July 2026 - Cover Story: Royal Wood III Is Proof That Persistence Pays Off
- Jul 7
- 4 min read
Ask Royal Wood III how to become a comedian, and don't expect a simple roadmap. After more than a decade of performing across New Mexico, hosting events, producing shows, and recently releasing his first comedy special, he's learned something many artists eventually discover: no two careers follow the same path. "I have no advice," Wood said with a laugh. "Everybody's journey is their own journey."
It's an answer that perfectly captures both his humility and his perspective. Comedy isn't a formula. It's a process of trial and error, growth and resilience, with every performer finding success in their own way.
For Wood, that journey began almost by accident. Long before audiences knew him as one of New Mexico's most respected comedians, he was known for something else entirely: karaoke. "I host karaoke every other Thursday at Sidewinders," he said. "I was doing funny little ad-libs, and a guy came up to me and said, 'I want you to do that for my show.'"
His first reaction? "No."
Although he initially turned down the invitation, the idea lingered. Eventually, curiosity won out. "I wanted to try writing jokes."
Unlike many comedians who spend months refining material at open mics before attempting a booked show, Wood's very first stand-up performance happened during an actual comedy show.
"It felt great," he recalled. "But I knew if I wanted to get better, I needed to start going to open mics." That decision marked the beginning of a career that now spans nearly thirteen years.
Those years of performing recently culminated in one of his biggest accomplishments to date: the release of his first comedy special, Royal Wood: What It Is, now available on YouTube.
Rather than viewing the special as the finish line, Wood saw it as the close of one chapter and the beginning of another. "It was basically a couple of years of work that I wanted to put out there for the people," he said.
The project featured fellow New Mexico comedians AJ Matthews, Trip Stumnicki, and Sarina Ochoa while showcasing the material he had spent years refining on stages throughout the state. Then, almost immediately after releasing it, he was ready to move forward. "I needed to write new jokes," he admitted with a smile.
For comedians, that's simply part of the process. Every finished hour of material creates space for the next one. Every performance becomes an opportunity to discover something new.
Having watched New Mexico's comedy scene evolve over more than a decade, Wood has developed a unique perspective on its growth. "It's ebb and flow," he said. "We have people come, we have people go, and people leave their mark."
He's watched generations of comedians enter the scene, develop their voices, and eventually create opportunities for those who followed. "I came into comedy when I was young and bright-eyed," he reflected. "Going through the years and learning about comedy and life made me wiser."
Along the way, he's watched fellow comedians—including many who started after him—grow into accomplished performers in their own right. "I'm proud to say Albuquerque has a scene where people are working," he said. "People are hilarious. And honestly, they're just really nice people."
That sense of community remains one of the qualities he values most about New Mexico comedy. Rather than competing against one another, many performers collaborate, support local shows, and encourage newcomers to take the stage. It's one of the reasons Wood enthusiastically recommends ABQComedy.com as a resource for anyone interested in discovering local performances or trying stand-up themselves.
While comedy remains his primary passion, Wood's creative interests extend well beyond the stage. Fans may also recognize him from Creative Kill, a collaborative creative series entering its second season, as well as his work with Duke City Championship Wrestling, where entertainment and performance intersect in an entirely different arena.
He's also taking on hosting duties for The Usual Suspects at Astronomia, continuing his commitment to creating opportunities for audiences to experience live comedy throughout Albuquerque.
Despite his growing résumé, Wood remains refreshingly grounded. When asked what advice he'd offer aspiring comedians, he returned to the only lesson he truly believes applies to everyone. "Keep working." Stand-up, he explained, is built on failure.
Every comedian bombs. Every performer has rough nights. The difference is whether they're willing to learn from them. "This is an art form based on failure," he said. "You're going to have bad nights. But those bad nights can turn into better nights because you're learning and progressing."
It's wisdom earned not from theory, but from experience. Nearly thirteen years after reluctantly agreeing to tell his first jokes on stage, Royal Wood III has become one of New Mexico's most respected comedic voices—not because he found a shortcut to success, but because he kept showing up.
He kept writing. He kept learning. He kept working. For anyone hoping to build a creative career of their own, that may be the best advice of all.
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