I have been doing school assemblies for nearly 10 years. 

I feel speaking to youth is one of my great callings in life, since I can entertain, educate, and keep their attention for an hour, and it’s the best way I know how to “Give Back”. 

I feel bad for the original schools, a decade ago, that asked me to come and speak, because my message was so raw, off the cuff, unprepared, that I don’t know if any of those kids got a darn thing out of it (even though at the time I felt I really ROCKED THE HOUSE). 

Over the years I have worked this speech out to it’s current state. 

Last year I did about 50 school assemblies, youth leadership organization conferences, teacher, faculty, principal, school board trainings and talks throughout the Country, so the speech is getting better. 

During the past decade I have BEGGED one school to allow me to speak and they’ve never returned my calls. 

Yes, I am referring to the school I consider to be the finest school in America, from which I somehow graduated as Student Body President, Honor Roll Student, winner of the Music Award, All-State in Basketball, I even founded a singing group with 3 other friends that is now an accredited class called “The Troubadours”…gosh I really thought I was THE MAN!  Even the very school I refer to in every speech from Utah to New York, the school that changed my life to such an extent that I feel the need to share with the world what they taught me…and yet they would never have me when everyone else would. 

Well, today is a “Journal Entry Day”.  Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 10 AM I had the chance to speak at The Waterford School, 15 years removed from graduation, Class of ’97.  With alumni and faculty there to greet me, including the Legends of Teaching, and most gratefully The Head of School, Mrs. Nancy Heuston, one of my all-time life changing influences, even took the time to watch the whole thing. 

So why did it take so long to have me?

I’ve been really bothered by that, since every other school in America calls me, the only school I called wouldn’t even let me know why they didn’t want me. 

Today I understood the reason. 

As I was introduced by my friend and Waterford student leadership mentor, Mr. Todd Winters, he gave me the kind of introduction that made it so I had to change the entire flow of the speech on the spot.  I had 10 seconds to re-prepare all I had planned on saying, over 15 years of waiting to tell them what I REALLY think, and BOOM I’m on stage!  Had I not done the speech about 500 times before it wouldn’t have gone well. 

Was the speech perfect?  No. 

But was it a wonderful experience to talk with youth that I am intrinsically connected with, even though I know none of them personally, because we suffered the same trials within those hallowed walls in different decades? 

Was it cathartic to express my gratitude for what the school had taught me in the very hall it took place? 

Was it sacred ground for someone who went from completely lost in LIFE the first day of my second year of 9th grade to achieving some sense of significance and purpose that would set my life in motion from then on? 

A resounding YES! 

What a wonderful day it was.  To thank the teachers, past and present, to express gratitude to peers who helped me along, to see the eyes of young, bright, all-star students staring up at me knowing that was me only a short time ago watching another assembly presenter, as I wondered, “What am I going to be someday?”

I guess all I really ever wanted to be and do was what I just did today…what an amazing thing that is, I am so grateful this life has afforded me such opportunities as these. 

What a day.  Just thought I’d share.  It took a while but it was worth the wait, and I’m grateful it only took a decade and a half to get prepared. 

~ jason hewlett

The Waterford School, Class of ’97

Summit of Lone Peak in SLC, UT 11,253 ft and an Awesome HIKE!

Happy New Year! 

2011 changed my life.  

I changed my life in 2011.  It was because of the BIG one, that BIG decision I made – Change Your Life.

SOOOOOooooo many Blogs, Tweets, Facebook Posts, and YouTube videos talking about New Years Resolutions right now I decided to go against the grain and call it something else. NEW YEAR DECISIONS!  Very Creative… I Know! 

I assume you think, “Well hey man, it’s already January 4^th, it’s too late now!” 

Guess what?  Setting a goal never had a timeline, just accomplishing your goal does!  So don’t tell me it’s too late.  It’s never been a better time to sit down, all by your lonesome, put pen to paper, and chop out some goals, resolutions, or as I like to call them DECISIONS. 

Each year I open my Journal (which I keep a very regular journal, if not once a week where I write 10 pages at a time, it’s multiple times a week – I encourage this type of behavior, keeps everyone honest) and look back on last year’s goals.  Pretty much all of them are done, it’s amazing.  As you’ve no doubt often heard it said, “A Goal without a Deadline is just a Dream”, to which I like to add, “A Dream without a Deadline is Not a Goal…”, but that just confuses people. 

