Madison\u2019s funniest legally blind lawyer is now its funniest comedian as well.<\/p>\n
Johnny Walsh last week was named Madison\u2019s Funniest Comic<\/a> in the annual competition hosted by the Comedy Club on State, beating out<\/a> fellow local funnymen Adam McShane and Kevin Schwartz. Walsh has been doing stand-up since 2010 and has worked as an attorney for local firm Axley Brynelson since 2013. And for the record, he\u2019s an award winner<\/a> in the latter pursuit as well.<\/p>\n On stage, Walsh uses deadpan humor to relate his condition, Usher syndrome, which severely limits his central field of vision. He approaches it in a matter-of-fact way, not unlike how many comics talk about day jobs or relationships (though Walsh touches on those subjects, too).<\/p>\n \u201cI tend to focus on biographical material rather than the abstract,\u201d he says. \u201cMy goal with my jokes is to give the audience a chance to get to know me and experience what I have experienced in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n Walsh cites comics like David Letterman, Brian Regan and Kathleen Madigan as influences, and it\u2019s easy to hear key parts of those three in his comedy. He\u2019s biting without being mean-spirited and silly without straying too far into absurdity.<\/p>\n The Bozho<\/em> caught up with Walsh to discuss his long, strange comedic journey.<\/span>\n The first thing a lot of people will notice about you is that you\u2019re blind, and you\u2019re very candid about it. Could you talk a little bit about living with your condition?<\/strong><\/p>\n