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Joey
Elias - Montreal's comedy treasure
By
Peter Kerr
"Joey is one
of the funniest comics to ever come out of Montreal"
Bruce Hills, President, Just For Laughs
Joey Elias is recognized
as one of Canada's finest comics, performing throughout Canada and
internationally. He has been selected as a frequent headliner at Just
For Laughs, one of North America's premiere comedy festivals.
He
has
travelled to dangerous war zones in Afghanistan to perform for our
Canadian troops.
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I love Montreal - even with its challenges |
In
the highly competitive AM radio business; Joey
maintains excellent ratings for his nightly comedy show on CJAD,
Montreal's number-one radio station. All this started on April 8, 1992
when Joey stepped up to a Comedy Nest microphone - because he had lost
a bet.
"I was pretty good in school, and had an interest in Political Science.
However, I lacked discipline in CEGEP, and after trying Vanier and
Centennial, I went to work." While he may not have a university degree,
Joey is a voracious reader, consuming several newspapers every day.
"I sold telephones, pagers, and even worked in a relative's watch
business. I did filing, shipping, and packing - whatever had to be
done." As Joey began his fledgling comedy career, he continued to
maintain his 'day job'. "I'd close up the phone store at 9 pm and rush
down to the club where I was performing."
"In
the beginning, I did a lot of Amateur Night performances. I loved
it! You wait all week for your chance to get up on stage for 7 minutes.
I'd write out all of my jokes and routines, fine tuning them before
using them with a live audience." Joey's preferred rehearsal space?
"The
shower - it's all done in the shower. I'm not kidding! There's a
good sound, nobody's there to judge you. If the shower's good enough
for singers, why not comedians?"
Joey
responds to the question if he was the class clown; "My friends
and I were the class clown by committee. They've all gone on to
successful careers; one is a speech writer, another is a doctor, and
one works at a senior level in the government." Continuing, Joey says,
"You have to be mentally agile to be successful in stand up comedy. If
I had become a politician; nobody would believe me. As a comic, I can
see their wheels turning - maybe he's got something there."
Joey was soon invited by other comedians to tour with them as their
opening act. "I travelled and learned from watching the best. I'd
perform for 10 to 15 minutes to open shows for David John McCarthy,
David Acer and John Rogers. Not only did I learn from watching them,
we'd critique the shows at dinner later in the evening."
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Joey in Afghanistan with a Canadian Forces
Chinook helicopter |
Joey also won support from Terry Di Monte
and Ted Bird who were
anchoring the morning show at CHOM in the mid 90s. "I played a
character that'd phone in and speak Italian French! Many people in the
Italian community speak French with an Italian accent. I'd phone in
with this accent and it certainly helped my Montreal-area recognition."
Joey caught the attention of the talent scouts for Just For Laughs, the
Montreal summer comedy festival that is instrumental in launching the
careers of so many comedians, including Tim Allen. Joey has performed
at 11 Just For Laughs Festivals, including 3 Galas. He has performed in
two Just For Laughs cross-Canada tours.
Joey went to Afghanistan to entertain Canadian troops in 2004 and 2007.
He also performed for Canadian soldiers in Rwanda in 1995 and in Haiti
in 1996. "In the forces, everyone is a Canadian. I see Francophone
soldiers from Quebec, Acadia, Ontario and Manitoba working side-by-side
with their Anglo counterparts.
They've
got each other's backs. Their
shoulder patch says 'CANADA' - and that's what they are - Canadians."
"We
came back in '07 with a soldier that had been killed. When we
arrived in Trenton, you could see all the people gathered outside the
fence, and his family on the tarmac. And then you hear the bagpipes
start to play... I don't care who you are - you cry."
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Joey (right) interviewing Greg Proops
on the CJAD radio show live at the
Hyatt hotel during Just For Laughs |
Joey's support of our veterans and soldiers currently serving has
spawned an idea for public observance beyond November 11th. "Right
after Halloween, we have Christmas decorations in the stores. How about
if we dedicate the first 12 days of November to our veterans and
soldiers? From November 1st to the 11th. We can let the holiday
shopping wait until November 12th."
Three years ago, returning from Edmonton after a New Year's Eve
performance, Joey learned of the graffiti vandalism inflicted on the
Legion in Lachine. "I contacted them and suggested that we do a benefit
comedy night, with all the proceeds going to the cleanup."
Joey has also established a diabetes-related charity to raise funds for
research and equipment at The Children's Hospital. Joey himself was
diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes on April 8, 2005. "I had to really focus
on living a healthier lifestyle, which included losing a lot of weight.
Fortunately, I don't have to take a lot of medication, just one pill
per day."
His primary fundraiser is a golf tournament at Ile Perot Golf Club in
early August. The 2010 tournament takes place on August 16th. "We have
a great day and I'm thankful for the support from our sponsors, the
Astral radio stations and of course - the participants."
Joey knew the late Ernie Butler well, having performed many times at
Butler's Comedy Nest. When Ernie passed away from inoperable cancer,
Joey was asked to take on two of Ernie's roles. CJAD asked him to host
The CJAD Comedy Show weeknights at 11pm. "The first thing I did was
speak with Ernie's family. They were supportive and I've been hosting
the show ever since. CJAD has been terrific with me. They support my
charity work and allow me to promote the events on air. They also
recognize that I have a performing career, and they accommodate my
absences when I'm out of town for a show."
The second request came from The Erin Sports Association, asking Joey
to host and MC the Irishman of The Year breakfast. "That's another one
I inherited from Ernie. I had been one of the performers for 6 or 7
years; and when they asked me, they said 'Look - you already know how
it works'. It's a prestigious event, and the Erin Sports association
does so much good work with the funds they raise that I consider it an
honour to work with them, especially with my friends Danny Gallant and
Ken Doren Jr."
Joey's career is diversifying as he obtains more acting roles in films.
He's taken acting lessons from renowned acting coach Jacqueline
McClintock. He appeared in The Art of War, Redeemer, and the huge hit
The Day After Tomorrow starring Dennis Quaid and The Wool Cap with
William H. Macy. "Some of the roles are substantial, but they have me
dying a lot. There's no sequel for me"
Joey gives 150 to 200 performances a year. "Sometimes I'll do two in a
night. At the Festival, I might do 14 shows in 6 nights." Joey always
finds time to lend his formidable talent to charity events. Joey is
also in high demand for corporate events, which take him to Reno,
Nevada; West Palm Beach and beyond. He is regularly asked for repeat
engagements; "It's flattering that many organizers consider me a part
of their event."
Being a comedian is a solitary existence; "I usually travel alone, dine
alone, and perform alone. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm
very happy - I'm doing exactly what I want to do professionally, and
I'm able to make a contribution through my charity."
For information about upcoming performances, visit Joey's web site:
www.joeyelias.com
For information about The Joey Elias Golf Tournament,
visit: www.joeyeliascharity.com
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Joey
at Just For Laughs
Bruce Hills and the folks at Just For Laughs have confirmed that Joey
Elias will again be part of this year's festival. The English events
run from July 7 to 18. For more information, please visit:
www.hahaha.com |
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