With a career spanning over 40 years Chris DiPetta has been a fixture in the standup comedy scene since its boom in the early 80s. He began his career in 1982 at the world famous Atlanta Punchline, where everyone from Prior to Murry to Burr has graced the stage. Throughout the 1980s DiPetta began booking, opening and operating rooms up and down the east coast and built The Punchline into the largest chain of comedy clubs in the country. This led him to New York, where he spent a year as "Director of Club Operations" for "Catch a Rising Star". 

Seeing an opportunity on the talent side, DiPetta branched out into personal management where he has been hailed as the man with an incredible eye for "soon to be stars." His first two clients were Jeff Foxworthy and Steve Harvey. He helped launch both of their careers into what have been two of the most successful comedians ever. DiPetta was instrumental in Foxworthy's "You Might be a Redneck" which turned into the biggest selling comedy album in history.   

Over the last few decades Chris has owned and operated the Atlanta Punchline as well as managed the careers of Earthquake, Cheryl Underwood, the late Capitol Records comedian & recording artist Tim Wilson, and most notably, television star Billy Gardell, who has starred in back to back CBS sitcoms, "Mike & Molly" and "Bob Hearts Abishola."  On a handshake, their working relationship has spanned over 30s years.

Today he still owns and operates Artist Management International and manages comedians who tour across the country. He is truly one of the most respected managers in the business. His love and passion for comedy and his clients has reverberated throughout the industry and helped forge the path for what the comedy business has become today.  

Born and raised in upstate New York, Garrett has been performing since he was 13 years old.  With a passion for theatre, he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting and directing.  Learning quickly that his degree taught the skills but not the knowledge of how to land the work, he set out to make his own way.  He wrote, directed and starred in his first feature film.  The knowledge he gained from making that film propelled him to seek other aspects of entertainment.  

Doing stand-up comedy on a dare, Garrett found his calling.  He created his own booking agency and was soon the fasting growing agent in the south, booking 20 comedy rooms per week.  He took the next step and with an investor he founded "The Uptown Comedy Corner" in March of 1993.  At the time, Garrett didn't realize the amazing talent he would help develop over the years.  Selling the club in 2000 to manage Rickey Smiley, Garrett thought he was done with comedy clubs but was drawn back into re-opening the then shuttered Uptown in 2006.  

During the end of his time at the new location, he became talent coordinator and co-producer of Bounce TV's "Off The Chain" so he stepped away from the club business once again in 2013. After 3 years of co-producing the show, and 4 national comedy tours, Garrett was once again drawn  back to the comedy club business in 2015 opening the upscale "Atlanta Comedy Theater".  He put his then 25 years of comedy club experience to work and built his new club top to bottom with marketing, branding and attention to customer service that working with the biggest names in the business taught him.

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Celebrating 30 years in the stand-up comedy business in May, 2021, Garrett has reflected upon the knowledge he has gained watching some of the biggest stars in the world go from just having a dream to unimaginable fame and fortune.  For decades Garrett has managed comedians and helped transitioned them into world class actors as well as placed hundreds on television and even big budget movies.  

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These inspirational stories are compiled into his memoir due out late May 2021.  The knowledge of 30 years in the business has also been put into his self-help book, "7 Steps to Becoming a Paid Actor in 7 Days" for people who want to get into acting.  Garrett has helped many people achieve their dream and now is spreading that knowledge through his own brand.  If you want to be in show business, then his experience can help get you started and his stories can inspire you.

Since 1983 entertainment has been on his mind and Birmingham has been his realm. From bringing the first mechanical bull to the Magic City to serving laughter full time, he has finally found his home at The StarDome and his name is Bruce Ayers.

In 1975 until 1978 he worked his way up the somewhat shaky rock and roll nightclub ladder from Bartender to Door Manager at The Cobblestone on Morris Avenue. From 1978 until 1983 he evolved along with the nightclub Brentwoods, becoming the General Manager as the club became Cassidy’s and then the ever so popular Singles.

In 1983 The Comedy Club opened on Highway 31 with a capacity of 200 seats. Unknowns such as Tim Allen, Sinbad and an opening act named James Gregory took to the stage and introduced people of Birmingham to live stand up Comedy. In 1985 moving to a bigger location The Comedy Club landed on Green Springs Highway and had a capacity of 300. On March 13, 1993 a blizzard hit, a fire started and The Comedy Club was destroyed.

In October of 1993 The Comedy Club became The Comedy Club Stardome and located itself in the heart of Hoover. Along with acquiring 420 seats, Bruce also obtained banquet facilities, VIP Skybox seating and a Las Vegas Style Showroom. He was awarded Birmingham’s Small Business Man of the year and The Comedy Club StarDome became The Number One Comedy Club in the Country.

