Blue Collar Comedy star, Ron "Tater Salad" White, to perform at Auditorium

With a glass of scotch in one hand, a lit cigar in the other and his French bulldog, Gertrude, backstage, Ron White will bring his unique brand of stand-up comedy to the IU Auditorium on Friday.

The Blue Collar Comedy star, also known as “Tater Salad,” has achieved independent fame, with two Grammy nominations, a book and multiple DVDs, CDs and Comedy Central specials. White said he covers a wide range of subjects when he’s on stage, such as his recent arrest in Florida for possession of 7/8 grams of marijuana.

“It’s not a real political show,” White said. “It’s just fun for fun’s sake. ... I try to entertain everybody.”

Freshman and White fan Samuel Wirt said he saw the comedian perform in South Bend about a year ago.

“Probably the best part is his delivery,” Wirt said. “It’s not what he says, but how he says it. Everything has a witty edge to it while remaining simple.”

That timing is a gift, White said, describing it as just the way his brain works.

Wirt said when he talks to people about the Blue Collar Comedy group, White is often the crowd favorite.

“He’s a little more universal than the other guys,” Wirt said. “Anyone can find him funny.”

And seeing the deadpanning Texan live is an experience not to be missed, Wirt said.

“Even his jokes were different,” he said of White’s South Bend performance. “It’s definitely its own show.”

White said he is always improving as a storyteller and that this is the funniest show he’s ever done. Stand-up isn’t just luck; it takes practice, he said.

“If you don’t do it all the time, you suck at it,” White said. “The performance is what it’s all about.”

Maria Talbert, events manager for the Auditorium, said White’s level of popularity is consistent with other acts that rent out the 3,200-seat venue.

“For those in-between, the Auditorium is perfect,” Talbert said.

White asks only one thing of his audience members.

“Don’t bring your kids to my show,” he said. “Just keep your kids away from me.”