Tony Deyo got a late start in comedy. He grew up in rural Virginia, received a bachelor’s degree in music education and then studied classical performance at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He played with a couple of symphonies before ditching the drums and giving standup a try. “I loved standup for as long as I remember,” he says. “I got to the point in my life where I knew I wanted to try it. I knew if I didn’t try it now, I would never do it. I know it’s a little weird for a 36-year-old man to go, ‘Oh, I want to be a comedian.’ But I felt like it was now or never.” Deyo enrolled in a comedy class that didn’t necessarily teach him to be funny, but it did get him onstage. His first standup show was a hit, and he hasn’t looked back since. “That’s what makes a comedian come back — not doing too badly the first time,” he says. Inspired by clean comics like Brian Regan and Jerry Seinfeld, Deyo steers clear of obscene material. “Among other things, I talk about being married and not having kids,” he says. “I don’t really believe in talent. I believe in hard work. I feel like I have a more natural tendency to comedy. I was a good musician, but I had to work really, really hard at it. Comedy comes a little easier.” Deyo opens for Dennis Ross at Bogey’s (28060 Chardon Rd., Willoughby Hills, 440.944.9000, bogeyscomedyclub.com) at 8 Thursday, with performances at 8 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets: $8-$15. — Jeff Niesel
