Jim O'Brien - The World's Funniest Rock Star I play a Deering Goodtime Banjo in my comedy act! My show is called "Jim O'Brien's Rock Skool Comedy Show - A Twisted Tribute to Rock n' Roll." Before I got my Goodtime Banjo as a gift, I had been performing stand-up and musical comedy with a guitar for over ten years. The banjo makes a great addition to the show! When I switch instruments and pick up the banjo on stage, the whole vibe of the show changes. The audience "lights up" with anticipation. I like to use part of my time on stage to inspire people to appreciate the good things in life.

I take a few minutes to be sincere with the audience. With a soft banjo riff in a minor key, I talk about how my wife bought the banjo for me as a 10th wedding anniversary present and how much we love each other. The audience really responds. I can see people getting really sentimental. Then I play the funny songs and sing-a-longs. It is a blast for me and the audience!

I use a variety of guitars in my show. I play a Gibson SG electric and a Hummingbird acoustic. The great thing about the Deering Goodtime Banjo is that it is light and easy to transport, and loud enough that I don't need an amplifier. In really big rooms I can share the vocal mic with the banjo, and in small rooms I don't need any mic at all. It is a high quality instrument that feels very much at home among more expensive guitars. Sometimes I think about going "all banjo" with the show. At first, making the transition from guitar to banjo was a challenge. But as I practiced, I found that my guitar skills increased along with my banjo skills. I just released a CD that I wrote and produced for Confetti-Throwing Funnyman Rip Taylor. It includes some of my own songs as well. There are no banjo tunes on that CD, but I have been practicing, and I feel more confident in my banjo skill level.

I have plans for a couple of banjo songs on my next CD. In the meantime, I'll keep playing the Goodtime Banjo on stage all around the country, as well as at my "home" stage at the Friars Club in Beverly Hills, CA. You can find out more about me at my web site: www.jimo.tv