I'm very honored to be here as a songwriter. I've always loved the fact that I am. Tonight, I'm even prouder. I think one of the things when you first write a song and it comes out of you, there's a magic moment when you just think 'Oh, yeah. Wow. That's it. I've done it.'

And so many people, the great writers and performers here tonight, know that moment. Another great moment is when you realize the effect it has on other people. I think a lot of the great writers here tonight have had people come up to them and say, "You saved my life, man." You know, "I was going thru college and it was hell, but I heard your stuff, you know."

I'd have a headache and I'd put on a certain record and (Paul makes a sound) no headache at the end of the record. And the person I'm going to honor, induct him into this great hall of fame tonight, has had that effect on me many times.

In the '60s particularly, he wrote some music, when I played it, it made me cry. And I don't quite know why. It wasn't necessarily the words or the music ... there was just something so deep in it that there's only certain pieces of music can do this to me. Just reaching right down in me and I think it's a sign of great genius to be able to do that with a bunch of words and a bunch of notes.

And I would take, in later years, I would take my kids aside, and say 'listen to this bit of music here.' And they would watch me crying, and they understand. There at an age now where they're ready to cry at that stuff.

So there you go...that's why I'm here tonight...to honor this particular gentlmen who I have so much respect for. I think, pesonally, he's one of your great American geniuses, so I feel honored as a fellow songwriter and as a fellow bass player...yo dude...just to be part of this whole thing.

You know, all the writers here, I just get thrilled and this man, he deserves to be in the hall of fame, that's for sure. So thank you, sir, for everything you've done for me, for making me cry, for having that 'thing' you can do with your music. You just put those notes and those harmonies together, stick a couple of words over the top of it and you've got me. Any day. Ladies and gentlemen, Brian Wilson.

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