BW chat contest on Christmas Eve

[punkinhead]

I don't know who all saw this but on Facebook, there's some great contests going on on Brian's page. It was just announced that I was one of three winners to receive a call from Brian!!! If you see Justin from Bloomington, IN on there, that's me!!

[pixletwin]

I saw that and wondered if anyone who won were also members here. Congrats!

[leggo of my ego]

Ring. Ring.

Hello?

Hey, its Brian. I started a band called the Beach Boys...have you heard of it?


Damn. You need to figure out some way to record the call. Then post it on youtube or something. 

[Shady]

Congrats punkinhead.

I'm very jealous

[punkinhead]

Ring. Ring.

Hello?

Hey, its Brian. I started a band called the Beach Boys...have you heard of it?


Damn. You need to figure out some way to record the call. Then post it on youtube or something. 

Yeah, I'm trying to find a way to record it. I have an iphone but nothing else to record. I'm up for anything, I'd love to include the call on my YT Channel.
My first initial thought after winning the contest was Had to Phone Ya for some reason.

Any advice on what to talk about or ask? I obviously dont want to talk about anything that either he doesnt want to talk about, or he's talked about over and over.
Any ideas? I'm open for it.

I thought about asking about American Spring era recordings.
Whatcha guys think?
What would you ask him if you could ask 3 questions?

[Pretty Funky]

I'd think any music or band questions may turn him off IMO.

He did calls as a Katrina fund raiser. This may give you an idea how he operates. Good Luck and Congrats BTW.

I have never met any of the Beach Boys and have, in fact, only been a big fan since 2004, although I've always liked their music.

I did talk to Brian during the Katrina phone calls. You could request a day and time, so I requested a Monday at 7 pm EST, I think. He called at 2 pm EST, and I hadn't thought of a question to ask yet. My caller ID said "Private name, Private number," and even though I've seen that many times before, I knew it was him and I got really nervous just picking up the phone. I was surprised that it was him right away, and not some assistant confirming I was home to pass the phone to him. He was extremely gracious and sweet. I believe he was gracious with everyone, but I sensed that he sensed I was nervous and possibly was also responding to the fact that I'm female (Brian has a soft spot for us, yes?). He spoke in a quiet, melodious voice. "Thank you for your donation." "No, thank you for what you're doing!" "Do you have a question for me?" Uh....[ask utterly dumb question to which the response is "Oh, are you  kidding? Of course I would have, yeah!"] Sensing that I'm nervous again, Brian asks sweetly, "Do you have another question for me?" "Uh, no... [what?? come on, Amy.] But I just want to thank you for making my two favorite albums, Pet Sounds and Smile!" [my nerves are worse now because I had the opportunity to ask something else and can't think of anything] "You're welcome." [awkward pause]  Brian finally puts me out of my misery in being so nervous-- "Okay, well, thanks again, Amy. Bye!"

The following evening, Brian (or whoever in Brian's name) gets on the blueboard. I type, "Hi, Brian. How are you?"
He responds. "Hi Amy. It was nice talking to you on the phone. Do you have another question for me?" My mind goes blank again, until I finally think of another dumb question. "If you had a chance to work with anyone, who would it be?" "Paul McCartney."   Oh, right. I knew that already.

Anyway, I will never forget speaking with him. It must have been hard for him to talk to all those people, and he could not have been nicer.

[metal flake paint]

Congratulations, Justin!

If it were me, I'd ask Brian if he happened to keep any of those "Beach Boys Party!" potato chip packets from 1965

[EgoHanger1966]

I thought about asking about American Spring era recordings.
Whatcha guys think?

If it's too obscure, be careful - I'm sure he remembers all of that stuff - but when he was interviewed on KLOS and asked about "Guess I'm Dumb", he just said something along the lines of "...I haven't thought about that in years. I don't know/I can't answer that".

If it were me, I'd probably mention something about Love You or Friends - since we know he likes those albums. Maybe you could get him to sing a little bit of "Busy Doin' Nothing". 

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

I thought about asking about American Spring era recordings.
Whatcha guys think?

