MINING LAUGHTER Widening the Road of Perception

BARRY TAYLOR Mining Laughter

Wideningthe Road ofPerception

Barry Taylor, noted Canadian comedian, along with Tim Golden, launched Comedy Records in 2010 as Canada's first record label dedicated to stand-up and sketch comedy.

By Rose Marie Bresolin

Barry’s photo a commanding presence, I ask if there had been a career prior to comedy that shaped the serious look, or if this was yet another element of surprise behind his success as a comedian.

“Actually, it was the only photo I could come up with on the spot. But, yes, it is serious.” And, breaking into a smile, he continued, “I like your take on it though. I don’t do a lot of comedy now, as much as spending time to find work for the comedians we represent. Maybe that’s what brought out the serious side of me in the photo."

Barry Taylor, noted Canadian comedian, along with Tim Golden, launched Comedy Records in 2010 as Canada's first record label dedicated to stand-up and sketch comedy. An initiative to take a 'strength in numbers' approach to all of the challenges in the Canadian comedy industry, the release of the album, Comedy Records Presents 10 Years, was also in celebration of its 10th anniversary on the 10th of July 2020.

Comedians are by nature an independent lot, with many pressed to work at more than one job, so after beginning Comedy Records in 2010, Barry

the word out and left it to circulate among them. An initiative to get comedians organized, Comedy Records is set up to draw more work their way and to broaden the base of comedy. To sustain itself, the new structure does take a fee, but only if they provide the work. Comedians remain independent to seek and to accept other work.

Comedy in Canada is challenging in general. The size of the country makes touring difficult. task. “Comedy Records has been a great way to expand our reach into the comedy industry. We don't represent every comedian we release albums with, but we do work hard to provide opportunities for every artist we work with.”

Comedy not recognized as an art by the Canadian Government, accessing grants and funding has been a challenge. Viewed as one of the country's greatest resources, a combined voice for comedians can increase their strength. The frustration experienced by stand-up comedians is made

worse when trying to work in the U. S. and internationally. The Canadian Association of Standup Comedians, CASC, a non-profit organization was formed in 2017 to present a more powerful, unified voice for Canadian stand-up comedians. Sandra Battaglini is one example of a Canadian comedian whose request for arts funding was denied. After being faced with thousands of dollars and bureaucratic red tape to take her comedy into the U.S., American comedians not being faced with the same restrictions when coming to Canada to perform, she began a relentless lobbying for reciprocity.

Sandra Battaglini is one of the most important voices in Canadian Comedy. Her relentless work to have comedy recognized as an art form in Canada is unprecedented. “It's frustrating that so many arts are supported in Canada but when comedy is asked to be included we're continually told no.” However, some politicians are paying attention, and Barry, along with other fellow comedians applauds Sandra and believes her efforts will lead to positive change.

The Comedy Records recording is a compilation featuring comedians from the Comedy Records roster that include Arthur Simeon, Clare Belford, K Trevor Wilson, and more. This completely independent label has since released dozens of albums in a variety of comedy styles that have reached the top of the Apple Music/ iTunes Comedy and Google Play charts, and is the only label to press Canadian comedy albums on vinyl. Comedy Records has received multiple Juno nominations and released albums by top comedians including K Trevor Wilson, Steph Tolev, Sterling Scott, Mike MacDonald, Nick Reynoldson, Sandra Battaglini. Many have been featured on Conan and Jimmy Kimmel Live. The albums have topped the digital Comedy charts.

Comedy Records Presents 10 Years features comedians from the Comedy Records roster including Arthur Simeon, Clare Belford, K Trevor Wilson, Monty Scott, Jay & Eytan, Todd Graham, Mark DeBonis, Efthimios Nasiopoulos, Pat Burtscher, Dena Jackson and Garrett Jamieson and Sprattacus. The album made its debut with Ben Miner on SiriusXM’s JFL Canada channel on July 1, 2020.

Comedy Records has produced multiple charity basketball games at festivals including Just for Laughs and New York Comedy Festival. It has facilitated the first monthly Canadian comedy showcase in New York City.

Barry’s vision is to expand the membership and provide more opportunities right here in Canada, and to showcase Canadian comedians in the U. S. “With the opportunity in Canada limited, comedians need additional places to perform. We need to show the world how good we are at comedy.” It would also help comedians to achieve more recognition on home ground. Ideally it helps to work from a base that is strong in support, and Barry sees that growing.

Where in many other sections of the arts, performers are driven by a thirst to make the leap into having what they love to do sustain them, those in comedy need to accept that they will likely continue to need backup to make a living, at least for the near

“Comedy Records has been a great way to expand our reach into the comedy industry.”

future. Barry’s advice to those contemplating the craft, “If comedy is a passion in you, I say go for it – life is short, and you don’t want to have regrets!” He also cautions them to pursue other career options. The way comedy stands today, it is an industry where it’s possible to manage both.

Barry’s motivation continues to be fuelled by the need that exists for mining the enormous source of talent that exists in Canada. His fun and stress release still come from basketball, another of his loves. It was in the organizing of charity basketball games as a way to do something fun with comedians that didn't involve comedy, that Comedy Records was started. “Along with comedy, basketball has always been one of my true loves throughout my life."

Photo Credits: Shawn McPherson

Opposite and Below: Barry Taylor

Some of the Funniest CANADIAN COMEDIANS

So many Canadian comedians have achieved international acclaim. Here are just a few:

John Candy Jim Carrey Mike Myers Leslie Nielsen

Dan Aykroyd Ryan Reynolds Seth Rogen

Eugene Levy Norm Macdonald

Kenny Hotz Phil Hartman

Colin Mochrie

Rick Moranis

Martin Short Michael J. Fox Will Arnett

Catherine O'Hara

Michael Cera

Dave Foley Tommy Chong Mike Smith

Dave Thomas

Russell Peters

John Dunsworth Jay Baruchel Rob Wells

Rick Mercer

Will Sasso