Local comedian Josh McDonald released his first comedy album Aug. 30 titled “Hero-in Town.”

McDonald described the album as a collection of material that he has been working on for the past seven years.

“[It is] specifically focusing more on the last 2 years when I got married, moved to New York City, got divorced for another woman, got rejected and moved back to the heroin capital of the U.S.,” McDonald said. “It’s also about my parents and my view on things going on around me.”

McDonald started comedy at Shepherd University at a comedy contest.

Stand-up comedian Dan Cummins advised McDonald to work at clubs with the material he had, so McDonald did. After that, McDonald went to Magooby’s Joke House in Baltimore, Maryland and won first place in their open mic contest.

McDonald described his comedy style as “conversational and confrontational but with a sense of naiveté.”

“I want people to laugh at the topics they’re usually afraid of,” McDonald said.

McDonald said his goal for the album is to draw attention to the state and show that comedy is happening outside of major cities.

As far as McDonald knows, he is the first comedian out of Huntington to release an album.

“I think I am the first, unless you want to count Soupy Sales who went to Huntington High School a long time ago,” McDonald said.

McDonald regularly performs every Wednesday night, alternating between The Press Club and Black Sheep. He will be performing Oct. 18 at Black Sheep.

Also, this month, McDonald will be performing Oct. 19 at the Local Stand-Up Comedy Showcase at FestivALL Fall in Charleston.

McDonald said he hopes to eventually have more shows outside of the state while still maintaining a life in Huntington.

Buffy Six can be contacted at [email protected].