|  It's
a rare comedian who cites as influences both folksy southern funnyman
Jerry Clower and the envelope-pushing Richard Pryor. Or who
opens shows for both country legend Reba McIntire and rock-n-rollers
Cheap Trick. Or who writes funny songs about both Hillary Clinton and
Garth Brooks. Or who has been called both "offensive" and
a "born funnyman."
Tim Wilson is that rare comedian. He's a Southern-born libertarian joker
with an appreciation for both country music and soul music -- and a
passionate dislike for the Clinton family (and for Chucky Cheese, but
that's another story). He's appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay
Leno, released more than a dozen comedy albums, and co-wrote a
hit single with Jeff Foxworthy.
Let's start with his politics. On his 2001 album, I Should've Married
My Father In Law, Wilson said, "Ya'll have to forgive me if
I ever voted for a Democrat; I'd slit my wrists and bleed in a cup.
I'm not really a Republican. I'm kind of libertarian."
Wilson's libertarian sentiments crop up in random places. In a comedy
bit he calls "2nd Amendment" (2001), he says: "The Second
Amendment of the United States Constitution has to stay. If you do not
have guns, you do not have freedom." In an interview with County
Music Television (September 14, 1999), he explained the rationale behind
his song, "It Takes a Village to Raise a Nut." Disagreeing
with Hillary Clinton's notion that "society" is responsible
for everything, Wilson said, "I was brought up by a father who
was very strict and taught me to be responsible for myself. Why can't
everyone just be responsible for themselves instead of blaming everyone
else?" If this seems like a serious comment for a comedian, Wilson
adds, "When it comes to politics, I'm very opinionated."
Others have noticed that about Wilson. Fellow comedian Pat Dixon said,
"Tim Wilson's voice is like Dan Rather. Imagine Rather singing
country songs, powerful country, preaching Libertarian politics, telling
21-year-olds they don't know sh*t."
Wilson may sound like Dan Rather, but the similarities stop there. Born
in Georgia, Wilson grew up listening to genteel Southern comedian Jerry
Clower and the urban, edgy Richard Pryor. That explains Wilson's raw
but folksy style, which he described in an online chat on Country.com
(September 15, 1999) as "somewhere between Richard Pryor and Jerry
Clower."
After graduating from college with an English degree, Wilson started
doing stand-up comedy in the Atlanta area in 1983. As his popularity
grew, he toured around the country, opening for musical acts including
Reba McIntire, the Beach Boys, and Cheap Trick.
Wilson's performances combine caustic observations, funny stories, and
humorous songs that he sings in a baritone drawl. Fan favorites include
"The Jeff Gordon Song," "Garth Brooks Ruined My Life,"
"The Ballad of John Rocker," "Hillbilly Homeboy,"
and "In God and Alan Greenspan We Trust." He also co-wrote
Jeff Foxworthy's hit single, "The Redneck Twelve Days of Christmas."
Wilson has appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Evening at
the Improv, Grace Under Fire, and TNN's Prime Time Country.
His comedy albums include Waking Up the Neighborhood (1994),
Tough Crowd (1995), Low-Class Love Affair (1996),
Tuned Up (1997), Gettin My Mind Right (1999), It's
a Sorry World (1999), Hillbilly Homeboy (2000), I
Should've Married My Father In Law (2001), The Real Twang Thang
(2005), and Church League Softball Fistfight (2005). His funky
2003 album, Super Bad Sounds of the 70's, is an off-kilter
tribute to his favorite 70's-era soul musicians such as Barry White,
Isaac Hayes, and Curtis Mayfield.
Wilson has been praised as "a born funnyman" by CMT.com and
as "one of the funniest comedians on the circuit" by CountryStandardTime.com.
The Beat newspaper (Greenville, South Carolina), wrote, "Wilson
is not just another hillbilly comedian, but he sure is funny."
Not everyone is quite so impressed. William Ruhlmann, writing in the
All Music Guide, called Wilson "racist, sexist, xenophobic,
and reactionary" and said he's "on the more offensive side
of the current school of Southern comedy."
But don't expect such criticism to change the blunt-spoken comedian.
As Wilson explained to County Music Television, "I just tell things
the way I see them."
-- Bill Winter |
