KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

Comedian and Grand Ole Opry member Henry Cho is kicking off is newest tour “The Empty Nest Tour” with selling out South Jackson Performing Arts Center (SJPAC).

In what has been an annual tradition, Cho will be making Tullahoma his second stop of his 29-city “The Empty Nest” comedy tour on Friday, Jan. 17, with show time at 7 p.m. at SJPAC. Tickets went on sale in November and sold out by early January. Those attending should be prepared for a night of laughter as Cho gives his comedic storytelling and shares anecdotes ranging from growing up as a Korean-American in Tennessee to everyday insights.  

“Funny man Henry Cho makes a return engagement for his annual comedy show in Tullahoma,” SJPAC officials said. “This will be a sold out event as we showcase one of the country’s foremost comedians of stage, TV and film.”

Cho has been performing stand-up comedy for nearly 40 years, and is known for being a “clean” comedian, where he abstains from using profanity and objectionable material in his acts. His clean routine has earned him the nickname “Mr. Clean.”

Cho’s work can be heard throughout the week on XM Radio’s Channel 151, Laugh USA, Sirius Radio’s Blue Collar Radio Channel 103 and Pandora Radio’s PG Comedy Radio Channel. Cho was the keynote entertainer for the 59th Annual Radio & Television Correspondents’ Dinner and has worked extensively with various acts like Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Willie Nelson, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire and many others.

Cho has been featured on many television shows including “The Arsenio Hall Show,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.” In 2006, he had his own Comedy Central special entitled “Henry Cho: What’s That Clickin’ Noise?” which is available on Apple TV.

He has also appeared in the feature films “Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation” in 1992, “Bandit: Beauty and the Bandit” in 1994, “McHale’s Navy” in 1997, “Say It Isn’t So” in 2001 and “Material Girls” in 2006. Some of Cho’s recent works include films like “Saving Faith” in 2017, which he co-starred and co-produced, “The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland” in 2020 and appearing in the television show “Stand Up Nashville!” in 2020.

In addition, Cho was inducted to the Grand Ole Opry in 2023 as the 229^th member, which was the first time in nearly 50 years that an invite was extended to a comedian with Jerry Clower being inducted to the Grand Ole Opry in 1973. He and fellow comedian and musician Gary Mule Deer were invited to become members during a Facebook livestream by musician Marty Stuart where the two were talking with Stuart about what makes comedy special at the Grand Ole Opry. Cho was officially inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in February 2023 by Vince Gill, Don Schlitz, John Conlee, Ben Isaacs and Steve Wariner, while Deer was inducted in March 2023.

“After Marty surprised me with the invitation, someone asked if this was a dream come true. I had to say ‘no way!’” Cho said after being invited. “Because I’ve never even imagined this happening, not in any realm. I love performing on the Opry stage and it’s going to be really incredible to continue performing here, but now as a member of this historic organization.”

For more information about tickets, call 455-5321 or visit southjackson.org. For more about Cho and his current tour visit henrycho.com or follow Cho on social media for updates.