Bill Engvall's Southern-fried demeanor enhances his comedy routine, but it doesn't define it.

"I'm from Texas, so you would think I'd be most popular in that state, but actually my biggest draw is in Pennsylvania," Engvall said in a recent telephone interview. "I like to talk about real life."

Engvall, who will do a pair of shows at American Music Theater next Sunday, Jan. 29, said his own life is quite relatable to that of the common man — minus the fame and fortune, of course. He began his career with the intent of being a teacher. He recalled as a college student having to teach a lesson in good nutrition to his peers.

"I came as Captain Good Food," Engvall said, laughing. "I got all the students to eat their broccoli and cauliflower. I'm so glad YouTube wasn't around back then, or it would be all over the Internet."

Engvall was destined to be a teacher until he was out with friends one night, and they convinced him to get up on stage and do some stand-up comedy.

"It was a pure rush," Engvall said. "I found I had the ability to make people other than my friends laugh."

Soon after, Engvall moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. "In the back of my mind, I always knew I wanted to be an actor, but I didn't know comedy would be the road to it."

Engvall's success is largely based on finding humor in everyday life.

"I find stuff you already know about and put a twist on it," Engvall said. Some of his newer material centers on his approach to middle age.

"My wife recently told me we are going on a diet," Engvall explained. "Now your wife can tell you that, and it's OK. If a husband says that, he gets put in a coma."

Engvall admitted to being a fast food fanatic, and he often tries to conceal his lapses in good nutrition from his wife.

"I love McDonald's french fries," Engvall said. "But she can smell them on me, so I started keeping cologne in the car." When confronted by his wife, Engvall suggested he was wearing cologne because he was seeing another woman.

Her reply: "Who? Little Debbie or Wendy's."

Engvall said he is still surprised by the popularity of what he feels is simply telling it like it is.

"It amazes me every time I come out on stage," Engvall said. "I am not a hip or edgy comic, but people can relate to the challenges of everyday life."

Bill Engvall will do two shows at 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at American Music Theater, 2425 Lincoln Highway East. For ticket information, call 397-7700 or visit amtshows.com.