We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alan Peterson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Alan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I’m a creative/artist that also has a full-time job. When I officially finished my four years of undergrad at Syracuse University in the Summer of 2013; and then truly decided to dedicate my life to becoming a successful comedian/mogul, I had a full-time job the entire time. From 2013 to now. And having that “safety net” or stable income (although not much at all) has allowed me to live VERY modestly, but also most importantly, invest a portion of the funds I’m earning from my full-time job, right back into my creative/artistic endeavors. Matter of a fact, I would say having a full-time job can only help you as a creative/artist. I firmly believe that. I reject the idea that in order to truly be a “master of your craft” (specifically in entertainment) you need to have it be your one and only. “No Plan B”. I disagree with the notion that you aren’t really dedicated to your dream because you choose to have a job while trying to make it all happen. The whole argument: “It’s distracting you” or “It’s slowing you down”, is all bullshit. You can absolutely do both. I’m a living testament. Although for clarity, having a full-time job isn’t necessary to “make it” either. It all depends on what you as an individual have the bandwidth for. Just because I’m saying I’d suggest people have a regular job while they’re hustling for the real dream, doesn’t mean I don’t understand how incredibly difficult and frustrating that is. It’s exhausting. Trust me, I get it. I’ve been grinding for 16 years. I’m yearning and dreaming of the day where I no longer need a regular job to pay my bills. But until then, I have to do what I have to do. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t walk and chew gum at the same time. I don’t need to be struggling, suffering, and living in a box on the street to be a master of the craft and/or to be a successful artist that’s committed. I’m all those things with a regular job too. And that’s on top of being a good person, and loving man to my girl, my family, and close circle of friends. Redd Foxx, the comedy legend said himself, and I’m paraphrasing: “It’s a lot easier to be funny on a full stomach.”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Dear Valued CanvasRebel Reader,

My name is Alan Peterson. It’s nice to make your acquaintance. Hopefully, by the time you finish reading this, you’ll have a better understanding of who I am, where I’m from, what I stand for, and where I see myself going. But most importantly, I hope by the time you finish reading this, you genuinely give a shit about any of those things I’m about to outline.

I was born and raised in Michigan, August 1991. Born in Detroit, but raised in the suburban city of West Bloomfield. I luckily have only fond memories of my childhood and growing up. My parents did well for themselves and I had a very blessed upbringing. But also a unique one, in the sense that you have a black family of 4 living in a mainly wealthy white and Jewish community. A very loving community for sure, but I often never felt fully understood or like I belonged. Because at the end of the day, the black experience in America is nothing like any other racial experience. And I’d be remissed if I didn’t point out that the black racial experience in America is rooted in pain, slavery, generational trauma, systematic discrimination, oppression, and a general hate for us (outside of our tremendous pop culture influence). So no matter where we go in this country as a black person, there’s a unspoken bond. An understanding. A type of kinship that other races often notice but don’t get and aren’t allowed in on.

With all that being said, there’s just certain cultural things Ezra just didn’t know anything about. And vice-versa. And as much as it’s nice to exchange knowledge, it’s even nicer to just be able to give someone a look and without saying a word, it’s understood. Nothing needs to be explained. The inside joke is clear and funny. They get it. Those moments feel great and I wanted to feel like I belonged. And being around more black people as often as I could, would allow me to have more of those moments.

But when I’d go visit my extended family in Detroit and then talk with their friends in the neighborhood, they’d ask me why I talked white. “Why does your voice sound so proper”. “Oh you from West Bloomfield, so you’re just an oreo”. “You’re soft”, and so on. I was hurt and confused. How is it that I don’t feel completely accepted by white AND black people? Where do I fit?

This was something that knawed at me but it only fueld my ambition and work ethic. It only made me want to make my own mark. I wanted to be my own super-successful black person who can dap up n*ggas in the barbershop while listening to Nickelback in his headphones.

I first started to express this sentiment, and voice, in music, but after opening for Damon Wayans at the age of 19, I knew that stand-up comedy was my real platform. My true vessel to speak through. One that was there the whole time but I didn’t realize, and afraid to pursue. I was always a naturally funny person, and loved watching stand up, but it took me until my freshman year of college to try it.

I quickly picked it up and saw success at a fast pace. But it still took 15 years after that night of opening for Damon Wayans, and “bumping my head”, and failing over, and over, and over, and over again in those years to finally be in a position to self fund, executive produce and independently distribute my Debut 1-Hour Comedy Special: Suburban Hooligan (ON TUBI & YOUTUBE NOW!).

My special explains my life, and is just as much conceptual as it is brand defining, but most importantly, it’s funny. This special represents me, my life and my complexities. It’s speaking up for the young suburban kid on the cul-de-sac that was “too white for black people, and too black for white people”.

I’m proud that I stuck to it and was able to release and express myself on my own terms. And to finally feel seen and heard and above all understood and respected, for just being me. Alan.

That’s what I stand for, it’s what has been driving me, and there’s so much more to come. After you watch my special, listen to my EP entitled C.O.D.E., and watch the music video for “MasterPeace” as well. I only plan to grow and diversify and continue to do it with love and collaboration in mind.

I hope this gives you at least a glimpse of who I am, because that’s really all this is. Continue to learn more with me. And remember, you are worth it and capable. And if a 34 year old overweight adult suffering from depression and anxiety can do it, then you might (heavy emphasis on the word ‘might’) be able to as well…haha…you absolutely can too.

Don’t ever stop. And I love you.

Sincerely,
Alan

Have you ever had to pivot?

There’s too many times to count where I had to adjust. That’s all my career has been. Using all the resources I have, and doing the best I can with them. And whatever obstacle that may get thrown in the way we have to maneuver, or else you’ll be stuck. And I’ve been stuck too. It all comes with the chase of the ever elusive dream, whatever that is for an individual. And that’s really what I had to adjust or pivot on: my expectations and compromise. I used to think that you never compromise or settle on your dream. That’s you giving up. But as I’ve grown, I’ve realized that it’s not giving up, as much as it’s your priorities changing. It’s realizing your dream may not look exactly to every detail what you see in your minds eye. It’s working smarter, not harder. What’s the point of hustling to dive for the ball that’s going out of bounds only to pass it back in bounds to the opposing player. Now you are hurting more than you are helping, for yourself and the team.

Also, some things in our past that used to give us some type of fulfillment or joy may not anymore. And that may alter your plans moving forward towards your dream as well. Unexpected life events can cause shifts in perception, and can alter what you want, or even have you contemplate quitting. That’s all part of it. Not easy whatsoever. Adjusting is probably one of the hardest things to do in life. Because how nice would it be for shit to work out the first time as planned. Wouldn’t that be something. Only in science fiction I guess.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My creative journey is always guided by me trying to get across an underlying point or truth. But I like to think I do it in a way where you don’t realize it. I’m giving my truth in an entertaining, funny and charming way. Which honestly is really how people best retain shit anyways. So I definitely have underlying messages in both my comedy and my music. But as I move forward and continue to challenge myself, I’m actually trying to be more silly for the sake of being silly, as opposed to always feeling like I need to express myself through some sort of parable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://youtu.be/LAQIXrSdh6E?si=QwO6rwnT8hyXKXA5
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agpthefunnyman?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlanPProductions?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-peterson-2abb4573
• Twitter: https://x.com/AGPthefunnyman?t=UJ5ZGHKitf19pqiDYI9WOw&s=09
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@agpthefunnyman?si=NiIea1DVvM3vyMbU
• Other: https://youtu.be/v_hHYhPvfaQ?si=jEx5Bs8–jbCWIFz

Image Credits

Steve Darby
Adam Fynke