Biography
His father worked for the United States Atomic Energy Commission, his mother was a writer and sociologist who worked to reform the police department. His family moved to Washington, D.C. when he was nine years old.
The comedy album boom of the early 1960s was a significant influence, particularly Allan Sherman's My Son, The Folksinger. He started playing guitar at ten, and played in covers bands in his early teens. Working at the Waxie Maxie's Record Store helped broaden his taste, discovering the blues, as well as jazz and gospel. Wirtz developed a friendship with blues piano legend Sunnyland Slim who invited him to participate in a Muddy Waters recording session.
His song Teenie Weenie Meanie, described as "a tasteful vignette about a midget lady wrestler" led to a six month long contract as a TBS Monday Night Nitro WCW manager for wrestlers Dennis "Median" Knight, The Nasty Boys, Gigolo Jimmy Backlund, and Diamond Dallas Page. After that contract expired, he returned for a three month stint with the house band for the program.
The Nashville Network, USA Network and NBC have showcased Wirtz's talents, along with nationwide morning radio shows. Similarly, "Waffle House Fire" has been featured on XM Radio's Channel 151, Laugh USA. Wirtz performs concerts and at festivals and events, and on his website humorously "advertises" he is available for "your club, bar mitzvah, or piercing."
He created a humorous church known as The First House Of Polyester Worship and Horizontal Throbbing Teenage Desire, and Our Lady Of The White Go-Go Boot, Lord Of The 40-Watt Undulating Bubbling Lava Lamp Apocalyptic, No Pizza Take-Out After Twelve, Shrine Of The Rasslin' Rick Flair ‘WOOOO’ Jesus! Love Tabernacle From Sunny Daytona Florida.
Wirtz developed a friendship with blues piano legend Sunnyland Slim who invited him to participate in a Muddy Waters recording session.
In 2008, Circumstantial Productions published Reverend Billy C. Wirtz's first book, Sermons & Songs, edited by Richard Connolly.
Read more about this topic: Reverend Billy C. Wirtz
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