Standing in the back of the bar, just like a regular guy, was Wheezy Waiter. He was wearing a faded Star Wars t-shirt, so faded that you really had to look at it to make out what the design was. He’s right there. Do I go over and say hi? What the hell would I say? I would totally geek out. I’m geeking out right now!
Long Wong’s in Tempe is not a large place and so I think he noticed me from two feet away and that I was looking in his direction and I’m sure it made him uncomfortable. It would make me uncomfortable.
Finally, I walked over and waved (like a dork) and said I was a big fan. Decent start. I think he thanked me and I asked if it would be ok if I could get a picture with him. He said sure. So I did.
Exchange over, right? Wrong! Then he started up some small talk with me. I was SO not prepared for that. But he’s a cool guy and asked me where I was from and how to pronounce “Tempe” — was it “Temp-EH?” or “Temp-EE!” I laughed and said that it was with the “ee” sound but he would be fine in pronouncing it on stage with his band Driftless Pony Club.
And then, as predicted, I didn’t know what else to say and walked the five steps back to my seat. Yea, it was pretty epic.
Wait, wait! Are you telling me that you don’t know who Wheezy Waiter is?
Ugh, that’s awful. You’re really missing out on so much. Things like alligator pits, explosion Wednesdays (if they were a thing), loving when the coffee is done, how eagles are really annoying and how awesome it is to have clones to do your chores.
Don’t You Get It?!?! I Met A YouTube Celebrity
Still not making sense? Then you need to mosey on over to Wheezy Waiter’s YouTube channel and watch a couple of videos. At first they won’t make sense but don’t let that ruin the creativity that ensues from Craig Benzine’s (actually Wheezy Waiter) mind and that he acts out in his apartment, in Chicago or when on the road.
Doing What You Like Leads To Other Great Adventures
Wheezy Waiter, I’d venture to say, loves making videos. Otherwise he wouldn’t have created 543 videos and amassed 40 million views of said videos.
Additionally, he engages his audience with their comments, video Q&A chat rooms, video responses of blinks, contests … the list goes on.
And if he had not created videos day in and day out (even when no one was watching or when the content was so silly that he might have been discouraged from continuing) then he would not have established the loyal fan base that he has today. He may not have been approached to do a Ford commercial, which first introduced me to Wheezy Waiter/Craig Benzine.
This video:
While using Wheezy Waiter as his medium, Craig was featured on the well-received Orabrush YouTube commercials/branded channel, acts on the side with the Platoon of Power Squadron and tours with his band — Driftless Pony Club. Things that many of us just dream about doing and while I know this blog entry is more fan-girl than I would like, I have to admit that I do admire his drive, creativity and being able to witness that from one fun project stems other fun projects/videos.
If Nothing Else, Watch This Video
Below is a Choose Your Own Adventure video that showcases Wheezy Waiter’s creativity, combines his band’s fans with his own brand and makes the content interactive. Plus it’s fun.
Littlest Martha 