By Nathan Alexander
Katherine Blanford, a comedian based in Atlanta, is headlining the Louisville Comedy Club with two shows this Friday, Aug. 26. One of the shows is already sold out, so get your tickets here while they are still available.
Katherine is a stand-up comedian, writer, and podcaster, who grew up in Louisville. Her high-energy stage presence and rapid fire joke writing keeps the audience hanging on to every word to ensure they don’t miss a thing.
Katherine has toured the country and recently made her television debut performing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Katherine released her debut album, Salt Daddy in June 2022. Listen to her recount joke-dense stories about growing up in Kentucky, her work as a nanny, a less-than-ideal ocean cruise and much more.
Katherine was kind enough to answer some questions for Louisville Laughs.
Louisville Laughs: At what point did you know you wanted to be a comedian?
Katherine Blanford: “When I went on stage for the first time and felt that rush of attention.”
You grew up in Louisville. What does it mean to come back to perform?
“It means people know when I’m embellishing a story because they were all there when it actually happened.”
In addition to stand-up, you are a writer and have a podcast called Cheaties. How do your other creative endeavors inform your comedy?
“They give me ideas for new bits. And allows me to express myself in other ways so I’m not so desperate to get on stage. Sometimes doing that open mic at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday isn’t necessary.”
What do you want your comedy to do for people? What do you hope it accomplishes?
“I’m here for the basic white girls. We’ve been severely underrepresented in this society and I am here to finally give us a voice.”
What is on your comedy bucket list? Is there anyone in particular you would like to work with?
“Tig Notaro. And a special on TV. But mostly just to work with Tig.”
What is the best advice you ever got that you actually used?
“Weight lifting helps you get toned. Instagram gave me that advice, and I will be forever grateful to her.”
You released your debut album in June 2022 called Salt Daddy. What was it like recording and releasing an album?
“A lot of hard work and fear that it will come out and I will lose the respect of everyone I look up to.”
Do you still keep in contact with Salt Daddy? Do you think he’s heard the album?
“No. I’m still waiting for him to reach out but I don’t think there’s good service on a boat off the coast of Fort Lauderdale.”
How would you describe your comedy?
“Worth the Groupon.”
What is your comedy horror story?
“A year into comedy I came home to do a show and the whole family came. I only had about 8 minutes of “decent” material and the booker asked me to do 10 minutes. So I had to use all my material. Which meant I ended up doing my dirtiest jokes in front of my grandma.”
What is your comedy highlight?
“Doing the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Oh, and doing my dirty jokes in front of my grandma.”
Katherine can be found on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, YouTube, and her website.
Katherine’s debut album Salt Daddy can be streamed on Spotify and Apple Music.
Get your tickets for Katherine Blanford at the Louisville Comedy Club this Friday before the second show sells out!