Anthony Singleton's path to comedy features a series of unfortunate, unfunny events.
It all started with a workplace accident that necessitated spinal fusion surgery. With a family and a home to care for, Singleton worried about making ends meet.
A friend came over while he was recovering and told Singleton to listen to Nipsey Hussle's Crenshaw. Singleton was reluctant at first — "What the f--k is a Nipsey?" he remembers thinking — but immediately connected with the album and Hussle's story, which took him from a gang member without a GED to a renowned business- and community-minded performer.
"It taught me to understand the process," Singleton says. "Nothing is given. You can struggle, you just have to maintain... I say it all the time to my crew. I've gone through every emotion that anybody can go through. Failure, I've cried. I just didn't quit."
With a new mindset, two weeks after his surgery, Singleton enrolled at Spokane Falls Community College, where he would eventually graduate before becoming a social worker.
Before graduation though, Singleton got COVID and spent eight days in the hospital dealing with the infection as well as blood clots in his legs and lungs. After being released, he had to take medication for six months to manage the clots.
But from those trials his desire to pursue comedy was born. He talked with some friends and realized he had nothing to lose. If he didn't do well, no big deal. If one person said he had something, he'd keep going.
Singleton quickly became a regular at Spokane Comedy Club and T's Lounge open mic nights, though he also quickly realized longer sets equaled more money, so he began an open mic at the since-closed Skipper's Restaurant to lengthen his set and bring in more income.
He was making the rounds, often writing material about growing up in a military family and viewing the world through a Black lens, when he separated from his wife and was diagnosed as bipolar. But, as he learned from Hussle, Singleton didn't quit. He continued to perform in town and self-funded tours around the state. He recently filmed his first special, Spokane Famous, which should be released this spring.
Singleton anticipates releasing a special every year for the next four years. He wants to release more merch and podcast episodes and, of course, continue to perform. Looking ahead a few more years, Singleton wants to see Spokane become nationally known for its comedy scene and for local comics to sell out local venues like touring pros do. He wants comedy workshops, improv classes and podcasting studios so kids have something productive to do with their free time.
Singleton is meticulous with his career plans, though each move he makes isn't just for him; it's to help uplift other comedians and the scene as a whole. Community-minded like Hussle, Singleton tells his crew they build their brand on handshakes and hugs.
"The reason why this 'Spokane Famous' thing and this interview and all of this stuff is so important is because it's not about me," he says. "It's about positioning myself to help the rest of the people here that are so great. They've helped me in ways that I cannot even explain."
2nd PLACE: Kelsey Cook
3rd PLACE: Dan Cummins
