Michael Graham

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For other uses, see Michael Graham (disambiguation).
Michael Graham pictured on the cover of his 2002 book Redneck Nation.
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Michael Graham pictured on the cover of his 2002 book Redneck Nation.

Michael Graham is an American author, columnist, and conservative talk radio personality on Boston's WTKK-FM (96.9). He authors a weekly syndicated column titled "The Usual Suspects," which is offered online and appears in several small to intermediate market newspapers.

Contents

[edit] Career

Graham was born in Los Angeles, CA and raised in South Carolina. A graduate of Oral Roberts University, he worked as a stand-up comedian before beginning his political career as the primary election coordinator for South Carolina[1] for Pat Buchanan's failed Presidential campaign in 1992. This experience lead to his working in various Republican campaigns over the next few years. One of his candidates included Harold Worley, a Republican challenger to Senator Strom Thurmond in 1996.

In 1998, Graham moved to the talk radio circuit. Living up to his self-proclaimed description of being "loud, obnoxious and frequently fired" [2], Graham held positions at seven stations in seven years, including stints in South Carolina and Washington, DC, as well as the internet-only outlet Rightalk.com.

In 2002, Graham released his first printed book of original material, Redneck Nation: How the South Really Won the War through Warner Books.

Graham appeared twice on Real Time with Bill Maher. In addition, he made a number of appearances during 2005 on The O'Reilly Factor, Hardball with Chris Matthews,and Fox & Friends pertaining to his "America is at war with islam" controversy. Graham has also appeared as a panelist on the local Washington D.C. television program Eye on Washington [3] until his dismissal from WMAL in August 2005.

Since 2005, Michael Graham airs in a weekly guest slot on George Hook's drivetime show, The Right Hook on Dublin's Newstalk 106. Speaking from right-wing, US perspective, many of Graham's views are often controversial to the European audience, and so his weekly slot has proved popular with the show's regular listeners.

Graham's show, dubbed "The Natural Truth," is currently on Boston's WTKK-FM from 7-10 p.m. EST. A controversial character, he describes himself as a "right-wing nut job" [4] who makes provocative statements (causing some to label him a "shock jock" [5]) intended to provoke listeners and critics alike.

[edit] Personal life

Graham currently resides in the Boston, MA area with his wife Jennifer [6] a writer (referred to on-air as "The Warden") and his four children [7]. Graham named his oldest son after writer H. L. Mencken, who Graham considers his "life's hero." [8]

[edit] Controversy

Graham has been involved in various controversies over his career.

  • In July of 2005, Graham used Islam and terrorism as the basis for a multi-day discussion on his WMAL talk radio show.[9] A number of Graham's comments prompted over one hundred complaints to the station and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued action alerts to its subscribers encouraging them to contact WMAL to urge that "Graham be reprimanded for his anti-Islam statements"[10], ultimately prompting WMAL to suspend him. After 28 days, WMAL elected to terminate Graham stating that he violated station policy and disregarded "management direction" to redress the situation. [11] The situation prompted angry editorials from Graham [12] as well as appearances on nationally televised news programs to discuss the firing.[13] [14]
  • Graham attended a rally to protest the Real ID Act, sponsored by Casa de Maryland in May of 2005.[15] He was photographed in an INS shirt, and was blocked from entering the event even as he showed ABC Radio credentials, with officials citing public safety. An altercation ensued, and police were called, with a second altercation occurring following their arrival. After questioning, Graham was allowed to enter the event with his shirt turned inside out.[16]
  • Graham was fired from his first commercial talk-radio job at WBT in Charlotte, North Carolina after comments he made on-air in the wake of the Columbine massacre in 1999[17].

[edit] Books

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ WTKK-FM biography page
  2. ^ Style Weekly: "He's loud. He’s controversial. And he knows he’s right," accessed 21 June 2006
  3. ^ WUSA.com: Eye on Washington, outdated link.
  4. ^ USWriter.com: "A seat at the big table," Eric Ward, 19 Feb 2003, accessed 21 June 2006
  5. ^ Minnesota Daily: "Stern's comments push limits of shock", Brian Close,29 April 1999, accessed 21 June 2006
  6. ^ JenniferGraham.com, accessed 21 June 2006
  7. ^ USWriter.com
  8. ^ Eschaton, "Graham vs. Graham," Atrios, 11 May 2003, accessed 21 June 2006
  9. ^ Washington Post: "Muslims Call Comments by WMAL Host 'Hate-Filled'," Paul Farhi, 26 July 2005, accessed 21 June 2006
  10. ^ Council on American-Islamic Relations: "DC Radio Host Says 'Islam is a terrorist organization'," CAIR Action Alert, 25 July 2005, accessed 21 June 2006
  11. ^ Washington Post: "Talk Show Host Graham Fired By WMAL Over Islam Remarks," Paul Farhi, 23 August 2005, accessed 21 June 2006
  12. ^ Jewish World Review: "CAIR WINS, FREE SPEECH LOSES AT ABC RADIO," Michael Graham, 21 August 2005, accessed 21 June 2006
  13. ^ The O'Reilly Factor: 23 August 2005, URL accessed 7 July 2006
  14. ^ CNN: NewsNight With Aaron Brown, 24 August 2005. URL Accessed 7 July 2006
  15. ^ Washington Post: "Immigrant Groups Fight License Bill," Ray Rivera, 6 May 2005, accessed 21 June 2006
  16. ^ JoeUser.com: "Talker detained at pro immigrant rally, for 'INS' T shirt," TerpFan1980, 9 May 2005, accessed 21 June 2006
  17. ^ USA Today: "Stern under fire for Columbine comments" USA Today, 28 April 1999, URL accessed 11 October, 2006
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