Last night, I did something I honestly never thought I’d get the chance to do.

Thanks to one of my daughters, my family and I went to see Martin Short and Steve Martin live at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex—or as most of us around here call it, the BJCC.

And let me tell you… I haven’t laughed that hard in a very long time.

Now, the night almost didn’t turn out quite as great as it did. The original tickets were way up in the nosebleed section—you know, the kind where you’re just hoping the big screen works because the stage looks about the size of a postage stamp. But thanks to my daughter being persistent (and apparently a pro at ticket stalking), she checked again later and found stage-level seats for the same price.

Same price. Better seats. That kind of luck doesn’t happen often.

The show itself wasn’t just comedy—it was storytelling, history, and two guys who clearly enjoy every second of what they do. They talked about their childhoods, how they got started, and even the first time they met—which, as it turns out, was during Three Amigos. I had no idea that Steve Martin actually wrote that movie, let alone that it played a role in their long-running friendship.

One of the highlights of the night for me was hearing Steve Martin play the banjo. That alone would’ve been worth the price of admission. He was joined by the incredibly talented Steep Canyon Rangers, and together they added a whole different layer to the show. It wasn’t just funny—it was genuinely impressive musicianship mixed right in with the comedy.

It made the whole night feel a little more personal, like you weren’t just watching a performance—you were getting a glimpse into their lives.

Now… I’d be lying if I said every single moment was comfortable.

Between the body suit Martin Short wore—where absolutely nothing was left to the imagination—and the two clearly over-served ladies sitting behind us providing their own running commentary, the night got a little more “eventful” than expected. At times, it felt like we had a bonus side show going on right from our seats.

Let’s just say… There were moments I didn’t know whether to laugh at the stage or turn around and laugh at what was happening behind me.

But honestly? That just made the night even more memorable.

From start to finish, the show was well worth it. Great seats, great laughs, live music, and time spent with family—those are the kinds of nights you don’t take for granted.

And for me, it was one of those rare experiences where you walk away thinking,
“Yeah… I’m really glad I got to do that.”