If you are a fan of stand-up comedy and ventriloquism, you might have heard of Jeff Dunham and his hilarious puppets. But do you know who is the Guitar Guy that often accompanies him on stage? And are they related in any way? In this article, we will answer these questions and reveal the truth behind the comedy duo.
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Who is Guitar Guy?
Guitar Guy is the stage name of Brian Elwin Haner Sr., an American musician, comedian, and author. He was born on April 7, 1958, in California. He started playing guitar when he was five years old, after seeing The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. He joined his first band, The Plastic Mind, when he was ten years old.
Haner had a successful career as a session musician, working with artists like Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, Norman Whitfield, The Undisputed Truth, Rose Royce, and Jr. Walker. He also recorded and toured as a solo artist under the name of Brian West, and scored several television shows and films.
Haner is also the father of Brian Haner Jr., better known as Synyster Gates, the lead guitarist of the metal band Avenged Sevenfold.
How did he meet Jeff Dunham?
Haner met Jeff Dunham in 2005, when Dunham caught one of Haner’s shows at Chicago’s Improv Club and had his management invite him to write the music for the YouTube song, “Jingle Bombs,” with puppet Achmed. Haner agreed and joined Dunham on stage to record the song.
“I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I can’t believe I’m doing this,'” Haner said.
The song became a viral hit, and Dunham asked Haner to join him as his opening act and musical accompanist. Haner accepted and became known as Guitar Guy, playing original songs and interacting with Dunham’s puppets.
No, they are not related. They are just good friends and professional partners. They have a lot of respect and admiration for each other’s talents and humor.
Haner said about Dunham: “He’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met in my life. He’s incredibly generous. He’s a great boss. He’s a great friend.”
Dunham said about Haner: “He’s one of the funniest guys I know. He’s a brilliant musician. He’s a great writer. He’s a great performer.”
What are they doing now?
Haner left Dunham’s show in 2011 to pursue his own projects. He has released several solo albums, such as The Artist Formerly Known as Guitar Guy, Alone, and Perfect World. He has also published two novels, Carney Man and The Synyster Gates Case Files.
Dunham continues to perform with his puppets around the world. He has also starred in several specials for Comedy Central and Netflix, such as Jeff Dunham: Beside Himself, Jeff Dunham: Relative Disaster, and Jeff Dunham: Unhinged in Hollywood.
Conclusion
Guitar Guy and Jeff Dunham are not related by blood, but they are related by comedy. They have entertained millions of fans with their music and jokes for over a decade. They are both talented and successful artists who have made their mark in the entertainment industry.
