Meet CT Adams | Comedian/Wine Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with CT Adams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi CT, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is the key to growth. At one point in my career I was the USA national brand ambassador for Ararat Brandy. My team put together advertisement and social media campaigns and this ultimately took me to Armenia, where the manufacturing takes place. The journey had such a positive impact on me through the food, people and the inspiring sense of community was everywhere. And it was fun! I love traveling around the world and meeting new people. I’m glad I took the risk to experience international travel and work outside of my comfort zone. My comedy career has also experienced risks and challenges. I had a milestone in 2023 when I performed at the world famous Comedy Store and The Ice House venues for the first time. So after a few years of doing this, I feel the risks are paying off. I am having fun with like-minded artists and getting paid, what could be better?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

It all starts with being a bartender in Palm Springs. To get paid for making people laugh is the first skill you learn at a resort bar. My knowledge of alcohol and humor grew together. I worked everywhere I could, from weddings to funerals. My wine career began at Los Angeles Wine Company, ironically located in Palm Desert, CA.

I moved to Los Angeles to begin a career in wine, but I could not break into the wine scene. Instead, I worked in the TV field, first at Sony then for shows on BET and CMT and finally on the show ‘Little People, Big World.” Eventually I found my way back to the wine world in Studio City, where I ran a very popular tasting bar and wine store. During my showcasing of wine, I would weave in humor with the education. I then started to do standup at local clubs/bars in Los Angeles. Shoutout to Sally Mullins for running a mic at The Pig and Whistle in Hollywood, where I got my first taste of true rejection and adulation. Eventually I took a comedy class to improve my writing at Tao Comedy Studio. There I made some good comedy friends, many of whom I still perform with today.

I feel people are born funny. Then we write the material down and we work hard to refine that material. No matter what field you are in, the refining of a product is the key to moving forward. Of course there are always false prophets, promising you a shortcut to your goals. No such thing exists! Buyer beware.
In comedy, there are so many lessons to be learned, in terms of performance. No advice fits all comedy situations; to quote the majestic Al Bahmani “No one cares, be funnier!”
For me, there are three big connectors that I focus on during a comedy performance: Connection to self, connection to material and connection to the audience. If I lose one of these connections, I can lose focus and that leads to a subpar performance. Stay connected!

My business is split into two parts, although they frequently blend into each other.
As the Wine Jerk, I am a wine expert that specializes in wine education [for people] and wine buying [for business]. I take the ‘scary’ out of wine. I try to tailor each experience to the clients needs. I am on wine podcasts and at wine events around the Southwest United States.
As a Stand-Up Comedian, I perform wherever and whenever I can. I am lucky to share the stage with a multitude of different comics and funny people. I also punch up jokes, edit presentations and help people throw away screenplays. I have been on many podcasts and always enjoy talking to new people and reaching a new audience.

I am most proud of the fact that my job is a mix of my two favorite things: Comedy and Wine. When it comes to wine I am happy to find a laugh, but I do take my comedy seriously.
One thing that brings me joy is the fact that no matter what the situation, I can be me. In the wine world, I can find the wines and stories that interest me and bring them to the client. In comedy, I get to write and perform my own material, and then bring that material to the stage and it feels good to have that artistic freedom. ‘You live and die by your wit’ was the first thing a good bartender taught me and that phrase still rings true.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Food is the key to any travel. You don’t come to LA to test out the Taco Bell. Let’s start at CANTER’S DELI: you can have a giant pastrami sandwich and watch a comedy show in The Kibbitz Room, where I have performed many times.
Next you gotta try ZANKOU CHICKEN. The garlic sauce is world-famous.
Shoutout to my favorite restaurant in the valley, MISTRAL. I have done hundred of wine events here. A classic bistro, with a steak and martini as good as any.
Another valley gem in BONEYARD BISTO, on Ventura Blvd. My wife and I used to live up the street and we would always end up here on Sunday afternoons. Usually we enjoy some ribs and gumbo.

In Valley Village, just off the 101 and Laurel is AJ’S TEX-MEX & BARBECUE, simply the best.

I must insist that you visit THE GETTY, an incredible multi-level museum that is free to attend. It is my favorite place in Los Angeles.

For Comedy it’s the big 3: The Comedy Store, Improv and Laugh Factory. But this is LA! There are hundreds of incredible shows to attend every night. You never know who you will see.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who make it happen. First to my wife Marlie, I could not do this without her! She is the best person I know.
Shoutout to my comedy family:

Mike Muratore, Lindsey Loon, Suwon Weaver, Ron Bush, Wendy Wilkins, Keith Graber, Ryan Talmo [The Valley Jesus], Owen Garrett, Gini Sikes, CAN’T EVEN Comedy, Mary Huth, Elyssa Phillips, D-ROD, Kevin, Jazzy, Dave, Juelz, Carol and the list goes on and on…

Website: TheWineJerk.com

Instagram: @CTAcomedy

Twitter: @CTAcomedy

Other: CTAcomedy.com