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.