TIM WILSON AMERICA

Nobody reaches goals without alot of other people's help.
I have been helped by thousands of folks over the years,
but here are 50 people without whom I wouldn't be here.
-Tim Wilson

A.L. "WILLIE" WILSON

  No boy ever had a finer daddy
 My father was an elementary school math teacher and
PE Coach who later became a Junior High School
Assistant Principal. He was instrumental in the lives
of many kids in Columbus, Georgia, coaching Little
League and Pop Warner Football and organizing youth
Basketball Leagues around town. He was a College and
High School Basketball referee and worked games all
over. For 13 years he ran a summer day camp for kids
at Lake Walter Richards for the Tom's Foods Co.
employees where he was a lifeguard in the summers,
teaching swimming and life saving. Eventually my
brother took over his responsibilities there and my
father went on to earn a Masters Degree in Education.
 He spent many years training Racking Horses and he
and my sister won many awards showing horses. He was born on a farm on Jan. 23, 1928,in the small community of Napoleon AL, the youngest of 10 children.
 He graduated from Jacksonville State and played guard
on the football team. My daddy started in the second
football game he ever saw.
 My old man was competitive and demanding and would
put your ass to work in a heart beat. He was honest as
the day is long and expected the same out of anybody
around him. My daddy would give you his opinion on any
topic and I often hear my father in a my comedy
routine. After my mothers death, my daddy stepped up
during a traumatic time in his life and expected us to
carry on without excuses or feeling sorry for
ourselves.The most important thing I learned from my
father was that a man never quits taking care of his
folks, ever.
  He passed away in 1990 but he is with me every day.

FLOREED C. "FLO" WILSON

  My mother understood the creative side of me. I
think my mother knew I would end up in show business.
She made sure I had drawing lessons and would force me to take piano lessons. She would would make us watch Porter Wagonner, Dolly Parton, Tom Jones, Glen
Campbell and any variety shows that had musical acts.
  A school teacher herself who had also earned a
Masters Degree, my mother used to drag me to her
school and I'd do shows for her classes. She was
basically my first agent.
  My mother was born in Morganton, Georgia in November of 1937. A very pretty woman, my mother was a very likeable and outgoing person. She had lots of friends and made people feel very comfortable around her. She worried about other people more than herself for too long.
 Unfortunately, she also struggled with depression and
after bouts in and out of hospitals, she took her own
life when I was 16. I miss her. She would have dug
going to Vegas.

CHRIS DIPETTA

  My manager for about 20 years. I met Chris after my
first open mic night and he sent me to do my first
paid week of comedy. He is a comedians best friend and
is much more interested in the creative end rather
than the bean counting part of the comedy club
business.
  He has managed Foxworthy, Steve Harvey, Me and Billy
Gardell and alot of other acts over the years.
  Chris is a guy you can trust with your dream.

EVERETT AND FLOYD "EBB&ZEBB" COLLINS
  These guys were my uncles and they were both
accomplished musicians and bluegrass sidemen. As a
team they played the medicine show circuit and later
the Wheeling Jamboree Ebb played with Charlie Moore
and Bill Napier while Floyd worked with Jimmy Martin
and the Sunny Mountain Boys. There is a Picture of
Jimmy Martins Band in the Illustrated Encyclopedia of
Country Music and Floyd is the Comedian on Bass. Both
inspired me when I was little.

DERRILL RICE
  My best friend in life and the smartest person I've
ever met. Derrill is a self made man and through
intense hard work and belief in himself went from a 13
year old employee at Shakey's Pizz , helping his
mother pay bills to the CEO of a major fabricating
corporation. If he had wanted to, he could have been
President of the United States. No Doubt. Helped me
immeasurably.

SANDRA & LA WILLIAMS
  Derrill's Aunt and Uncle who were early patrons of
mine. They helped me finance a recording session when
I didn't have a dime. First Class people.

BOB MURRAY
  My High School offensive line coach. An exceptional
person who carried himself the way I wanted to.
He was an English major at Presbyterian College and I
figured "what the hell" Thats what I'll do.

BOB DURIE
  Junior High chemistry teacher who threw great dinner
parties at his home and would employ me and friends to
play guitars and entertain. He graduated West Point
and was a big supporter of my being in show business.

DR. JAMES A. MONTGOMERY
  My partner in Crime in College. Jim would set up
gigs in bars I wasn't really qualified to play, but we
would pull down $200 on the weekends. When the crowds got bored with the music, I'd do comedy bits to get us
thru. We wrote alot of songs together and Monty was
like my manager. He became a MaxcialFacial Surgeon
and I would sleep at his house later in between comedy
gigs.

ROY YEAGER
  Former Drummer of Lobo and The Atlanta Rhythm
Section. Produced my first real studio session and
introduced me to serious show business.

DEAN DAUGHTRY
  Songwriter extraordinaire and key board player.
Dean is like my brother. He produced my first comedy
albums and I've never made a record without Lean Dean.

