Mike Goodwin from 'America's Got Talent' to headline Semoball Awards, local comedy club

Comedian Mike Goodwin be the featured speaker at this year's Semoball Awards to be held Friday.

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Comedian and former America's Got Talent contestant Mike Goodwin will headline the Semoball awards Friday night, bringing his brand of clean and highly entertaining comedy to the premier high school sports awards show in Southeast Missouri.

The Camden, South Carolina native appeared on the 16th season of America's Got Talent where he was eliminated in the deliberations before being invited back to the wild card show.

Goodwin got into comedy thanks to a member of his church who was also a comedian.

"I would just run ideas by him like, 'Hey, man, have you ever thought about these types of things?' And he let me do that for a while," Goodwin said Thursday in a phone interview. "And then one day he said, 'This is really good stuff. Either I can get up on stage and do the material and you not get paid or you can get on stage and do the material and get paid.'"

Goodwin served four years in the United States Army after he finished high school.

"The U.S. Army really [helped] me to grow up quick and make adjustments, because I really didn't have a safety valve," Goodwin said. "This had to be a successful experience."

During his service, Goodwin said comedy helped bring him a sense of comfort.

"I just saw comedy as a way to alleviate tension and pressure," Goodwin said.

Mercy is the presenting sponsor of the Semoball Awards, the area’s premier awards show recognizing student-athletes and coaches in Southeast Missouri.

While Goodwin felt he always had a good sense of humor, he said he never considered being a professional comedian.

Once he delved into the professional world of comedy Goodwin said at first he just enjoyed the experience.

"My first initial experience in comedy, I was just excited being a comedian," he said. "I really didn't have any goals or aspirations. I was just like, 'This is cool. I'm on stage to talk to people.'"

Goodwin credits his experience on "America's Got Talent" for solidifying his confidence.

"I think you spend a lot of time as a young comedian or performer trying to figure out whether you're good," Goodwin said. "Having the experience of going on national television and getting four yeses from this iconic group of judges, I think that just cemented what I knew to be true."

In addition to "America's Got Talent," Goodwin has appeared on "Dry Bar Comedy," Lifetime, BET, Amazon Prime, TBN, Daystar, USA, the Word Network, Circle TV, "That Sounds Fun Podcast Tour with Annie F. Downs" and USO Europe Comedy Tour.

Goodwin said being asked to keynote the Semoball Awards is an honor.

"I'm excited to share examples and experiences from my life that will not only be humorous but hopefully inspirational," Goodwin said. "A lot of times you go to events and you want to have a great experience, so I'm honored that folks think adding me to their event would produce the type of experience they want their audience to have."

Lucas Presson, assistant publisher of the Southeast Missourian, said choosing a keynote each year is an important part of the event and he's excited to hear Goodwin bring some laughs to the Semoball Awards stage.

"We like to switch things up each year and find fun and unique ways to make the evening truly a first-class, unforgettable experience," Presson said. "Mike Goodwin is a very funny guy, and his comedy is refreshingly clean. We think his routine at the awards show will be a big hit and make an already fun night that much more memorable. You don't want to miss it."

The Semoball Awards starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday at La Croix Church. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the red carpet experience, live radio show and heavy appetizers.

Along with being at the Semoball Awards, Goodwin will also perform a pair of shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 9 at Laughing Gas Comedy Club in Cape Girardeau.

The comedian said he's excited for the shows as well as being able to experience Cape Girardeau for more than a day.

"Most times when I go to a place, I go there for a day and then I'm back out," Goodwin said. "The opportunity to actually be there for a few days is pretty exciting."

General admission and VIP tickets to the Semoball Awards are available at semoball.com/awards. VIP tickets include premium seating and a meet-and-greet with Goodwin.

Tickets to Goodwin's comedy shows at Laughing Gas can be purchased at www.n2ocomedy.com.

The Semoball Awards are presented by Southeast- HEALTH and sponsored by The Bank of Missouri (Official Bank Sponsor), SEMO ESPN Radio, rustmedia, the St. Louis Cardinals and your local newspaper.