Meet Greg Langford

We had the good fortune of connecting with Greg Langford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Greg, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
the most important lesson my career has taught me is that the difference between a dream and a goal is that a goal needs a written plan. If you’re working towards a goal without a WRITTEN plan, then you’re just dreaming. Before I took my first step on a stage, I had already written down a plan that included goals and actions to be taken. I regularly update my WRITTEN plan adding new goals, and actions. Also, hope is not a strategy, you have to plan and work to succeed.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
at 56 years old, I started stand-up comedy late in life, and it certainly wasn’t easy. first of all i knew nothing about doing comedy, and secondly the late hours are a killer. As i’ve already mentioned, I had a written plan and goals, but that’s all i had. I was extremely lucky to have had the mentors that have helped me along the way. For the first several years, my audiences have been almost exclusively african american, and at many of the venues I’ve been the only white guy in the zip code. I’d never imaged that an old white guy who grew up during the 19’60.s Jim Crowe era, would end up in my position. I was raised in a racist culture by people who knew no better, The comedy life i’ve chosen has not only allowed me to grow as a comedian, but to grow as a human being. I like to say that i might not be “woke” but i damn sure ain’t asleep no more.

there’s something else that most people don’t know about me. I started doing stand up to hone my skills as a public speaker. My family was riddled with mental illness, and suicides and I’d written a book about it. The initial name of the book was “Heroically Well Adjusted” but now it’s called “The Ballad of Uncle G’ Its the story of growing up with my three brothers, and the hell we raised, and how that eventually resulted in all three of them attempting suicide, and two of them succeeding in taking their own lives. in the last year, I’ve turned my focus on telling the story of how i went from suicide survivor to stand up comendian and how humor saves lifes.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
if you’re visiting Georgia for the first time, I’d have to take you to the Varsity Drive In, but it will be the last place i take you before your flight out. The hot dogs, hamburgers, and onion rings are delicious, No politician or dignitary visits Atlanta without stopping at The Varsity. They have two catch phrases, one is “WHATTA YA HAVE” and the other is “IN AND OUT IN AN HOUR” but they’re talking about your digestive tract.

We’d hit the Coca Cola Museum, and a few comedy clubs as well. I’d also drive you over to Athens to catch a football game at THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA. There’s nothing like that environment on an Autumn Day. We’d probably hit Stone Mountain, and the MLK center as well.

I know more than a few great river spots in North Georgia as well that are great for enjoying nature.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
WOW, there’s so many people that changed the course of my life that it’s impossible to list them all, but a few stand out. I had a track coach and a scoutmaster that saved me from my homelife. I had two brothers commit suicide and a third one attempt suicide, and I’m sure I would have had a similar fate if they hadn’t given me the tools to survive. As far a comedy goes, I’d have to thank my first mentor Marcus Combs, who passed away last year. I would have never gone the route of Urban Comedy without him. From there I’d have to thank Gary Abdo, the owner of Atlanta Comedy Theater. He’s been a great supported and mentor. There’s Fredo Davis who introduced me to every “black” comedy stage in Atlanta, and of course Jess Hillarious who gave me the name Uncle G, and allowed me to tour the nation with her for three years. Last but not least is my great friend Kiana Dancie. She’s always been there for me, giving me advise and guidance on not just comedy, but on life as well.

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