To write the words with your hand on actual paper is a bit different than typing it out. 

Once on real paper it’s UN-DELETABLE, whereas on your desktop it can be lost by a power surge.  Some may argue a Journal could be lost in a house fire, so I keep mine in a safe place called a fire proof safe, but that’s because I don’t have currency to fill the safe with….yet.  Goal #114

Within the Journal writing and Goal Setting I like to break it up into the 5-Quadrants:

1. Spiritual
2. Mental
3. Physical
4. Emotional
5. Financial

I also break it up into 3 Categories from there:

1. Personal
2. Family
3. Business

I really like drawing pictures of me succeeding as well (fat body = slender; late sleeper = eating a worm), if not cutting and pasting a VISON BOARD, which can really take things over the top! 

jason Hewlett Vision Board Nov. 2011

Once I have jotted down ideas, concepts, and dreams I can now establish the goals with positive affirmations such as:

“I am healthy, strong, active, and able to leap up mountains”

“I reconnect with spirit through daily meditation”

“I only yell at my kids after I’ve yelled at myself and make sure the neighbors are listening”

…you get the picture. 

Now it is time for PROJECTS I want to accomplish, those that have eluded me, perhaps ideas that get pushed to the bottom of the Not Important pile at the end of each day that continue to nag at me.  Make a Projects To Finish list, this works powerfully. 

Some of my Favorite Examples for Personal and Business from years past include: 

2005: Afford a New House – purchased by June 2005

2006: Write My First Book – Finished by November 2006

2007: Record an Album of Original Songs – Finished by May 2007

2009: Add the Band to the Show – Finished by September 2009

2011: Create a New and Legitimate Talent Agency that accounts for 25% of Income – December 2011

Etc, etc…

Personal Project in 2011: Climb every mountain I can see from my house – finished in October 2011, including 40 summits and hikes elsewhere around the country

Now it’s time to set the BIG YEARLY GOAL.  This is the one that encompasses all you are working toward for the entire year, and possibly the umbrella of all goals set.  It’s tough, but it’s your Yearly Mission Statement, it’s the reason to get up in the morning, or not eat that extra cookie…

2011 mine was: Climb The Grand Teton in Jackson, WY (a lofty and insane goal considering I had done little to no actual mountain climbing, was “clinically obese”, and have bad knees, back, neck, etc.).  I had to do some serious training, overcoming some huge mental and physical obstacles, and it changed my whole life. 

See the picture below to see if I accomplished this BIG GOAL. 

Jason Hewlett Summit of The Grand Teton, Jackson, WY Aug. 27, 2011 9:30 AM 13,770 ft

I took this Photo before sleeping in the saddle of the Tetons at 11,700 ft, I truly thought it might be my last self-portrait before our bid for the summit the next morning

I also suggest the BIG 5-Year Goal, the BIGGER 10-year Goal, and so on.  These can continually change, but will drive your life and can change it for the better with how you spend each waking moment. 

In 2012 I hope you’ll put some of these, as well as the practices you have found successful into your agenda of DECISIONS and I will see you at the TOP!

God Bless You~

Jason Hewlett

BEST & WORST of The Year

Yes, it was a heck of a year.  From crazy trips, to amazing audiences, to terrible, unforgettable mishaps, it’s all here for your enjoyment (PLEASE check out some of the links for laughs and cool info, photos, videos).  Thank you for your support and still laughing at all of the shows!

10. The Incredible Reaction to the NEW Lady Gaga impression – VIDEO HERE 

9. Multiple Cruise Ship Performances Worldwide & Standing Ovations

8. Keynote Speaker for LifeVantage International Convention – VIDEO HERE

7. Multi-Day Conference Master of Ceremonies duties for Univera, JoyLife, & Synergy

6. The Independent Insurance Agents Association events nationwide

5. Fund Raisers for friends, strangers, charities, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition – ARTICLE HERE

4. Completely Losing My Voice in February…No Bueno

3. Lost Costume Bags on 1 hour Delta Direct flight from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas…even worse than No Bueno

2. Final Public Shows at Egyptian Theatre in Park City, UT – BLOG POST

1. Establishment of JHEWLETT EVENTS and getting gigs for my favorite Artists – WEB SITE HERE

Singing with my Dad, John Hewlett, at Synergy Convention in Las Vegas

BEST AUDIENCE & SHOW OF THE YEAR:

Maverik Manager’s Meeting at The Maverik Center, SLC, UT, April 26

MOST APPRECIATIVE AUDIENCE & FULFILLING EVENT OF THE YEAR: TIE –

LIahona Preparatory Academy Fireside, Aspen Grove, UT, Oct. 3

Paradigm High School, South Jordan, UT, Oct. 26

WORST AUDIENCE OF THE YEAR: TIE –

Workman Nydeggar, JSMB, SLC, UT, April 27

MLB AAA All-Star Game Player’s Reception, Rice-Eccles Stadium, SLC, UT, July 12

MY WORST SHOW as a Performer OF THE YEAR (I was sick and my voice was gone):

Carecraft, Vail, CO, Feb. 22 (they still gave me a standing ovation as they could tell I was struggling)

LONGEST SHOW OF THE YEAR:

JuicePlus Elton Awards, Gaylord Opryland, Nashville, TN, Oct. 14 (between my show and singing with the band during dancing = 3 hours of performing straight)

SHORTEST SHOW OF THE YEAR:

Sierra~West Jewelers Outdoor Summer Party, Alpine, UT, Aug. 13. 35 min. show (15 min in the rain, finally ended it when the speakers fell over in the wind and all of my wigs were in the dirt field next door)

Limo Ride "Star Treatment" Courtesy Thunder Valley Casino

SCARIEST AUDIENCE OF THE YEAR that turned out to be GREAT:

Arch Coal, Inc., Scofield, UT, Aug. 6

OLDEST AUDIENCE OF THE YEAR that ended the show ASLEEP:

Celebrity Cruise Line, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Nov. 22

STAR TREATMENT SHOW OF THE YEAR:

Thunder Valley Casino, Sacramento, CA, Jan. 26

NOT-SO STAR TREATMENT OF THE YEAR:

Celebrity Cruise Line, St. Croix, Nov. 11 (Ship left me as I arrived at port after flying 26 hours to meet the ship!)

FAVORITE EVENT OF THE YEAR TO ATTEND as a Guest:

Corporate Alliance, Park City, UT, Nov. 3-5

FAVORITE NEW PLACES TO PERFORM:

Alaska; Destin, FL; Ft. Worth, TX; Puerto Rico; Honduras; St. Maarten; Haiti

Personal Achievements and Blessings of the Year (No Particular Order)

Summit of the Grand Teton in Jackson, WY

A “Royal” Birth

10-Year Anniversary of Marriage

Conquering the Grand Teton

Losing and keeping off 20 lbs of flabby fat

Summitting 40 mountains and peaks (most with my climbing partner, my brother Jared)

First time to Disneyland with the kids

First time to ALASKA!

ZION National Park hiking at Pine Creek and Spry

Being invited to join the Hale Centre Theatre Board, my Favorite Family Theatre

Decision to Retire from Public Shows in Utah to spend more time with family

Over the past few years my wife and I have had the incredible life-changing blessing of welcoming four children to this earth.  At the same time I have continued to try and run my business from my home, and the balancing act only gets tougher. 

I have learned more in 6 years as a father than I have in 11 years as a CEO (I use the word CEO lightly, since we are a small operation around here, but it sounds better than the title of “Owner-Public Relations-HR Director-Janitor-Accountant-Salesman-Secretary-Confused and Dazed Performer/Speaker Barely Staying Afloat”). 

How can I better my business by raising a family at the same time? 

How can I learn from daily occurrences with my little ones so I can be a better businessman? 

Here are a few things I’ve learned so far…FYI, my kids are 6, 4, 3, and 2 months…I literally haven’t slept in 6 years.