If it were me, I'd probably mention something about Love You or Friends - since we know he likes those albums. Maybe you could get him to sing a little bit of "Busy Doin' Nothing". 

Agreed, and don't worry, from what I saw of Brian he seems to be really easy to talk to once you settle down haha!

[Jim Murphy]

Congratulations! How cool is that?

Make the conversation your own, ask him something from your heart, something you've always wanted to know. And don't be intimidated by the whole Brian Wilson thing.  He's just another guy.  A talented guy, of course, but a human being first and foremost, who responds best to genuine, down-to-earth honesty.

And whatever you decide to ask, phrase it in a way that encourages him to open up with a more expansive answer, rather than a simple yes or no.  In fact, if the question can be answered yes or no, nix it.  And re-phrase it.  

Savor the moment, enjoy it.  And then report back here and let us know how it went!  

[Awesoman]

Am I the only individual who simply does not see the point of this contest?  What are you even supposed to *say* to Brian?  How "controlled" will this conversation be?  Do you get more than 2 minutes with him?  How many disconnected, automated responses should we expect to hear from him?  Bah humbug!

[Gregg]

Am I the only individual who simply does not see the point of this contest?  What are you even supposed to *say* to Brian?  How "controlled" will this conversation be?  Do you get more than 2 minutes with him?  How many disconnected, automated responses should we expect to hear from him?  Bah humbug!

I also got a call from Brian during the Katrina fundraiser, and you got it all wrong, Awesoman. The conversation was very real and natural - not at all "controlled". No disconnected, automated responses, as you suggest.

I asked Brian about the process of writing "Our Prayer". He said he did it at the piano, and as he typically does, he quantified it in number of minutes to complete. I believe he said it took about 1.5 hours to write.

I actually recorded the conversation with one of those suction cup phone recorders.

He was very gracious, real, and thanked me for my donation. It was very cool!

[Shady]

If I received a call from Brian for what ever reason it would undoubtedly be me who would make the conversation awkward. I'd stammer and be nervous as all hell, it's Brian Wilson, how do you have a normal conversation with somebody like that.

Not to make you nervous, Justin 

[punkinhead]

haha, thanks for the lovely response!

I also thought about asking about Rio Grande and/or Mt. Vernon and Fairway...or ask if he was interested in performing those in concert next tour.

[punkinhead]

From past responses of these types of contests and opportunities. On an average, how long are these phone conversations?

[Sheriff John Stone]

Maybe you could keep it Christmasey. Ask him what his remembrances are of recording The Beach Boys' Christmas Album or the MIU Christmas sessions or even What I Really Want For Christmas. You could end - and keep it light - by asking him what he and his family do On Christmas Day.

[SMiLE-addict]

Wow cool! Congrats, would love to have that opportunity!

Great Christmas present!!

[Niko]

Try not to gush too much. Having met some stars myself, it's easier said than done 

[Jim V.]

Maybe you could keep it Christmasey. Ask him what his remembrances are of recording The Beach Boys' Christmas Album or the MIU Christmas sessions or even What I Really Want For Christmas. You could end - and keep it light - by asking him what he and his family do On Christmas Day.

I like that Sheriff. I think that would be a good way to go about it.

[punkinhead]

Things not to ask?

What happened to Andy Paley?
Anything to do with Landy...
Many Moods of Murry Wilson
Joe Thomas "productions"
And his most hated song: Sail On Sailor (hated in that he hates it, not the fans)

[feelsflow]

Justin,  Way to go!  This Christmas joy thing just got real special eh?  Guess Santa thinks you've been a good boy.   

[punkinhead]

Justin,  Way to go!  This Christmas joy thing just got real special eh?  Guess Santa thinks you've been a good boy.   

Thanks, I reckon so! Met mick foley a week ago, things are getting real awesome around here.

[Alan Smith]

Really excited for you, dude - way to go and looking forward to your post call update (once you've recovered)

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

Id think Id ask him something that you know he loves talking about rather than risk a question which will get a one word response. Sure, you will know the answer he is going to give but still a better option for me...

[Niko]

Win some points by having the Phil Spector Christmas record playing audibly in the background