Brian Wilson | ABOUT BRIAN
Brian Wilson, nationally-known radio and television host, author, speaker and consultant. With more than 40 years experience in media, he currently serves as News and Program Director at Clear Channel's WSPD-AM/Toledo and is the station's afternoon drive talk host. RadioInk Magazine selected Brian as one of the 'Top 50 Program Directors in Radio'.
Prior to moving into management, Brian hosted successful radio programs in several of the nation's largest cities, including New York, San Francisco, Atlanta, Houston, Baltimore and Washington, DC. As morning drive host at the "Big Apple's" WABC, he enjoyed the unique position in broadcast history of being the last "MusicRadio 77 WABC" DJ and the first "TalkRadio 77 WABC" Talk Show Host. And while "Zoo-Keeper" of New York's outrageously successful Z-100 "Z-Morning Zoo", Wilson opened at Radio City Music Hall for the 'Sold Out' performances of world-famous entertainers Siegfried and Roy.
While in New York, Brian made numerous guest TV appearances on major network programs, including Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, ABC World News Tonight, as well as starring in the premiere episode of ABC's sitcom 'Anything for a Laugh'. He continues his TV appearances as a guest on numerous talk and political programs.
Wilson also played a role in the start-up of CNN, hosting the entertainment segment 'Take Two'. In a return to Atlanta in the '90s, Brian not only hosted his WGST PM Drive talk radio show, he also hosted 'Talk at Night', a live, week-night television talk program. Wilson is the author of two books A Media Guide for Market-Liberal Organizations and The Little Black Book on Whitewater. The latter created a stir in talk radio, landing Brian appearances as a guest on many of the country's great talk radio stations and opening the door to his ground-breaking Vacation Relief business.
As the founder of Vacation Relief, Inc. (VRINK), Brian was the first major-market talk radio host to fill-in for other hosts around the country without leaving the comfort of his home studio. Wilson hosted radio programs in Seattle, Sacramento, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Kansas City, Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte, Atlanta, Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, San Francisco and New York and many more. His knowledge and charm allow callers to have an easy rapport with Brian, discussing topics ranging from politics to cars, education to taxes, children to Chili recipes, all without Wilson even setting foot in the city in which he's broadcasting!
The Washington Post's Marc Fisher wrote, "He's so good that his listeners could be forgiven for thinking that he's in the 'City by the Bay' rather than in a bedroom in Maryland." Brian McTavish at The Kansas City Star noted, "He was only supposed to be a fill-in (and wasn't even in town). But Brian Wilson, not the fabled Beach Boy, but the freelance radio personality, gave off enough good vibrations as a temporary morning host to be offered a full-time job."
Wilson's ease on the air and in-depth knowledge attract the attention of many nationally-known political favorites as guests like Walter Williams, James Bovard, Stephen Moore and Ann Coulter.
Coulter unabashedly calls Brian, "her favorite talk show host." Williams notes he enjoys speaking with Brian, "almost as much as subbing for Rush Limbaugh." And radio host Glenn Beck calls Brian "one of the most talented hosts on the air today."
A "small-L" libertarian, Brian's belief in individual responsibility and self-ownership transcend the often misinterpreted belief that libertarians are little more than supporters of the Second Amendment, legalized drugs and prostitution. Wilson's objectivist viewpoint no doubt is reinforced with his 'once a decade' re-reading of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. And his interest in people 'why and how they do what they do' transcends his radio show. Brian is as straight-forward and open in person as he is in front of a microphone.
Wilson was born in New Jersey and attended schools on the East Coast; his college years at Fairleigh-Dickenson, Rutgers and Louisiana State University. What was intended to be a short hunting trip to Baton Rouge became more than a decade spent in the Bayou State and led not only to the birth of four of his children, but to the birth of his career in radio. Currently, he lives on Smith Mountain Lake in southern Virginia with his wife, journalist-writer Cassie Wilson, and their golden retriever, Beanie.
Note: September 26, 2010
Sadly, tragically, Beanie left us sometime in his sleep Sunday morning, September 19th. He was only 7 and thus the tragedy. At this writing 'one week later', it is impossible to imagine the pain ever subsiding; the loss, the emptiness of his absence in our life is as close to unbearable as I could have ever imagined. Everyone who has owned a dog thinks s/he was the most wonderful and unique animal that ever graced the earth. Such was Beanie. I would happily give up all I own to have him back. scratch his ears, pet his head, take him 'fishing' at the lake.
If you are or ever will be blessed with such a prize, cherish every moment. Beanie apparently died of an aneurism or something equally undetectable, unavoidable and sudden. That doesn't make it any more bearable; it only objectifies the pain a little. Since none of us have a guarantee we'll be here tomorrow, squeeze every drop of life from today and every waking moment with those you love. Whatever the age, 'life is too short' are among the most accurate and understated words ever authored.
BW