-       Open the fresh diaper before you change the wet one…or you will get sprayed due to Lack of Preparation

-       Don’t feed the kids too much beef jerky before a camp-out…a onesie full of diarrhea in a tent 100 miles from home and Mommy, with no wet wipes, is the equivalent to Tweeting what you really think and Paying for it Later

-       Drop your kids off at school…this may be your only time to prep them for a great day, which is the same as letting Employees know you Care about them on a Daily Basis

-       Don’t just wait for the kids to go to bed to get things done…they can do things on their own too, just as the People you’ve hired are capable of being Great without you around

-       Give hi-fives for doing something right, “small victories”…Every Client, Employee, even every interaction with every person you come in Contact with every day appreciates Positive Reinforcement

-       Let them cross the street without holding their hand…Employees learn good judgment and the best approach when taught Correct Principles and Objectives, then are allowed to proceed forward without Micromanaging

-       Go on one Father-Son/Daughter Date each month…Meet with your Employees on a Monthly Basis in a meeting I like to call a PPI Personal Progress Interview, where you help them map out their goals for next month within your company and their dreams for life after they’ve moved on to bigger and better endeavors

-       Stop working at 5 PM to be 100% with your Family…Remember your Employees’ Families are the reason they are working for you, always make sure their family is your Top Priority, too

-       Discipline according to the Rules already Established and follow through…if someone gets out of line in the office address it immediately, with Wisdom and Love

This just scratches the surface.  What are some things you’ve learned in raising kids that correlates to the office?  I’d love to know, as you can clearly see I’m learning as I go.

Jason Hewlett

In October of 2011 I had the opportunity of performing my final public shows.  People have been confused by the meaning of FINAL PUBLIC SHOWS. 

“Are you done performing altogether?”

“Will you ever entertain again?”

“What will you do now?”

I appreciate the love, concern, and questions.  Hopefully this answers a few of questions. 

Yes, I have decided to “retire” from events where my name will be used as the draw to attract people to purchase tickets.  In other words, no more amphitheatres, concert halls, or public venues where purchasing a ticket to see little old me is involved. 

This DOES NOT mean however that I am through with this as my career.  I mean that would be suicide!  So here are the options for seeing me perform LIVE in the future:

• At a Private Corporate Convention or Event for your company or association
• At your children’s School Speaking in an Assembly for Students
• Speaking and performing for Religious Firesides and Devotionals
• Showing up as a “Special Guest Performer” at City Celebrations, Charity Events, and Concerts my Friends are Headlining
• …and keep your eyes open, you never know where I might show up!

I greatly appreciate everyone’s concern as to my decisions for my career.  People have asked if I’m sick, sad, done, not getting booked, uninterested, etc.  None of the above.  I have made this decision to be more available for private corporate functions, to have more opportunities to speak to youth, and most of all to have more time with my family.

I have never been “famous” and it’s never been my intention to be, but the Q-List “quasi-celebrity” status I have experienced isn’t the life for me.  If I had experienced even more fame I would move away forever and be done for good.  I’d rather be relatively unknown and make a few people laugh at one private event at a time, rather than known by all and only have a 15-minute career. 

So, in conclusion this is not the end, it’s only the beginning!  Obviously, you won’t see me much in local venues, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be around doing stuff, living my dreams, having a great time.  If there is some kind of crazy demand again in the future who knows, maybe I’ll come back and do one more show for a crowd, but until then I will be running a Talent Agency, Speaking at Schools, acting as Master of Ceremonies and Keynote Speaker for private events worldwide, and I hope we can stay connected on Facebook, through this Blog, my web site, and other social networks online.  Thank you for your incredible SUPPORT, you make me so grateful. 

With Gratitude ~

jason hewlett

P.S. I have also retired a few of my impressions, including Tiny Tim.  You were a great one Tiny, thanks for the memories!

Jason Hewlett, Jared Hewlett, Evan Christensen

I have a few chances to enjoy performing in Utah in the coming months, I hope you’ll join me as I unveil some new impressions, including Lady Gaga doing children’s songs (Bad Romance set to Chicken Dance), IZ (the legendary Hawaiian singer famous for “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”), John Lennon, Styx, and others!  Here are the details for upcoming local/public shows:

Friday, August 19, 2011

Draper Amphitheater in Draper, UT Visit Draper web site

8 PM

$10 per person/$40 per immediate family – Purchase Tix HERE

Featuring Special Guest, Stephen Jones – Comedian, Actor, YouTube Star!

The Incomparable Stephen Jones Man of Too Many Talents

Watch Stephen’s hilarious YouTube viral video, New Spice Commercial 

Friday & Saturday, Oct. 21-22 & 28-29, 2011

Egyptian Theater in Park City, UT  Visit ETC web site

8 PM

Tix: $15-30 per person   Purchase HERE

Please join me, my Band, and 2 KILLER weekends of shows in my hometown on Main Street in Park City, UT.  If you were there in January you don’t want to miss these shows.  So awesome, so fun, so cool.

