Birmingham comedian Mickey Dean is excited to have a second chance to make a first impression.

Dean was the highlight speaker for the 2010 Annual Chamber of Commerce meeting. That night didn’t start off well. And it ended even worse.

“I’ve been doing this a long time, and I’ve never – never in my career – done that,” he said of abruptly cutting off his show and leaving the stage. “I was just feeling so bad, I couldn’t go on.”

It was obvious to those in attendance that, as the act wore on, what had been perceived as part of his routine was surely something else.

“I had gone to the doctor and they changed some of my medication,” he said. “I was having a reaction to the medicine right there on stage.”

Dean left the Demopolis Civic Center after barely 30 minutes on stage. His return to Birmingham included a hospital stay.

“My blood pressure bottomed out, it got really low,” he said. “It wasn’t looking good for me there for a little while.”

Dean said he has since performed several other corporate functions, all without a hitch.

“I’m feeling good,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to coming back to Demopolis and giving you the show that I wanted to give you last time.”

The 95th Annual Meeting of the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce will be held Feb. 28 at the Demopolis Civic Center. Tickets are $35 each and are available through chamber board members or from the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce by calling 289-0270. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Heavy Hors d’oeuvres will be served.