The Commercial Break — TCB Infomercial: Dusty Slay
August 19, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of The Commercial Break, hosted by Bryan Green and Kristen Joy Hoadley, features the celebrated comedian Dusty Slay. Known as a “clean comic” and prominent figure in Nashville's comedy scene, Dusty joins the hosts for a lively, candid conversation about his comedic process, the Nashville comedy boom, classical music, career milestones, and his approach to life and laughter. The chemistry between the hosts and their guest delivers a vibrant mix of humor, insight, and inside-baseball knowledge of stand-up comedy, culminating in a rapid-fire, Southern-living-inspired game.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction & Setting the Scene
[05:55-07:12]
- Bryan and Krissy are recording remotely for the intro/outro due to a housewide skin infection.
- The episode is part of their "TCB Infomercial" series, spotlighting notable comedians.
- Dusty is introduced as a central figure in Nashville’s comedy resurgence, with two Netflix specials ("Working Man" and "Wet Heat") hitting top 10 status.
2. Dusty Slay on Comedy Output & Creative Process
[08:17-14:31]
- Dusty talks about releasing two Netflix specials in 18 months.
- On writing and discarding material:
"Some of these jokes I’m tired of telling... If it’s not recorded, then it just kind of goes into this abyss."
(Dusty, 08:35) - Emphasizes the importance of recording jokes to avoid losing them forever.
- Discusses the organic evolution of material:
"The more you create stuff, the more you want to create stuff. The more you feel the flow..."
(Dusty, 10:03) - Dusty prefers developing jokes onstage rather than scripting them, keeping material dynamic:
"If I just have an idea and I take it to the stage, mess around with it a little bit, you know, if it doesn’t work, we wave, we say we’re having a good time, and you move on."
(Dusty, 12:29)
3. On Comedy Community & Nashville’s Rise
[15:30-19:22]
- Dusty credits hanging with other funny people for keeping comedy muscles sharp.
- Explains the shift from small club sets to longer headline shows, striving to stay fresh and relevant.
- Reflects on early career moments at Atlanta’s Laughing Skull Festival, which proved pivotal as industry scouts noticed him when he stopped trying to impress:
"This time, I was just happy with my career... so I didn’t put this weird pressure on myself to impress people. I was just gonna enjoy myself."
(Dusty, 18:03)
4. Classical Music & Escapism
[19:21-23:22]
- Dusty shares his love for classical music, especially cello pieces, and its role in helping him relax and process the constant influx of information as a podcaster and comic.
"Classical music… is the most relaxing music in the world."
(Dusty, 19:42) - Talks about growing up in Alabama:
"I grew up in a trailer park, and I think at some point I just wanted to feel like I was classing it up a bit… so I just started listening to this music, and then I was like, ‘Oh, this is really great.’"
(Dusty, 21:03)
5. Comedy Frequencies, Mood, and the Science Behind Music
[22:29-24:41]
- Discusses possible connections between musical frequencies and emotions or health, referencing a (probably exaggerated) TikTok claim about classical music and cancer.
"Music is frequency and you can listen to stuff that gives you a boost in mood... there’s things that just don’t seem to jive the same way."
(Bryan, 23:13)
6. Favorite Bands & Music’s Impact
[24:28-25:17]
- Brief aside about the emotional impact of Limp Bizkit - “you can listen to Limp Bizkit and suddenly you’re like angry and resentful… just listen to some classical, relax for a second, chill out a bit.”
(Dusty, 24:41)
7. Grand Ole Opry, Wikipedia Myths & Comedy Generations
[26:06-28:09]
- Dusty clarifies the myth of being the youngest comic at the Opry, recounts how a new management connection led to his performance and opened doors for a new wave of stand-ups there.
"Once I did it, and it went well, I think the Opry was like, 'Oh, this can work... Let's get more, new younger people in here.'"
(Dusty, 27:47)
8. The Nashville Comedy Scene & Clean Comedy
[29:01-33:16]
- Details about how Nashville’s comedy ecosystem grew, especially during and after COVID.
- Monthly and weekly showcases boomed, often favoring clean or “within reason” comedy.
- Why Dusty works clean:
"I want you to be able to bring your aunt, or your mom, or your dad to the show and not be embarrassed... but I do like to say some things. I try to do it in the cleanest possible way."
(Dusty, 31:38)
9. The Art of “Edgy” Clean Comedy
[33:16-34:09]
- Dusty enjoys testing boundaries by “taking the audience right to the edge” but making them feel safe:
"If you establish some sort of line... then you can kind of inch up to the line and it feels edgy, even if it’s not really that edgy."
(Dusty, 33:16)
10. Callback, Openers, and Stand-Up Craft
[34:09-35:48]
- They riff on showmanship—opening too strong (like magicians or rock stars playing hits too soon):
"He kind of blows your mind with the first trick. And then the rest of the time he’s doing tricks that are like, ‘yeah, this is mind-blowing too, but you’ve already blown my mind...’"
