By JENNY HOPKINS
jhopkins@journalnet.com
FORT HALL — Comedian Bill Engvall, also known as the “Here’s Your Sign” guy, will bring his down home, redneck style comedy to the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel and Events Center on Sept. 25. There will be shows at 6:30 and 9 p.m.
Engvall is a member of the Blue Collar Comedy group, which also includes Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White and Larry the Cable Guy. His first album, “Here’s Your Sign” held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Comedy Chart for 15 weeks and is certified platinum.
You may have also seen him on Season 17 of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” or in his TBS sitcom “The Bill Engvall Show,” which he also produced.
Engvall was born in Galveston, Texas, but his father’s job with the U.S. Public Health Service caused the family to move frequently, which unbeknownst to him at the time, was what started his comedy career.
“I became the funny guy to make friends quick. It never crossed my mind that I’d be a comedian. I was going to school to be a school teacher. Teachers are comedians in their own right,” said Engvall in a recent telephone interview with the Journal.
He attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, with the intention of becoming a teacher, but his funny bone took over, and he began performing stand-up at open mic nights in local venues.
“I went to college and discovered women and beer, and studies went out the window,” he said.
He moved to California to pursue comedy and some of the early appearances that helped launched his career include the “The Tonight Show” and “Late Night with David Letterman.” In 1996, he appeared alongside Jeff Foxworthy in “The Jeff Foxworthy Show.”
Engvall is a clean comedian, meaning his routines do not include profanity or sexual content.
“It is a clean show that any body can come see,” he said, “I tell young comedians that you can talk about anything you want, just be clean about it.”
His future plans will of course include more comedy. He just finished a special that is due to be released early next year, but another upcoming endeavor is something completely different for him.
“I just signed a deal for a movie where I play a serial killer,” he said, adding that he likes to challenge himself.
Fans will also be able to see him in the upcoming film “Catching Faith” in which he portrays a football coach.
Ticket prices are $39, $49 and $59 and can be purchased at www.shobangaming.com. To get to the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel and Events Center take Interstate 15 to exit 80, the venue is located just west of the exit.