The Whole Sh’BANG Rich Jones

Kettering man uses his life experiences — including being a victim of identity theft — in his act.

KETTERING — When a thief stole Rich Jones' Social Security number and used it for his own advantage, he stole more than Jones' identity and credit. He also took Jones' opportunity for jobs.

Jones, 30, said he would go to interviews and the interviewers "would be so happy about bringing me in," but something unexplainable would happen and he would not get the job.

That is until Jones interviewed for a customer service job at a high-performance luxury car manufacturer. The interviewer asked Jones if there was anything unusual on his credit report. When Jones said no, the interviewer revealed to him that his report showed he had a $15,000 car loan and a joint account with his wife.

"I was telling everybody that I was single," Jones said, recalling his experience as he sat in the living room of his parents' Kettering home.

He didn't get the customer service job, but was able to get his identity back after nearly a month.

"They say imitation is the ultimate form of flattery," Jones said as he paused to set up the punchline to a joke. "Unless it's identity theft."

The identity theft experience is one of the many things in Jones' life that he jokes about as a comedian.

Jones said he decided to become a comedian after some friends started encouraging him to do so after seeing the amateur skits and parodies he had recorded.

He started pursuing a career in comedy in February 2006 and did his first show in the summer of that year at Lawrie Baptist Chapel, 1929 N. Main St. in Dayton, where he was a member at the time.

So far, Jones has performed in cities around Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia and California.

"I try to perform at least once a week," Jones said.

Jones likes to perform in churches, but said he also likes "to perform in clubs and bars because that's the only way you can find out if you are funny or not." He said that sometimes church audiences will laugh only out of encouragement.

When asked if there were any topics that are off limits in his routine, Jones said, "I stay away from cursing, drugs and sex. ... It's so cheap to go there."

Right now, Jones is being mentored by Thor Ramsey, a stand-up comedian and author in California.

Ten years from now, Jones said he hopes to be doing comedy full-time without having to supplement his income. He is currently a substitute teacher with various school districts in Montgomery, Greene and Warren counties.

Jones also is working on an independent comedy video that features his work. - Kelli Wynn