In a previous life, and possibly a parallel one, he was Gregg Turkington, writer, musician and independent record label owner. 

In the business we call show, though, he’s America’s Funnyman, Neil Hamburger.

He’s garnered an underground audience opening for indie rock bands, but Hamburger’s appearances on “The Jimmy Kimmel Show,” as well as an opening slot for Tenacious D, have delighted or perplexed many a mainstream audience member.

YouTube has plenty of examples of Hamburger’s unique way with a joke. Or and interviewer.

Hamburger’s greasy hair, ratty tux and thick glasses set the stage for his awkward timing, tasteless celebrity references and near constant throat-clearing. As a comedian, he’s terrible. As a comic act, Neil Hamburger is genius.

Hamburger appears tonight (June 25, 2008) at Crowbar in Ybor City. The crowd may even be treated to some tunes form Hamburger’s latest, and first musical, recording, “Neil Hamburger Sings Country Winners.”

Speaking by phone from the road – his only home – Hamburger talked about his new album, profession, his personal life and how he became America’s Funnyman.

On his country album: “We did the country and westernalbum for reasons unknown. It’s gone pretty well. I’m no Phil Collins. I do the best I can. It was partly my idea. I’ve made a dozen albums or so. I want to keep the albums fresh and not make the same one over and over. Like Phil Collins did.

On his musical influences: “I had an 8-track tape player in this car I purchased second-hand. You can’t get the 8-track tapes anymore. I found two under the passenger seat. One was”Kenny Rogers’ Greatest Hits” and the other was Yoko Ono’s “Plastic Ono Band. I listened to those 10,000 times a piece. I stopped at a thrift store just outside Tulsa and found a Flintstones tape where Wilma tells the story of Bambi. Those are the three I’m most familiar with. Have a radio but the antenna is gone. I’m using a coat hanger but it only picks up the news station. And some of the mariachi music.

On the pitfalls of show business: “I was hired to play the casino in Elko Nev. You get promised X number of dollars, sometimes two figures. You go out to these places and put your heart and soul into it and the audience just isn’t there. Or it they are, they’re not laughing. At the end of the night they say they can’t pay you what they promised but the chef made you something to eat. And I’ve got another the show the next nigh 972 miles away. Sometimes I get leftover pizza slices from patrons. Sometimes you can get a 10 dollar bill. You don’t realize what a horrible life show biz is.

On why he does it: It’s in the blood in much the same way the herpes virus is in other people’s blood. Cannot get the herpes out. You can get the little bandages for the mouth. It’s the same with the show business. It’s a drive you wish you could get rid of. It’s ruining my marriage. A lot of these entertainers you look up to are some of most miserable people you could hope to meet.

On how he became “America’s Funnyman”: “Well, you just have to check the copyrights and see what hasn’t been taken, because titles like “World’s Number One All-Time Hilarity Guy” have been taken. I think that was a Carrot Top impersonator. Although I think he ultimately committed suicide.

For more information, call Crowbar, (813) 241-8600.