MACKIE Magazine August-Sept Issue 4 Magazine May - June 2014 Issue 3 | Page 6

A conversation with Mr. Shirley…
Hello. What is your name? How long have you been involved in
the entertainment business?
Brian T Shirley and I've been an entertainer for over 20 years, around 24
in total.

When did you know that you wanted to be in this business and what was your
motivation?
Since I was young I wrote crazy skits and silly saying. I was on the school newspaper in High School and has
my own column. I was always funny around my friends and when I was in the USAF, it seemed to fall on me to
help with the entertainment at the squadron functions. Whether it be writing or performing sketches. Then
when I got out of the service and was looking for what I wanted to do with my life, I joined a workshop to learn
about Stand-Up comedy. The first time I got onstage, I fell in love with it and have not stopped since.

Who has helped you along the way and inspired you the most?
Other comedians have taken me under their wings at different times in my career. I think I've been inspired by
a lot of the folks I've met along the way. A veteran Comedian/singer/songwriter named Darryl Rhoades really
took me on the road with him and I learned a lot. We still talk once in a while and I consider him one of my best
friends now. I try to learn from everyone and also help them if I can.

What are some of the highlights of your career so far?
Recently I sold out 2 shows in Pittsburgh, PA and the club seated 240 people, that's not to bad. It was my
second time there and I was blown away, they had to turn people away. I have created and now host The BTS
Radio Show which will be a year old the end of the month and I have enjoyed it immensely. I've also published
3 comedy books and I'm a featured guest on The Will Roberts Weekly Telegram Radio Program. I've been
fortunate to play The Atlantis Resort on paradise Island Bahamas, twice and I've performed aboard Carnival
Cruise Lines.

Have you received any special awards or achievements?
No awards as of yet, but I have been a special guest judge in 4 different comedy competitions over the last
several years. I also was told by one of my guests on The BTS Radio Show, Sheilah D Smiley, that she's
teaching comedy/ acting classes and she wants to use parts of my third book 'A Funny Thing Happened on the
Way to the Club" to help with her instruction. She told me this live, on air which really surprised me.

Do you have any special events, shows / gigs coming up?
I'm heading down to Naples, Fla. to headline the Old Naples Comedy Club for the first time and I'll be shooting
epis