Valentine's Interview w/ Comedian - Steve Trevino

Up-and-coming comedian Steve Trevino, proud son of South Texas, returned to Corpus Christi four a three-night stint at Chuckles Comedy Club for Valentine's Day Weekend.

Before the shows, I had the opportunity to chat with Steve about where he came from, his thoughts on love, and where he's going.

Here is the unedited interview:

1. Logical place to begin...I'm sure you've gotten the whole "What got you into comedy" before, so I'd like to enquire: What and when was the moment when you realized you could do stand-up?

When I was very young my parents used to have barbecues at my house. The men were always outside in the back and the women were always inside. But for some reason this time they were all in the living room laughing their heads off. I went in to go see what it was and I remember seeing Richard Pryor telling jokes I must have been five years old. That's when I thought to myself Wow. Here's a guy just talking and making everybody laugh I want to do that. I took a real interest in stand up after that. I had a VHS copy of Eddie Murphy raw. I memorized it and at the barbecues my dad would put me on the picnic table to tell these jokes. Can you imagine an eight or nine year old on a picnic table doing Eddie Murphy jokes. I love the attention I was hooked. As I got older I continue to do talent shows and backyard barbecues, unfortunately back then there was no Comedy Club in Corpus Christi. Which is why I'm supporting chuckles and performing there hoping to bring attention to the club. Get people to go to the club so it stays around for a long time. For future little Steve Treviño's to have a place to perform.

2. Tell me about your worst show? What happened?

I've had a lot of bad shows. Any comedian that tells you they have not had bad shows is full of s***. Or that comedian just has not got out in the real world of stand up. I was doing crackers comedy club in Indianapolis. A blizzard was blowing through and nobody was coming to the show. I was told by the manager that if 20 people showed up we would go ahead and do the show. Unfortunately for me 20 people showed up and the show must go on. The first comedian went up And this heckler made him so uncomfortable that he walked off stage early. The second comedian went up and the heckler convinced him to walk off stage early. Now its my turn I did the best I could to keep the heckler under control but he would not stop we exchanged words and eventually he starts walking towards the stage like he wanted to fight me so I knocked him out from the stage and ended up on top of him, now his wife is on top of me scratching my face the other people in the audience had to come and help. It was a mess and I still have 30 minutes to go into set. Most of the people walked out after that, not a good show my friend.

3. And then, of course, redeem yourself and tell me about what you consider your best performance? What made it so great?

Best performance? As a Comic I'm always trying to get better I never think that I had a great performance. I see Comic's on social media all the time bragging about how great they are or how great their performance was and usually it's the hack or the worst comics saying this trying to sell people on their B.S. because I feel real Comic's would never act that way knowing how hard stand up is. I'm just not that guy. But if you ask me what one of my greatest shows was. It was when I was able to film a Netflix special in Corpus Christi in front of my friends and family. Having them on stage with me after the show was something I will never forget. Performing in South Texas makes me the most happy.

However being a part of the world famous Comedystore on the Sunset Strip performing with great Comic's like Dave Chappelle, Louis CK, Marc Maron , Bill Burr anyway you get the point. Everytime I'm on a stage with those guys at the Comedystore its a dream come true. It makes me proud to be a kid from South Texas and to be a part of a comedy scene like that. It also makes me proud that I'm one of very few Mexican Americans to be on that stage.

4. You've found success. What do you find is the biggest difference from where you were when you first started and where you are now?

When I started I couldn't even take care of myself I was sleeping in my car or on somebody's couch hoping that it would pay off so The biggest differences is I've been able to provide for my family doing what I love. Not everybody gets to say that.

5. Where do you hope to end up?

Heaven......... If you mean in my career I would like to someday be on a TV show or in movies.

6. You've set up a three night stay here in C.C. for Valentine's Day. What do you hope to accomplish while performing, and being back in Corpus Christi?

Well I just had a baby boy and his grandparents want to see him. I'm on the road about 45 weeks a year so being able to go home hang out with friends and family is my main goal but I also want to fish see a show at Brewsters street ice house eat at Whataburger and Mac's Pit BBQ in Gregory Texas, jaliscos and water Street oyster bar. What can I say there's lots to love about South Texas. Most importantly I'd really like to draw attention to the comedy club Chuckels this is the first time Corpus Christi has ever had a real comedy club and I hope people support it. (Think I answered the next question in this one as well )

Questions just for fun:

7. Do you believe in love?

Absolutely! I'm a son a husband and now a father. Enough said.

8. Do you believe in love at first sight?

Yes. The first time I saw my wife and then it happened again the first time I saw my son.

9. Tell us an embarrassing experience you've had while dating?

Pass if you don't mind.

10. What is your stance on Valentine's Day?

I think it's good. I think sometimes it's a reminder to take the person you love out. The best place to go is my comedy show. You don't have to talk I'll do that for you.

FINALLY:

11. Who are some of your influences?

So many people have influenced me over the years. From Comic's to people in my life. I think the one constant influence will always be my father.

12. What's next for you?

I'm working on my very own sitcom. But I can't count on that. I can count on stand up. So I'll continue to work on my craft.

13. And, lastly, is there anything you would like to say to your fans and our readers here in Corpus Christi?

I'll always be a son of South Texas and I'm proud of it. Thank you for your continued support. You have made my dream of being a comidian come true. I hope our love for each other continues. It means the world to me and my family.

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