Brian Wilson Chat Debuts Tonight on SiriusXM 127
Host Fugelsang revisits a 2015 radio talk where the musician fused sound and spirituality.
Image: Instagram
Rediscovering A 2015 Conversation
John Fugelsang is set to spin the dial back to 2015 tonight as SiriusXM channel 127 re-airs his revealing interview with Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson. In the exchange, Fugelsang asks a profound opening question: “Me: Do you believe in God?” Wilson’s response is as poetic as his harmonies—“I believe God is music, and the keyboard is my church.” That memorable line will echo through airwaves once more when the episode goes live at 8 p.m. ET.
Fugelsang, a comedian and political commentator with two decades on stage and behind the mic, first launched his show on SiriusXM in 2015. He’s marked anniversaries and milestones on social media ever since. In one Instagram post, he thanked his guest:
“Thank you, Brian Wilson. He joined our SiriusXM show the first year we were on the air.”
(https://www.instagram.com/p/DKxMzwhso0I/)
The image accompanying that post shows Fugelsang and Wilson sharing a light moment in the studio—Wilson seated at a vintage keyboard, Fugelsang leaning in, mid-laughter. It’s a snapshot of two artists connecting over shared creative faith.
“i Believe God Is Music”
At the heart of their conversation is Wilson’s lifelong bond with melody. The Beach Boys founder, whose career has spanned more than six decades, has often framed music as a spiritual practice. In earlier interviews and in a recent Substack essay, Fugelsang reflected on the composer’s resilience and artistry. He wrote, “Brian Wilson was made for these times,” exploring how Wilson turned personal pain into sonic triumph.
Wilson’s career highs and lows—from chart-topping surf hits to his critically acclaimed 1966 masterpiece Pet Sounds—set the stage for that 2015 dialogue. When Fugelsang pressed him on faith, Wilson didn’t cite scripture; he pointed to the keys under his fingers.
A Host’s Journey
Since that landmark episode, Fugelsang’s show has evolved into a weekly destination for deep dives with artists, actors and thinkers. He’s brought on everyone from Jonathan Pryce to comedians dissecting digital culture. Yet the Wilson installment remains a standout for its blend of humor and heart.
On his Instagram feed, Fugelsang often revisits moments of creative inspiration. In one post he quipped, “This algorithm is going to get me killed,” riffing on the perils of online life. But when it’s time to spotlight artistry, he’s quick to point back to that long-ago studio session with Wilson—a session that tonight finds fresh life on SiriusXM.
Listeners tuning in will hear Fugelsang’s witty asides alongside Wilson’s melodic meditations. It’s a two-part conversation about science, syncopation and the search for transcendence in simple chord progressions.
Why This Encore Matters
Re-airing classic interviews has become common in podcast and satellite radio circles, but Fugelsang chose this one for a reason. In a world rife with division, Wilson’s words about unity through sound feel especially timely. “Music saved my life,” he tells Fugelsang at one point, underscoring why he views his instrument as sacred.
Whether you’re a die-hard Beach Boys devotee or a SiriusXM newcomer, tonight’s episode promises both nostalgia and fresh perspective. And for Fugelsang, it’s a chance to revisit a conversation that still resonates—proof that great music, like great faith, transcends time.
Tune in at 8 p.m. ET on SiriusXM channel 127 for the full 2015 interview, and rediscover why Brian Wilson calls the keyboard his church.
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