Today we’d like to introduce you to J Petty.
Hi J, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Born in Dallas, raised in Winfield Kansas. A trailblazer since a kid. Back home I’ve been given numerous monikers such as the gay Oprah and “the OG” of Winfield (original gay not gangster).
Since kindergarten I’ve told people I wanted to be a comedian. I adored triple threat talents such as Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy. If you asked me who I wanted to be growing up it was one of them. I started drag in 2017 and quit after being booked to do stand up in drag with other queens and professional comics. I crushed the show so much so that I quit drag to do stand up.
In 2019 I founded Cowley county’s pride organization. The first of its kind and inspired several other small cities in KS to create prides of their own! I did the entire event without a board on my own with some financial help & constant advice from my mentor Roger Moon whom passed in 2022. We had over 700 people attend! The legacy continues even though I have moved on and you can catch CC Pride annually in June!
In 2020 I did courses through second city Chicago. With it being the pandemic it was over zoom, however, once I stepped out on the actual comedy scene and did open mics I realized just how much school helped. I was regularly the best of the night. I knew I wouldn’t grow how I wanted in a small scene like Wichita so I moved to KC on a whim!! Quit my job and left a month later.
In 3 years I have produced numerous shows and mics. I co-produced a show on Hamburger Mary’s for almost 2 years! Which an absolute dream, shout out Beans! I am the only non drag queen on a regular show cast in the venues herstory. My other show babies include the highly successful Petty & The Straights and the monthly Rents Due at cinderblock brewery.
I am a two time Pitch best stand up comic nominee in just 3 years and it is such an honor & humbling to be able to say that.
I have the honor of being on several KC festival boards such as KC Pride, Fountain City Comedy Festival and Black Comedy Fest!
I am proud to claim J Petty as KC’s most booked comedian the last 2 years having produced, hosted, featured or headlined over 130 shows in KC Metro during that time!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The life of an artist is never smooth. To pursue your dreams you gotta go broke unfortunately. I knew what I was signing up for when moving here to pursue my dreams and comfortability was a sacrifice I was willing to make.
This world does everything possible to keep us from pursuing art. The funny thing is many of us are complicit in that difficulty.
We still look down on those who work less because they want (we would say need) to create more. People will still tell me I should work more or do less so that I can afford bills. More work is less creating and this you’re stuck in the chasing cycle. What we fail to realize is for any artist it takes massive investment from those in their circle in order for them to make it. If you want your artist friends and family to make it, INVEST IN THEM!!!! Invest big!! Invest often!! I am fortunate that I have had a lot of help in being where I am. I would not be here without my mother’s help. Still it’s been a struggle for sure. Before my current job it was impossible finding a place to work that also allowed me to do comedy in the evenings regularly.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a stand up comedian, I am known for being the crowd favorite. The most chaotic host in KC and my crowds love me for it.
I am most proud of the name and reputation I’ve built with the help of my peers in the city in such a short time.
I get stopped and recognized regularly, almost daily. No one knew me here 3 years ago and now it’s like everyone does.
I am also proud of the friends I’ve able to put on along the way. So many of my friends I was booking regularly 2 years ago were rarely getting booked, if at all at the time. Now they are the city’s top comics and I like to think I had a part in that. Any show or mic I’ve ever put on my thoughts were who can I put on and what can I do to help others pursuing their dreams too.
What sets me apart is my drive to create, not for me but for others.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the entertainment scene. We have one of the absolute best drag and comedy scenes in the country imo. So many amazing entertainers here! The indie show scene for drag and comedy regularly has some of the coolest shows like Body Euphoria and Body Language! Shout out Lana Luxx and Brittany Tillander! The food is also top tier.
I dislike the rent and the very noticeable effects from many years of redlining.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pettycomic/profilecard/
- Youtube: Pettycomic
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pettycomic
