Chip Chinery's memoir is a look in front of, and behind the curtain, at what actually happened his first year as a full-time professional stand-up comedian, during the ‘80s comedy boom . Chip kept a journal and snapped pictures at every gig. Some of the comics were or would become household names. Most would remain unsung. Then there was his 17-year-old opening act who would reach the pinnacle of stand-up fame and fortune. Before acting in 200+ movies, sitcoms, commercials, and winning a regional Emmy - Chip was a stand-up comic. He did his first open mic at age 16. Seven years later, Chip quit his 9 to 5, and started touring on the stand-up comedy circuit. This memoir is packed with over 500 photos and images of memorabilia, and even more stories and lessons learned that first year on The Road. It's a must for any stand-up comedy fan! “Charging Mount Stand-Up is a fun read. I was happy to be included in the book as Chip recalls us playing together in Niagara Falls back in the 1900's. Do yourself a favor, buy his book!” - Brian Regan – Stand-up comic, American Comedy Award winner “Fantastic book! I loved it! The detail in the book is mind blowing. It should be in some kind of national archive as a window into a very specific time and way of life.” - Alex Reid – Stand-up comic, Emmy winning TV writer ( Malcom In The Middle ) & director ( Young Sheldon ) “Very entertaining from beginning to end, with a very notable chapter entitled ‘Billy Hicks and Sinbad in Bizarro Nashville’ which will leave you howling with laughter! Great book!” - Kirk Mangels – Telly & CINE award winning Documentary filmmaker “To borrow from Spinal Tap, Chip has captured the sights, sounds, and smells of what it was like to be a stand up starting out in in the comedy boom of the late 80s. A must read for anyone who knows how to read. Or anyone who doesn’t know how to read but knows someone who knows how to read who can read it to them.” - Tom Hertz – Stand-up comic, Emmy winner, Creator of TV show Rules of Engagement “Amazing memoir. What a delight... I had no idea he kept such obsessive notes about EVERY act he worked with. AND snapped pictures too. Chip bares his soul about the doubts, fears, triumphs, and ambitions of a comedian at the very beginning of his career. Plus, he quotes some of his favorite jokes from his act as well as some of the acts he worked with. Highly recommended.” - Mac King – The #1 comedy magician in the world today - MAGIC Magazine “Fantastic Book! I loved it! This memoir provides hilarious, first-hand insight to the life of a stand-up comic. As a lifelong fan of stand-up comedy, I recommend this book to likeminded fans everywhere!” - Jon Schroeder – Emmy winning writer for Bob's Burgers, and stand-up enthusiast “Just as Jim Bouton’s classic book Ball Four gave readers a fascinating look at the life of a baseball player in 1969, Chip’s book is an equally fun look at a stand-up comic's life in the late 1980’s. Super fun read!!!” - Rob Loeb – Triathlete, Certified Financial Planner “A behind-the-scenes look at the minor leagues of comedy. Dead-on accurate (and thoroughly entertaining). This is the most realistic depiction of the actual highs and lows of being a stand-up comic I've seen in any medium.” - Grant Taylor – Stand-up comedian, WGA award winner for Hollywood Game Night “Having worked with several thousand comedians and variety performers, I was thrilled to read Chip's book, which provides an amazing, insider’s look at the road life of an emerging comedian in the late 80's. Required reading for real fans of Standup, including today's emerging artists.” - Tom Sobel - President TSM Artists / Comedy Caravan