Comedian Brad Williams Brings 'Tall Tales Tour' to Louisville

The affable showman discusses his surreal experiences on and off stage, including working with Rob Reiner and Elton John.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:05pm

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Comedian, actor, and podcast host Brad Williams is set to headline The Louisville Palace on Thursday, April 2 with his all-new 'Tall Tales Tour.' In a recent interview, Williams discussed his path into the entertainment industry, the process of developing new material, dealing with hecklers, and his experiences acting in projects like 'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues' alongside the late Rob Reiner and Sir Elton John.

Why it matters

As a successful comedian with a unique perspective, Williams' insights into the creative process and challenges of live performance provide an entertaining and insightful look into the world of stand-up comedy. His ability to connect with audiences and find humor in everyday situations resonates with fans, making him a must-see act for comedy lovers in Louisville.

The details

Williams first discovered his passion for comedy at age 19 when a stand-up comedian invited him on stage during a show and he found that his honest, unfiltered responses got big laughs from the audience. He then began doing open mic nights and eventually dropped out of college to pursue comedy full-time. While Williams enjoys acting, he says he prefers the immediate feedback and creative freedom of stand-up, where he can try out new material and get a real-time reaction from the audience. When it comes to dealing with hecklers, Williams says he's developed a repertoire of comebacks over his 22 years in the business, noting that hecklers often don't realize he's already thought through every possible scenario.

  • Williams will perform at The Louisville Palace on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
  • He recently recorded a new comedy special a couple of months ago and is currently working on writing new material.

The players

Brad Williams

A comedian, actor, and podcast host who is set to headline The Louisville Palace on April 2 with his 'Tall Tales Tour.'

Rob Reiner

The late director who Williams worked with on the film 'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.'

Elton John

The legendary musician who Williams had a memorable interaction with on the set of 'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.'

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What they’re saying

“When people are like, 'Do you love acting,' I always say, 'I like it, but I like stand-up more.' Acting is when you work on a project, and then 8 months later, it comes out, and you hope people like it. Stand-up is an immediate transaction. I tell a joke, you either laugh or you don't laugh at the joke. And I know right when I tell the joke if you liked it or not.”

— Brad Williams, Comedian

“Working with Rob Reiner was amazing though. He's a fantastic director. He absolutely knew what he wanted. And he knew how to tell you in a way where you could see just what he wanted. But also, he trusted you. And he hired you for a reason.”

— Brad Williams, Comedian

“When we were doing the scene, there was a live audience there. And in between takes, you know, they would yell stuff out. There's something like 900 people in the audience, and they would yell at him, and then they would yell at Wee Man, who was also in the movie. And then one guy yelled out, 'Brad Williams, we love you.' And then everyone started saying it so I waved at the audience, and when I waved, Elton John, who I hadn't said one word to me the entire time, turns around on the piano bench and just goes, 'Who the fuck are you?'”

— Brad Williams, Comedian

What’s next

Tickets for Brad Williams' 'Tall Tales Tour' stop at The Louisville Palace on April 2 are on sale now.

The takeaway

Brad Williams' unique perspective and ability to find humor in everyday situations have made him a rising star in the comedy world. His insights into the creative process and challenges of live performance offer an entertaining and insightful look into the world of stand-up, making him a must-see act for comedy fans in Louisville.