About Rev. Billy C. Wirtz
The Reverend Billy C. Wirtz brings his healing musical message to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on Saturday, February 19 for a 7:30 pm performance presented by Snazzy Productions.
Billy C. Wirtz was born in Aiken, SC, on September 28, 1954. One of his most treasured childhood memories was watching the gospel programs broadcasted from the Bell Auditorium in nearby Augusta, GA. In 1963, his family moved to Washington, D.C. where he eventually landed a job at Glen’s Music, a record store which catered to black music, including R&B, jazz, and spirituals. “I spent all day long listening to Julius Cheeks, Clarence Fountain, and the Dixie Hummingbirds. I was in heaven,” said Billy. In 1971, he attended a gospel concert featuring, among others, the 615 pound Gloria Spencer, billed as “The World’s Largest Gospel Singer” and the Mighty Clouds of Joy. “It was like an epiphany for me, a revelation to experience something like that live. It left an indelible impression on me,” added Billy. While working at Glen’s he was also inspired by recordings of pianists Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis, Big Maceo, and Otis Spann to name a few. He took up the keyboard while in high school, but it wasn’t until the tail end of his college career at James Madison University (from which he graduated with a degree in special education) did he play the instrument in earnest.
Wirtz, also known as Master of The 88 Key Disaster, King of the Atomic Boogie, and the Fashion Plate of Public Radio is a music writer, radio personality not to mention a comic genius, gifted pianist and American musicologist who defies easy classification. “I like to think of myself as the Victor Borge of the blues,” states the Reverend, but Billy goes way beyond Borge both in scope of subject matter (from politics to social commentary) and, of course, in taste. In fact, no theme is too extreme, taboo, or undignified for the Reverend, so long as it garners a good laugh.
The Rev. Billy returns with his own brand of twisted humor, blazing boogie Woogie piano, and an unforgettable Gospel closing number. Along with his radio show on KPIG, these days Wirtz has a record shop and still tours.
Billy C. Wirtz was born in Aiken, SC, on September 28, 1954. One of his most treasured childhood memories was watching the gospel programs broadcasted from the Bell Auditorium in nearby Augusta, GA. In 1963, his family moved to Washington, D.C. where he eventually landed a job at Glen’s Music, a record store which catered to black music, including R&B, jazz, and spirituals. “I spent all day long listening to Julius Cheeks, Clarence Fountain, and the Dixie Hummingbirds. I was in heaven,” said Billy. In 1971, he attended a gospel concert featuring, among others, the 615 pound Gloria Spencer, billed as “The World’s Largest Gospel Singer” and the Mighty Clouds of Joy. “It was like an epiphany for me, a revelation to experience something like that live. It left an indelible impression on me,” added Billy. While working at Glen’s he was also inspired by recordings of pianists Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis, Big Maceo, and Otis Spann to name a few. He took up the keyboard while in high school, but it wasn’t until the tail end of his college career at James Madison University (from which he graduated with a degree in special education) did he play the instrument in earnest.
Wirtz, also known as Master of The 88 Key Disaster, King of the Atomic Boogie, and the Fashion Plate of Public Radio is a music writer, radio personality not to mention a comic genius, gifted pianist and American musicologist who defies easy classification. “I like to think of myself as the Victor Borge of the blues,” states the Reverend, but Billy goes way beyond Borge both in scope of subject matter (from politics to social commentary) and, of course, in taste. In fact, no theme is too extreme, taboo, or undignified for the Reverend, so long as it garners a good laugh.
The Rev. Billy returns with his own brand of twisted humor, blazing boogie Woogie piano, and an unforgettable Gospel closing number. Along with his radio show on KPIG, these days Wirtz has a record shop and still tours.
Videos
![video:Too Old](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fISFn7rVfIA/hqdefault.jpg)
![video:Rev. Billy C. Wirtz - What I Used to Do All Night](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MOfuSqu1raU/hqdefault.jpg)
![video:Rev Billy C Wirtz:](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OYaMr7fByhA/hqdefault.jpg)
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