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JEFF FOXWORTHY
Contrary to some people's popular belief, Jeff Foxworthy is not some overnight success story. Before starring on The Jeff Foxworthy Show for two seasons, releasing many best-selling CD's and books and selling out major theaters, Foxworthy was practically on a first-name basis with every Holiday Inn manager in the country. Years of relentless touring, mastering the art of sleeping while standing and waking up at the crack of dawn to do morning radio and television interviews, all have helped mold Foxworthy into one of the most respected and successful comedians in the country.
If Foxworthy's track record as a recording artist is any indication of his success, then there's no reason to think that Jeff's new CD, "Totally Committed," won't be anything but huge. "Totally Committed" is Jeff's fourth CD and will mark a new direction in his life and material. Also forthcoming is the debut single and video of the same name. Making cameo appearances in the video are Atlanta Braves pitchers Greg Maddox and John Smoltz.
Next on Foxworthy's plate will be a one-hour HBO stand-up special which was taped in February. Also titled Totally Commited, the special premiered on May 16 and will precede the CD which will was released on May 19.
Attesting to Foxworthy's strong fan base and support which Jeff's gartnered over the years, Foxworthy is involved with the creation and launch of a chain of theme-based restaurants. Jeff Foxworthy's Backyard Bar-B-Q opened its first restaurant in Kissimee, Florida in late March. Some tasty items on the menu include the Fried Catfish Filet, the Sloppy Jeff Sandwich and, of course, ribs and lots of 'em. Plans call for additional restaurants to open across the country later this year including Asheville, NC and Hilton Head, SC.
To date, Foxworthy's previous three comedy recordings have tallied sales of over eight million units making him the largest selling comedy recording artist in history. His first CD, "You Might Be A Redneck If…" (Warner Bros./1994) has been registered triple platinum status (three million units), the only time a comedy CD has surpassed this mark. It has also become the largest selling comedy recording of all time. The tremendous reaction to this CD resulted in both a music video and a single entitled "Redneck Stomp." Foxworthy's July 1995 release, "Games Rednecks Play," was certified platinum a mere five weeks later. "Games Rednecks Play," which is now double platinum, went on to receive a 1996 Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album.
"Crank it Up: The Music Album," which was released in Fall of 1996, contains the hit single and video "Party All Night" featuring Little Texas. The single "Games Rednecks Play" with country star Alan Jackson also appears on the album and was nominated for a 1997 Grammy nomination for Best Vocal Collaboration and was Foxworthy's salute to his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia being the host city of 1996's Summer Olympic Games. The CD is nearing the platinum-selling status for Foxworthy.
A regular on such shows as "The Tonight Show" and "The Late Show with David Letterman," Foxworthy also has two Showtime stand-up specials to his credit. With critical acclaim and rave reviews from the first special, Foxworthy landed his second Showtime special which earned a Cable ACE Award nomination. Foxworthy has been bestowed with a People's Choice Award as "Favorite Male Newcomer" for the The Jeff Foxworthy Show and has won TNN's "Comedian of the Year" three years running.
Foxworthy is also the author of nine best selling books to his name. Foxworthy's first four books explore the phenomenon of the redneck: You Might Be A Redneck If... (now in its 30th printing), Red Ain't Dead, Hick Is Chic... A Guide To Etiquette For The (Grossly) Unsophisticated, and Check Your Neck. Foxworthy's fifth book You're Not A Kid Anymore... was a departure from his previous books as it poignantly and comically looks at the tell-tale signs of getting older. His 1995 book Games Rednecks Play offered a humorous preview of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, since Atlanta was the site of the Olympics. 1995 brought Redneck Classics, a best-of compilation of his earlier writing efforts.
Foxworthy's 1996 book from Longstreet Press was Those People, which is filled with humorous drawings from Jeff's observations of his fellow man from many years of being out on the comedy club circuit.
Foxworthy's other 1996 publishing effort No Shirt No Shoes, No Problem! spent over two months on The New York Times Best Seller List and has sold more than 600,000 copies in hardcover and paperback. This book was more autobiographical than his previous works, tracing his formative years while growing up in Atlanta and amusing, albeit bewildering stories, from the Foxworthy household, and as Jeff says, "it's a book for the library instead of the back of the toilet."
The Foxworthy Down Home Cookbook was published by Longstreet Press last November and includes recipes from Jeff and his father, Big Jim. To date, Foxworthy has sold over 3.8 million copies of his various books and over 1.5 million copies of his annual calendars which are also published by Longstreet Press.
It's hard to believe that 14 years ago, Foxworthy was about to quit his $30,000-a-year job to work the comedy club circuit so he could make a whopping $20 a night in smoky comedy clubs. In no time at all , Jeff began winning several national and regional comedy contests, developing a loyal fan base. Those first six or seven years, Jeff paid his dues by working 48 weeks a year on the road. The end result of his hard work had Foxworthy capturing the award for "Best Stand-Up Comic" at the 1990 American Comedy Awards. Jeff went on to open for the likes of Garth Brooks, Jay Leno, The Judds, Eddie Rabbit and Wynton Marsalis.
Away from the stage, an interest in which Jeff holds near and dear is the Duke University Children's Hospital in Durham, NC. Jeff is the Honorary Chairman of the Duke Children's Classic Golf Tournament. With Jeff's help, the hospital, which specializes in treating children with cancer, last year alone raised over $900,000. Jeff's goal this year is to surpass the $1-million mark. The Duke's Children's Classic will be taking place the weekend of May 29, 1998 in Durham.
This Atlanta, Georgia native remains true to his southern roots and resides with his wife and two daughters in Georgia.
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