2023 Photo Highlights
our 2023 Comedians
Night 1
October 19, 2023
On October 19, 2023, Night 1 of the festival featured some of the best comedians in the business, including White Trash Cinderella Lace Larrabee (@lacelarrabee), Eric O’Shea (@ericosheacomedy), Jasmine Ellis (@jasmineelliscomedy), and The Kentucky Corp Jester Mark Klein, who has been featured on Dry Bar Comedy, America’s Got Talent, and more!
Night 2
October 20, 2023
Night 2 of the festival continued on October 20, 2023, and featured Kevin Farley (@kevfarls), Tammy Pescatelli (@tammypescatelli), and Brad Upton (@braduptoncomedy), who have been featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, and Dry Bar Comedy.
Night 3
October 21, 2023
Night 3 of the festival continue3 on October 21, 2023, and featured Henry Cho (@henrychocomedy), Derrick Stroup (@derrick_yells), Murray resident Jeremiah Martin (@jeremiahmcomedy), and Murray resident Jamaal Gardner (@JamaalTheCashierGardner) who have been featured on NBC’s The Tonight Show, CBS’s The Late, Late, Show, and NBC’s Young Comedians Special.
Our Comedians
Henry Cho
Kevin Farley
Brad Upton
Tammy Pescatelli
“White Trash Cinderella”
Lace Larrabee
Eric O’Shea
Jasmine Ellis
The Kentucky Corp Jester Mark Klein
With a career spanning over 20 years, Mark Klein is a veteran of the comedy scene. His quick wit and clever jokes have made him a favorite among audiences across the country. He talks. You laugh.
Derrick Stroup
Alabama native and stand-up comedian Derrick Stroup is not your average slow talking Southerner. With the cadence of an angry auctioneer, he locks people in with his detailed stories and over the top energy. Like chasing his dreams of stand-up comedy, Derrick moved to Denver, Colorado in 2015 and has never looked back. Since then he has become a regular at several clubs in the state and the country.
Jeremiah Martin
Jeremiah Martin was raised in western Kentucky where he first observed and laughed at the norms of small-town life. His outlook and comedy have gotten him booked and in front of crowds in several clubs throughout the country such as Loony Bin’s, Comedy Off Broadway, The Caravan, Ft. Wayne Comedy Club, and many others where he’s been fortunate enough to work with comedians such as Dale Jones, Jodi White, Slade Ham, Stewart Huff, and Matt Holt.
Jamaal Gardner
From cashier to comedian, you don’t know what Jamaal Gardner might think of next. Jamaal is aiming for a career as a full-time stand-up comedian. He has performed alongside celebrities he never thought he’d meet and says “There’s nothing like making a whole room laugh at your thoughts. It’s addicting beyond words.”
our 2023 hosts
Ben Wilson, Founder
Kentucky Comedy Festival
Ben Wilson is the founder of the Kentucky Comedy Festival and native of Paducah, Kentucky and Calvert City, Kentucky. He is a 1999 graduate of Murray State University and a 2004 graduate of the University of Miami (FL) law school with a Masters of Law in Real Estate Development. Ben has been practicing law as a real estate attorney in Florida since 2004. He is excited to bring the Kentucky Comedy Festival to his hometown area to bring laughter to Western Kentucky and support to Murray State!
Mallory Hudson
Miss Kentucky 2023
Mallory Hudson is Miss Kentucky 2023, a passionate advocate for inclusion and education. She’s a senior at the University of Kentucky, studying Communications and Political Science. Mallory has a strong background in theater, championing her Community Service Initiative, “Inclusive Stages.” She serves as the official spokesperson for Kentucky Proud, supporting local agriculture. Mallory aims to be remembered for her advocacy, leadership, and commitment to empowering others.
2023 Presenting Sponsors
