Tom Dreesen: Stand Up Comedian/Opened for Frank Sinatra for 14 Years

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The show begins with Tom telling why growing up in poverty was
the greatest thing that happened to him. How he decided to pursue
of being an entertainer which includes the background from being
a drug education presenter to teaming up with Tim Reid to become
the first biracial standup comedy team. They even wrote a book!
(See show notes).

Going from Illinois to LA, sleeping in an abandon car and getting
his start with The Comedy Store and going back to Harvey, IL to
record his LP: That White Boy’s Crazy in front of an all-black
audience.
The story behind how he met Mickey Rudin the lawyer for Frank
Sinatra which led to 14 years of opening for him. Tom tells us a
few stories about singing in a car with Frank, Harry Carey and
Frank drinking, and a night when he forgot his lyrics on
stage.

Tom tells us two EXCELLENT life lessons he learned from
Sinatra.
His work with different charities and his new endeavor The
Illinois Fatherhood Initiative.
His book: Still Standing- My Journey from Streets & Saloons
to the Stage & Sinatra. Which has over 400 five stars on
Amazon. His one-man show called- The Man Who Made Sinatra
Laugh.

Tom Dreesen Links:
Website: https://tomdreesen.com/
Book Still Standing:
https://www.amazon.com/Still-Standing-Journey-Streets-Saloons/dp/1642933600

Book Tim and Tom in Comedy:
https://www.amazon.com/Still-Standing-Journey-Streets-Saloons/dp/1642933600

Video of Tom Dreesen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEcyJOExzOE
Illinois Fatherhood Initiative: 
https://www.4dads.org/

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