Comedian/TPHS alum Taylor Williamson to return home for KAABOO

After a three-year hiatus from the San Diego comedy scene, comedian Taylor Williamson is set to return to his hometown in September for KAABOO Del Mar.

“I’m so excited about the KAABOO show,” said Williamson, a Del Mar native. “It’s going to be my big comeback show.”

Williamson became a household name in 2013 when he placed second on the eighth season of the hit NBC competition series “America’s Got Talent.”

Following the show’s season finale, Williamson and other fan favorites stopped in San Diego and other cities across the country during the nationwide “America’s Got Talent” tour. Since then, he has made additional appearances on the television show and was even named judge Heidi Klum’s all-time favorite act during the 10th anniversary special.

“I’m so grateful,” Williamson said. “I love the show so much. They’ve been so good to me.”

Since his stint on “America’s Got Talent,” Williamson has been on the stage nearly every month for the past few years.

From Hollywood to Houston, Williamson has performed across the United States and even taken the stage in Israel and Japan. He also performed in the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, Canada.

Whenever possible, he holds free meet and greets after his shows.

“It’s what I do. I’m a standup comedian first,” Williamson said. “I’ve gotten to live my dream as a comedian. People buy tickets to come see me for some reason. I love it.”

Williamson, who grew up in Del Mar, began performing at The Comedy Store in La Jolla when he was a student at Torrey Pines High School. Now based in Los Angeles, Williamson hasn’t been on the San Diego stage since his two appearances at The American Comedy Co. in 2013, the same year he took the stage at the Civic Theatre during the “America’s Got Talent” tour.

Williamson’s performance is slated for 12:15-1:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 during KAABOO, the second annual three-day music, comedy and art festival at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. “Taylor Williamson’s Homegrown Showcase” will feature Williamson along with other local comedians Greg Santos and Dallas McLaughlin.

“They’re going to open for me and we’re going to do the show together,” Williamson said. “It’s just going to be great.”

Following his performance at KAABOO, Williamson hopes to catch other artists on stage, including singer Lenny Kravitz, before continuing his national tour, which includes stops in Washington and Massachusetts next month.

“I’m not the primetime guy, which is good,” Williamson joked about the KAABOO lineup. “Other comedians wish they were the headliner, but not me. Come see me in the afternoon, and then you can go see Aerosmith. Sarah Silverman can’t go see Aerosmith because she’s too famous.”

For more about Williamson, visit taylorwilliamson.com.

For more about KAABOO or to purchase tickets, visit www.kaaboodelmar.com.