Kentucky Comedy Festival

2025 Fall Series

 

Wrather Hall – Murray, Kentucky
September 19 & 26, 2025
October 3, 2025

 

Clemens Fine Arts Center – Paducah, Kentucky
September 20, 27, & 28, 2025
October 4, 2025

The Kentucky Comedy Festival returns this fall for seven unforgettable nights of laughter!
Join us in Murray on September 19, 26, and October 3, and in Paducah on September 20, 27, 28, and October 4. Each show features a fresh lineup of top-notch comedians, so grab your friends and come back for more!

Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning fan, Fall 2025 promises to be our funniest season yet.

Select Your Show!

Our Comedians: 

September 19, 2025

Murray, Kentucky

Brad Upton

Brad Upton – Headliner

A veteran of the comedy scene, Brad Upton has been entertaining audiences for over 30 years with his clever jokes and quick wit. He’s a favorite among comedy fans and with appearances on The Tonight Show, Comedy Central, and more, Brad Upton is a comedian that will have you laughing all night long.
Lace Larrabee

“White Trash Cinderella”
Lace Larrabee

A rising comedy star, Lace Larrabee has been making audiences laugh with her unique brand of comedy that blends observational humor with her southern roots. With appearances on Dry Bar Comedy and America’s Got Talent, Lace is quickly becoming a must-see comedian.

Our Comedians: 

September 20, 2025

Paducah, Kentucky

Brad Upton

Karen Mills – Headliner

Karen Mills is a seasoned stand-up comedian from Tennessee, renowned for her sharp wit and relatable humor. With over 30 years of experience, she has graced the Grand Ole Opry stage and toured with Leanne Morgan. Her Dry Bar Comedy special, “Baby Got Bad Back,” has garnered over 30 million views. A cancer survivor and former All-American basketball player, Karen brings resilience and authenticity to her performances, resonating with audiences nationwide.

Lace Larrabee

Josh Sneed

Josh Sneed is a nationally touring comedian known for his Comedy Central appearances, including his own half-hour special, and as a finalist on Last Comic Standing. His Dry Bar Comedy special, “Live in the Dessert,” has garnered over 50 million views. Josh has performed at prestigious festivals like Just For Laughs and Aspen Comedy Festival, and shared the stage with comedy greats such as Dave Chappelle, Jim Gaffigan, and Ron White. Beyond comedy, he is a successful entrepreneur, co-owning multiple apparel companies.

Our Comedians: 

September 26, 2025

Murray, Kentucky

Brad Upton

Jonnie W – Headliner

Jonnie W. is a Nashville-based comedian known for blending music with off-beat stand-up, creating a unique live comedy experience. His award-winning performances are featured daily on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, and his two Drybar Comedy specials have garnered millions of views, placing them among the platform’s most popular. Jonnie has performed across 48 states, entertaining audiences in comedy clubs, Fortune 500 companies, churches, and leadership conferences. Recently, he joined Nate Bargatze on the nationwide “Be Funny Tour” and has been featured on the Grand Ole Opry’s Circle Network.

Lace Larrabee

Jenna Kim Jones

Jenna Kim Jones is a stand-up comedian and podcaster known for her observational, self-deprecating humor that’s safe for all audiences. She began her comedy career while working at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and has since released multiple comedy specials, including “She’s So Brave.” Jenna hosts the “Couple Friends” podcast with her husband, Allan Moss, and has been featured on SiriusXM. As a mother of four, she brings relatable, slice-of-life comedy to audiences nationwide.

our Comedians: 

September 27, 2025

Paducah, Kentucky

Kentucky Comedy Festival | Dale Jones

Erica Rhodes – Headliner

Erica Rhodes is a smart, sharp, and delightfully offbeat comedian and actress known for her appearances on Modern Family, Veep, New Girl, and Comedy Bang Bang. Her standup credits include NBC’s Bring the Funny, Last Call with Carson Daly, and Live at Gotham. A Just for Laughs “New Face,” she’s performed at top festivals including Moontower and San Francisco Sketchfest. Erica was a fan favorite on NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion and voices “Dotty” in Netflix’s A Tale Dark and Grimm. Her debut special La Vie en Rhodes is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

Kentucky Comedy Festival | Jodi White

Rich Ragains

Rich Jones is a multi-talented comedian, author, and actor who has performed across three continents in clubs, theaters, cruise ships, and private events. A seasoned pro, he’s shared the stage with comedy greats like Dave Chappelle, Brian Regan, Ray Romano, Steve Harvey, and Larry the Cable Guy. His quick wit and global perspective keep audiences coming back for more.

Kentucky Comedy Festival | Jeremiah Martin

Sean Smith

Sean Smith is a Louisville-based comedian who’s been making crowds laugh since 2006. He got his start in the freestyle comedy group Local MCs, featured at the Gulf Coast Comedy Festival, before shifting focus to stand-up. Sean has shared the stage with big names like Nick Cannon, Donnell Rawlings, and John Witherspoon, and co-hosts the Bout Time Podcast on iTunes and Libsyn.

Our Comedians: 

September 28, 2025

Paducah, Kentucky

Derrick Stroup – Headliner

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.

Mike James

Mike James is a homeschooling dad and comedian known for his sharp wit and clean humor. He believes comedy should uplift, not wound, and brings laughter to everyday situations, from bad football plays to reckless Lyft drivers. His relatable style resonates with audiences seeking wholesome entertainment.

Our Comedians: 

October 3, 2025

Murray, Kentucky

Dustin Nickerson – Headliner

Dustin Nickerson is a Seattle native turned Southern Californian comedian, celebrated for his Amazon Prime special Overwhelmed. His relatable humor has landed him appearances on Comedy Central, Netflix, and The Late Late Show with James Corden. Dustin’s podcast, Don’t Make Me Come Back There, has garnered over 3 million downloads, and he’s the author of How to Be Married (to Melissa). Balancing life as a husband and father of three, Dustin brings a unique, everyman perspective to his comedy, resonating with audiences nationwide.

Tyler Buckingham

Tyler Buckingham is a Chicago-based stand-up comedian and writer known for his sharp wit and engaging performances. Hailing from Big Rapids, Michigan, Tyler brings a unique perspective to the stage, blending Midwestern charm with urban sensibilities. Beyond stand-up, he is an accomplished actor, stuntman, director, and producer, with appearances on popular television shows such as The Walking Dead. Tyler also co-hosts the Standard Capacity Podcast, where he delves into various topics with humor and insight. His multifaceted talents and dynamic stage presence make him a standout in the comedy scene.

Our Comedians: 

October 4, 2025

Paducah, Kentucky

John Heffron – Headliner

John Heffron is a Last Comic Standing winner and veteran stand-up comedian known for his smart, relatable humor and storytelling style. He’s been featured on NBC, Netflix, Comedy Central, and more. As the creator of Americana Comedy, John delivers nostalgic, no-drama stand-up rooted in everyday life—just great laughs without the politics.

Kentucky Comedy Festival | Drew Thomas

Drew Thomas

The art of classic stand-up comedy is still a thing! And one of today’s talented comedians lending to that style comes from the voice of Drew Thomas. For over 10 years, Drew has been treating the stage like his home, drawing his diverse audiences into a world of “face hurting” laughter with his quick wit and smooth delivery he gives accounts of relationship follies and keen retorts on everyday life. 

Kentucky Comedy Festival