The Creative Process

Posted by: jasonhewlett in MyBlog on Jan 28, 2010

Ahhh, the sound of a Standing Ovation after a Show is music to my ears after an hour of giving my best performance with literally thousands of hours of practice, preparation, and years of creation leading up to that one moment!  (Click HERE to watch my New Promo)

Yes, one hour's work took me almost 25 years to create.  So it's always a bittersweet thing when you receive the standing ovation and everyone is thrilled but then the inevitable questions begin, "Hey, why don't you do....(fill in the Blank) Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The Teletubbies (yes that's a real request), Cyndi Lauper, Britney Spears..."

The most painful part is when people ask me why I don't do impressions I just did in the show.  Me: "Did you have a good time?" Audience Member: "Oh yeah, it was great, but why didn't you do some of my favorites, like sing as Michael Jackson, or play "Piano Man" by Billy Joel?  That would be really cool if you put those in because it seems like you could do both".  I don't have the heart to tell them I did both and wonder if I'm in a time-warp or if they are meaning to insult me... It would be like me asking them if they were really standing in front of me at that moment or if it is just their annoying brother.  Actually worse than that is when they say, "But I loved your impression of Neil Diamond (whom I don't do)" and I just stand there and say, "Well, I'm glad you enjoyed...whatever show you just saw". 

This week has been a busy one, I haven't stopped working, traveling, eating beef and cheese sticks from vending machines in motels because it's the healthiest choice.  All the while I'm coming up with new material.  It's tough to know what to add, when, what to take out, trying out new material in front of a high paying client's audience doesn't seem fair but sometimes I'll try it out if I'm feeling confident (like the Journey parody I added last year that has turned into one of the favorites WATCH here).

Right now I am working feverishly on Beach Boys, James Taylor, more Motown such as the Supremes, Four Tops, as well as today's hits by Gnarls Barkley, Owl City, and others.  I don't know if I can even pull these voices off, but I'm working at it.  The most requested is Elvis, I have a whole thing worked up with his cousin Pelvis Resley and am not sure when or where I should debut it.  So keep an eye out, you will see more from me, it just takes a while when you run the whole Show as well as every aspect of the business as well.   But I love the creative process, drives me crazy and keeps me polished.  Now if only I can convince that audience member that I already did his favorite impression.