In 2019, Kyle Grooms was just cruising along, doing his thing. Then, he endured a challenging health setback leading to emergency brain surgery, leaving the comedian to do the only thing he could: Turn it into comedy.Now, the veteran stand-up is simply enjoying his time on and off stage every day by finding the humor in life and joy in simply being alive.A native of New Jersey now living in Florida, Grooms is a veteran familiar to fans of stand-up with a resume filled with esteemed credits. This inlcude his half-hour special on Comedy Central as well as notable appearances on "Chappelle's Show," VH1, NBC, "Showtime at the Apollo," BET,  CBS, HBO ... and a standout role in the Amy Schumer-led film "I Feel Pretty."  He also turned his medical experience into a comedy special,  "Kyle Grooms: Brain Humor" in 2020.On this episode of A Tight 45, Tabari talks with Kyle about his outlook on life post-brain surgery, the joys of parenting, going vegan ... And gets some insight into the former "Straight Plan for the Gay Man" cast member's dream acting role. Check out this episode and others you may have missed at https://atight45.buzzsprout.com/or wherever you get your podcasts today! For more on Tabari or ask a question, be sure to visit www.tabarimccoy.com or email [email protected].

She's no Southern belle ... She's just very, very talented. "She" is Allison Summers – and she's the next guest on this episode of A Tight 45 with Tabari McCoy!An actress and filmmaker who can be seen in both commercials and performing in sketches and with improv groups, Allison Summers is also an accomplished stand-up comedian. Earning her  BFA from University of Maryland, she studied at The Second City in Chicago, the Upright Citizens Brigade and The Annoyance Theater.  A person who values her sobriety, she has also taught improv and stand-up to people in recovery and women in prison. She's even got several entries on her IMDb page!On this episode of A Tight 45, Tabari talks with Allison about the similarities and differences between stand-up and sketch,  how people seem to be getting married earlier and earlier as well as why there are few things funnier than people tripping and falling. Check out this episode and others you may have missed at https://atight45.buzzsprout.com/or wherever you get your podcasts today! For more on Tabari or ask a question, be sure to visit www.tabarimccoy.com or email [email protected].

Lee Michael Kimbrell traded in classrooms for comedy clubs ... And he's been teaching people to laugh along ever since.A humble Southern gentleman who likes to make every show a chill party full of good times and great vibes, Lexington, KY native Lee Kimbrell is making waves - and plenty of fans - nationwide. Often seen performing in comedy clubs and theaters nationwide as a regular opener for fellow comic Theo Von, Kimbrell is poised for big things in 2024 and beyond as he gains more and more followers.   His debut special, "Mike & Molly," is available on YouTube now and is on Tubi, which you can find in between all the low budget 'hood movies,  old episodes of "The Bachelorette" and kids' programming  – "The Son of Bigfoot," anyone? - you didn't even know existed.  On this episode of A Tight 45, Tabari and Lee discuss everything from their shared days working in America's classrooms to working with Theo Von and the key to a great relationship - and more! This episode was also recorded at the new Go Bananas Comedy Club podcast studio ... Although Tabari had to use his own mic since the finishing touches were still being put in place at the time! New episodes of A Tight 45 with Tabari McCoy, sponsored by Everybody's Records, release Thursdays at 9 a.m. Check out this episode and others you may have missed at https://atight45.buzzsprout.com/or wherever you get your podcasts today! For more on Tabari or ask a question, be sure to visit www.tabarimccoy.com or email [email protected].

So ... Did you miss me???There's been a sabbatical in between episodes ... But after 13 months, A Tight 45 with Tabari McCoy is back – and Emmy Award-winning sports journalist Elise Jesse is the guest!   A Tight 45 specializes in chatting with people who have interesting careers/hobbies/habits/insight into this thing we call life ... And Jesse has all four.  As noted on her page on SI.com, Jesse has been covering the NFL with an emphasis on the Cincinnati Bengals and AFC North since 2013 – her feature storytelling has earned her an Ohio Valley Emmy Award in broadcast journalism. In addition, the former TV reporter is an  avid college basketball watcher, a mother of two and is the wife of Mike Rehfeldt, the Associate Athletic Director for Sports Performance at the University of Cincinnati.  On this episode of A Tight 45, Tabari dives into Jesse's career and finds out how the near 6-foot tall sports junkie got her start in journalism, the wonders of working in Montana and discusses her non-sports specialty (cooking) among other subjects. And this was before Tabari himself turned on his oven to do something more than make bacon and she became obsessed with sourdough bread!Check out this episode and others you may have missed at https://atight45.buzzsprout.com/or wherever you get your podcasts today! For more on Tabari or ask a question, be sure to visit www.tabarimccoy.com or email [email protected].

