Class clown turned class act

If laughter is the best medicine, five minutes of listening to Spike Davis could cure just about anyone. The popular comedian and actor will be at Bear's Place March 17 to do what he does best -- make 'em laugh. \n"I started doing comedy as soon as I was born," Davis says. "I came out with jokes."\nGranted, his road to the stage had a few detours. Born and raised in Louisville, Ky., Davis graduated from Western High School with a full scholarship to the University of Louisville, where he majored in biology. To his parents' delight, he planned to become a radiologist. But Davis says he was always drawn back to the stage, and he left Louisville one year shy of completing his degree. His parents -- also his biggest fans -- supported his decision. The former high school jokester was on his way to the big time. \n"I tell you, once you get on stage and start doing comedy and get one good laugh, you feel like Eddie Murphy," Davis says. "You want to keep making people laugh."\nDavis started doing open mic nights for the Comedy Caravan in 1988. The Louisville-based company was a springboard for many famous comedians, such as Roseanne Barr and Sinbad. TSM Artist Management, also Louisville-based, is the parent company for Comedy Caravan. TSM President Tom Sobel says the Comedy Caravan is the best one-night comedy show.\n"For less than the price of a movie," Sobel says, "the people of Bloomington and the IU students can go see a comedy show." \nSobel says Davis' ability to be funny without using props or the posturing many other comedians use is what makes him a class act.\n"There are def jam comedians out there with funny posturing but nothing to say," Sobel says. "Instead of being divisive, he brings people together."\nDavis, who resides in Louisville, says comedians especially enjoy coming to Bloomington because of the college crowd. In fact, Bear's was one of his first road gigs as a stand-up act.\n"It's one of the best places," he says. "It's a comedy-educated crowd. Every-body's pretty receptive there." \nDavis' stand-up act usually consists of jokes about current events, people in the news and relationships -- something everyone in his audience can relate to. While his jokes are not over-the-top and off-color, he says it's important that the audience have a good sense of humor.\n"I hate too-sensitive crowds," Davis says. "Don't be too judgmental. It's just comedy!" \nBrad Wilhelm, for one, loves Davis' brand of comedy. Wilhelm, who is manager of Rhino's All-Ages Music Club, has also been the Monday night emcee at Bear's for the past six years. In that time, he's listened to more than his fair share of comedians, and yet he says Davis still stands out among the rest.\n"Oh, he's one of the best comedians around," Wilhelm says. "Spike steps all over the place. It's stuff anyone can relate to."\nAlthough Davis will be at Bear's during spring break, Wilhelm still expects a great turn-out. He encourages anyone who will be in Bloomington to call Bear's and reserve tickets for Davis' show. \nWilhelm also says Davis is the type of comedian who could be doing even bigger things.\n"He's a guy who (makes) you think, 'Wow, why doesn't he have his own sitcom?'"\nActually, Davis does have his own TV show, two in fact. He hosts a game show called "On the Beat," which airs on Tuesday nights on BET. He also hosts a kids show called "What's Up Spike?" on Urban America Television. \nWilhelm says one of Davis' best attributes is being a good person, on top of being a good comedian. \n"Not only is he really, really funny," Wilhelm says, "But he's such a nice guy."\nSobel echoes the sentiment.\n"Spike is a beautiful soul with a beautiful sense of humor," he says. "He is just a character of class and dignity."\nFor all his talent and diversity, Davis says what first drew him to comedy is what has kept him there: the fun of getting up on stage in front of a crowd. \n"You've gotta be able to put yourself out there," Davis says. "If you think you're funny, you've gotta believe in yourself. You want to get on that stage and see people's faces and make them laugh"