We recently connected with John Chaos and have shared our conversation below.

John, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Way back in 2006 I had the chance to go over to Europe to visit a friend of mine. I had planned to take my gear with me to perform because I figured it would be a working vacation. Two days before I was to get onto the plane my friend sent me an email saying that I needed to wait that due to a family illness it was better that I came at another date. I sat there and looked at my computer and I had already invested all this money into getting over to Europe that nothing was going to stop me. I went through my contacts and emailed another friend that lived in Northern Italy to ask if I could crash at his place for awhile.

The day came that I was going to get onto the airplane and I still had not heard back from my friend. I made the decision that I was going and nothing was going to stop me. So I headed to the airport and got on the plane. I had a layover in Philadelphia and there I checked my email and my friend had replied to my email and said sure come on up. So I flew 14 hours from Dallas to Rome and then from there I took a 3 hour train ride up to Voghera Italy.

This trip would change my live forever. My friend ran a booking company and a band from the United States was coming over to tour Europe. So he worked it out that I was able to join up with the tour. I spent 3 weeks going all around Europe playing shows and living in a van. But if I had not bet on myself and gotten onto that plan then this would of never happened.

Somethings you have to risk it all. Buy the ticket and take the ride!

John, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I perform a One Man Circus Sideshow which I have been doing for 20 years. At a John Chaos show you can witness these amazing acts: Hammering nails into his face only to be followed by the daring feat and danger of a drill. Walking on broken glass and using it as a cousin between the ground and someone else’s body. Strait Jackets, animal traps of all types and throwing darts are all props you’ll see used in ways you never thought possible at a John Chaos show.

I love being able to put on a show that most people have never seen in their life. You will see amazing stunts, hear some corny jokes and stories. Overall you have a great time! In a world were we spend all day in front of a screen seeing a John Chaos Sideshow will make you put down your phone and enjoy the an unique experience that you will not forget.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think that we need more places for variety artist to perform at. When it comes to performing in a band you can call or email any club in and send them a demo and get a gig. When it comes to a variety performer it can be hard because there is no demo album to send them. Yes we do have promo videos but really there is no nationwide venue system for performers like myself. 100 years ago you could get onto the vaudeville circuit to make a living. Nowadays that is not as easy. I feel like general public should support local performance artists if that is magicians, sideshow, dancers. There is a big world out there of different performers to see and support.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There are two books that have really helped me when it comes to how I run my Sideshow. And they are Band:Smart and Tour:Smart both of them are written by Martin Atkins of PigFace fame. They will give you the down and dirty honest truth of how you should set and run your band and how to tour. Both of these books will be really helpful when it comes to sitting things up. I highly recommend going out to Martin’s website and ordering both them.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.johnchaossideshow.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnchaossideshow
• Facebook: facebook.com/johnchaossideshow
• Twitter: twitter.com/johnchaos13
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnChaosSideshow