Brian Wilson's first day back
It wasn't exactly as if he'd never been away, but longtime fans heard pretty much the same old Brian Wilson when he made his return to Baltimore's airwaves earlier this afternoon on WHFS-FM (105.7).
The inaugural show, beginning at noon, started off with a few stumbles -- some missed cues, a restart on the opening theme music (The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again"), and a reference to the governor of Maryland as Mike O'Malley. But Wilson, who's been doing this for nearly four decades, took the gaffes in stride, made fun of himself (let's admit right now that this opening show will be bad, he advised his listeners), and wasted little time in invoking his usual litany of libertarian causes: too many taxes, too much government regulation, too many impingements on individual freedom, etc.
His first caller, Ron from Severna Park (an old friend, Wilson said), welcomed him back. His second, Brian from Baltimore, boasted of his "My kid got your honor student pregnant" bumper sticker, told a tasteless joke (even though Wilson urged him not to), and asked if he was the Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys (he's not).
A later caller suggested a tagline for the show: The Hour of Power. The caller, apparently, didn't come up with the name by himself, as a friend had to cue him. But the guy on the phone sure sounded proud.
Wilson ended his first three-hour broadcast bantering with Ed Norris, whose own show now airs on WHFS 3 p.m.-6 p.m. The two talked about the evils of gun control, worried about whether they'd be sharing the same pool of callers, and made like newfound best buds.
"I gotta go, make way for the Commish," Wilson said as the show concluded, "the King, the E-Man." Norris laughed.
Wilson, whose Charm City career has included stints as one-half of the popular Brian and O'Brien morning show on B-104 from 1984 to 1988, as well as fill-in work on WBAL-AM and brief dalliances with WQSR-FM and WOCT-FM, is back in Charm City for the first time since 2004. Although living in Toledo, where he holds down the afternoon drive-time slot on WSPD, he'll be broadcasting out of Baltimore through the end of this week. Then it's back to Toldeo, where he'll send his voice back to B'More through the wonders of ISDN transmissions.
(Photo coutesy of Brian Wilson)
Comments
Finally another talk show host to support intelligent thinking in Baltimore! Brian and Ed are the only two on the air who make sense!
Posted by: Joe | April 9, 2008 5:51 PM
Whether you like his libertarian perspective or not, fact is:Brian Wilson is the best talent on Baltimore radio. Ever. Period. He's beyond smart, articulate and has a Gold Medal in Funny. The "Ron Smith" show was always best when Smith was on vacation and Wilson was filling in.
So far, Wilson has brought on former Congressman Bob Barr on a possible presidential run, Peter Franchot on slots,the one and only Dr.Walter Williams and David Ridenour, warning about pending federal legislation that would severely damage our ability the hunt, fish, boat, ride ATV's etc.
Even "Mighty John Young" talking about making money with your old 45's and LP's was terrific!
Not bad at all for the first week.
And this Friday (4/18) he has Ann Coulter coming on.
Quite the line-up for just one week and half of it done 400 miles away!
Welcome back, Brian! Now get your butt back to Bal'mer!
Posted by: Gil Petersen | April 17, 2008 6:45 AM