Twelve years ago, Steve Brown hadn’t considered trying standup comedy. But when he met comedian Ricky Smiley, everything changed.

Smiley was doing a show at Stillman College in Brown’s hometown of Tuscaloosa, Ala. Brown was acting as master of ceremonies and caught Smiley’s attention.

Smiley asked Brown if he had ever thought about being a comedian. Before he knew it, Smiley had written a few jokes for him, and Brown was touring the country and getting laughs as Smiley’s opening act.

Brown said he didn’t become a professional comedian for another two years. But since then, he has been touring steadily and doing shows at clubs, civic centers and colleges.

Brown will be performing his second Western show at 8 p.m. Friday at DUC Theater, and also hosting the Homecoming step show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Diddle Arena.

His first Western show was in March at Van Meter Hall opening for … you guessed it, Ricky Smiley.

The show is being sponsored by the Office of Diversity Programs. Monica Burke, the office’s associate director, said she had heard a lot of positive feedback about Brown after the March show, so Diversity Programs wanted to bring him back. She said people like him because of his unique, physical comedic style.

Brown said he felt like the students responded really well to his March show and he hoped they would come back this time.

Colleges are some of Brown’s favorite venues. The students are a good audience, and it makes him feel like he’s back at Stillman, he said.

Brown’s college days were important to him because he still holds dear his membership in Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

Brown said he still pays homage to the fraternity every time he does a college show and usually gets to know members of the local chapter.

“It’s a special thing to be an Omega man,” he said.

Brown said he feels fortunate to have lasted as long as he has in show business. He said a lot of comedians don’t make it in the long run because they can’t handle the pressures that come along with success.

Brown has appeared several times on Black Entertainment Television’s “Comic View” as well as the HBO series “P. Diddy’s Bad Boys of Comedy.”

He said he has handled his success by trying to leave business on the road, and simply enjoying his audiences’ laughter.

“When I’m on stage, nothing else matters,” he said.

Despite his touring schedule, Brown still finds time to host a comedy show every Tuesday at the Black Orchid club in Tuscaloosa, where he lives with his sons, Steven, Tanezs and Treven. He also manages to coach his son’s middle school football team.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $12 at the Office for Diversity Programs at 425 Potter Hall, or for $15 at the door.

Reach Hawkins Teague at features@wkuherald.com.