When Carrie Young is on stage, the stand-up says both excitement and nervousness are what’s normally going through her head. Being a good comedian, according to Young, is all about the desire to bring joy and laughter to people.

It was Randy and Donette Spence, Pastors of Salem’s Freedom Church at 128 Mill Lane, who inspired Young to get into comedy.

“I’ve been doing comedy and music for about a year now. It took a while, but my pastors eventually convinced me that comedy is my calling,” Young said. “Because I’m walking in what I’m supposed to be doing, there is peace whenever I have a microphone in my hand.”

Earlier this year, the comedy duo of Austin Moyers and LeBrandon Marie contacted Young about doing a show at her church while they were touring in the area. The two friends have been performing together for ten years, and it showed when they were on the stage last Sunday. The Christian-based comics usually start each show with a prayer.

“Today, we are going to start with a more youthful prayer. ‘Yo God. What’s up? It’s your boy Austin. We ask tonight that you let the service be lit. We want to keep it 100 hundred for you. We ask that our jokes be crispy, and for our dabs to be clean. Please let these people keep it real. In your name, we pray. Amen,’” Moyers said.

Added Marie, “Have you ever been to a church service that felt like it was set in Medieval Times? I love seniors, but when it comes to their church announcements, I think it’s safe to say that it often takes way too long.”

Throughout her set, Young spoke about her family. Those skits inspired more than just a few laughs and knee slaps from the audience.

“I got to give props to my husband. Bless his heart. We have a lot of boys, and I could give you the best memory from when they were babies. So, my husband is a little bit of a germaphobe. When we were just starting out, our middle child, who wasn’t even two yet, was in our bedroom,” she said with a smile on her face. “I wake up to my husband screaming ‘Carrie.’ When I take down the hallway, I see that my child is butt-naked, and he has taken his diaper off. Before long, he was making a mess and throwing it at his dad.”

Young was born in Roanoke and raised in Salem. She credits her single mom, who worked as a waitress to provide for her three children, for giving her the drive and confidence that she has today.

For more information about Carrie Wray Young, check out her Facebook page.