She's got credits a mile (OK, at least a quarter-mile long, but you get the point!) long, is recognized as one of the top artists in her field ... Not to mention an actress, record label owner, wife and teacher to boot."She" is DJ Shortee ... And now, she's the next guest on A Tight 45 with Tabari McCoy!Dubbed “Queen of the Scratch World” by DJ Times, DJ Shortee is recognized as one of the most diverse and technically skilled female DJs in the world. Rolling Stone distinguishes her among the “fader-flipping elite,” which helps explain why she is the only female DJ featured in the critically-acclaimed documentary Scratch. Starting her career in the 1990s, she can spin  everything from Drum and Bass, Glitch Hop, Moombahton, Trap, House, Dubstep, Drumstep, Techno, Breaks, Rock, Funk, Hip Hop, Top40 and the catch-all known as ‘Open-Format’.Her fast-paced mixing style, expert scratching skills and energetic stage presence has made her one of the most in demand DJs touring in North America, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. She was also the first female Fever-Buzz Battle of the DJs Champion in 1997 and the first female PowerMixer ever to rock the airwaves of LA’s #1 Hip Hop Station, Power 106 FM, circa 2006. She’s also shared the stage alongside world class artists such as KRS One, Method Man and The Roots among others.Her full-length solo debut “The Dreamer” became the first turntablist album ever produced by a female in 1999. At the same time, her track “Shortee’s Return” became the only track produced by a female turntablist on Bomb Record’s critically acclaimed, “Return of the DJ” series, with her tune appearing on Volume 3 of the compilation.Alongside her husband DJ Faust, they produce and perform under the name “Urban Assault." In 2006, the duo launched their record label Heavy Artillery Recordings, specializing in energetic electronic ‘bass music’ such as Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Drumstep, Glitch Hop, Trap and Electro House.Their influential Heavy Artillery Recordings imprint, which has licensed music to blockbuster films such as Elysium with Matt Damon & Jodi Foster, has made such a lasting mark on the global electronic music scene that it has won Symphonic Distribution’s Awards for‘Hardest Working Label’ and ‘Label of the Year’.She is also a published author, with her book Spin Now! The DJ Starter Handbook (Hal Leonard Publishing), a favorite among aspiring DJs worlwide.As as actress under her birth name of Shannon Ames, she has portrayed various fictional characters in Films, Televisions, Web Series and live Theatre productions. This includes her recognition for “Outstanding Acting Performance” Award at the ZedFest Film Festival for her performance in the role of “Marnie” in the suspense thriller The Long Way Home .On this episode (out on all major platforms on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022), DJ Shortee and Tabari talk about the art of turntablism, overcoming stereotypes, why DJs can get some of the ladies more often than not ... And who was the dream artist she got to perform with on a certain late night host's former talk show. Check out this episode and others you may have missed at https://atight45.buzzsprout.com/or wherever you get your podcasts today! For more on Tabari or ask a question, be sure to visit www.tabarimccoy.com or email [email protected].

He's an award-winning comedian, accomplished musician, playwright and director. "He" is Billy D. Washington (no, NOT that one), the next guest on A Tight 45 with Tabari McCoy!Once described by The Denver Post  as possessing “Low-key intensity and dead on humor,” Billy has been a steady presence in the world of stand-up comedy since 1991.His long litany of credits include performances at the prestigious 'Just for Laughs' Comedy Festival, Def Comedy Jam, The Bob & Tom Show, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central and The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson just to name a few. His humor and musical ability has led to him working with many entertainers, including spending 3 years traveling as "The Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin as her opening act.  ​He has also written and directed 14 plays, 2 award winning short films and in 2020 he created “Tales of the Virus”, an urban story about a pandemic driven zombie apocalypse podcast. Most recently, Billy wrote and produced the satirical romp, Trump Is Gone, a political anthem that has generated over 5 million views worldwide. On this episode (out on all major platforms on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022), Billy and Tabari talk about their mutual love of baseball, the former's upbringing and its influence on his comedy,  cruise ships, labels, working as a police officer before going into comedy ... And a VERY (in)famous person to whom Mr. Washington is related! Check out this episode and others you may have missed at https://atight45.buzzsprout.com/or wherever you get your podcasts today! For more on Tabari or ask a question, be sure to visit www.tabarimccoy.com or email [email protected].

