Gone Too Soon: RIP Ken Flores

We lost another soul in comedy. It seems that Stand Up comedians never die a natural death. So many die way to soon. When I was a lawyer for almost 20 years, I can only remember one unnatural death. Just over 10 years in stand up comedy, I can count well over 10. Every year, we lose at least another one well before their time.

Unlike other jobs where you may get a yearly review, we get reviewed every 30 seconds. You don't laugh at a joke, that's a bad review. You don't have a good show, that's a bad review. There are even customer reviews which can result in bad reviews. There is self doubt daily and comparisons to not only yourself and your other shows, but your peers and their success as well. It's hard to deal with, especially if you started comedy at a young age with limited traditional structures of a job or a career.

Then there are the coping mechanisms. I saw a lot of substance abuse as a musician, band manager and also as a lawyer, but nowhere near the levels I see in comedy. We get paid with free drinks for Christ-sake! Drugs and alcohol are a big part of any creative, but for some reason, it seems that comedians always have the most "fun" and the most use of substances to "enhance" or "heal" us. Dealing with this career leads to all sorts of unhealthy habits.

Like timing on stage, timing for your career often depends not only on talent but luck and circumstances beyond your control. When those align, you can have some success. Unless you are undeniable. When you are undeniable, all the gatekeepers and forces cannot stop you. Your talent guides you to new levels where the world can see you shine.

And that's what Ken Flores was. Undeniable. He took off like a rocket and never looked back. He was a unique voice who took chances on stage with no fear. Even with all his success, he stayed humble and kind. He was only 28 and we lost him this week. He will be missed. Take care of yourselves and each other. hashtag#standup hashtag#kenflores hashtag#rip