(Dusty, 34:23) - “You always gotta have the callback.” (Bryan, 35:48)
11. “We’re Having a Good Time” Rapid-Fire Round
[36:32-44:13]
A light-hearted, yes/no game focused on Southern culture and road life. Notable exchanges:
- Waffle House at 2AM? — “Anytime.” (Dusty, 36:56)
- Mowing the lawn vs. fishing? — “I love mowing the lawn. The lawn is fun.” (Dusty, 37:51)
- Duct tape as a legitimate home repair? — “Absolutely.” (Dusty, 38:44)
- Eating boiled peanuts in the car? — “Absolutely. I love boiled peanuts... Anytime.” (Dusty, 39:36)
- ‘Y’all’ at a job interview? — “I say ‘y’all’ everywhere. Me too.” (Dusty, 40:23)
- Socks with sandals? — “Whether they’re looking or not, I’m not into it... If you’re wearing sandals, it’s time to feel free.” (Dusty, 42:43)
- Taking home hotel shampoo? — “I’m not against it... But I just think you can buy better shampoo... Just treat yourself better than that.” (Dusty, 43:52)
12. Comedy on the Road: Hotels, Touring, and Staying Grounded
[44:04-49:46]
- Dusty books his own hotels now, prefers mid-tier chains over luxury, keeps things practical.
- On career trajectory and fame:
“Nate’s reached this incredible level, but I’ve always believed… that Nate is just a couple of years ahead of me... but I don’t really have aspirations like that. I like comedy being in a tighter spot.”
(Dusty, 46:46 & 47:15) - Discusses fulfillment and happiness over relentless ambition, striving for a rich catalog over a singular big break:
“What I want, is to be able to look back and have a bunch of albums that are really funny... Just tons of comedy that people can watch.”
(Dusty, 49:46)
13. The “Art” over the Hype
[49:46-51:12]
-
Dusty and the hosts note the temptation to always focus on the “bigger thing,” but recognize value in building a respected body of work and authentic satisfaction.
“No matter where we get, we can always find something to go, oh, I didn’t get invited. We can be mad about not getting invited to something that a year ago we would go, oh well, I’ll never be invited.”
(Dusty, 50:41)
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On the Nashville Scene:
“When I moved there [Nashville] in 2014… Zany’s was great. And then… COVID hit, and a lot of LA/NY people moved to Nashville. Some left, some are still there… Now Nate [Bargatze] has a weekly showcase…”
(Dusty, 29:01) -
On creativity and writing:
“When I sit down and I write, I write not the way that I tell jokes… [but] if I just have an idea and take it to the stage, mess around… the audience laughs, because they’re in on it.”
(Dusty, 12:10–12:29) -
On ‘clean’ comedy:
“I don’t want to do comedy for kids… but I want you to bring your aunt or your mom or your dad to the show and not be embarrassed… I try to do it in the cleanest possible way.”
(Dusty, 31:38) -
On fulfillment:
“I just want to be able to keep doing that, have albums that are good and just tons of comedy that people can watch… I don’t want to lose touch.”
(Dusty, 49:46) -
On artistic satisfaction:
“We can always find something to go, ‘oh, I didn’t get invited’… and that’s where you’re like, you know, you just put on a little classical.”
(Dusty, 50:59)
Important Timestamps
- [08:17] — Dusty joins, talks about Netflix specials.
- [11:45] — Dusty explores how he develops material.
- [13:37] — Dusty discusses paring down jokes for maximum effect.
- [15:31] — The impact of hanging with funny people and the Nateland crew.
- [17:26] — Atlanta’s Laughing Skull Festival: career turning point.
- [19:21] — On classical music as relaxation and inspiration.
- [24:28] — On the emotional impact of Limp Bizkit, frequencies, and music.
- [26:06 & 27:47] — Myths about The Grand Ole Opry and ushering new comedians.
- [31:20] — Why Dusty chooses (and enjoys) clean comedy.
- [36:32] — 'We're Having a Good Time' rapid-fire round (Southern living bits).
- [44:04] — Touring, booking hotels, keeping things simple.
- [46:46]—[49:46] — On fame, ambition, and happiness in comedy.
- [51:12] — Dusty’s signature callback about classical music = processing life.
Tone & Atmosphere
- Laid-back, self-aware, friendly, and quick-witted, with plenty of good-natured ribbing and tangents reminiscent of old friends in conversation.
- Dusty Slay fits seamlessly, maintaining a gentle, thoughtful humor that never undercuts his sincerity or comedic craftsmanship.
Final Thoughts
- Dusty Slay is lauded by Bryan and Krissy as “absolutely delightful” and “a technician of comedy.”
- The episode provides valuable perspectives on joke creation, the realities of comedic ambition, staying grounded, and the distinctive flavor of Nashville’s scene.
- Standout segment: The rapid-fire “good time” round, which becomes a showcase for Southern quirks and Dusty's personality.
- Dusty’s current Netflix special "Wet Heat" is recommended as PG-13 and approachable for all but the youngest listeners.
To see Dusty Slay on tour or find his Netflix specials and podcasts, visit: dustyslay.com