By GINA KINSLOW
GLASGOW — The comedian known for making audiences laugh so hard that their sides hurt will once again take the stage this weekend in Glasgow.
James Gregory, who has been heralded as “The Funniest Man in America,” is set to appear at the Plaza Theatre on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Gregory, who was born in Georgia, will share with the audience his observations on the weather, common-sense views, health addicts, modern parents, out-of-control environmentalists and dim-witted relatives.
His comedy is broadcast on such syndicated radio shows as “Rick and Bubba,” “John Boy and Billy,” and “Bob and Tom.” According to Gregory’s Web site, combined, the syndicated radio shows reach 220 cities nationwide.
Tickets are $20 and $25.
Saturday night’s show is the second time Gregory has performed a benefit show for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
“We had him once before and he drew a really good crowd,” said Mark Dickson, who is in charge of publicity for the local Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “He was super nice on and off the stage.”
Another thing Dickson said he liked about Gregory was the fact his comedy is “clean.”
“There is no profanity involved in it, so you can bring your kids,” Dickson said.
Proceeds from the show will go toward researching for a cure for the disease. Dickson and others with the local Cystic Fibrosis Foundation are hoping the concert will generate $2,000 to $3,000.
Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening disease that causes mucus to build up in the body’s organs, particularly the lungs and pancreas.
The mucus causes bacteria to stick in the airways, which causes inflammation and infection that leads to lung damage. The mucus can also stop digestive enzymes from getting into the intestines to break up food, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Web site.
Approximately 30,000 people in the United States have the disease and another 10 million are carriers, the Web site said.
In Barren County, the disease has affected six families, Dickson said.
Symptoms of the disease are: very salty tasting skin, persistent cough, frequent lung infections, wheezing or shortness of breath, poor growth/ weight gain, greasy/bulky stools and small, fleshy growths in the nose, the Web site said.
Benefit concerts like the one Gregory will perform this weekend are the second-biggest fundraiser for the local Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The organization’s largest fundraiser is its Great Strides Walk, which is set for Oct. 18 at Red Cross Elementary.
Tickets for Gregory’s Saturday night performance are still available, according to Steve Jones, director of the Plaza Theatre.
“There are plenty of seats available,” he said. “I hope everyone comes out who can because this is one of the true charitable events hosted at the theater.”
For ticket information, call the theater at (270) 361-2101.
For more information about Cystic Fibrosis visit www. cffs.org. For more information about Gregory, visit www.funniestman.com.
