Award-winning comedian Buzz Sutherland will perform Friday night at 7th Street Underground.

The comedy act, sponsored by the University Board, begins at 9 p.m. and is free for all.

Sutherland has been touring the country for 10 years, visiting over 1,200 colleges, said Joey Edmonds, Sutherland’s manager.

“He really knows college audiences,” Edmonds said.

He has received awards from Campus Activities Today and has won the National Association of Campus Activities Comedy Artist of the Year Award five years in a row. In 2002, Sutherland was named as the NACA’s Campus Entertainer of the Year, which is the organization’s highest award possible, Edmonds said.

Caleb Judy, UB chair, saw Sutherland at a conference, and booked the comic immediately.

“He’s crazy,” Judy said. “But he’s a really good guy.”

Sutherland is a family man from St. Louis who tackles many issues in his act.

The Joey Edmonds Agency Web site describes the comic as a “man whose smooth blend of homespun characters and outrageous facial expressions keep audiences rolling with laughter.”

What’s so good about him?

Audience participation is a big part of his style, and Sutherland enjoys playing with the audience rather than talking at them.

Sutherland is also noted for his impressions of ducks performing sex acts.

“It’s the only non-PG rated part of his show, but people just love it,” Edmonds said.

In addition to touring the college circuit, Sutherland is working on his own television show and just recently performed at the Improv in Los Angeles.

Eastern is Sutherland’s last stop on his summer tour.