In a shocking turn of events, The Cigar Authority (TCA), the renowned cigar podcast, is mourning the departure of yet another stalwart from its ranks. It has been six years since the departure of Gentleman Chuck Morrison, and now, once again, the show must go on as they bid farewell to Barry Stein, a member of The Cigar Authority team. No Barry is not dead, he is just dead to us.
Barry Stein first graced the TCA as a guest interviewee during the early days of the show. It was on July 5, 2014, that he officially joined the TCA team, and the camaraderie, ball busting, and opinions took off from there.
Barry’s journey with the show was nothing short of unusual, with memorable highlights sprinkled throughout. One momentous occasion was when Barry got married on-air, adding a unique twist to the show’s history.
From the inception of the “After Show” on March 20, 2019, Barry demonstrated unwavering dedication, recording a staggering 680 TCA shows in total. This remarkable feat amounts to over 1,000 hours on the air, equivalent to an astounding 42 days non-stop. “42 days we all will never get back,” remarks Barry Stein, also fondly known as Barry Beliveau (that is his madden name).
The Cigar Authority, in its entirety, has amassed 897 recordings since its inception, including the “After Show” episodes, special episodes including Joke & Smokes and the annual Meatball. With a staggering 3 million downloads and building up to 50,000 and more dedicated listeners tuning in each week, the show’s influence continues to soar, extending beyond audio platforms to reach YouTube and Facebook viewers also.
Today, we bid farewell to Barry Stein, who was laid to rest on July 22, 2023. Saturdays off for the foreseeable future from the show at least, marking an incredible nine-year journey with The Cigar Authority Podcast. His presence will be missed for some, celebrated by others, but his legacy will remain embedded in the hearts and pits of their stomachs of fans across the world.
Thank you for your unwavering service, Barry Stein. May your soul find peace and may the cigars in heaven burn as brightly as your passion for the leaf.
[In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Barry’s favorite charity, The Cigar Rights of America (CRA).]
To catch Barry’s final episode “Welcome to The Cigar Graveyard” go to www.TheCigarAuthority.com or any podcast catcher, Facebook, or YouTube.
