Fresh off his Top 5 finish in “America’s Got Talent The Champions,” comedian Preacher Lawson appears on a local stage.
Lawson first appeared on “America’s Got Talent” on season 12 in 2017 and made it all the way to the Top 10 before being edged out by the 12-year-old ventriloquist and eventual winner Darci Lynne Farmer.
He was invited back to appear on “America’s Got Talent The Champions,” which aired earlier this year, and this time he finished in the Top 5. Magician Shin Lim, the reigning “America’s Got Talent” champion, was crowned the winner while Farmer was the runner up.
“I didn’t fully lose to a 12 year old. This time she was 14 and she got second,” Lawson joked.
Lawson performs at 7:30 p.m. March 21 Genesee Theatre in Waukegan. Appearing on “America’s Got Talent The Champions” gave America another chance to see the young comedian.
“I was super pumped. I was so happy I got another chance,” he said. “It was like, ‘I’m better now.’”
According to his website, Lawson was born In Portland, Ore., and moved 20 times before age 10. He considers Orlando his hometown, because that’s where he grew as a comedian.
He started writing jokes at age 16 and first performed in front of people a year later. He won the 2015 Funniest Comedian in Florida contest and the 2016 Seattle International Comedy Competition.
How long does it take to come up with a bit?
“I can come up with a joke in this conversation. Most jokes you come up with aren’t really good,” he said. “If I come up with a bit, for me it takes about two years to perfect it.”
Since being on “America’s Got Talent” — twice — his life has definitely undergone some changes.
“I have more friends and family members than I remember,” he said. “It’s really busy. There is no down time. Everything is moving. It’s pretty cool, walking around and people recognizing me. (But) it’s a lot of work. I’m gone every week in a different city doing different shows.”
He will discuss his success and being on television and how life has changed in his act. Right now, he’s trying to get a comedy special recorded that he can shop to networks and other outlets.
If all else fails, he will just put the special on his YouTube channel, he said. There’s where he posts travel vlogs, cooking guides and music videos.
“One of the main reasons people watch is because I cook recipes and talk about random things,” he said. “I have pulled clips of people trying to heckle me at live shows and me handling it. They talk and I talk to them back.”
Lawson is a vegan and prepares things like black bean veggie burgers and vegan fried chicken on his YouTube channel.
One thing fans might not know about Lawson is that he has played the piano since he was 17.
“I started playing piano right before I did comedy,” he said. “I used to play for church. I used to play by ear, which I learned on the internet. I bought a book and started learning chords.”
After “hours and hours” of practice, he got good enough that he was able to play songs off the radio by ear.
When he sets his mind to something, be it piano or comedy, he goes all in, he said.
“I’m the type to jump in the pool. I don’t test it with my foot,” he said. “I just know it’s going to be cold, I know it’s going to be hard, I just jump in. That’s the best way.”
He is hosting the show, “World’s Most Amazing Dog” on Facebook Watch. Actors George Lopez and Lisa Vanderpump are the judges.
Waukegan audiences can expect an evening an evening of belly laughs.
“It’s going to be insane. There’s going to be a lot of laughter,” he said. “And if you don’t laugh, that’s OK. I still get paid.”
Preacher Lawson
Where: Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan
When: 7:30 p.m. March 21
Tickets: $23
Information: 847-263-6300; www.geneseetheatre.com