STEVE STONE
  Guitarist for the Atlanta Rhythm Section. Served as
my roomate during my divorce days and has played
comedy guitar for me for years. Most honest man I
know.

BUDDY BUIE
  Legendary songwriter and producer. ARS was Buddy's
Band and he has always been very kind to me and my
music dream. He would let me hang in the studio when
ARS recorded and I learned a ton. A Southern Gentleman
would can get tough when he has to. Deep down, I want
HIS job.

RODNEY MILLS
  Engineer#1 and Producer of 38 Special. Rodney Edited
and Mastered all my early comedy CD's and would let me
use his clout to get some great musicians. A real
professional and one of the genuinely best people I
ever met in music.

BILL LOWERY
  Mr. Lowery is the standard by which I judge people
in show business. He discovered and cultivated so much
musical talent. Truly a genius music publisher and
truly a great man.
 
BUTCH LOWERY
  My boss in the record business. Without Butch my
music career never would have happened. Butch is my
Sam Phillips. And one of my best friends.

BUDD FRIEDMAN
  Mr. Friedman invented the Improv and basically got
me to Hollywood for a while. If Bud thinks you're
funny
it helps. Very kind to me.

RALPH EMERY
  In my opinion one of the most underrated people in
TV history. Ralph Emery put me on TV about 30 times
and never once asked me what I was going to say. Great
for Comedians.

BILL TURNER
  Produced the Porter Wagonner Show and Ralphs show.
A very thoughtful man who was a huge help to me in
Nashville. He would always tell me, "Tim, lets keep it
down to 2 hells and a damn this next show"

TOM SOBEL
  Invented the Comedy business in the Mid West.
Straight Shooter. He opened up Louisville Kentucky and
the Kentucky Derby to me and helped me become a draw. Extremely organized and will talk your ear off. No one has helped Tim Wilson more than Tom Sobel.

ROB KERSTING
  Basically worked as my publicist in Kentucky and
helped me become a draw in that area. A really good
friend of mine who understands radio and TV promotion
like no one else. Helped me start this web site.

TOM BECCI
  My Boss at Capitol Records. He saw me in a club in
Nashville and has been treating me like Elvis ever
since.

BETSY MORLEY
  When I become dictator, Betsy Morley will take care
of the details. She has single handedly taught me the
business of the music business. Their is no nicer
human being in Tennessee.

LYNN GANN
  Single Handedly got me my big record deal. He called
me on the phone and started bringing record people out
to my shows. Introduced me to Capitol. A pro music
publishing man and a brave daddy.

CHARLIE CHASE
  A television talent. Always treats me like a friend
and puts you at ease on the air. Highly Underrated.
Seriously pro sense of humor.

BOB & TOM
  Tom Griswald and Bob Kevoian are the best friends
stand up comedians ever had. Tom produced my first
album for Capitol and these guys help us day in and
day out.

JOHN BOY & BILLY
  If it were not for John and Bill I would still be
struggling to get known as a comedian. No body has
taken me under their Radio Wing like these men. They
are like my cuzzins and have been extremely unselfish
with their help. Also Randy Brazell and Jackie Curry
Lynch. Fine people.

RHUBBARB JONES
 Rhubbard put me on the radio when I couldn't get
arrested. If there is a man who has helped sick
children more than Rhubbarb, I want to meet him.
Should be the Governor of Georgia.

STEVE MITCHELL
  A great patron of mine. Helped me edit my first
comedy tape, put me on the radio hundreds of times and
produced my first DVD. A true friend to a comedian
like me.

PINKARD & BOWDEN
  Sandy and Richard recorded the first song I ever had
on a major label. Co-wrote many songs with them. They
taught me alot about the behind the scenes music
business.

STEVE MELTON
  My Right Arm in the music business. I don't ever
plan to make a record without him. Engineer at Muscle
Shoals for 30 years and has forgot more about the
studio than I'll ever know. We produced the All Night
ALL Stars together and will be on the phone with each
other today. My Best Friend.

THE MUSCLE SHOALS SWAMPERS
  David Hood, Clayton Ivey, Larry Byrom, Owen Hale and
and others. These guys make your ideas sound alot
better. Whoever coined the phrase Turd Polishers knows
these boys. Legendary musicians who have helped me
countless times.

DANNY SIMPSON
  My other Brother. Danny and I have written a slew of
songs together and have ridden the interstate no
telling how far. Very little about me that he don't
know about. A 1st Class individual. If I ever run for
president, I'll have to have Danny assasinated.

JESSE DEESE
  One of my favorite people. An accomplished acoustic
guitarist and a born music person. Jesse can will
things to happen. He built a studio in Atlanta and we
would stay up all night working on some syrupy shit
I'd written. I cut the Twang Thang in that studio. Now
he owns one of the premier studios in Georgia, The
Loft in Columbus. Go to war guy.

JIM LIGHTMAN
  Computer genius and a fan of comedy. Jim owns the
Track House in Nashville and has saved my ass on
numerous occassions.