In 2016, The StarDome underwent a major renovation. Practically no aspect of The StarDome was left untouched. Reconfigured stadium-style seating provides each guest the “best seat in the house” for entertainment in the main Showroom. The brand new Star Bar provides a great setting to meet up with the comics after the shows. New staging and state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems make certain each performance is perfection.

Open 6 nights a week and being a full service restaurant and bar, The newly renovated StarDome continues to serve up the people of Birmingham with first class entertainment and four-star service.

The StarDome is family owned and operated. With his wife Che Che Ayers at his side and daughters, Gina Zimmerman as Accounting Manager, Dena Dow as Marketing Director. Bruce continues to strive to provide excellent customer service and keep laughter flowing in Birmingham.

27 Years in the Comedy Industry Abraham has been a driving force as a Co-Producer of several  BET  Shows for Rickey Smiley as well as many national Comedy Concerts as well as Co-Talent Management of RICKEY SMILEY, KOUNTRY WAYNE, JESS HILARIOUS, 

and MATT RIFE.  

A Graphic Artist/ Designer/ Marketing manager for The Atlanta Comedy Theater. 

As a Social Media Staple and Influencer Abraham has helped cultivate branding for clients and many comedians to promote growth of their Careers.  Additionally Abraham is Co-Manager the 2 of Atlanta's hottest Comedy Club Venues ATLANTA COMEDY THEATER NORCROSS & UNDERGROUND. 

Born and raised in upstate New York, Garrett has been performing since he was 13 years old.  With a passion for theatre, he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting and directing.  Learning quickly that his degree taught the skills but not the knowledge of how to land the work, he set out to make his own way.  He wrote, directed and starred in his first feature film.  The knowledge he gained from making that film propelled him to seek other aspects of entertainment.  

Doing stand-up comedy on a dare, Garrett found his calling.  He created his own booking agency and was soon the fasting growing agent in the south, booking 20 comedy rooms per week.  He took the next step and with an investor he founded "The Uptown Comedy Corner" in March of 1993.  At the time, Garrett didn't realize the amazing talent he would help develop over the years.  Selling the club in 2000 to manage Rickey Smiley, Garrett thought he was done with comedy clubs but was drawn back into re-opening the then shuttered Uptown in 2006.  

During the end of his time at the new location, he became talent coordinator and co-producer of Bounce TV's "Off The Chain" so he stepped away from the club business once again in 2013. After 3 years of co-producing the show, and 4 national comedy tours, Garrett was once again drawn  back to the comedy club business in 2015 opening the upscale "Atlanta Comedy Theater".  He put his then 25 years of comedy club experience to work and built his new club top to bottom with marketing, branding and attention to customer service that working with the biggest names in the business taught him.

​

Celebrating 30 years in the stand-up comedy business in May, 2021, Garrett has reflected upon the knowledge he has gained watching some of the biggest stars in the world go from just having a dream to unimaginable fame and fortune.  For decades Garrett has managed comedians and helped transitioned them into world class actors as well as placed hundreds on television and even big budget movies.  

​

These inspirational stories are compiled into his memoir due out late May 2021.  The knowledge of 30 years in the business has also been put into his self-help book, "7 Steps to Becoming a Paid Actor in 7 Days" for people who want to get into acting.  Garrett has helped many people achieve their dream and now is spreading that knowledge through his own brand.  If you want to be in show business, then his experience can help get you started and his stories can inspire you.

Once you hear Chicago native Cherie Chiles-Buchanan‘s story and famous lineage, you get the feeling that she was destined to do great things while helping pull up others around her. 

Not only is she a residential and commercial real estate expert with over 25 years of experience, but Cherie, who relocated to Atlanta in 2007 to expand her bustling real estate firm, is also the Founder and CEO of multimedia production company SimplyC360, which has been producing live talent showcases across the country since 2011.

Most recently, Chiles-Buchanan co-executive produced the 13th annual Young Stars 360 national talent search and showcase alongside award-winning actor and comedian Kenan Thompson (Kenan & Kel, Good Burger, Saturday Night Live) at Chicago’s Hard Rock Cafe. The day-long event served as a showcase for youth ages 5-17 to showcase their talents and empower them and their parents with a multi-tiered platform designed to guide them through the nuances of the entertainment industry, enhance their portfolios, and provide them with valuable industry insights.

N’DIGO recently sat down with Chiles-Buchanan to discuss the Young Stars 360 tour, getting into the real estate game, and her eye-opening famous bloodline and ancestors.\

“Wellness Stage Producer / Programing Board”

Richie Satori, originally from PG County Maryland, is a comedian, actor, Certified

Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist & executive director/producer/host of

Stand-Up 4 Recovery Comedy Productions. Since 2016 he’s shared his story of

addiction & mental health recovery in his stand-up storytelling show, ‘Circus Still In

Town’ at Fringe Theater Festivals across the country, including off Broadway. Stand-Up

4 Recovery is proud to have been asked to produce four shows at the ATL Urban

Comedy & Music Festival’s Wellness Stage. Recovery is about connection, & comedy is

a connection through laughter. Stand-Up 4 Recovery was created to serve both the

mental health & addiction recovery communities. Their mission is to be a beacon of

hope by sharing experience, strength & jokes.