Until then, view some pics of my recent exploits and I hope to see you in UTAH!

Bald Mountain, 11,900+ ft summit near Kamas, UT

Jason ZIONS slot canyon in Spry

Jason & Jared Hewlett at Arch in ZIONS

Best Part of the Show - The After Show!

Woah, it’s been too long since my last post!  Embarrassing!  I DO have a good excuse, I’ve been completely swamped and gigging like crazy all over the world, so that’s a good thing.  Since my last post I’ve performed in:

Las Vegas, NV – Caesar’s Palace for  John Casablancas Modeling & Career Centers

The Caribbean – Celebrity Cruise Line (The Summit) in St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Maarten

SLC, UT – Salt Palace LifeVantage Convention for 2,000 people as morning Keynote Speaker & evening Entertainment

Fort Worth, TX – Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Awards Show

Richfield, UT – SOLD-OUT Public Show (it was AWESOME!) – Check out this message in the Richfield Reaper

All over Utah (Ogden, Park City, SLC, West Jordan, Monroe, Salina), speaking at numerous schools and loving every minute of it!

Signing the old Herbie Hancock after the school speeches…

Are you SURE you want this on here???

I am coming upon the busiest months of the year, May I will be cruising again, this time to Alaska & Victoria, B.C., and then off to Bermuda, if you want to join me CLICK HERE for special appearances on the high seas with Celebrity Cruise Lines!  June also has me running all over the place, from Seattle, WA; to Austin & Dallas, TX: to Destin, FL; and of course numerous private shows all over our great State of Utah.  I recently firmed more performances at my favorite little and legendary theatre on the planet, the Egyptian Theatre in Park City, UT in October, dates coming soon!

While cruising I had the chance to work on a lot of stuff.  If you have seen me lately I hired a trainer earlier this year that completely destroyed my normal work-outs (even though P90X and Insanity were involved) and in the process transformed my body, it has made the biggest difference in my life to do kettle bells, sparq, and other Spartan-like training methods added.   On the ship I worked on my health and have changed many things in my diet in preparation for conquering the Grand Tetons in Jackson Hole, WY later this summer.  here’s a picture of my 5-mile run on the treadmill in the non-air conditioned work-out room on the ship.

Cruise Ship 5-Mile Run

I also recently read the book, “Born To Run” and HIGHLY recommend it.  I’ve mentioned before how the movie “127 Hours” and the book it was based on, “Between A Rock & A Hard Place”, by the fearless Aron Ralston, changed my life last year.  Well, Christopher McDougall’s “Born To Run” will also change the ideals you can set for yourself, the pace at which we live each day, and the NEED we all have to RUN!   I hope you’ll read both of these books if you haven’t already, as they will inspire you beyond words and change your everyday life.  Here’s my new iPhone screen saver, a photo that sums up “Born To Run” so well; this is Champion runner, Arnulfo Quimare of the Tarahumara Tribe, and Scott Jurek, American Champion runner, two of the world’s greatest ultra-marathoners and the climactic race they run through Copper Canyon in Mexico over 50-miles.  Notice Arnulfo is in sandals.  AND they are both smiling  AWESOME!

World's Greatest Ultra-Marathoners, Scott Jurek & Arnulfo Quimare, "Born To Run"

I have also been writing a lot – not just working on a newer, better version of “Signature Moves”, but writing music that I hope to record by the end of this year.  As a funny man for whatever reason I have the need to write many love songs.  I guess when you make people laugh you also have to embrace the fact that you want to spread the joy and the love…so I write lots of these types of songs.  Maybe i will share them someday, but for now they are just for me and my recording equipment.  I am also working on my own arrangements of Gospel Hymns.  It’s fun sitting at the piano, on stage, on a cruise ship, at 3 AM, singing your heart out to “How Great Thou Art” and realizing the security guard has been standing there way too long.  Awkward!  I’m excited for these projects.

