steve harvey morning show

Halifax County resident Barry Burnside is literally bringing Side Splittin Entertainment to Weldon.

Burnside and his company will present Nephew Tommy and his comedy show April 12 at The Centre at Halifax Community College. Best known from his role as a personality on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Nephew Tommy will perform twice while in Weldon, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

It's a dream come true for Burnside, who has always wanted to use his job as a promoter to draw talent to the area so people would not have to drive a long way to have a good time.

Burnside came to the area after marrying Shirl, a Halifax County native, and they have a daughter, Shirronda Marrow. He and his partners have run Side Splittin Entertainment for three years, and he is the CEO of Southside Virginia and North Carolina from the Roanoke Valley down to Raleigh.

He grew up with promoters in his family, including his uncle Harold, who used to work as a head promoter for Warner Bros.

Side Splittin' Entertainment, which is based in Hampton, Va., has put on shows with performance artist Mo'Nique, comedians Rick Smiley and Katt Williams, musicians and more. The company has brought these acts to several states, including New York, Florida and Virginia, and now Halifax County will join the list.

“It was a dream of mine to bring entertainment to this area,” Burnside said. “I'm just a people person. My satisfaction is just going to be the response of the people, seeing them laugh - that's my benefit.”

And Nephew Tommy in particular has always been on his radar. “I think people will enjoy Nephew Tommy. He's really funny,” he said. “I'm just very excited. I think it will go very well.”

Burnside describes Nephew Tommy as also being down to earth, and said his style and what he's seen on The Steve Harvey Morning Show caught his eye. He has also caught the interest of others in the area, as Burnside said sections are selling out fast.

To help promote the show, Side Splittin Entertainment is giving away limousine transportation to and from the show. They will hold a drawing to select a seat number, and the ticketholder with that seat will be able to take a limo to and from the show with seven of his or her friends.

His job, Burnside said, is about linking people and growing relationships. If someone wants to sponsor a comedy show, for example, Burnside's company talks with the talent, then goes to the desired venue to meet with its director and sees what dates are available. They look at what is going on in the weeks before and after the show as well, to make sure their event is unique.

They also review the performer's act or style, to make sure it is appropriate for the event. The rest is advertising and promotion, and although Burnside said he only gets to see a few minutes of each show, it's worth it to him to meet the entertainers and get to know them and the communities they work in.

So far, their most successful show has been a performance by stand-up comic Katt Williams in Florida, and Burnside said Williams was also one of the best people to hang out with. He said he also enjoys the comedy of Samorra.

The company wants to be versatile and work with all genres such as comedy, R&B, gospel and jazz music, plays and more.

“Entertainment is endless,” Burnside said, and added that he and his partners, Kip Johnson, Richard Turner and Mike Jones, are always looking for individuals or organizations wishing to sponsor a show.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling Burnside at (252) 532-7945, The Centre box office at (252) 538-4336 or NiKki's Hair Studio in Enfield at (252) 445-1210.

About Nephew Tommy

In addition to The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Thomas Miles tours the country performing at comedy clubs and other venues. For nearly three years, he was the exclusive opening act for the late great Luther Vandross.

Miles enrolled as the first black Theatre Arts major of Texas A&M University, he studied under Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Charles Gordone and trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company of London. His television and film work consist of appearances on Showtime at the Apollo, B.E.T.'s Comic View, Sister-Sister, The Parkers and his feature credits in the independent films Last Call, Thug Life and 4 Deep. He's also performed King Lear, Soldier's Play, Twelfth Nite, Colored Museum, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and What Ever Happened to Black Love?”