“Stand-Up 4 Recovery creates sober-friendly events by people

in recovery, showing Georgia that not only is recovery real, but can also be real fun, &

reminds us that while recovery is serious, we should not take ourselves too seriously.”

SU4R is in the process of becoming a non-profit to better produce shows, lead

workshops, continue their Narcan initiative, host sober open-mics & fundraisers. You

can follow @StandUp4Recovery across social media and their merch is available on

their website & at their events which helps support their mission. To stay up to date on

their upcoming monthly midnight & brunch shows at the ATL Comedy Theater

Underground & 3rd Annual Stand-Up 4 Recovery Comedy Fest at the Norcross location,

• please join the mailing list at StandUp4Recovery.com/join-mailing-list

27 Years in the Comedy Industry Abraham has been a driving force as a Co-Producer of several  BET  Shows for Rickey Smiley as well as many national Comedy Concerts as well as Co-Talent Management of RICKEY SMILEY, KOUNTRY WAYNE, JESS HILARIOUS, 

and MATT RIFE.  

A Graphic Artist/ Designer/ Marketing manager for The Atlanta Comedy Theater. 

As a Social Media Staple and Influencer Abraham has helped cultivate branding for clients and many comedians to promote growth of their Careers.  Additionally Abraham is Co-Manager the 2 of Atlanta's hottest Comedy Club Venues ATLANTA COMEDY THEATER NORCROSS & UNDERGROUND. 

The Dr. Kiana Dancie is a powerhouse actress, author, comedian, transformational speaker, coach, and former CPR Cell Phone Repair Franchisee, founder and director of B.A.G.S. a nonprofit organization. Through "Baggage Claim," her international women's empowerment celebration and one woman show, she candidly shares her story of being a child molestation survivor and how she turned that pain into purpose — and, more importantly, how she teaches others to do the same through laugh therapy and transparent conversations designed to help attendees start their healing process.
Due to her consistent activism, Kiana was recognized by the White House for her humanitarian efforts to build stronger ties to the community through volunteering and is a 2022 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award from the Biden Administration. In 2023 she was awarded aHonorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism from Global International Alliance.
Kiana was one of the original hosts of the TV One nationally syndicated talk show “Sister Circle Live”. Her amazing performance during the filming of Kevin Hart’s LOL at the 2018 Montreal Comedy Festival led to her to be casted in two movies – a BET feature, “One Crazy Christmas” and the Marlon Wayans Netflix hit “Sextuplets.” Kiana has also toured with Kountry Wayne, Jess Hilarious and has worked with Donnell Rawlings, Louis CK, Aida Rodriquez,Earthquake, and most recently Dave Chappelle.
Her book "Bye Bags Bags - Laughing To Lighten The Load" discusses healing yourself whole thru laughter, is a best seller and is available on her website, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.   

“Programming Board”

Alton Walker is a highly skilled comedian and influential presence on social media, renowned for his viral and hilarious content. He gained popularity through his popular segments such as "God Ain't Pleased" rants, "Animal Church Voiceovers," and the "R&B Workout." Beyond his stand-up comedy talents, Alton also shines as the lead writer and producer for the syndicated radio show "The Morning Hustle" (Urban One/Reach Media).
Alton's comedic style never fails to tickle everyone's funny bone. He has collaborated with various social media influencers, including Desi Banks, B. Simone, and Druski, and served as a writer and tour host for Desi Banks. In this role, Alton contributed to content creation for major companies like NASCAR, the NFL, and the NBA.
Currently, Alton is on tour with Rickey Smiley and works as a show producer for the Kenan Thompson Comedy Showcases. He has had the privilege of sharing the stage with comedy legends such as George Wallace, Paul Mooney, John Witherspoon, and Mike Epps. Alton's comedy transcends age and cultural boundaries, connecting with audiences internationally, from London to Korea and Jamaica.
With an active presence on social media, Alton engages with his followers daily, who eagerly share their appreciation for his viral videos and motivational perspective clips. Beyond comedy and social media, Alton is a passionate speaker dedicated to inspiring and uplifting young people through his company, NextIn Line Network. He accomplishes this through speaking engagements, event hosting, comedy performances, as well as workshops and seminars at high schools and colleges.
In essence, Alton Walker is not just a comedian; he is a multi-talented entertainer and a positive force for change in the world.