Southern Fried Chicks - About The Chicks
Pick A Chick: Etta May | Sonya
White | Trish Suhr
Karen Mills| Leanne Morgan| Jody
Kerns
About The Chicks
Etta May
What’s the best way to describe Etta May? “Minnie Pearl with a migraine.” To put it simply, when Etta May takes the stage, she is the reigning Queen of Southern Sass. She reflects “You know you’re getting fat when you sit in the bathtub and the water in the toilet rises!”
Born and raised in Bald Knob, Arkansas, Etta May grew up alongside nine older brothers, who referred to their baby sister as “the human sacrifice.” In fact, Etta May’s parents - her father, a potpourri farmer, and her mother, bedridden by constant childbearing, - did not realize Etta May was a girl until she required a training bra.
Etta May met her husband, Delbert, an aspiring truck driver, at a friend’s kegger. From across the yard their eyes locked in a love look. Nine months later, she was blessed with a boy, followed by a girl and two more boys. “That’s where my comedy comes from. I just wait for my husband or kids to do something stupid, and then I write it down.”
Through the years, Etta May had a string of dead end jobs. She faithfully drove a school bus for over 10 years. She says she learned how to handle unruly kids by Armor All-ing the seats, and touching the brakes, all the way home. One night, while volunteering as a BINGO caller, she recalls, “the ball sucker got stuck, and I was forced to entertain a room full of angry Catholics. It was then I realized I could make people laugh.” Etta May will take you on a redneck ride through the Deep South.
Etta May won the prestigious American Comedy Awards: “Stand-Up Comic of the Year,” and has appeared on Oprah, Comic Strip Live, MTV, and as a guest commentator on “CBS Sunday Morning.”
Look for Etta May and the Southern Fried Chicks in their all new sixty minute TV special airing on CMT on Friday, July 27, 2007. Think Blue Collar Comedy Tour with bigger attitude and better hair! Etta May is also a headline comic on CMT’s “CMT Comedy Stage” which is the second highest rated show in CMT history. The success of the Comedy Stage franchise led to the production of the Southern Fried Chicks Comedy Tour special as the first comedy concert series for the national cable network. Additionally, Etta May appeared on two more CMT show, “KARAOKE-DOKEY” where she lent her unique perspective as a guest judge on the show where four contestants compete in a battle for the best impersonation of country great, Shania Twain. She was also the subject and first female comic ever on the biography show, “Comedy Club.” She joins the elite comedy company of Ron White, Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy, who are also featured in this series.
In addition to television, Etta May is a regular on the syndicated Bob & Tom radio show and XM Radio’s comedy channels.
Sonya White
Based in Chicago by way of Virginia, Sonya combines her southern charm with big city smarts to create an act is clean, fun and high energy. Her observational comedy is enhanced by dead-on impersonations and sound effects ranging from favorite celebrities to pets she wished she could keep in her Chicago apartment. Sonya has been a featured comedian on CBS’s “Star Search” and NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” She made her international debut as the featured comedienne for Verizon Wireless on their “Fun and Games” mobile accessories option which is available in 60 countries.
www.myspace.com/sonyawhitecomedy
Trish Suhr
This Kentucky native left the family funeral business to become a stand up comedian. After moving to Los Angeles, Trish scored a number of TV appearances including “Girls Behaving Badly”, “Take my Kids, Please” and “CMT Comedy Stage”. You can see Trish in her regular gig as host and yard sale diva on the Style Channel’s hit show, “Clean House.” Trish is definitely a hot chick who lives by the adage, “Why do when you can over-do.”
Karen Mills
Karen Mills is a breath of fresh air. Her humor is smart, funny, and original. She's been compared to such greats as Bill Cosby, Ellen DeGeneres, and Jerry Seinfeld. Her comedy is clean, clever and relatable - she finds the funny in everyday life. A native of Tennessee, this southern girl makes one thing clear, "I am NOT a southern belle…unless I need to be."
Karen spent 15 years on the comedy circuit honing her skills. She's worked with Jon Stewart, written for The Rosie O' Donnell Show and toured with the Southern Fried Chicks. Now she's quickly becoming a favorite in the corporate world. Her client list includes American Express, AFLAC, Coca Cola, Toyota and many more. One thing her clients all agree on is that Karen Mills is "one funny girl." She has also performed at numerous women's conventions where she's always a huge hit! But don't think that's all she can do, her comedy is friendly and relatable to both genders - in other words, the men love her too. This natural performer has a keen sense of timing and wide range of topics giving her a broad audience appeal.
Karen understands what it takes to excel. She stands at 5'2" and was an All-American basketball player for UT-Chattanooga. In 1981, she led the nation in assists and was the first female inducted into UTC's basketball hall of fame. She's got game! Karen brings that same dynamic energy to her comedy. Whether you are having a convention, an awards banquet, a weekend retreat, or any other corporate or private function, Karen will bring your crowd together through the joy of laughter.
Leanne Morgan
One of the many great things about stand up comedy is the widely varied circumstances that lead people to jump on stage for the first time to tell jokes to entertain. The where, when, and how is often as intriguing as the comedy itself. For many it comes later in life after leading successful careers as teachers, lawyers, or corporate executives. What is more rarely seen is for a mother of three, living in rural Appalachia, who grew up on a farm within a truly extended family to find her way to the stage of stand up. Leanne's journey into comedy is far from the standard profile but so intertwined into her act and success that it would be hard to imagine her starting any other way.
As a stay at home mother of three, Leanne was looking for a way to get some grown up time without interfering with her children or her husband's career. She turned to selling jewelry at in home parties. Word of her wonderful sense of humor and intoxicating southern charm spread like wildfire and she was staying booked months in advance. She was so popular that local civic organizations would ask her to host and emcee various events. From here she was asked to entertain several local corporate events and a professional comedy career was born.
A move to Texas with her husband's career opened many new opportunities for Leanne. While in San Antonio she was asked to appear in the Las Vegas Comedy Festival and appeared on ABC's The View in a hilarious housewife segment.
Leanne's style of comedy combines her southern charm and hilarious story telling about her own life into an act that keeps them coming back for more. People are always accusing her of spying on them because she seems to be living the same life that they do. The fact that everyone can relate to her comedy has made her a hit even among the strangest of audiences.
After returning to Knoxville, Leanne appeared as a finalist on Nick at Nite's Funniest Mom and toured three years with the Southern Fried Chicks. She has appeared in comedy clubs, performing arts centers, and theatres all over the United States. This past year she had a contract with Warner Brothers and ABC to develop a sitcom based on her comedy.
Jody Kerns
Jody Kerns is a southern belle that kicks like a mule! Coming to the stage looking like a soccer mom and then blowing you away with her take on kids, drugs, sex, marriage…you name it, she talks about it. She ain't shy about nothing! And she has no fear, because she has raised five kids! She's seen it all and done it all when it comes to living life, and she'll be more than happy to tell you about it and then give you a lap dance! When she breaks out her guitar, everyone becomes a part of the show and they keep begging for more. When she's done, your cheeks and sides will hurt. This little lady has got it going on!