PLATINUM-SELLING COMEDIENNE CHONDA PIERCE 2008 "CIRCLE OF LAUGHS" TOUR NOV 8

LOCAL INFORMATION:

City/State: Poplar Bluff, MO

Date/Time: Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m.

Location: Black River Coliseum, 301 S. Fifth St.

Ticket Price: $26.75, $21.50, $16.00 and $13.50 (including $1 Facility Fee)

Group Rate: Tickets are $2 off for groups of 10 or more!

Tickets on Sale: Now!

Ticket Outlets: The Black River Coliseum Box Office

Order Online: Ticketmaster.com

Special Guest: Zan

Phone Order: 866-646-8849

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (October 16, 2008) -- Armed with an abundance of unpretentious Southern charm and laser sharp wit, Platinum video-selling comedienne Chonda Pierce has been entertaining audiences from coast to coast for more than a decade. An in demand stand up comic, television hostess and best-selling author, Chonda's "Circle of Laughs" tour hits Poplar Bluff Nov. 8. The 20-city tour features special guest Zan.

Chonda received her first break working at a theme park in Nashville where she performed as Grand Ole Opry star Minnie Pearl and has since ranked among Pollstar's top-selling live performers. In addition to churches, fairs and theaters, she's one of the most popular speakers at the Women of Faith conferences and is a frequent guest on the famed Grand Ole Opry.

"Comedy is timeless. You can hear an old George Burns joke and still laugh," says Pierce, whose classic sense of timing and universal topics have earned her a broad audience that encompasses all ages and economic backgrounds.

Whether sharing her battle with depression and finding the humor in a dark place or tackling the national obsession with physical perfection as she does on her upcoming project "This Ain't Prettyville," Chonda has a unique way of observing the human condition and finding the humor in every situation. She mixes music and comedy into frothy blend that always leaves audiences laughing hysterically.

Chonda also credits her comedic influences with shaping her philosophy. "Minnie Pearl, Carol Burnett, Red Skelton, Bill Cosby and all my favorite entertainers had these great hilarious moments, but somehow--even if it's unspoken--there's this heart tug by the time it's over and to me, it made the night well worth the effort. I love singing, I love entertaining, I love the comedy, but when I sit down to do a project, I try to have some purpose and some meaning."

In addition to lifting the human spirit with laughter, Pierce also devotes her time to charitable endeavors such as the facility she founded in 2006 to aid those suffering from depression. "One of my greatest feelings of accomplishment right now is Branches Recovery Center," she says. "It came from what I learned in rehab. I wanted to make that experience more practical financially and available for my area. It stays busy, busy, busy."

There are four or five licensed counselors that get paid to listen to people's problems and help them through tough, tough times."

Lauded by her peers, here is what some well-known comedians have to say about Chonda:

"Chonda is funny. She can hold her own with any professional out there, yet she has a heart that makes you feel as if you have found a long lost friend. She makes me laugh and cry and laugh again!" -- Sheri Shepherd, actress, comedian, and co-host of The View, ABC

"Chonda Pierce is one of the funniest comedians working today . . . male or female, southern or northern, black or white, Jew or Greek, etc." -- Thor Ramsey, comedian and host of the comedy show Banana's

"Very few people make me laugh, Chonda makes me do it out loud. A real pro works just as hard for the difficult audience as for the devoted fans. I have watched Chonda bring down a house of fans and I have watched her raise the dead. This girl is good." -- Ken Davis, comedian and author

Chonda's comedy CD/DVDs are consistently strong sellers with six titles having been certified gold, one title certified platinum. She has also authored six books, served as host of the Inspirational Country Music Awards and recently began co-hosting "Aspiring Women," a talk show on the Total Living Network. Her comedy is regularly featured on XM and Sirius satellite radio, and she's a contributor to In Style magazine, adding her unique insights to celebrity fashion. Chonda has worked with Billy Graham, received honors as the 2000 and 2001 Gospel Music Association's Grady Nutt Humor Award recipient and has joined fellow comedians Mark Lowry, Ken Davis and Dan Rupple (Isaac Airfreight) to form the Christian Comedy Association.

For more information on Chonda Pierce, including her current itinerary and video clips, visit www.chonda.org.

Originally from Indiana, Zan got her start in Sarasota Florida and holds an MFA in Theatre from the University of California, San Diego. Her physical, quick witted, self deprecating style of comedy has earned her placement in several films and has taken her to such well-known comedy clubs as Bonkerz, Coconuts, Comedy Zone, Crackers, Improv and more. Zan also has been a featured emcee at the Women's Final Four Championship 2008.

# # #