Getting to know Uncle Trent; Our Local King Of Comedy

Getting to know Uncle Trent; Our Local King Of Comedy
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All photos courtesy of Trent McFadden.

You first met Che in Rochester works for actor Che Holloway, an impromptu interview and amble through the Neighborhood of the Arts.

An aspiring and successful actor, Che is deeply immersed in the Rochester cultural scene. So much so, we’ve named him Che of The Town!

Exclusively for Talker, Che has solicited and is conducting interviews from about 50 Rochestarians working in a diversity of creative fields.

For the full series, see Che of The Town: Interviews

wilson-w-trophy

Trent also played for Wilson chess. From Wildcats strike out our undermanned Barons

Che has featured several local comedians, including Yolanda Smilez, Joél JamesVinnie Paulino and Santos Cruz.

Today, Che introduces Trent “Uncle Trent” McFadden. I was glad to learn that Trent played for the Wilson Magnet Chess Team in high school. For years, we’ve covered that famous team who are the reigning Upstate New York Interscholastic Chess League champions.

Getting to know Uncle Trent; Our Local King Of Comedy

In this highlight we turn our attention to Uncle Trent, our local King of Comedy. A stand up comic with the ability to command a whole room with his warm, strong and down to earth realness.

I asked Uncle Trent a series of questions, Here is what we discussed. trent 5

 Tell us a little about yourself, where your from, grew up, what H.S./College you attended etc. 

My name is Trent McFadden, but I go by the stage name Uncle Trent. I’m from the inner city of Rochester NY. Despite all chaos we someone’s get hit with, I love my city! My parents lived on opposite sides of town, so i feel like i got the best of both worlds! I had my mom, dad, and 2 sisters growing up. My mom is a super free spirit who loves everything, and my dad was a tactician who could make anything with his hands. I attended Wilson Magnet High School on the cities west side. I played football, basketball and was in the chess team. I was always a nerd at heart.trent 4

What inspired you to be an entertainer? Early experiences worth sharing?

I’ve always loved comedy, but it took a back seat to sports. A couple injuries during high school took away my sports dreams, and made me start thinking realistically. The one thing anybody who knows me will say is he knows how to make people laugh. Well before i ever thought of doing stand up, I wrote jokes. Yo mamma jokes, and the dozens were a second language for me. I was fluent! After going to a stand up comedy show with my father, I believed I could do it. We went and saw Patrice O’Neal, a few months before he passed, and I was mesmerized. He was so smooth, but very blunt and opinionated. Plus he was a big guy! I mean big!!! When I shook his hand I felt emasculated lol. That’s when I started giving stand up comedy some serious thought.

Talk about a time where you have faced adversity/conflict and have triumphed.

I remember a show from hell! It was easily one of the most difficult times I had on stage. I did a show with Ms Thea Vidale. 25 year vet, Someone I had been wanting to work with. I’m excited about the show, and I’m ready to impress her and maybe even get on the road with her. The first show, (Thursday) went well, but the crowd was small. I needed her to see me destroy a packed room. Friday comes, and I can’t hear! It started off as just one ear and by show time, I was down to about 10 % of my hearing. Somehow I got a severe ear infection. Both shows sold out and I had a job to do either way. I struggled through the first show, really feeling uncomfortable. I did good enough, but nothing that would make Thea look twice. A good friend of mine, who is also a mentor have me some great advice on how to adjust and I looked the next show! Now, I didn’t end up on the road with Thea, but she definitely enjoyed my set.trent 6

What do you believe sets you apart from other entertainers?

I believe that my versatility makes me special. I have performed for crowds of all races, religions, ages and economic backgrounds. The way I write comes from a place that allows everyone to be human. We all have picked our noses, lied, cheated, and taken free candy from the grocery stores. I am very personable and honest and it shows on stage.

 Do you have other interests or hobbies?

I have two beautiful children that make each day a little easier. I love spending time with them. I am a huge sports fan! I love cooking, and eatting! Especially BBQ! I could eat BBQ all day everyday.  I recently got into script writing and i really enjoying that.

 Any projects you have out or currently working on?

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Che at right.

I’m currently finishing up my first web series. The first episode will be released May 5th, 2017. It’s called “Between Jobs.” Earlier this year I finished my second stand up comedy DVD entitled, “I’LL DRINK TO THAT.”

 trent 1Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I would like to see myself as a nationally and internationally touring comedian. I could definitely see myself as a writer for a TV series and in movies.

What advice can you give to aspiring artists/entertainers?

I would like to say to anyone trying the entertainment field, be ready to work. It’s not an overnight thing and nobody is going to give it to you. Success is going to come from your effort. Networking as well. Run your mouth, meet people, go outside of your comfort zone. It’s definitely attainable!

How can we follow along in your journey? Social media?

Facebook: Uncle Trent

Twitter: iamuncletrent

Instagram: iamuncletrent

YouTube: Uncle Trent comedy

Website: www.iamuncletrent.com 

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About The Author

dkramer3@naz.edu

Welcome to Talker of the Town! My name is David Kramer. I have a Ph.D in English and teach at Keuka College. I am a former and still active Fellow at the Nazareth College Center for Public History and a Storyteller in Residence at the SmallMatters Institute. Over the years, I have taught at Monroe Community College, the Rochester Institute of Technology and St. John Fisher College. I have published numerous Guest Essays, Letters, Book Reviews and Opinion pieces in The New York Times, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, the Buffalo News, the Rochester Patriot, the Providence Journal, the Providence Business News, the Brown Alumni Magazine, the New London Day, the Boston Herald, the Messenger Post Newspapers, the Wedge, the Empty Closet, the CITY, Lake Affect Magazine and Brighton Connections. My poetry appears in The Criterion: An International Journal in English and Rundenalia and my academic writing in War, Literature and the Arts and Twentieth Century Literary Criticism. Starting in February 2013, I wrote for three Democratic and Chronicle  blogs, "Make City Schools Better," "Unite Rochester," and the "Editorial Board." When my tenure at the D & C  ended, I wanted to continue conversations first begun there. And start new ones.  So we created this new space, Talker of the Town, where all are invited to join. I don’t like to say these posts are “mine.” Very few of them are the sole product of my sometimes overheated imagination. Instead, I call them partnerships and collaborations. Or as they say in education, “peer group work.” Talker of the Town might better be Talkers of the Town. The blog won’t thrive without your leads, text, pictures, ideas, facebook shares, tweets, comments and criticisms.

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