"We're Having a Good Time" is Dusty Slay's opening line and a friendly jest that he is not taking any chances by asking the audience if they are having a good time. It could also be considered a positive affirmation. Hopefully, Dusty who was picked as one of 2019's Top Comics to Watch by Variety Magazine - is having a good time. Slay has appeared on a number of major late night TV shows and he has performed at the revered Grand Ole Opry on multiple occasions in what is turning into a breakout year for the charismatic comedian. His summer is packed with tour dates. Plus, he and his wife Hannah Hogan run a podcast where they give advice for younger comics, talk about comedy clubs, conspiracies, touring and so much more.

Dusty Slay is having a breakout year in 2019.

Dusty's website states - "You can take the boy out of the trailer park, but you can't take the trailer park out of the boy. Stand-up comedian Dusty Slay grew up on Lot 8 of a mobile home neighborhood in Opelika, Alabama, and his observational comedy and eternally optimistic outlook is peppered with ironies: growing up poor, a love for both hard-core country and classic rock, a career history peppered with jobs like waiting tables and selling pesticides, and what counts as fashion-forward thinking in his world. The trucker hat, long hair and mustache, flannel shirt and oversized glasses aren't affectations to cultivate a stage persona as the B-side of a 1970-something Bob Seger single - it's just Slay."

We caught up with our fellow Nashvillian transplant on June 26, 2019 where Dusty was performing at Zanies located at 2025 8th Avenue South in Music City. Dusty will be at Zanies on a monthly basis through December. With a nod to his adopted hometown Slay has named his Zanies gig the Grand Ole Comedy Show. The well-known club has been serving up laughs for over 35 years and it's great to see one of many locals on the bill for the remainder of the year.

Dusty in the role of host and headliner came out first with his signature line along with some comments about his travels spiked with one-liners that might have been future bits in the test stages. He introduced Aaron Weber whose first few jokes were geared towards those living in this region. Aaron also asked the audience members a few questions and incorporated their responses into his humorous routine.

Keifer Thompson of the duo Thompson Square - an American country music act - was armed with an acoustic guitar. His first funny song was written from his dog's point of view leaving folks with a visual that may have them thinking twice about letting their pets lick their face in the future. Thompson went out on a limb with the wickedly witty "There Ain't No Braches on My Family Tree" a tune about incest aimed at his wife's (Shawna) rather "extreme" redneck family.

Afterwards, Dusty commented this was like a real variety show with comedy and music. Slay shared a few quick jokes before introducing Sarah Fye who covered a range of topics about cell phone photos of food, her family, the rivalry between UT vs Alabama and more. Next, Mike James - who stood over six feet - was highly entertaining with his jokes on raising kids and the elevated expectations of tall people. He shared a bit about being in a store where a lady asked if he could reach up and grab something for her - only to discover that she was pointing to an air conditioner. "I'm not a forklift," James declared.

Back for the remainder of the show, Slay presented a longer set that kept the laughs coming with his commentary on hotels, jobs and country music. His in-depth discussion of "It's Five o'clock Somewhere" was hysterical as was his stories about growing up in a trailer park and how people judge him with or without his hat. Dusty Slay along with his fellow comedians killed it at the busy venue on Wednesday and we in fact "had a good time".

If you missed Mr. Slay in June he will be back each month through 2019 as part of Zanies on-going busy calendar. Please keep in mind that Zanies does have a 2 item per person policy. Also, in an effort to keep live performances phone free - Yondr cases are used.

Clockwise from top: Sarah Fye, Aaron Weber, Mike James and Keifer Thompson.

Related Links: For more information on DUSTY SLAY and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Dusty Slay | Zanies Comedy Night Club