Jim Barber
Ventriloquist, Comedian, Singer, Musician

When Jim Barber was two-years old the world made him laugh... now, thirty-some years later, the world laughs at him.

Growing up in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Jim first began performing for audiences at the age of eleven. He discovered the theater while a student in high school, winning several state one-act-play competitions.

Jim still carries those childhood memories on his shoulders as he shares his unique approach to life through his creative speaking abilities and unique comedy presentations.

He continued his acting experience at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where he earned his BA degree in Speech Communications with an emphasis on Broadcasting and Theater.

Before graduating, Jim combined his theatrical, comedic, musical, and production skills to create a unique Minneapolis based daily television show which he produced and co-hosted for nearly two-years. This led to the development of his one-man comedy show which he has performed at nearly 2000 colleges and universities nationwide as well as hundreds of corporate events of all types.

In addition to appearances at various clubs, theaters, conventions, corporate and industrial shows and fairs, he was featured for two season on Opryland USA's"General Jackson Showboat" in Nashville, TN.

His Armed Forces USO tours have taken him across the United States and to fifteen foreign countries. He has now performed in every state in the U.S. except Hawaii, but his grass skirt is packed and ready to go!

Jim Barber's refreshing approach to the art of ventriloquism and his incredible vocal skills have earned him the reputation as one of the most original talents performing today, not only on stage for national corporate events and international resorts but also in the voice-over recording market with his multi-octave singing voice and wide-range of comical characters.

Jim and his wife Diane reside full-time in Branson, Missouri where he has been featured in major production shows with such artists as Glen Campbell, The Osmonds, Tony Orlando, Eddie Rabbitt, Kirby VanBurch and a talented group of puppeteers from Toronto called the Famous People Players.

Branson area residents may also recall Jim from his many appearances in area benefit shows, master of ceremonies for the premier of the Branson area produced film Gordy, as well as his selection as a National Co-Host for the Jerry Lewis "Stars Across America" Labor Day Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy along with Eddie Rabbitt, Alan and Merril Osmond.

Included among the other celebrities Jim has appeared with are: Reba McEntire Vince Gill, Roy Clark, The Smothers Brothers, Loretta Lynn, Debbie Reynolds, Crystal Gale, The Captain & Tennille, The Bellamy Brothers, The Forester Sisters, Roger Miller, Louise Mandrell, The Statler Brothers, Little Anthony & The Imperials, The Temptations, The Coasters, and many, many others.

His television credits also include: TN's Prime Time Country, The Statler Brother's Show, Music City Tonight with Crook & Chase, and A&E's Caroline's Comedy Hour, and Comedy on the Road, as well as appearances on Fox's Comic Strip Live, and the syndicated Vicki! The Vicki Lawrence Show.

Jim's act is often featured in A Really Big Shew™ - a tribute to America's favorite TV variety show of all time. This incredibly fun production show has been presented to packed houses in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Reno and major theaters and corporate groups across the country. It is one of Jim's personal favorites, as he not only performs his own unique act, but also recreates a tribute to Ed Sullivan's famous side-kick mouse, Topo Gigio.

When not performing in Branson, Jim entertains for corporate events nationwide and is often a featured headliner on some of the most spectacular cruise ships sailing the oceans of the world.

Jim also combines his creativity with computers as an owner/partner of a full service multimedia company, Image Works, Inc.