'It's been a great, great journey': Bill Engvall comes to Lakeland in farewell comedy tour

After nearly 40 years of bringing his comedy and music on the road, comedian Bill Engvall is saying it’s finally time.

Engvall is a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum selling recording artist and one of the top comedians in the United States.

On Friday, Engvall brings his farewell stand-up comedy tour, “Here's Your Sign, It's Finally Time,” to Lakeland’s RP Funding Center. He previously performed in Lakeland in 2006 and 2009, and this week's show will be one of the last stops on his road to retirement.

From Denver, Engvall, former star of TBS TV sitcom “The Bill Engvall Show” and part of the popular Blue-Collar Comedy concert tour with Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy – said he felt like it was time to close the curtains on his comedy career.

Lakeland officials to residents: Don't set up chairs for Christmas parade days in advance

'Squeeze' on in: Downtown golf cart transportation system ready to launch in Lakeland

More: Lakeland to install roundabout at major crossroads near Bonnet Springs Park

The 64-year-old comedian began his full-time stand-up comedy career in 1990 and has since appeared in the Showtime special “A Pair of Jokers,” hosted A&E’s “Evening at the Improv” and appeared on “The Tonight Show” and “The Late Show with David Letterman.” In 1992, he won the American Comedy Award for “Best Male Stand-up Comedian” and has appeared in episodes of “Designing Women” and co-starred in “Delta” and “The Jeff Foxworthy Show.”

“I’ve been on the road for 42 years, and it’s been a great, great journey. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Engvall said. “I always said I wanted to go out on my terms and there’s stuff going on in my life right now that’s all good. It’s just one of those things – you just know when it’s time. I don’t want be one of those acts where you say, ‘Ah, he should’ve stopped years ago.’”

For the 75- to 90-minute show, Engvall said he’ll pull out his “greatest hits” along with new material. The Galveston, Texas, native is known for his family-friendly, keen, observational humor dealing with current issues, crisis control, family, the outdoors and peccadillos of Southern life without the “risk of offending.”

“I do shows like a band: I don’t play all new stuff; people want to hear the classics. I pick up old bits for those who never saw them,” he said. “It’s nothing too edgy. I haven’t had to adjust anything. I want it all 'relatable' as we all experience a lot of the same stuff.”

Engvall is also known for his successful books, including his 2007 autobiography “Bill Engvall – Just A Guy.” He’s charted with popular comedy albums, including his first album,1995’s “Here’s Your Sign,” which was certified platinum and held the No. 1 position on the Billboard Comedy Chart for 15 straight weeks. His second album, 1998’s “Dorkfish,” also debuted at No. 1.

As for what the Lakeland audience can expect, the Texan, who cites Bob Newhart, Steve Martin and George Carlin as comedic influences, said the humor will appeal to anyone with a sense of humor – no matter where they’re from.

“I know a lot of people in that area aren’t from the South, so I really try to write my stuff, whether we’re in Seattle, or Lakeland, or New York, or Phoenix, it will pertain,” he added.

Much of Engvall’s humor can also be found on his weekly podcast, “My 2 Cents,” which he’s done since 2016. His most recent venture offstage was his new TV series “Blue Collar Auction,” which premiered on Sept. 10 on Peacock’s Circle TV, a country-themed music and lifestyle network.

Engvall said he plans to spend his retirement golfing, fishing and in the outdoors – maybe an RV trip with wife Gail and his dogs to “see the country.”

“I never say never,” he said, about possibly returning to the spotlight. “It’s a break for now, but who knows? For now, I want my audiences to walk out thinking ‘I’m glad I got to see him before he called it in’ – they walk out feeling good and having laughed for 90 minutes and they’re happy they got to see possibly my last show there.”

If you go

WHAT: Bill Engvall “Here's Your Sign, It's Finally Time”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 3

WHERE: RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland

COST: $40, $53, $62, $133;

INFO: 863-834-8100, 888-397-0100; www.rpfundingcenter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Comedian Bill Engvall coming to Lakeland, possibly for final time