Veteran Stand-up Known  For 'GIT-R-DONE' Bringing His Comedy Show To North Charleston PAC

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

A little over four decades ago 62 year old Daniel Lawrence Whitney aka 'Larry the Cable Guy' stepped onto a stage during open mic night to test his comedic skills. Little did the stand up known for his signature 'GIT-R-DONE' phrase realize that evening would propel him into the national spotlight. 

"It was a nightclub bar in the West Palm Beach (Florida) Mall. I had a really cool day job working as a bellhop and driving a van for the Hyatt Regency in West Palm, making really good money. I would drive flight crews back and forth and tell jokes. They'd say you're really funny, so that gave a little bit of confidence."

But cracking up a few folks in the van and taking the stage at a comedy club are too different animals. "Absolutely. I almost didn't go on. There were guys down there in suits with note cards, and I'm thinking to myself, is it professional comedians night. Of course I had friends coming out, but still I wasn't sure if I wanted to take the stage."

He goes on to say. "My good friend John said, let's see how the first few guys do. If they aren't any good, what do you have to lose. If they kill you can decide after. Thankfully they tanked. Todd who's a friend of mine and was one of the guys wearing a suit went on first. I said I'm funnier than that guy." However, Whitney admits to having an exit plan. "If Todd killed it then I was out of there. So I have him to thank for not bringing his A-game that night."

This is along the same time Whitney decided to drop out of college permanently. "I took a break after my second year, mainly because I was paying my own way. Again, I was making good money at the hotel job, and after the open mic night I was hooked. Didn't know where comedy was going to take me, but I wanted to pursue it."

Many of his mid 1980's contemporaries such as Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno were already making a name for themselves as Whitney began his rise, playing locally and regionally often calling in morning radio shows to promote his comedy club gigs, offering up several minutes of his routines.

By the early 90's he was becoming a regular on syndicated radio programs. When the hosts would answer Whitney would say 'it's Larry, I'm the cable installer', which soon took on its own persona and 'Larry the Cable Guy' was born. "I used a southern accent and a stereotypical redneck humor and the character kind of evolved from that."

While other up and coming comedians often listed George Carlin and Richard Pryor as their comedy influences, Whitney admits his ran further back. "Those guys are icons, but even at an early age I was drawn to quick witted comics who could deliver a good one liner. Comedy legends like Steve Allen, Milton Berle, Henny Youngman, and Rodney Dangerfield."

He explains further. "I enjoyed and still enjoy cornball and slapstick comedy. Coming of age in the 70's I was hooked on Hee Haw, Monty Python, SCTV, and Saturday Night Live. All of those were a good mix of goofy, especially Hee Haw and Monty Python. If I had to list one comic that really stood out for me, it's Steve Martin." 

Whitney likes to draw a humorous comparison between Martin and himself. "His album 'A Wild and Crazy Guy' is one of the most successful comedy albums of all time and eventually reached #2 (1978) on the charts. However, my album 'The Right to Bare Arms' (2005) was the first comedy album to debut in the Top 10 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts." Adding, "Mine topped the charts. I have both of them hanging on my wall."

According to Whitney, developing the 'Larry the Cable Guy' personality was more about distinguishing himself from the every other comedian. "There were 1000's of comedians coming up in the 80's and 90's. Comedy clubs were all the rage. But if you wanted to stand out as a stand up, then you had to separate yourself from the pack. There were a lot of funny guys but if you wanted audiences to remember you, you had to be unique."

While he didn't coin his popular catchphrase 'Git-R-Done!', it has become synonymous with Whitney as well as 'I don't care who ya are, that's funny right there', and 'Lord, I apologize for that'.

Just as his star was continuing to rise, Whitney took it to another level partnering as one of the members of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour (2000-06), a comedy troupe that included Bill Engvall, Ron White, and Jeff Foxworthy (with whom he starred on Blue Collar TV). The tour eventually spawned three films.

"Talk about being in the right place at the right time. We all brought a certain style of country comedy to the group. We come from different backgrounds but our comedy comes from the same place. We just connected, especially Jeff and myself."

