John Heffron

John Heffron is a stand-up comedian from Detroit, best known for winning Season 2 of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” in 2004. His comedy centers on everyday middle-class life, relationships and growing up. He has released several stand-up specials and continues to tour regularly across the country.

Zoey Boukedes

On April 30, he’ll visit the Cain Center for the Arts as part of a fundraiser benefiting the Yay!DAY Foundation, a local nonprofit founded by Cornelius teenager Zoey Boukedes. Tickets are on sale now for $25-35 per person.

Ahead of his visit, Heffron tackled our Sound Check Q&A.

Opening act: My love of comedy started with comedians on The Tonight Show. Then my mom bought me tapes of Eddie Murphy, George Carlin, Steve Martin, and I wore those out. But the real moment was when I was 17 at an open mic. The comedians were so bad I remember thinking I could do this. That was the first time it felt possible.

Well, that didn’t work: When I was 18, I did a Bar Mitzvah. After every single joke, the whole group would yell, “That’s what your mom said!” I learned two things that night: One, you are not always in control of the show. And two, I no longer do Bar Mitzvahs.

Hard habit to break: I put two folded napkins in my back pockets—learned that the hard way. I put my phone away about 45 minutes before the show so I’m not walking on stage thinking about emails or dumb stuff. I do a little breathing to settle in and then right before I go on, I scream into my arm just to get the energy out and reset.

Going to Carolina: I’ve got a brother who lives in North Carolina, and growing up we came down to Nags Head or Kitty Hawk every year. Being back here always feels a little familiar.

Weirdest origin for a joke: I was sitting with my mom when she was in hospice, and something hit me in that moment. It was strange but also kind of perfect. A lot of ideas come when I’m supposed to be listening to someone. I’ll be in a conversation and part of my brain is already turning it into a bit.

That was odd: I had a woman who was convinced I was sending her secret messages through my stand-up. She started writing me 45-page letters and mailed me finished cans of tuna and asked if I would pick up after myself. Once your jokes turn into coded messages and seafood mail, you realize this job has some range.

Heavy rotation: I listen to Sade almost every night to fall asleep, and then somehow also MMMBop by Hanson. So my playlist is basically “smooth, calming adult followed by a full sugar rush.”

Theme song: “Running on Empty” by Jackson Browne. Not in a burned-out way—more like still moving, still showing up, just a little more aware of the mileage.

Please stop: When someone wants to take a quick picture and it turns into a full production. They dig their phone out, can’t open it, can’t find the camera. They hand it to someone else. Then they’re pulling friends in, taking jackets off.  At that point, it’s not a photo, it’s a photo shoot.

Must see: You’ve got that really nice mall—I always forget the name—but it’s for fancy people. That’s where I like to go. Just to walk around and pretend I belong for a little bit.