Today we start an eleven part interview with professional ventriloquist David Pendleton. Lots of great information, insights and stories in this one – so you definitely don’t want to miss it! (You can check out David’s website here!)
Video Transcript:
I appreciate you taking time this morning to talk to me.
Oh, I’m happy to do it, and I’m excited about this project of yours. I think it’s really great. It’s really helpful for folks, and it’s just a great idea.
Well, thank you. Dave— I shouldn’t say that. David, I apologize for being a little informal there. David, for the people who don’t know you, how long have you been in the art of ventriloquism?
Well, I started learning ventriloquism when I was about six years old. I had a Charlie McCarthy doll and Jimmy Nelson’s record Instant Ventriloquism. Matter of fact, I think I have a copy of it around here somewhere.
So, like a lot of working vents today, I started at a young age and learned it from listening to that record album. I started doing shows, I guess, when I was about maybe ten years old around the community. I was fortunate to live in a small town where I could do shows for the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, church basements—anywhere people would have me.
Of course, I probably had a good solid 15-minute act that I did. Solid being a relative term, I’m sure. Much of that material was directly out of the script that came with the Instant Ventriloquism album.
When I got into high school, actually later in high school, I landed a job working at Kings Island in Cincinnati. So then I was doing six shows a day—short shows, little warm-up sets—on a couple of the big stages they had there. I think that’s when I really kind of developed my chops as a performer and as an entertainer. Nothing like working all day, every day, doing your act to really hone your skills as a performer.
Okay. Now, how long have you been earning your living as a ventriloquist? Let me ask that question.
Yeah, no, that’s a great question. I’m going to say about 20 years.
Next Video: Interview With David Pendleton – Part 2
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