My best work as of late would have to be the Speaking.  Keynote Speaking for some amazing companies and groups that are willing to take a chance on me.  I have been told that someone doing comedy would have little to nothing to teach a group of salesmen, managers, or employees about work, business, life, change…well I appreciate those companies that have taken a chance on me speaking to their troops. The standing ovations are proof that something is working.  It has taken me a long time ot beomce a decent speaker.  I hope someday to be as good as my friends and Mentors, Kirk Weisler, Tony Ingle, Dan Clark, Brad Barton, Chad Hymas, Doug Nielsen, and of course my Dad, John Hewlett, greatest speaker I’ve ever known.

Keynote Speaker, LifeVantage. Beautiful set brought to you by Webb AV

I hope to see you at an upcoming performance, until then, I appreciate your support of my career and willingness to return to see me.  I have a TON of new stuff I’m working on, hoping I can break it out as soon as the time is right!   Enjoy these pics of some of the latest adventures.

Richfield, UT Show crew - Many Thanks to Kevin Arrington for a great, SOLD-OUT Show!~

The Incomparable Louis Johnson on Celebrity Cruise. We had a few shows together, this guy is HILARIOUS! www.ComedianLouisJohnson.com

View from the Top Deck of the Beautiful Celebrity Cruise Ship, The Summit, in Puerto Rico

SOLD-OUT Show for Sevier County in Richfield, UT. Which impression do you think this is?

LDS Business Conference in Park City, UT Performance with old friends, Thurl "Big T" Bailey & World's Greatest Pianist, Marvin Goldstein

The Magic lies within the needs we have for knowing someone out there cares when we wonder if we’re alone in our struggles.

How sad it is to see “downer” posts, such as, “Too bad my husband isn’t staying in this house tonight!”  Who writes this stuff?  I’ve seen it.

Yet how uplifting it is to see thoughtful, funny, spiritual, and pick-me-up posts, the ones that make you feel better, give you a brighter day.  As an example, my sweet Ella and I were having scripture study, so I asked, “Who is the Lamb of God?” and she replied, in all innocence, “God’s little pet”.  That has to make you smile.

I have a friend – not just any friend – he is one of my greatest heroes in my whole life kind of friend, named Kirk Weisler.  I consider him a Mentor, a Big Brother, a guy who’s saved my month more than a dozen times with his referrals to his clients as he speaks all over the world.  But more than that, he’s beyond cool, this guy just makes you want to be a better person when you’re in his presence.  I assume you’re lucky enough to have someone like that in your life, too.

You may not have heard of the name Kirk Weisler but I bet you’ve either read his book or felt his direct influence in your life.  He wrote the inspiring and life-changing book, “The Dog Poop Initiative”.  If you haven’t read it, you can get it HERE.

In essence it’s about a dog who poops on a soccer field, everyone plays around it, making sure not to step in it, ensuring others see and avoid it, pointing and…not doing anything about it.  Then a Dad, who’s son will soon play a soccer game, sees what’s happening, goes over and picks up the poop to the astonishment of those onlookers, and even though it’s not this man’s dog’s poop he took the initiative to make a difference.

That’s a book by Kirk Weisler.  He’s sold something like a quarter of a million of these in the last few years.  If you think the book’s good you should hear this man speak – ridiculous – he’s unbelievable in every way.  Check out his web site: www.kirkweisler.com

I met Kirk years ago when he dressed up as the Grinch for Christmas retelling the story in full costume, green face and all, at Christmas parties.

He is the one person I know that, no matter where he goes, people literally light up when he enters the room and feel blessed after he’s gone.  He’s like an angel of joy.  Sure he has his flaws, he eats way too much Kneaders Asiago Cheese bread, but this is truly one of the great men on earth and I’m blessed to know him.

I read a post by Kirk a few weeks go that broke my heart.  His beautiful daughter, little Ashlyn, is all of a sudden sick, in the hospital, and the days are moving by slowly.  She is a brave, wonderful, amazing little girl, yet her family yearns to have her return home.  Kirk had posted about Ashlyn and innocently asked for us to keep her in our prayers.  The comments and emails came flooding in, from the world over!  Ashlyn started to recover, then relapsed, and is still struggling at this writing.   I think of this sweet Weisler Family every day and many are praying for Ashlyn constantly.

The Miracle of Social Networking isn’t so much voyeuristically watching everyone else’s lives, or living vicariously through someone’s who’s life you think is cooler than yours.  It’s about something so beautiful as knowing others care enough to get down on their knees and pray for a Miracle when you need one.

