Walter Campbell grew up watching stand-up comedians such as Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and Lenny Bruce.

Campbell idolized, and still does idolize, those performers. He just doesn't want to be like them.

He'll put his act on display Saturday, June 16, when he and others perform at the Praise & Punchline Gospel Comedy Show.  The event, which also features comedians Bone Hampton and Cleto Rodriguez, aims for a similar experience found at most comedy clubs, minus a few vices.

“You don't have to be Christian to come to the show,” said Campbell, who was the winner of the 2007 “Funniest Person in South Texas” contest. “It just provides an outlet for people who want to hear comedy without selling alcohol or smoking, or where you don't know what you're going to get from the comedians.”

What Campbell  you won't get from the show is a scripture lesson.

 “What this is is a good environment, a family environment,” he said. “One where you can bring your family and friends and not worry about (ex-“Seinfeld” star) Michael Richards going off on a tangent.”

Clint Hale | 210SA