The tour had an immediate upside for Whitney. "I was already gaining popularity and selling tickets everywhere, doing three and four shows a week at some of the biggest comedy clubs out there. But with the Blue Collar Tour I was playing to much larger crowds. We were selling out 10 thousand seat venues. I feel certain it introduced me to newer fans."

Although he remains close to the entire Blue Collar Comedy guys, Whitney has come somewhat full circle, as he continues to work with Jeff today hosting Jeff & Larry's Comedy Roundup on Sirius XM's comedy channel. "The radio shows I did early in my career came after I started doing stand--up, but it helped launch my career. I feel comfortable on radio. Jeff has a comic mind. We both love what we do, and X amount of the show is live. It's a fun bunch." 

40 years into a successful career Whitney who draws comedy from southern culture, self deprecation, political satire, and current events has no problem finding new material. "A lot of it is observational. I'll see something or hear something and turn into a bit. The other day I heard someone remark that person has OCD, but he wanted to call it COD so he could put the letters in order."

Raised in a God fearing household, Whitney re-committed to his Christian faith more than a decade ago, which he says made him re-evaluate the way he presented his comedy. "Some of the jokes I've written and performed in the past, I wouldn't do today. Mostly I'm thankful for God's grace and forgiveness."

He adds, "Getting married (2005) and having a relationship with Jesus makes me mindful of what I say and do, whether I'm on stage or involved in a project. Thankfully I'm continually making progress in my relationship with the Lord."

One particular project that is near and dear to his heart is Whitney's GIT-R-DONE Foundation (est. 2009), an organization that provides assistance to those that have experienced hardships beyond their control. "It all started of my kid (Wyatt) who suffered from hip dysplasia when he was just a infant. Doctors told us he'd have to have hip replacement before he turned 40 if we didn't opt for the surgery." 

Whitney initially provided seed money to the doctor(s) who operated on his son, and through fund raising efforts was able to donate $5 million to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando. "Again, it all started with my son. But now through the foundation we help fund child advocacy and veterans programs."

As much as Whitney feels blessed, he holds true to the Biblical principle Jesus taught his disciples. "To whom much is given, much will be required." (Luke 12:48)

Whitney has done TV shows, comedy specials, movies (including Disney films), recorded albums, and performed on stages around the country. However, it's no small surprise which is his first love. "Absolutely, it's the comedy clubs or the stage. It allows for instant gratification. I know right away if a comedy bit or a routine is going to work or not."

Stand-up comedy will bring Whitney aka 'Larry the Cable Guy' to Charleston on Sunday January 18th at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. Although he's performed here on multiple occasions, he admits to not getting to fully appreciate the Holy City. 

"Jeff and I have come there together, and the Blue Collar Comedy. The only downside is when I come to town, it's always a whirlwind. I never get to see the city. I know it's a beautiful city with a rich history, so I would welcome coming back when I can just take it all in as a tourist."

An avid golfer who raises a lot of money with an annual golf tournament through the GIT-R-Done Foundation, Whitney does welcome hitting the links when he visits a particular city on tour. "Love to leave divots everywhere I go." He hopes to play in Charleston when he arrives, or the next morning (Monday) before moving on to Savannah for a show later that night.

Admittedly, the tour is fast paced. He performs at the Alabama Theatre in North Myrtle Beach on the 16th, followed by Harrah's Cherokee Casino in North Carolina before making his way to Charleston on the 18th. "I used to travel in a big old bus, but now just use a sprinter van. I can throw my clubs in there, and fortunately I have a driver, so if I need to sleep on the van I can."

Just remember, when you experience Whitney's comedy 'It's a gift'. Regarding his North Charleston show at the performing arts center visit https://www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com/events/detail/an-evening-with-larry-the-cable-guy

For more on the 2026 'An Evening With Larry the Cable Guy' tour visit https://www.larrythecableguy.com/tour/  and for more on the GIT-R-DONE Foundation and their yearly golf classic (May 31st - June 1st 2026) and how you can support kids charities and veterans organizations visit https://gitrdonefoundation.org/