Get ready to laugh out loud because he’s coming to Selma. Nationally known comedian and host of BET’s “The Way We Do It,” Rickey Smiley will perform live Friday, July 26 at the Pride of the Alabama Elk’s Lodge, located on Water Avenue.

Show time starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 for VIP.

Smiley, the former host of BET’s Comic View,

is no stranger to Selma. He has performed here before. But his widespread popularity has urged his road manager, Willie Hudgins to bring him back to Selma.

For those who don’t know Smiley – he is a Birmingham native who got his start as a co-host/comedian on the radio station 95.7 Jamz in Birmingham. He continued to perfect his art, performing at various

shows throughout the state and eventually moved on to other states.

When he’s not taping episodes for his show, “The Way We Do It”, Smiley is touring the country every week, selling out wherever he goes to 1,500 to 2,000 people per show – of all ages, from 20 and on up, says Hudgins.

He’s also the voice behind the Church’s Chicken advertisements and has just finished filming the upcoming movie, “Friday III.”

Also billed on the show with Smiley is BET comics Sir Walt and Preacherman.

“It’s going to be a clean show. Anybody can come to this show. We try to cater to people in church and have a show anybody can relate to,” Hudgins says. “It’s guaranteed to be a great show.”

According to an employee at One Stop Record Shop, where tickets are being sold, ticket sales have been steady, but as with most shows in Selma, “people usually buy tickets at the last minute or day of the show.”

Hudgins said the Elk’s holds 600 people and Smiley will do two shows for those who can not get in at the first show.

For more information about Smiley, log on to www.rickeysmiley.com.

Tickets can be purchased at On Time Fashions, One Stop Record Shop or for those with credit cards, can call Ticket Web at 1-866-468-7630.