Episode 6: What Makes a Great Performance?



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In the latest episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Dobie Maxwell and I (Vince Carone) and I dive into the elements that make a show memorable.

Finding Flow and Fuel: What Makes a Performance Unforgettable?

Have you ever sat in an audience and felt like the performer was giving it everything they had? That electric connection doesn’t happen by accident. In this week’s episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Dobie Maxwell and I dig into what makes a performance truly unforgettable and why the best shows are about far more than just talent—they’re about passion, preparation, and pure connection.

The Unpredictable Magic of Live Performance

There’s something incredible about live performance. You never really know how things will go, and that’s where the magic happens. In this episode, Dobie shares a story about a jazz trio that came together on stage without any rehearsals, somehow creating a mesmerizing, seamless performance. It was raw, real, and exactly the kind of thing we all strive for on stage. He then talks about a street musician he saw who, despite playing in a grocery store parking lot, poured everything into his music as if he was on a grand stage. These experiences remind us that a great performance can happen anywhere if the energy is real.

Tackling Fuel: The Drive Behind Every Show

We also discuss a concept I like to call “tackling fuel”—the inner drive that keeps us pushing forward, even when the audience or circumstances are challenging. For me, this comes from watching my son play football and seeing how he digs deep to find that extra push. This “tackling fuel” is what keeps us motivated on stage, helping us transform nervous energy into something powerful and memorable. It’s that same resilience that allows us to find flow, even when the odds aren’t in our favor.

Preparing for Anything: “Running the Tape”

One of the things that keep us grounded as performers is mental preparation. I talk about “running the tape”—a technique I picked up in recovery that helps me visualize different scenarios before hitting the stage. It’s all about preparing mentally for anything that might come up, so I’m ready to handle it in the moment. This approach has helped me bring my best, no matter the venue or audience, and it’s something that has saved me in more than a few shows.

Why Every Audience Deserves 100%

Dobie and I have done shows for every type of crowd you can imagine. We know what it’s like to perform for a packed house and to make a handful of people laugh in a small room. No matter the size of the crowd, every performance deserves 100%. The energy, the passion, and the effort you bring to each show can make the difference between a good performance and a memorable one. When the connection clicks, it’s pure magic.

Whether you’re on stage, in the audience, or just fascinated by the world of live performance, this episode is packed with insights on how to find your flow, connect with your crowd, and make every show matter. It’s not just for comedians—it’s for anyone who wants to understand what drives performers to give it their all, night after night.

So, if you’re looking for a glimpse behind the scenes at what makes a performance unforgettable, tune in to this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is. We’ll share the highs, the lows, and everything that goes into making people laugh, feel, and remember.

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