Henry Cho: Cho Time with Vanessa LeGrand
Comedian Henry Cho was painting houses during a college summer break when he decided to become a comic. He entered a comedy competition at a local club and was put on a waiting list. When someone cancelled, he got a call and told jokes and stories about things he and his buddies talked about on the way to the theater. ‘’I went on stage and told my jokes and absolutely killed,” he told an interviewer. “I got a standing ovation and got hired that night. It was a Monday night and I started my professional career on Wednesday.”
The Knoxville, Tennessee native has been mining his Southern upbringing and Asian heritage for laughs ever since. In his college days, he found it especially helpful with the ladies, who were intrigued by him. “I’m an Asian with a Southern accent. To a lot of people, that right there is funny,” he said.
In an interview with Gold Sea Magazine, he explained how he came to be a product of two cultures. “My dad is your basic 2-doctorate, 11 patents, kind of dad. He graduated at the top of his class from the top boys’ school in Seoul. My mother matched him with her gender's version. Nowadays, my parents would be going to Harvard, but back then their reward was to go to Warren Wilson Junior College in North Carolina… My parents came over single and were married in Asheville, NC at the age of 18. My father ended up working in Oak Ridge, Tennessee which is just outside of Knoxville. Most of the scientists lived outside of Oak Ridge since living next to nuclear reactors and labs where they attempt to split atoms isn't the smartest thing to do... and who said scientists have no common sense.”
Cho’s television credits include The Tonight Show, The Late, Late Show, and NBC’s Young Comedians special. He served for two years as host of NBC’s Friday Night Videos and has appeared on numerous network sitcoms. He was the co-creator, co-producer and co-writer of The Henry Cho Show on the Great American Country channel.
Cho’s one-hour comedy special, What’s That Clickin’ Noise? is currently running on Netflix. He can also be heard on Sirius XM, Blue Collar Radio and Pandora, and is a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry, not far from his Nashville home.
His film credits include McHale’s Navy, Say it Isn’t So, and Material Girls, a movie produced by Madonna. He was the keynote speaker for the 59th Annual Radio & Television Correspondents’ Dinner and has worked extensively with Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Willie Nelson, Carrie Underwood and Reba McIntyre. His clean comedy is so versatile that he can headline Las Vegas and then tour with Christian singer Michael W. Smith. He filmed the faith-based independent film Saving Faith and has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor by the International Christmas Film Festival and recently completed filming a Hallmark movie, The Farmer and the Belle-Saving Santaland.
Appearing with Henry Cho is singer/songwriter Vanessa LeGrand. She started out as a classically-trained singer with the Augusta Children’s Choir and the Pittsburgh Children’s Choir. During her time in Pittsburgh, she had the amazing honor of working with the Pittsburgh Symphony, singing under the direction of Marvin Hamlisch.
After taking a break in her career, she resumed it in Charlotte, playing in acoustic duos and bands. She then set her sights for Las Vegas, where she got a job performing with a jazz quartet at the Palazzo Hotel. She’s in great demand, performing her special brand of pop to jazz all over Sin City and she’s performed on Fremont Street, Toby Keith’s, the South Point Hotel and Casino. MGM Hotel and Casino and at special events around the country.
It's an evening of smiles and song stylings. Come and enjoy.