Carl Hurley

XM Satellite Radio Comedian, Former Professor, Author

Travels From Travels From:
Louisville, KY, USA
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Carl Hurley Biography

Carl Hurley is widely recognized for his appearances on XM Satellite Radio's Laugh USA, where he is celebrated for embodying the channel's ethos of "good, clean fun." According to Sonny Fox, XM’s comedy programmer, Hurley is "the epitome" of the channel's slogan, blending humor with a genuine appreciation for life. Described as the "funny uncle we all wish we had," he stands out as a unique figure in American comedy.

Hurley's early life was set in the Appalachian foothills of Laurel County, Kentucky, where he grew up in a two-room cabin built by his father. The remote rural setting of his childhood was rich with storytelling, an environment that shaped his narrative style. Hurley pursued his education locally and later at Eastern Kentucky University, working through college by milking cows at the university's dairy farm. After earning a doctorate in education from the University of Missouri, Columbia, he returned to Kentucky, briefly working at the State Department of Education before teaching for eight years at Eastern Kentucky University's College of Education.

Hurley's humorous approach to teaching earned him widespread acclaim, leading to numerous speaking engagements outside the university. Eventually, after securing tenure, he chose to leave academia to become a full-time speaker and entertainer, earning the nickname "America's funniest professor." He often jokes about his career transition, saying, "I didn’t leave teaching, I just expanded my classroom."

Today, Hurley resides in Lexington, Kentucky, with his wife, Angela. They have two grown children, Lori and Chad, and grandchildren who sometimes feature in Hurley's routines. His comedic style, reminiscent of other American humorists like Andy Griffith and Garrison Keillor, combines a keen sense of the absurd with authentic storytelling. Despite his stature at 5 feet 6 inches, Hurley's presence is larger than life, characterized by his jolly demeanor and sharp wit.

Apart from his radio features on SIRIUS and XM, Hurley's work includes television appearances and live performances at notable venues such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, where he is an honorary member. He has produced 15 comedy recordings and authored a reflective book about his Appalachian upbringing titled "We Weren’t Poor – We Just Didn’t Have Any Money," available across various platforms including his website and major online retailers.

For those seeking humor that is both wholesome and insightful, Carl Hurley continues to be a compelling voice in American entertainment, drawing on his rich life experiences and professional background in education to engage and delight audiences.

Carl Hurley Videos

  • Drout/Humor Comedy By Carl Hurley - YouTube

FAQs on booking Carl Hurley

  • How do I book Carl Hurley to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Carl Hurley for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Carl Hurley, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Carl Hurley or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Carl Hurley

    Speaking fees for Carl Hurley, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Carl Hurley are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Carl Hurley, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Carl Hurley speak about?

    Carl Hurley is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Celebrity, College, Comedy, Entertainers.
  • Where does Carl Hurley travel from?

    Carl Hurley generally travels from Louisville, KY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Carl Hurley’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Carl Hurley for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Carl Hurley for your next private or corporate function.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Carl Hurley or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
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Carl Hurley is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Carl Hurley for your event is $5,000 - $10,000. Carl Hurley generally travels from Louisville, KY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Mike Rayburn, Mark Mayfield, Dale Irvin, Wayne Cotter and The Second City. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Carl Hurley for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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