No matter your beliefs, no matter if you know Kirk & Becky Weisler and their precious daughter, Ashlyn Eve or not, on this night I ask you to join me in saying a prayer for this family.  That is the Miracle of Social Networking: I know you care.

Thank you and God Bless you.

~ jason

As you know I am a Family Friendly Performer.

I do my best to maintain the integrity of every performance, every convention, and my own standards as best as I can without being too in your face about it (I just hope it speaks for itself without having to tell everyone).

But the other night my career came to a screeching halt –

Yes, I was performing at The Mirage Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, former home of the late Great Danny Gans, my Hero.  Current Mirage Star, America’s Got Talent winner Terry Fator, who now performs nightly for millions of dollars across the hall from where the convention was.

The National Meat Association, a respectable bunch; cowboys, hard working guys from Texas, California, true blue collar workers from sea to shining sea, and providing us with steaks, patties & ribs – the kind of stuff that puts hair on your chest, and takes hours to dig out of your teeth with three broken toothpics on a full belly.

And then someone decided on the name of the event where I was to perform.

I’m not joking…

I couldn’t make this up…

“Gourmet Sausagefest” is proud to present Jason Hewlett!

Yes, and it was a Pirate Theme…

All I can say is while my contemporary, Terry Fator, was across the hall making $1 Million that night to a Sold-Out audience, I was performing to the National Meat guys, at a Sausagefest, for barely enough money to hi-tail it back home as fast as possible to cry myself to sleep in a corner with an old pacifier I found in the floor vent and my tattered “wooby” blankey from 30 years ago recently discovered in a bin in the attic.

At least I came home with a poster that ends all posters – see for yourself.

Keep your comments as clean as possible…

This poster is the funniest thing that’s ever happened in my 10 year career.  Thanks for the memories NMA.

~ jason

“Abe Y – Jason, Some of my students used to think I was funny. Then we saw you at that BYU student thing in October and now you’re all they can talk about. I mean, I’ve tried the dinosaur and I look like Betty White tiptoeing through broken glass. So congrats, you are the new hero to 8 12-year-olds.”

I appreciate that.  That makes me feel like I am inspiring new dinos daily.  I just hope they got the message I tried to leave them about being different and blessing lives with it, not just chasing each other in the hallways.  But that’s cool too.

Then there are kind of weird messages, like the one I received a few hours ago today:

“Matthew –  jason, i need to talk to you i know where you live in utah so ya i met you up in montana so ya i want to have you meet my lady”

Ummm…how do I respond to this?

Oh well, at least we’ve got some things in common, like he and I both know where I live apparently, I love Montana, and it’s always nice to meet someone’s family.

I love feelin’ the love from new friends and those that enjoy following my wacky career.  Thank you for contacting me and giving me something to strive toward and better myself and my act.  As for the “I know where you live” references, let’s leave that to the full-time security guard I just hired to sit on my front porch.

This past week I performed a few shows, one mid-mountain after riding up a ski gondola at the Canyons Resort in Park City, UT at Sundance.  Pretty cool times at Sundance this year, including seeing Neon Trees in The House of Blues with about 50 people there.  I met the drummer, she is awesome, beautiful, and Rocks The House down

met Elaine Bradley of Neon Trees fame, Great Drummer!

I also had my first show at the Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln (near Sacramento), CA.  That gig was cool, here’s a shot of me headed to the gig from the airport

I'm in a hot tub but kept my feet out to stay dry

I had a nice lunch at the Casino, then won this timely suggestion from Panda Express in a Fortune Cookie

Some people just weren't meant to gamble

Then I received my Back Stage Pass for the Show, and although I thought I was #1 this night I realized quickly where things really stood in their eyes.  Yes, that’s FIVE zeroes before the 2

Sometimes you're only Second Best, behind five zeroes

I did the Show Wednesday, Sinbad, yes that Sinbad (there’s another one, he lives in Wyoming and runs an XY Nail Salon), did the Show Friday, so I’m assuming they gave him the #1 Visitor badge.  Probably.

I have a great concert coming in a few days on Feb. 4, (Tix HERE) and then it’s off to see the World in February!  I hope you can make it to support Dan Sloan’s need for funds to have brain surgery.  In fact I may be throwing my own fund raiser soon, the cost of the security guards and security cameras at my house are getting to be a bit much   See you soon – but not at my house!

~ jason