From starting formal lessons by age 9, to holding the title of “first chair” in band class from Sophomore thru out Senior years of high school, playing drums was Kansas City, MO. native, Vincent Brown's first artistic expression.
Towards the end of year one in Las Vegas, things got bad. Real bad! With vehicle busted, drum kit (pictured above) stolen, and money running out, he found him self paying 25 bucks a week to sleep on the floor of a friend of a friend’s spare bed room - basically, "homeless" by day, and crashing out in a drug & crime infested neighborhood just west of the Stratosphere by night.
Within a few months, he’d piece together another drum kit from parts found in pawn shops and Craig's list, and find a gig with a Polynesian show.
One gig lead to another ...
including brief stints with Cornell Gunther's Coasters, and the Drifters.
In early 2001, Vinz discovered an ad on "the internet" that read, "cruise ship musician wanted".
Upon his fourth ship contract, (second with Carnival), just for fun, he began volunteering to host karaoke on the band’s night off.
After receiving amazing feedback from the sisters, the Judge, and the audience in attendance, Vinz began to take "this comedy thing" more seriously, studying the craft intensely.
Now living in Dayton, Ohio with a girlfriend, one Thursday evening Vinz drops by Peach's grill in Yellow Springs (20 minutes outside of Dayton) for reggae night.
And low and behold, the town’s most famous resident walks in, orders his favorite non-alcoholic beverage from the bar (O'Doul's), then steps outside to the smoking patio for a cigarette.
"It's Dave Chappelle!"
Respectfully, Vinz approaches to ask a few questions.
There were many answers. But, the main themes of Dave's "comic standup advice for newbie" was ...
"get comfortable on stages”.
"Do it as much as you can. Repetition."
So, during the next cruise band contract, Vinz volunteers to host even more karaoke. He also edits together some video clips taken.
After that contract ends, he rents a car, heads to Miami, crashes at a cheap hotel for the night.
The next morning, with karaoke demo in hand, Vinz Brown walks into the lobby of Carnival Cruise lines headquarters.
Now "the drummer" was doing comic intros, segues, and adlib between singers six nights a week.
Aboard the Fun Ships, Vinz would later host other shows, co-produced the guest talent show ...
After gigging nights and traveling weekends for years while working as a US postal clerk by day, in late December of 1996, Vinz resigned.
And by February, he was all in on an aspiration to play music full time. "Vegas, baby!"
Hot Lava was busy. They were traveling, and opening shows for Don Ho, Miss International Hawaiian Tropics Pageant, and flying to Reno every weekend to perform at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino.
Soon, he'd land another gig - with "Like, Now", a band led by Larry White (a cousin of Maurice & Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire).
The band even hung out at Jamie Fox’s house one evening since they were all friends.
One night, two sisters, event coordinators from Tampa, were in attendance.
They enjoyed Vinz's off-the-cuff, comic stylings so much, (comparing him to comics Ricky Smiley and DL Hughley) that 3 months later, they’d fly him to Tampa to co-host a benefit variety show with their cousin Greg.
WB Network’s Judge Mathis.
With natural comic timing, learned fundamentals, a background in “live music” and "Vegas show", and with zero influence from traditional karaoke, Vinz’s shows were farrrrrr from your typical “Tuesday night karaoke at Joe’s Bar & Grill”.
Simply put, he was NOT a karaoke host. He was a “comic entertainer/ musician hosting karaoke”.
Watch This:
It was creative, impromptu bits like this, along with a great knack for show production, comic ad lib and Vinz's willingness to "break the rules" (of karaoke) that generated “standing room only” audiences regularly in 425 and 350 seat show lounges!
Visit the Social Proof page to see amazing Carnival Guest Comment Cards:
"Sir. Do you have an appointment to see Chris?"
VB: Uh ... Nope.
"Welllll, sirrrrr ...
VB: Miss. I drove hours to get here. I just need THREE mins.
Ten minutes later, Chris Unsted (the entertainment staff dept head) appears at the top of the stairs with a look like, "who. in. the heck is this out in the lobby?"
"Chris? How's it goin'? I'm Vinz Brown ..."
Chris accepts the demo package.
Two months later, <<ring, ring>> and it’s off to Jamaica" ... on his first "official" karaoke host gig.
...
Based out of Galveston, TX, he'd spend every Wednesday for the next six months in Montego Bay.
Dave's advice was now being implimented in full swing. And hosting karaoke on ships would be his comic entertainer "bootcamp" and training gym.
... and became a production show coordinator and comic actor for the Carnival Legends show. (60+ shows)
Quick story:
One night, during his "karaoke show", Vinz calls up a guest to do a freestyle martial arts demonstration.
But, this is no ordinary "karate guy". He just happens to be one of the stunt coordinators from the movies the Matrix and Fast & Furious (Vinz had met him on deck earlier that day).
The guy does three minutes of back flips, round houses, and incredible athletic maneuvers ... while Zapp’s “More Bounce To The Ounce” plays the soundtrack!!
The ship rocked that night!!!
You mean, I can play drums 4, 5 hours a day ... travel to distant lands rent free, eat good, and get PAID for it?
SIGN ME UP!!
Karaoke purist hated it, the other 90% of audiences loved it ... and the ship's cash registers were ringing - cha-CHING!l - from the regularly packed lounged.
It had morphed into a music & comedy variety show that blurred the lines between traditional karaoke, an "ol' skool house party", and “Showtime at the Apollo”.
Chris had hired a "karaoke host", but within a few months, karaoke was getting realllly crazy.
Watch This:
Vinz's comedy karaoke shows entertained thousands of guests of every demographic, American as well as International, 6 nights a week, within 4 to 6 month contracts.
See Karaoke Highlights.
As a drummer, style diversity has always been a strength. He's played Funk & Soul, Blues, Oldies big bands, toured with classic rock bands, country bands, played reggae festivals across America.
VB BACKSTORY
Vinz would spend the next decade plus traveling to 22 countries of the world within the cruise entertainment industry.
