hiː ɹᵻsˈiːvd hɪz nˈɪkneɪm fɹʌmðə mˈænɪdʒɚɹ əvə lˈoʊkəl θˈiəɾɚ wˌɛɹ hiː ˈɛntɚd ɐ tˈælənt kˈɑːntɛst wɪð ɐ fɹˈɛnd; ðə mˈænɪdʒɚ bˈɪld ðˌɛm æz "slˈæp ænd hˈæpi".
He received his nickname from the manager of a local theater where he entered a talent contest with a friend; the manager billed them as "Slap and Happy".