RICK & BUBBA
  Two syndicated radio boys in Alabama who know how
to treat people. Getting famous on the radio is one
thing. Doing it while keeping your soul intact is
another. These two have been some large white soul
brothers to me.

DEWAYNE CAMPBELL
  Dewayne came to my show about 35 times and we
finally went to eat BBQ and now he is one of my best
friends. An expert in Southern Rock and a damn good
singer. He sang on the All Night All Stars with Amy
Helm and taught her the background parts. One of those
people who makes you better.

VEDA RADANOVICH
  Sometimes you just know somebody has star quality
and Veda is one of them. We have been writing and
recording for a couple of years together and one day I
hope what I already know will be true for Veda in
Nashville.

LEVON HELM
  Sometimes God sneaks in and you get to work with
your heros. Levon was kind enough to sit in on two
comedy albums with me playing drums and mandolin.
But when Levon offered to help Steve and I with the
All Night All Stars, it gave us the star power we
needed to get the record made.You'll be shocked who'll
show up when Levon's on a record. A great American!

JIMMY HALL
 If Jimmy had lived in the old west he would have been
a quiet gunslinger. The most professional singer I
ever met and hell on sax and harmonica. Jimmy lifts
everybody up a notch. He got famous in Wet Willie but
he's played with everybody. A class act and a
tremendous person!

BOBBY WHITLOCK
  When I was a teenager I thought I was a Clapton fan.
I was actually a bigger Bobby Whitlock Fan! Layla
changed my life. I wrote my senior term paper about
it. Then a hung out with Whitlock when I was 18 at Studio One for a few days. 22years later he helped me make the All Night All Stars and reminded me why Bobby
Whitlock is my favorite musician. He emotional and
Powerful!!! God made one Whitlock.

EDDIE COLLINS
  My cousin Eddie was one of THE funniest people I
ever met. He built a house with me and gave me loads
of ideas for material. He gave me the title 'Haircut
Malpractice".He treated my children as his own and
made me proud to be a Collins. Eddie, like Levon Helm,
beat throat cancer. But his heart gave out after a
long battle last year. A master carpenter and
fiddle builder. What a person!

BRUCE COLLINS
  My cousin Bruce has been extremely important to my
life and career. Like Eddie, Bruce is funny as hell
and full of enthusiasm. He gave me the title to "Beer
Belly Blues" and has been like a promotion man for me
over the years. Nobody loves music,football,helping
kids and talking to people more than Bruce Collins!

RONIT ZENYA HASSAN
  I was married to her for about 14 years and she made
countless sacrifices for my little career. She told me
to put the guitar into my act and talked me into
making my 1st comedy album. Ronit helped me
immeasurably. Mother of my kids! She's the beautiful
model on the cover of "Gettin My Mind Right".

SOPHIA WILSON
  My beautiful and talented daughter. She is in acting
school in New York. She'll tell me the truth!

ARI WILSON
  Eight Year Old Heir to the Empire!

LYNN WILSON
  My sister, who is the brains of the outfit! She is
an actress and an attorney in L.A.. She worked in
business affairs at FOX for about 15 years and at DMX
Radio and Disney! She appears in Adam Sandler's
"Little Nicky" as the lady at the end with the baby
stroller whose baby turns into a midget and attacks
her.

TONY WILSON
 My brother who travels with me selling merchandise
after 25 years in the Ambulance business. He has saved
no telling how many peoples lives over the years. Now
he lives in Nashville,enjoying some peace and country
music. Alot of my songs I wrote specifically to make
him laugh.

DEIDRE ELAINE WILSON
  The woman I will live with and love the rest of my
life!

BRIAN DORFMAN
  Owns Zanies Comedy Club in Nashville! Makes you feel
like Richard Pryor. Has helped me and my family over
the years! Got me a lawyer when a show went a little
south one night! I hope my daughter marries his kid!

MARK DORMINY
  Worked with me at Southern Tracks with Butch.
A chemist, a musician, and computer whiz who digs
helping musical comedians with album covers and
whatever needs doing.
You rarely run into people who lift you up like
Dorminy can!

RICK KNIGHT
  Legendary Macon Radio Man! It's embarrassing how
much Rick Knight has played my records! Good guy who
can keep your show biz ass in perspective.

GERRY MARSHALL & LAURA STARLING
  Morning Radio folks in Macon who treat you like
gold! Gerry edited my reunion bit to help it get more air
play! Laura Starling oughta be running Nashville! She
is my sister in Middle Georgia!

TERRY MEINERS
  LOUISVILLE'S WHAS has my favorite talk show host.
Terry is such a staple in Louisville he could run for
mayor or governor and win, if he wanted to take a pay
cut. The Prince of Kentucky!

KERRI COATES
  My new webmaster who is a sweet heart and an expert
at explaining modern technology to stupid comedians
who are living in 1977. I always save the great ones
for last!