The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
‘Sign’-ing off
‘Blue Collar’ comic Bill Engvall brings farewell tour to Lorain Palace stage
After clocking in 40 years on the road as a standup comic, actor and comedian Bill Engvall has decided to close the curtains on touring.
The Lorain Palace Theater is hosting his farewell stand-up comedy tour, “Here’s Your Sign, It’s Finally Time,” with two back-to-back shows on April 3.
The loveable funnyman also is a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum-selling recording artist.
He shot to superstar status in the comedy world in the early 2000s, when he joined the Blue Collar Comedy group alongside comedians Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy and Ron White.
You may also recognize him from his regular role as Reverend Paul on Tim Allen’s Fox sitcom “Last Man Standing” and, most recently, as the host of the TV series “Blue Collar Auction,” which premiered late last year on Peacock’s Circle Country Lifestyle and Music Channel,
Plus, Engvall’s popularity also landed him as a final four contestant on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” back in 2013.
In a recent phone interview, he talks about his decision to pull the plug on touring and why Ohio is one of his strongest fanbases, and he shares his laid-back plans for the future.
Q
How is the tour going so far?
A
It’s going about like I thought it would. There’s kind of a bittersweetness to it. I know that it’s time, but I’ll miss it. There will be times I’ll definitely miss being on stage.
Q
Do you suspect you’ll do any more specials in the future but without the touring?
A
You know, that’s a great question, and I never say never. But yeah, I could see doing that. Maybe in a couple years, just get really strong allnew material.
The other thing is to give (me) a chance for me to really miss it.
When people come see the show, they see 75 to 90 minutes on stage, and it’s all good. They don’t see the 22 and a half hours that you are traveling, in hotels, etc.
We have a granddaughter now (turning 3), and I wanna be a part of her life. I’ve never wanted to be that act — and we’ve all seen shows like this — where you go, ”Oh man, they should have stopped a year ago.” Whenever you tell people you’re going to retire, they go, “Oh, is this gonna be like when the Eagles retired? Those bands have ruined the term “retirement.”
And listen, if somebody came up with stupid money and said they wanted a Bill Engvall show, they’ll probably get it. I’m just ready to have some Bill time.
Q
And you deserve it — after 40 years on the road.
A
And, yeah, it’s been fun. The journey’s been awesome. I’ve met some great people across
the country and played in some beautiful venuesm and it’s just like coming (to Northeast Ohio) — I always have good memories comin’ up there.
When I was in the clubs, we would do Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland. I remember going down to the Flats and just having a blast.
I couldn’t tell you why Ohio’s been one of my biggest states, but I guess it’s because we’re all kind of the same. I’m a guy who worked hard at what I do, but there’s plenty of guys who are funnier than me that just weren’t at the right place at the right time.
Q
So you’ve noticed bigger responses from Ohio audiences?
A
Yeah, they just kind of adopted me it seems like (laughs), and that’s a great feeling. I’ve had great shows up in Ohio and I’m really looking forward to this weekend.
I don’t know if it’s maybe because I’ve finally come to terms with all this (the end of touring), but I’m just so much more relaxed now. When I first started doing theaters and performing arts centers and stuff, I’d be packed two days before I had to leave, and now it’s like 20 minutes before I have to go (laughs).
Q
I read that COVID-19 made you realize you don’t love all the travel that comes with doing live shows. Do you think you would have done it longer if not for COVID?
A
That is a great question. The honest answer is I had already been thinking about this over the last three years, but COVID really cemented it.
I found that I wasn’t missing being on the road, and when that occurred, I said, “It’s time.” I don’t know what’s gonna happen in the future. I may get two years into this and go, “You know what? I miss it a lot.”
But I think if I were going to do another tour, I would do a completely different show.