A Biography of Musical Comedian Stephen Lynch
Stephen Lynch, the hilarious songwriter (not the Massachusetts senator, who's not nearly as funny) was born Stephen Andrew Lynch on July 28, 1971 in Abington, PA, and grew up in Saginaw, Michigan.
His parents are a former priest and nun (hence songs like "Craig" and "Beelz") and his father was also a stage actor and singer.
Stephen Lynch has always considered himself a musician first and a comedian second.
As he stated in one interview he likes to "create a melody that will make you cry, then ruin it with stupid lyrics.
"He cites as his major influences Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell.
Though "This Is Spinal Tap" is the movie that made him realize that music and comedy can go together.
While attending Western Michigan University's theater program, he formed a sketch comedy group called Who Are We Kidding? with his best friend Mark Teich and brother Drew Lynch, both of whom would collaborate with him later in his career.
He was also half of a singing duo with Jeff Heilmann called Straightface.
Lynch moved to New York City in 1996 with the intention of becoming an actor.
A comedy club owner suggested he try out some of the funny songs he'd written in college.
It clicked and he became a fixture in New York's best comedy clubs as well as universities and night clubs around the country.
As much as possible he stayed away from comedy club crowds and concentrated more on university and music venue audiences.
He rarely tours alone, usually bringing 2-4 other singers on stage with him, which adds really nice variety and banter to the shows.
Rod Cone, Mark Teich, Drew Lynch, and Courtney Jaye are some of his on stage cohorts.
His 2000 Comedy Central Presents special (which he's since said, he doesn't particularly like) had one of the highest viewerships in the series's history.
Since attracting his audience he has released 5 albums: A Little Bit Special (2000) Superhero (2003) The Craig Machine (2005) 3 Balloons (2009) Lion (2012) In 2006 he starred on Broadway at Robbie Hart in "The Wedding Singer" which opened him up to a whole new audience.
He was nominated for Drama League, Drama Desk, and Tony awards for his performance.
Lynch returned to the road in 2007 and filmed his 2nd Comedy Central special in 2008.
The success of his videos on YouTube and immense word of mouth allowed him to tour the UK and Europe for the first time, selling out all but two shows.
He had never before played in those markets.
Stephen has been married to his wife Erin since 2003 and relies on her for feedback on his new song ideas, saying "I'll say something, like an idea for a song or whatever, and if she laughs then I'll start writing it, and if she doesn't, I don't even bother.
Luckily, she has a good sense of humor.
" Stephen Lynch is currently on tour behind his latest album "Lion".
His parents are a former priest and nun (hence songs like "Craig" and "Beelz") and his father was also a stage actor and singer.
Stephen Lynch has always considered himself a musician first and a comedian second.
As he stated in one interview he likes to "create a melody that will make you cry, then ruin it with stupid lyrics.
"He cites as his major influences Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell.
Though "This Is Spinal Tap" is the movie that made him realize that music and comedy can go together.
While attending Western Michigan University's theater program, he formed a sketch comedy group called Who Are We Kidding? with his best friend Mark Teich and brother Drew Lynch, both of whom would collaborate with him later in his career.
He was also half of a singing duo with Jeff Heilmann called Straightface.
Lynch moved to New York City in 1996 with the intention of becoming an actor.
A comedy club owner suggested he try out some of the funny songs he'd written in college.
It clicked and he became a fixture in New York's best comedy clubs as well as universities and night clubs around the country.
As much as possible he stayed away from comedy club crowds and concentrated more on university and music venue audiences.
He rarely tours alone, usually bringing 2-4 other singers on stage with him, which adds really nice variety and banter to the shows.
Rod Cone, Mark Teich, Drew Lynch, and Courtney Jaye are some of his on stage cohorts.
His 2000 Comedy Central Presents special (which he's since said, he doesn't particularly like) had one of the highest viewerships in the series's history.
Since attracting his audience he has released 5 albums: A Little Bit Special (2000) Superhero (2003) The Craig Machine (2005) 3 Balloons (2009) Lion (2012) In 2006 he starred on Broadway at Robbie Hart in "The Wedding Singer" which opened him up to a whole new audience.
He was nominated for Drama League, Drama Desk, and Tony awards for his performance.
Lynch returned to the road in 2007 and filmed his 2nd Comedy Central special in 2008.
The success of his videos on YouTube and immense word of mouth allowed him to tour the UK and Europe for the first time, selling out all but two shows.
He had never before played in those markets.
Stephen has been married to his wife Erin since 2003 and relies on her for feedback on his new song ideas, saying "I'll say something, like an idea for a song or whatever, and if she laughs then I'll start writing it, and if she doesn't, I don't even bother.
Luckily, she has a good sense of humor.
" Stephen Lynch is currently on tour behind his latest album "Lion".
