OFFICIAL STATEMENT

We’ve all been waiting for something explaining what’s going on. Here it is. I am %100 sure the following letter is completely legit, and directly from Mike David himself. He contacted this blog directly to give you the following statement.

“Hey all – I know a lot of you must be very confused right now as to what the state of RED BAR is – let me tell you, no one is as confused as I am. Currently I only have certain pieces of this extremely complicated puzzle, and without figuring out what is really going on, I can say very little. No one is more frustrated and out of the loop than I am at this moment, but I think that patience will be the best bet right now.

All I can possibly say without endangering myself, is that I have no way of communicating with my audience, or any access to my accounts – personal or Red Bar related.

I can’t really say much more, but I would like to ask EVERYONE to keep an open mind about everything you may hear until I am able to speak. I do not know what is going on, and until I am in the proper position to be part of the conversation, I kindly ask that everyone keep the assumptions to a minimum. Everyone will have a chance to hear this story, and comment on it, but again, I feel that that cannot be done fairly without my ability to be a part of it.

I’m not sure if even saying this much has put me in jeopardy, but I can’t sit here knowing that the fans are overwhelmed with questions. Currently, there is NO WAY of getting in contact with me, so again, please be patient.

Oh, I should probably add that I am not being held hostage, in jail, or anything like that. I am safe in that sense.

Again, my biggest request right now is that until I find out what is going on, that all talk and rumors be put on hold. I know that is asking a lot, and this message probably just makes things more confusing. I don’t not want things to spin out of control until I am able to comment on them myself.

I would like to add that this is not just a statement to listeners of Red Bar, but also to everyone that knows me personally. Friends, enemies, listeners, etc – I know that everyone has something to say or to ask, but just try to remind yourself that I am unable to comment, and that there is a reason for that.  It is so very important to everyone that we don’t let rumor become the unofficial truth right now.

I will continue to release updates when I am able to. Thank You.

MIKE DAVID”

To honor Mike’s wishes, comments are disabled. I know we’re all concerned, but any speculation beyond this point is unnecessary.

Statement from James Fritz

I am no longer working with Mike David or Red Bar Radio. I stayed on there as long as I did for one reason only, the fans, so I wanted to tell you what’s going on with me. If you’re a listener and you know me at all then you know that by now I realize that life’s too short, or if they create a pill that cures all my surely undiagnosed diseases, too long. Either way, it’s the only life I get. You’ll also know that I haven’t always been the best at taking advantage of opportunities in a positive way, and I have an opportunity now. To start something new. To start something of my own. I’ll be premiering my very own humble podcast in the next 4-6 weeks. I’ve very excited about this project.  I hope you’ll give it a try, or at the very least, respect my decision. Thank you all so much for your support over the past 4 years. It means the world to me.

Statement from Kyle Lane

As most of you may know by now, I have severed my business relationship with Mike David. I truly believe Mike is a very gifted on-air talent, I bare him no ill-will, and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

However, Mike and I had a material disagreement over the direction of our business relationship, and I felt certain actions taken by Mike compromised the integrity of the business of the Red Bar Comedy Club.
I unequivocally believe that treating people as a whole with honesty, gratitude, positivity, and respect is the only way to pursue any venture, whether it be through friends, family, or business relations, and I did not believe Mike was equally committed to these ideals.
Our split will allow each of us to pursue our businesses as we see fit.
I genuinely believe in the Chicago Comedy Scene, and will do everything in my power to support it, protect it, and do everything possible to help make Chicago the best place for comedy. I would like to thank my family, friends, and supporters – you truly are the reason I pursue my convictions.
P.S. Jafar!
# # #
Kyle Lane, The Comedy Bar Chicago Proprietor

Statement from Drew Michael

Dear Internet weirdos,

My relationship with Mike David and all things Red Bar is over. While certain details of this decision will (necessarily) remain private, I wanted to say a few things.

Mike and I were working closely on a number of projects that seemed to offer nothing but great opportunities for the both of us. As you all know, stand up is very important to me, so it was with a heavy heart that I decided to scrap these projects and the relationship altogether.

Mike’s business and personal ethics and practices to not conform or fit to mine. I maintain certain moral precepts with which I do not believe Mike agrees. This fundamental disagreement can not be overcome. Rather than fight about these issues or tacitly condone them with continued silence, I have decided to walk away.

I wanted to take this time to apologize as well. I have a tremendous amount of guilt over some of the things I’ve tacitly condoned or otherwise supported. I wish I could say more, but I was somewhat blinded by the (delusion of) opportunities and became apathetic to all that was outside of them. I sincerely apologize to anyone who was hurt during that time by things I either did personally or with which I associated myself. I want you to know that I am aware of the consequences and thus remorseful of my actions and I can only do my part to improve myself in the future. I look forward to those opportunities.

Thanks for reading, listening and hopefully understanding.