A lot of performers might see signing up for the TV show “Dancing With the Stars” as a way to prove their physical prowess, advance a career or regain their footing in the spotlight.

When Grammy-winning comedian Bill Engvall competed on ABC’s 17th season of “DWTS” in 2013, he had to be talked into the idea by his wife, Gail.

Three years later, he half-jokingly said he can still feel the show’s effects.

“I had my knee replaced,” he said in a phone call from his home in Park City, Utah. “I tore my groin, pulled my hamstring. …

“I’d do it again.”

Engvall ended up making it to the show’s season finale. He credits his strong fan base for propelling him through.

“At the time, I was 56,” said Engvall, who still keeps in touch with his professional dance partner, Emma Slater. “I’m the type of person who should dance once a year, drunk, at a wedding to Kool & the Gang.”

Appearing on “Dancing With the Stars” is just one of the highlights of Engvall’s multifaceted career: He may be best known for the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, performing with his best friend, Jeff Foxworthy, as well as with Ron White and Larry the Cable Guy (who replaced Craig Hawksley) from 2000 to 2006. Various projects and a television show called “Blue Collar TV” (2004-2006) resulted from the tour.

But Engvall wears many hats, as an actor, comedian and writer. He has recorded several comedy albums and is especially known for a signature bit, “Here’s Your Sign.” He also has written books and had his own, self-titled TV show — in which a teenage Jennifer Lawrence played his daughter.

He’s appeared on “The Jeff Foxworthy Show,” “Golden Palace,” a “Golden Girls” spinoff and the Southern-fried “Delta” show starring Delta Burke.

The crux of his career, though, is stand-up comedy. He said he likes to keep the material in his comedy routine fresh because “I want to stretch. I don’t want to get bored.”

He takes the stage for a show at the Hawaii Theatre tonight, appearing in the islands for the first time in his 35-year stand-up career.

Much of Engvall’s appeal lies in the fact that his style of humor is self-deprecating and universal, despite being lumped sometimes in the country-comedy category.

“We all do exactly the same thing but with a different accent,” said Engvall, who is extremely cordial in conversation. “My humor is not regional.”

He intentionally keeps his humor clear of extremely graphic content and coarse language. Some might call that a refreshing departure from the norm in stand-up comedy these days.

“It’s a clean show but an adult show,” he said. “I’m not a prude, but I want people to remember me for being funny and clean.

“My shows are about everyday life, and it’s not political or religious. People get bombarded with that. I want to be the funny guy (performing) in your living room.”

Engvall and his wife, who have two grown children, moved to Park City about a year and a half ago. A native of Galveston, Texas, Engvall moved to Los Angeles in 1990 to work in the entertainment business.

He once dreamed of becoming a teacher, but after trying his hand at amateur stand-up comedy one night in Texas, he saw new possibilities.

Two years after he moved to L.A., his work was affirmed when he was named Best Male Stand-Up at the American Comedy Awards.

“(Comedy) is the perfect job,” he said, jokingly adding, “You work at night and can sleep and drink. … Living in L.A., I accomplished everything I wanted to do.”

Now, however, he’s happy to be out of the city. “I felt like a fish out of water (in L.A.) at first with my kids,” he admitted. “And Gail and I have always wanted to live in the mountains.”

Of his accomplishments, Engvall considers his TV show the biggest highlight of his career. “The Bill Engvall Show” ran from 2007 to 2009 on TBS and centered on a family of five living in Louisville, Colo.

Engvall played dad Bill Pearson, a counselor who couldn’t always relate to his family.

“I had a stage door with my name on it,” he marveled.

The show gave Oscar-winning Lawrence her start in the entertainment business.

“She was a sweetheart,” he said. “I’m happy for her. She had ‘it.’ There was something about her. Bless her heart.”