This is a big week for your host Tabari McCoy as he prepares to headline a benefit show for the Cincinnati Police Department's Real Men Wear Pink organization benefitting the American Cancer Society ... And then headlines the club where it all started, Go Bananas, for the first time all weekend as he records his third album and first streaming special. So where does Shanda Sung come into play in all this? She's going to be the feature act this weekend – and she's the next guest on A Tight 45 with Tabari McCoy!  Based out of Bloomington, Ind., Shanda is an accomplished stand-up comic, headlining and featuring at clubs throughout the Midwest, all while balancing life as a wife and mother to three young children (two boys and a girl). She has also performed at the revered Limestone Comedy Festival in her native Bloomington and is the co-host of "Passing Notes" podcast with her childhood friend Amanda that finds them discussing a topic they've researched, often to hilariously insightful results. On this episode (out on all major platforms on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022), Shanda chats with Tabari about balancing  mom/wife life with being a working stand-up comic,  planning for the future ... And even the time when she and Tabari first met that he completely forgot about!  Check out this episode and others you may have missed at https://atight45.buzzsprout.com/or wherever you get your podcasts today! For more on Tabari or ask a question, be sure to visit www.tabarimccoy.com or email [email protected].

On the field, Reggie Williams was an ever-present force of nature, proudly wearing no. 57 for 14 seasons as a member of Tabari's hometown Cincinnati Bengals.  And now, the renaissance man that is the former NFL player/politician/businessman/author is the featured guest on the 80th episode of A Tight 45 with Tabari McCoy!A native of Flint, MI, Williams was the Bengals third-round draft pick in 1976 out of Darmouth University, the same college where he was awarded an academic scholarship. Eventually graduating with his degree in an A.B. in psychology (after also winning an Ivy League wrestling championship), he would become a force on the gridiron for the Bengals,  where he would play in both Super Bowl XVI (1981) – he led the Bengals defense with a team-high 11 sacks and second most tackles with 106 – and XXIII (1988) .Football wouldn't be the only place Williams would make his mark, however, as he would go on to be appointed to and win re-election of a seat on Cincinnati City Council in the late 1980s. This is in addition to the two year span that saw him win the Byron "Whizzer" White Award for Humanitarian Service (1985), NFL Man of the Year (1986) and Sports Illustrated's Co-Sportsmen of the Year (1987).  After retiring from football, he would go on to work as the director of sports development for Disney - yes, THAT Disney – helping to develop the World Wide of Sports complex that is still thriving today. On this episode (out on all major platforms on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022), Williams chats with Tabari about life in the NFL, the litany of injuries he has dealt with post-football, his dual existence as a football player and politician and why cannabis is important to his quality of life today. There's even a question that only Tabari would ask which Williams provides an answer to as only he can – but you'll have to listen to the whole episode to find out what that is! Check out this episode and others you may have missed at https://atight45.buzzsprout.com/or wherever you get your podcasts today! For more on Tabari or ask a question, be sure to visit www.tabarimccoy.com or email [email protected].

Like many kids in America, Scott Smith grew up loving sports. Then, his grandmother gifted him a subscription to Sports Illustrated - and his life was forever changed.For while she may not have known it at the time, she had just laid the seed to create the man who would grow up to simply be known as "the SI King." Smith is the curator of the "SI King Collection," the 20,000+ autographed issues of Sports Illustrated in his home (yes, Tabari knows where, but he's not telling in case any of you have criminal leanings)! Smith has traveled the world working on his collection over the past 40 years, meeting countless athletes, politicians and celebrities along the way. On this episode (out on all major platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2022), Scott chats with Tabari about the origins of his collections, who has been the nicer athletes he's met over his collecting career, the highs and lows of collecting ... And the one or two signatures he'd be willing to drop thousands of dollars on to add to his collection. (If you have it, you'd gonna want to holler at him!)Check out this episode and others you may have missed at https://atight45.buzzsprout.com/or wherever you get your podcasts today! For more on Tabari or ask a question, be sure to visit www.tabarimccoy.com or email [email protected].

In a former life,  Lauren Bishop was a simple journalist at a then top newspaper, often covering pop culture to the masses. Then, one day, she saw a sport on TV she had never seen before, becoming so enthralled that it became a major part of her life.   And that what led her to now be the next guest on A Tight 45 with Tabari McCoy!Bishop is the owner of the Cincinnati Rollergirls, the women's roller derby team based out of Cincinnati, OH.  On this episode (out on all major platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022), Lauren chats with Tabari about how she went from her laptop to the track, the sport's evolution over the past few decades, its connection to the LGTBQIA+ community, future plans and how it even led to her meeting the love of her life, a.k.a. a fellow podcaster on whose show Tabari may or may not have appeared in the past (he did)!Check out this episode and others you may have missed at https://atight45.buzzsprout.com/or wherever you get your podcasts today! For more on Tabari or ask a question, be sure to visit www.tabarimccoy.com or email [email protected].