When Tim Cavanagh finished school, he took a career aptitude test and based on his verbal ability score, it suggested that he become a mime. Unfortunately, that was the year mimes went on strike for better working conditions (bigger make-believe boxes to be trapped in, a less stiff imaginary wind to run against, etc.). So Tim walked away from the mime world, which was hard. While walking away, he pretended to be pulled along by a big invisible dog.
For the next three years, Tim taught religion at an all-girls Catholic high school. At night, he broke into comedy at Zanies, Chicago’s best comedy club. This dual role, religion teacher by day and comedian by night, began to take its toll. One night, as Tim threatened to call a heckler’s parents, he realized it was time to choose one career.
He picked comedy. Soon his funny songs were being heard nationally on the legendary “Dr. Demento” radio show. With an ever growing collection of fun, witty tunes, Tim was a perfect fit for radio. In spite of an allergy to giraffes that kept him away from a number of Morning Zoos, he has been a frequent and favorite guest on drive-time radio shows across the country. With songs like “I Wanna Kiss Her (But She Won’t Let Me),” “99 Dead Baboons,” and “Get Drunk with Dignity,” Cavanagh has sung his way into the hearts of radio audiences everywhere.
Along the way, Tim has been featured on an ABC-TV prime time comedy special, as well as on Comedy Central, Showtime, and WGN America. Since 1997, Tim has released four comedy CDs. His latest album, “Love, Fish and Sausages,” is a collection of 20 original comedy songs. The 21st song on the CD, “Vehicle Man,” is a parody of the 1970 hit “Vehicle.”
Aside from headlining comedy clubs, concerts and shows on Carnival Cruise Lines, Tim has performed at hundreds of corporate events. He is a professional member of the National Speakers Association, and while that organization is the archenemy of the National Mime Council, Tim still maintains cordial relations with several mimes.