Laughter - Doc Funnybone's journey to comedy

It was the early 1990’s. I ventured into a bar on the north side of town. I was after a story – not a drink. On assignment for CBC Radio, I was observing and gathering sound and information for a story about a new venture a local man had taken on. Kevin Kennedy, a professional firefighter and amateur comic had just launched a comedy ‘club’. Kevin’s wife, Louise, met me at the door, a job she dutifully continues to this day. Kevin invited a group of local comics to showcase their comedy: Isso Ratsalinen; Mr. Ed; Spewmore Dung; Magic Ken; and a 15 year-old high school student, Kevin Durand. They soon had the small, local audience slapping their knees and whistling in appreciation.

It’s hard to think that Kevin Kennedy was ever a shy guy. He credits his practice of judo as a major force for getting over that shyness and steering him into stand up comedy. Kevin was a national-level wrestler who got into judo in high school after a recommendation from his wrestling coach. “Judo has helped me immensely in my life. The activity helped me to live healthy. It got me a job as a bouncer and that’s how I met my wife, Louise. Judo helped me to be strong enough to try out for and get in the fire department, and teaching judo helped me improve my public speaking. But when I took on the role of public relations officer for our Thunder Bay Professional Firefighter Association, I wanted to get better at public speaking,” Kennedy said. “I entered a comedy contest and out of 16 contestants I came second. It was so addictive to stand up there and get laughs – comedians are entertainer crack addicts – they thrive on that immediate response from a live audience. The audience is brilliant when they laugh at my jokes and bums when they don’t!”

After that contest, a couple of the comics got together to regularly work on their craft. Kevin started these regular stand up comedy nights to bring comedians and audiences together. The Dr. Funnybone persona was created so people didn’t get confused with his professional role as a firefighter.

Kevin believes you have to create your own opportunities. He replicated a comedy club format and launched it at the Landmark Inn 20 years ago. The first shows were held once a year. The show then moved to the historic Finlandia Club, upstairs from the Hoito Restaurant, where the Stand Up Comedy Nite hosted by Dr. Funnybone has taken place three times per year for 10 years.
One of the fundamentals of judo is a code of personal conduct. If you believe in acting for the welfare of all, all should benefit from what you do. From the start, all of Kevin’s shows have had a portion of the profits directed to charity. As a board member of the Northern Cancer Research Foundation, Kevin chose them as the first beneficiary.

Dr. Funnybone’s style is that of the old-fashioned, tacky lounge act comedian. It’s the “me” style humour – my wife, my life etc. He is right at home in Vegas. In fact, he and Louise now consider Vegas their second home. They’ve spent time in the entertainment centre for the last 25 years and now that both are retired, their visits can be longer. Kevin says that Vegas is the place to watch the comics and see the shows. Occasionally there’s even a brush with greatness. Once, while waiting for an elevator, Kennedy said the doors opened and Cary Grant stepped off. “He had an aura that filled the hallway,” Kevin remembers.

Kevin Kennedy has been a mentor to many comedians: actor Kevin Durand, Tim Steves, who wrote for This Hour has 22 Minutes, Los Angeles-based comedian Dave Nystrome, and Mike Takacs, who is making a name for himself in Toronto. Kennedy is not too keen on taking courses in comedy. “There is a certain mathematics about comedy. Humour and joke telling has to come from within you. You’re performing the jokes, not just telling them.” He considers humour to be therapeutic.

From the start, all of Kevin’s shows have had a portion of the profits directed to charity.

Growing up, Kevin was surrounded by a big Irish family who loved to laugh and tell jokes. “My brother Mike was one of the funniest guys I knew,” says Kevin about his big brother, Michael Kennedy. Kevin’s wife, Louise, or Mrs. Funnybone, as she’s known in his act, has always had a role in the comedy journey. “Louise has a sharp sense of humour,” says Kevin.

Comedy has taken Kennedy from the world of high stakes in Vegas to the high seas where he has been the guest of professional comedian John Caponera, on an Alaskan cruise. Kevin Kennedy is a man who creates his opportunities and helps others achieve their dreams. He has helped comedians battle nerves on stage, assisted countless people in the aftermaths of accidents or fires, and has inspired “thousands of kids” as a fourth-degree Black Belt judoka. “Sometimes I think I’m performing a rescue mission on kids that come to judo lessons!“ As President of the Martial Arts Council and chief instructor for the Thunder Bay Judo Club, Kennedy believes in the benefits of martial arts. This triathlete and martial artist also is a star on YouTube with a hockey tai chi video he created with Master Peng Youlian.

Kennedy is a ground-breaker and has offered non-smoking shows since 1982. “I remember the manager of the Landmark telling me that no one would be in the audience. Instead the place was packed. People loved the non-smoking atmosphere. The air at the Comedy Night was blue, but not because of smoke.”

The Finlandia Club Stand Up Comedy Nites with Dr. Funnybone are held in November, January and April. Make a date to appreciate a Thunder Bay tradition. And tip your hat to the big guy, once that shy kid, who takes 500 posters around town on his own to promote comedy. Laughter is the best medicine, take it from Dr. Funnybone!

For more on Stand Up Comedy Nights and Dr. Funnybone, go to: www.docfun.net