by Megan Carthel
Jack Barton, founder of Kacey Fine Furniture, is proving you’re never too old to start over. The 92-year-old successful businessman is now a stand-up comedian.
Barton was Governor Hickenlooper’s landlord when Hickenlooper first opened Wynkoop Brewing Co. in lower downtown Denver in 1988. Before Hickenlooper turned the brick building into Denver’s first brewpub, it had been a warehouse for Kacey Fine Furniture. Barton became Hickenlooper’s landlord and equity participant in Wynkoop Brewing Co.
Barton has always been a Denver man, growing up on the west side, and graduating from West High School. Later he attended college at D.U. Barton sold insurance for one year before he spotted a business opportunity he couldn’t pass up — furniture. Barton said he saw no “brain surgeons” in the furniture business, so he opened up his own store in in 1948 which grew to five locations. One of his daughters, Leslie Fishbein, joined the business in the mid-1970s after graduating from the University of Colorado. She was president of Kacey Fine Furniture when she tragically died in 2008.
But out of all of Barton’s accomplishments, comedy is his true passion. “I should have done this years ago,” Barton said.
Now, Barton is proving you’re never too old to start over. “My friends ask me why I’m doing this, and I said to them, ‘you know it’s like putting your penis in a fan, but this is more painful,’” Jack said starting off his set at Noonan’s Sports Bar and Grill in Aurora.
Jack’s journey to comedy has been a life-long one. Comedy and a lovingly sarcastic humor has always played a role in his and his family’s lives. In fact, comedy is a family affair. His daughter, Terri Barton Gregg, is also a stand-up comedian. So when Barton Gregg’s dad decided he wanted to be a comedian, she encouraged him to chase his life-long dream.
“I said if it’s on your bucket list, you better take it off pretty fast,” Barton Gregg said.
Pulling from his recent experiences and adventures, Jack writes all of his own jokes and material — recalling them effortlessly and confidently on stage. “It seems like magic,” Barton said. “All of a sudden you’re there and the crowd is out there and you become very calm. And the thing is, you hate to give up the mic. You want to be there all the time.”
And, Barton does want to be on the stage all the time, occasionally doubling his stage time, but no one minds. Barton’s set is not only engaging and seriously funny, it’s also very apparent he’s having fun — a contagious smile and spirit that adds to his show and radiates through the audience. His material is original, comparatively clean and classic. Barton first debuted his stand-up comedy
in November 2015, close to a year after having two brain surgeries. It’s obvious Barton has lived his life to the fullest, and with that, amassed wisdom.
“If you can’t laugh at something, really you’re a very sad person. You have to be able to laugh at yourself,” Barton said. Barton often pokes fun at himself during his sets, but never at the audience. He said he doesn’t like to go for the “shock treatment” that some comedians use to get the audience’s attention. Instead, Barton’s cool demeanor, quick wit and smart presentation grab the audience. He’s even gotten four standing ovations in 11 shows. Comedy, Barton said, has always been his hidden talent.
“Most my life I’ve been able to convince somebody with humor,” Barton said.
Barton’s wife, Shirley, is a little shyer than her comical family members, but she is a regular at both Barton and Barton Gregg’s shows. She said she won’t be joining her husband on stage anytime soon, and not only fully supports his decision to be a comedian, she’s thrilled about it. “I think it’s wonderful. I think a person who can find himself a second time is really lucky,” added Shirley.
Shirley isn’t the only one who thinks what Barton is doing is wonderful. Fellow comedian Brent Gill thinks Barton is pretty awesome. “It’s the best thing you could ever see,” Gill said. “He crushed it.”
Gill describes Barton’s style of comedy as the classic and great old-school one-liners. “He comes from a different era of life and a different era of what he finds funny and what comedy is to him,” Gill said. “It’s fun to see that again. It’s like a throwback to old school comedy.”
But comedy, to its core, never gets old according to Barton. Funny is still funny, and after all, old is a relative term and age just a number. Barton Gregg said her dad truly has found his purpose, something that everyone needs.
And who is Barton’s favorite comedian? His daughter, Barton Gregg. To that, she said, “He’s my favorite dad.”