MEET WILLIAM LEE MARTIN
William Lee (WL) Martin
aka Cowboy Bill
William Lee Martin is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor whose blend of big laughs, real-life storytelling, and surprising heart has made him one of America’s most relatable touring performers. With four one-hour specials — including two on Amazon Prime, a CMT special, and a hit YouTube release — Martin has built a career on honest humor about marriage, parenting, blended families, and the everyday chaos we all try to survive.
In 2025, Red Dirt Comedy proudly presents his newest touring show, “Seemed Smart at the Time,” Martin’s funniest and most self-aware work yet. The show dives into the choices we made, the parents who were “making it up too,” and the grace we need to give ourselves for all the things that felt like a good idea in the moment. Packed with belly laughs and unexpected poignancy, the show leaves audiences not just entertained, but better.
One audience member put it perfectly:
“Never thought I would learn a simple statement about showing grace at a comedy show… ‘Seemed Smart at the Time’ can sum up 99% of our mistakes. We caught W.L. Martin — the man put on a show that could make a stone statue crack a smile.”
Martin calls his newest show “comedy with a heartbeat” — honest without being heavy, heartfelt without losing the punchlines. Known for his clean-ish style and masterful innuendo, he’s performed alongside country legends like George Strait, Toby Keith, and Clint Black, headlined clubs and theaters nationwide, and built a loyal fanbase who appreciate comedy that feels real, human, and genuinely funny.
Offstage, Martin is the author of the children’s book Dadtastic Weekends, the longtime spokesperson for SOTA Weight Loss, a songwriter, actor, philanthropist, podcaster, and founder of the Cowboys Who Care Foundation. Raised in Texas and based in Rhome, he lives a life full of commas — father, husband, stepdad, writer, comedian — and brings all of it to the stage with gratitude, grit, and grace.
If you’re looking for a night of hard laughter, honest storytelling, and a reminder that we’re all doing the best we can, catch William Lee Martin’s “Seemed Smart at the Time” Tour — comedy that hits your heart right after it hits your funny bone.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...
Riley C., New York
“I laughed the entire show, but what surprised me was how much lighter I felt walking out. It was like laughing at my own mistakes… and finally giving myself some grace.”
Barry U, Fort Worth
“This isn’t just jokes. It’s real life, told in the funniest way possible. You’re laughing one second and nodding your head the next because it feels like he’s telling your story.”
Melonianne M, Atlanta
“I laughed till I cried. He’s genuinely himself on stage, and by the end you’re already thinking about who you’re bringing back with you. Don’t miss this show.”
DADTASTIC WEEKENDS
As a divorced dad, William Lee Martin knows firsthand how important those precious weekends with your kids become. That’s why he wrote Dadtastic Weekends—a sweet, heartwarming children’s book that celebrates the idea that it’s not about how much you spend, it’s about how much time you spend together. Through imagination, love, and simple moments that turn into lifelong memories, this book reminds parents and kids alike that even in the middle of big life changes, weekends can still be magical, meaningful, and filled with connection.
New Arrivals
Join the
700
William Lee Martin’s Seemed Smart at the Time Tour is on a mission: 700 people laughing together every night, across 80 cities. This is your invitation—come be part of The 700, share the stories, the laughs, and the unforgettable moments. One show, one city, one night—your seat is waiting!
