Black cowboy Longhorn brings comedy to Cape Girardeau

A man is making his way to the Mississippi Mud House from Kansas City today. He's a grandfather, military veteran and a Texas-born, down-to-earth guy who almost always wears a cowboy hat.

He's also an entertainer; more specifically, a black comedian who is breaking the barriers of what the world expects from black comics. His name is Longhorn, and his hybrid blend of countryboy attitude and life observations is taking the country by storm.

"I'm a walking contradiction," Longhorn said, "being both black and a cowboy. I don't consider myself to be an 'urban comic,' and really refuse to put a label on my brand of comedy."

Longhorn has entertained a wide range of audiences, from college crowds to Moose Lodges, and said he loves to make people laugh.

"There is nothing in the world I would rather do," he said. "My shows are pretty simple. I start with God and end with God. He's the reason I have this gift to make people laugh. Of course, my show is not a clean show, and there are some things that I can rely on him to forgive me for along the way."

Longhorn, 43, has been in the comedy business for 12 years. Last year saw Longhorn in more than 30 cities in 20 states.

Longhorn also performed at the Mississippi Mud House in July. While there, he met Rhonnie Abraham, who will open the show. He said Abraham, a Jewish female comic, approached him and told him his set encouraged her to get back into comedy after taking a break.

"We've got quite a show, with a Jewish comic and a black cowboy. That's almost a joke in and to itself," Longhorn said.

Helping budding comics is a big thing for Longhorn. He recalls some of the first shows he did with comics like Paul Mooney, Tracey Morgan, Damon Wayans and Tommy Davidson, among others.

"They showed me that it's great to be you and be unique, and not worry about what everyone thinks. I try to encourage young comics in the same way," Longhorn said.

In the next year, Longhorn hopes to play all 50 states. He has a project called "Road Comics" chronicling the lives of comics on the road with raw footage filmed with everything from cell phones to cameras.

"We really want to show what life looks like out on the road for a comedian in the U.S.," he said.

Longhorn, along with Abraham, will be at the Mississippi Mud House at 7 p.m. today. There is a $5 cover for the show, and seating is limited, so Longhorn encourages people to get there early. More information is available at www.longhorncomedy.com.