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Kerry Awn once threw a silver dollar across Lady Bird Lake
Deborah Cannon photo
There are plenty of faces on Austin comedy’s Mount Rushmore, but Kerry Awn is the scene’s George Washington.
If you’ve been to an Esther’s Follies show during the last 30 years, you’ve probably seen Awn perform.
He won the Funniest Person In Austin contest in 1986, not to mention christening The Velveeta Room after one of his own characters. The longtime artist and musician even designed this year’s FPIA logo for Cap City.
But recently, Awn stepped down from his role as Esther’s cast member.
That doesn’t mean that he’s done with comedy, though; Awn is headlining The Velveeta Room this weekend.
I chatted with Awn about his time at Esther’s and the upcoming show.
You’ve been a longtime cast member at Esther’s Follies, what led to your recent retirement?
I was hoping to get the $25 million reward for capturing Osama Bin Laden. Thanks a lot, President Obama, for shattering my dream. I guess winning American Idol is my backup plan.
What does retirement look like for Kerry Awn? I can’t imagine you stepping down from performing.
I’ll still be performing, just not at Esther’s. It’s a lot of work, not working. I am available for parties, openings and male modeling jobs. It’s swimsuit season so I’m working out.
Any favorite Esther’s memories to share?
The best memories of Esther’s will always be the people I met through there. Both the cast and audience members. Running up and down those stairs and laughing my head off every weekend has got to be good for the heart, right?
One great memory was having Jay Leno walk into the dressing room during a show and have him find the cast members smoking pot. He thought Texans were crazy.
Since this is your first post-retirement show at the Velv, anything special planned?
Well, if you’ve only ever seen me at Esther’s I want to invite you to see me do standup. It’s a whole different ball game. The Velveeta Room’s not called the “dark side of Esther’s” for nothing. Also, I’ll be doing my one-man tribute to the Texas Legislature by drinking heavily, telling dirty jokes and bullying school children.
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