Tag: circus

  • Tammy and Tommy Parish

    by Bruce “Charlie” Johnson On November 13, 1996 Tammy and Tommy Parish finished 17 and 18 years respectively touring with the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Tommy graduated from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in 1978 and joined the show in 1979.  He was promoted to blue unit boss…

  • Jesteryear 1

    Jesteryear 1

    by Bruce “Charlie” Johnson Comedy, including clowning and the circus, both influenced culture in general and was influenced by it.  Film and TV comedy in particular did that.  Screen comedians often incorporated their versions of clown routines, and clowns were often inspired by screen comedians. All the following events occurred during the same year.  Can…

  • What is a Clown?

    By Bruce “Charlie” Johnson What is a clown? Is it somebody in a bright pair of overalls with an ear to ear smile painted on his face? Is it somebody in a circus who distracts the audience while props are set? Is it somebody who makes balloon animals, and performs a few magic tricks? Is…

  • My first magazine article

    My first magazine article

    I joined the Klassic Klowns in 1974. It was a local clown club based in the Los Angeles/Orange/Riverside Counties of Southern California. I wrote some articles that had been published in their newsletter. However, the first article that I wrote for a national publication was titled Shake Hands. It appeared in the May-June 1981 issue…