Japanese Radio Show WBZK

Date: Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 8 pm
Location: WBZK in Charlotte, NC (980 AM)
Purpose: Interview/live performance on a Japanese Radio Show
Attendance: 2 in the studio, webcast to the world

My bass player, Kazz (Beppu Kazuhide) hosts a weekly Japanese radio show on WBZK 980 AM in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kazz was born in Japan and, obviously, speaks fluent Japanese. He broadcasts the latest local and national news in Japanese every Sunday. He also features local music. The show has a loyal local following...and Kazz's friends even listen via the web from Japan. Make sure you tune in!

Having not been to the studio before, I was worried about being late. I mean, if you're late for a radio show, you've missed your chance. Luckily, I left myself just enough time to get turned around a few times and still find the building. When I pulled into a parking space, I got out to unload my gear. Two French DJs were saying their goodbyes, having just finished their two-hour French show. I scooped up my guitar, my amp, and my bag of cables and headed towards the glass door. The station manager buzzed me in and let me down the hall, past 3 small rooms that were obviously also used as studios. The forth studio was my destination.

When I walked in, Kazz smiled from behind the console. He was already on the air--"kickin' it in Japanese".. I did my best to bring in my guitar and amp without crashing around the studio...with limited success. It was great to see Kazz in this environment...he seemed quite at home behind the mixing console.

I must admit, I've only done 2 live radio interviews, so I was a bit nervous about getting tongue-tied. And I was especially nervous about having the interview translated into Japanese. Hopefully, my Southern accent would sound a little cooler to the Japanese audience. However, because I already know Kazz, I quickly got over my butterflies and felt right at home...plus the studio was very comfortable--it reminded me of all those hours I practiced guitar in my bedroom.

When it was about time for me to go on, Kazz put on a CD and turned off the mics to let me know that he was gonna ask me some questions, have us play some songs, and see what happens. I think we played 5 songs from my One-Way Ticket CD live--including: "Christmas in July", "Daily Grind", "Daddy's Little Girl", "Amy's Run Away"...and we capped my segment off with a live jam...that's right, I guess I was feeling kinda bold, cuz we just made up something live on the air. It lasted about 5 minutes or so and was tons of fun.

I hope y'all were able to catch the webcast. Remember to tune in to hear Kazz every Sunday on WBZK.

Listen to Brian's music now!