Bubba releases new book, CD
BY LISA NEWELL Gulf Breeze News lisa@gulfbreezenews.com

I grew up in Texas, and I thought I had had my fill of "bubbas," so I wasn't very keen on listening to or reading anything by a comedian named Bubba.

For a long time, I knew about Bubba Bechtol, our local celebrity comedian, and sort of dismissed him without taking the time to get to know him or his accumulation of work.

However, once we founded Gulf Breeze News, we had a lot of requests to carry Bubba's columns. Finally, I relented.

I began to read Bubba's columns and decided there was a lot more to Bubba than his good ol' boy persona. His columns were funny, and more often than not said something I wish I'd said first. He writes about what makes Pensacola Beach unique and he hit the mother lode of material with Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. Although he suffered from the brunt of those storms, having lost his house in both, he continues to find the humor in every situation. Sometimes, the best thing anyone can do is laugh about something, because it helps to ease the pain.

Bubba also writes some serious columns. I'll be honest that I don't agree with everything he as to say about politics and immigration, but I enjoy his columns about life in our local area. He frequently writes about his loves, wife Tarsha (nicknamed 'Lishous), his "watchdog" Rolex and recently about his mother, who passed away last month.

A local politician told me that he served with Bubba in one of the local Jaycees groups, and that Bubba could bring the crowd to its knees with his passionate orations. Or, he could have them down on the floor laughing at his humor.

Bubba once told me he was lucky enough to find a way to earn a living from doing the Bubba "schtick." Few people know what a commitment it takes to prepare material, travel to hundreds of venues, be on time and keep the audience wanting more. It takes a lot more than cracking jokes, like so many others who think they have what it takes to be a success. He's committed to performing a clean show, and he left a gig in Las Vegas because he invited families to attend before learning that the rest of the performers didn't share his values.

I recently got a promotional copy of Bubba's newest CD and slid it into the player on my car while my 11-year-old son and I were riding around. We were both laughing, which may say something about my level of humor, but also speaks to the fact that he appeals to people over a broad age range. I also enjoyed his previous CD, which helped solidify Bubba as one of my favorite comedians. His comedy ranks among the funniest I've ever heard.

Bubba makes jokes about his weight, his hair loss, his traveling schedule and much more. Nothing is sacred. He jokes about fat people, igmos (ignorant morons) and people from "up nawth," among others.

Now, Bubba moves into the world of published authors with his new book, "Who's your Bubba?" Look for a link on the Gulf Breeze News website, or come to the book signing party Saturday, Aug. 4 at Flounder's.