high achievement in an industry that often eats its young.
“After I get off this tour, I’m planning on shooting my own rom-com movie called ‘That’s Her,’” he said. “In fact, I want to film my own movies and license them to the platforms. Then, in seven to 10 years from now, I want to get my own platform.
“I want to have an app on the remote control that you can click and that I own the content. I want to be a Netflix in the future. That’s my that’s my end goal.”
In the meantime, he’s bringing “The King of Hearts Tour” to Northeast Ohio for a show April 6 at MGM Northfield Park Center Stage.
The Cavs will still be on a West Coast swing, but perhaps a Browns player will be in attendance?
“I don’t know, man,” he laughed “Somebody from Cleveland should just pop up, show up and come backstage.”
Kountry Wayne
When: 7:30 p.m. April 6.
Where: MGM Northfield Park Center Stage, 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield.
Tickets: $37 to $77.
Info: Ticketmaster.com.
