Comedian Dwight York uses hope to fuel his engine

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WHO: Dwight York

WHERE: Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub, 101 Pine St., Dayton

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7; 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9

COST: $5 Thursday, $10 Friday and $12 Saturday

MORE INFO: (937) 224-JOKE (5653) or www.wileyscomedyclub.com

ARTIST INFO: www.dwightyork.com

Dwight York felt an instant kinship with stand-up when he did his first open mic night in Minneapolis in February 1989. He began doing comedy immediately and spent the next seven years working days and slinging one-liners at night before going full time.

Nearly 14 years later, York is devoted to comedy, although he admits it’s difficult at times.

“Comedy is a struggle,” he said. “I’m living my dream, but at the same time it’s shattering to pieces in the process.”

While the life of a road comic can be challenging, York enjoyed some highpoints in 2009. He appeared on national television in an episode of “The Bob & Tom Show,” and began an ongoing working relationship with The Buffalo Chip Campground in Sturgis, SD.

“Hope is what keeps you going,” York said. “When you don’t have anything on the horizon to look forward to, it’s really depressing. But if you know you have that next ‘Bob & Tom’ coming, it fuels your engine.”

The Serious Comedy Site named York’s latest album, “Quickies” (Stand Up! Records), one of the top 10 comedy albums of 2009. The list also included recent releases from Garrison Keillor, Paula Poundstone and Christopher Titus.

“The CD was cool,” York said. “You can really tell when I’m doing my act, and I’ve got the crowd on my side because you get this comedy wave going. When the laughter is trailing off from one joke, I hit them with the next one. There’s this give and take with the audience and me, and that’s really when one-liners work.”

York performs at Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 7-9.

“Stand-up comedy is a tough business, but what’s even tougher is giving it up,” York said. “I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and though I’m still struggling to eek out that living and chasing after that allusive big break, it’s hard to give up your lifelong dream.”