By GLEN WINDRAM

Special to the Journal

1969: The moon landing, Woodstock, the Manson murders, President Nixon, Joe Namath, the Amazin’ Mets and comedians that were funny. It was a memorable time for those who lived in that era. Color televisions were becoming the norm.

The announcer intones, “From CBS studios, it’s the Red Skelton Show starring Red Skelton.” Fast forward 50 years to 2019: CBS now stands for Crestview Band Supporters and Red has been gone for several generations.

But Brian Hoffman aka “Red Skelton” comes to the Performing Arts Center at Crestview High School to present two shows on Saturday.

Brian’s show has been recognized the past three years with the Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor. The Associated Press has stated “Mr. Hoffman’s tribute reminds us that Red’s clean family humor and love for country should still have a place in today’s world.”

Brian is the only authorized impersonator of Red Skelton, having been given that honor by Red’s widow, with whom Brian maintains a close relationship. A typical week for Brian consists of performing six shows at the Red Skelton Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Theatre-goers are whisked back in time and enjoy a 90-minute show, featuring Red’s immortal characters, Clem Kadiddlehopper, Freddie the Freeloader, and the Mean Widdle Kid. A video featuring music and cars from the 60’s entertains the guests prior to the show. Guests are also treated to a display of some of Red’s wonderful art work. Few know Red was an accomplished artist.

Several times during the year, Brian will hit the highways of our country to do some road shows, which are identical to the performance one would see at his theatre in Pigeon Forge.

The upcoming trip to northeast Ohio is very special for Brian, as he once lived in Damascus and his sons graduated from West Branch High School in the early 2000’s. He is looking forward to renewing some old acquaintances from the area who will be coming to see his local performances.

A self-described ‘Prairie Dog’ Brian was born in North Dakota in 1961. During his teenage years, he did what many young entrepreneurs do in North Dakota: shovel snow. “Never did I think I would go from shoveling snow to being an entertainer in Vegas and Pigeon Forge.” He claims he was not a disruptive child, certainly not the class clown, and only dabbled into the world of show business a single time. Having a small one-line part in the 5th grade Easter pageant, he was to rise from among the onlookers and deliver his awe-struck words about the Easter Egg. Sadly, a fellow actor was pinning Brian’s pantleg, causing him to exclaim the much unexpected words, “You’re standing on my panties.”

After graduation from Dickens High School in 1979, he entered the workforce as a hospital dishwasher before becoming a welder in the oil fields, a skill he trained for in high school. He pointed out that was the coldest job one could do in the winter and the hottest job one could have in the summer. In 1987, at the age of 26, Brian decided he had enough of the cold in North Dakota, so he moved to ………… Minnesota. While there, he worked a variety of jobs, including being a used car salesman and doing cold calls.

In 1992, he became a Buckeye, moving to Northeast Ohio to be part of a business venture. While living in Kent and Damascus, he was a truck driver for R + L and a parts manager. He began performing some karaoke at open mic comedy clubs.

Blessed with a strong voice, he branched out in the impersonation field. In 1997, he began performing as Grandpa Munster from the television show ‘The Munsters”

Often the longest part of the work day was getting the makeup done. Brian learned to do that himself so he could spend more time at home before heading to work. This was fine, except when his son’s friends came over, and were told they couldn’t use the bathroom because Dad was putting on his makeup.

In early 2005, when he was no longer able to drive truck because of back issues, Brian, in his own words, decided to “run away from home.”

The plan was to reach Las Vegas and try to catch on as an opening act at one of the many theatres. He was given an opportunity to open for a 50’s/60’s show which enabled him to bring his family west.

On more than one occasion, friends and sometimes just plain strangers would come up to Brian and tell him he looked and sounded like Red Skelton. Finally, he was convinced to give it a try and in 2008, he became the full-fledged Red. In 2009, he got his own show performing at the Westin Theatre, eventually surpassing David Brenner as the longest running show at the theatre.

In 2014, with the Westin Theatre closing its doors and the desire to return east “to be more in the grandbabies’ lives” Brian, a very spiritual man, left home again, this time for Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Scouting out available venues in which to perform and potential living arrangements, Brian found both near the end of his planned trip and made plans for the move back east.

Since settling in Pigeon Forge, he has been very busy doing his show at the Red Skelton Theatre. So similar in many ways to the real “Red,” Brian enjoys entertaining visitors with his one-man performance; keeping up the theatre, taking ticket orders over the phone, ushering guests to their seats, doing the show, and then cleaning up afterward.

His visit to the area is a fundraiser for the Crestview Music Boosters to help provide funds for a Disney trip next year to perform.

Show times are 4 and 7 p.m. A $20 ticket includes a spaghetti dinner. No, Brian is not cooking it. Tickets are available at Crestview High School during school hours. For more information, call 330-692-1830 or 330-727-6152.