KLIF Wheels Onboards Honda of Denton. But Ed Wallace Not On Board With It.
2025 May 20

The cause of Ed Wallace’s recent shutdown of Wheels remains unclear. Wallace claimed that he is “worn out”. That might be part of the story, but it is likely not the whole story.

A contributing cause might be the onboarding of a sponsor that Ed Wallace seemingly does not approve. The last commercials for Norm Reeves Honda Superstore North Richland Hills aired on the final Saturday of 2024. Soon afterwards, the referral to Norm Reeves Honda disappeared from the purchase page of Wheels’ companion website (insideautomotive.com). Never mind Wallace’s frequent refrain that such referrals are there due to friendship and not due to compensation.

KLIF Wheels Onboards Honda of Denton. But Ed Wallace Not on Board With It.

 

Well, two Saturdays later (January 11, 2025), the first commercials Honda of Denton air on Wheels. This new sponsor runs two spots per show, which continues through the next two months (roughly) that the radio show ran as Wheels. During that time period, the Honda of Denton referral is never added to the purchase page of Inside Automotive website. There is no other instance where a dealer runs commercials on the Wheels radio show but does not appear the Wheels’ companion website.

Denton of Honda excluded from purchase page of Inside Automotive website

 

When introducing the managing partner of Denton of Honda (Rob Tharpe), both Ingram and Grantham eagerly want to tell you ‘bout their new best friend. And then Ingram proceeds to list the car dealership managers, Wheels’ sponsors past and present, with whom this guy is buddies.

Wheels with Don Grantham and John Ingram
KLIF 570 AM - January 11, 2025 8:04AM


Don Grantham

"Today we've got a brand new dealer for you.”

John Ingram
“We sure do.”

Don Grantham
"Mr. Rob Thorpe, who is the managing partner of Honda of Denton.”

[SKIP WEATHER TANGENT]

Don Grantham
"Anyway, Rob is Honda of Denton. And he's coming on board, guys. And so we just wanted to introduce him to you today. And we… it's…
it's funny how small the world is.“

John Ingram
“It is.”

Don Grantham
“We all go back...”

John Ingram
"Rob and I have known each other for many, many, many years. And David El Attrache. That's friends of the show. And Dane Minor. Friends of the show,
great friends of all of ours
.”

Don Grantham
"And Greg Birdsall.”

John Ingram
Greg Birdsall, yep. Greg Birdsall is a good man. And so we wanted to bring Rob in. He is our new dealer in Denton. And we're so happy to have him because he's just one of the people you'll want to do business with.”

Don Grantham
"And you know what, we go back, like I said, we go back a ways. You and I go back to the early mid-nineties and just didn't know it.”

John Ingram
"Right.”

Don Grantham
“We both work for Mr. Huffines.”

John Ingram
"Six degrees of separation, right?”

Don Grantham
"Yeah, exactly. Or maybe only five and a half in this case.”

[Some extraneous interjections omitted for readability.]

 

So over the top was the above praise of Rob Tharpe as their great friend, one would not have been surprised had the hosting duo broke into a song that conjures up images of Bill Bixby. 

The Courtship of Eddie's Father opening titles
Starring: Bill Bixby


People let me tell you 'bout my best friend,

He's a warm hearted person who'll love me till the end.

People let me tell you ‘bout my best friend,

He's a one boy cuddly toy, my up, my down, my pride and joy.

 

People let me tell you 'bout him he's so much fun

Whether we're talkin' man to man or whether we're talking son to son.

Cause he's my best friend.

Yeah he's my best friend.

[SCAT FINISH]

 

Yet with all that praise, one glaring omission arose.

For the many folks enumerated whom supposedly share a deep comradery, Ed Wallace is not included. This omission implies that Ingram and Grantham engaged a sponsor whom Ed Wallace does not approve. And that impression is bolstered by Ed Wallace not adding a Honda of Denton referral to the purchase page of his Inside Automotive website.

This confluence of events also conjures up images of Bill Bixby.

The Incredible Hulk title sequence
Starring: Bill Bixby


Announcer
“Doctor David Banner. Physician. Scientist.
Searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have.
Then an accidental overdose of gamma radiation
alters his body chemistry.

 

And now when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs.
The creature is driven by rage. And pursued by an investigative reporter.”

 

Doctor David Banner

Mr. McGee, Don’t make me angry.
You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.

 

Announcer
“The creature is wanted for a murder he didn’t commit. David Banner is believed to be dead. And he must let the world think he is dead until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him.”

 

The Incredible Sulk title sequence
Starring: Ed Wallace

The Incredible Sulk. Ed Wallace of KLIF Wheels.


Announcer
“Ed Wallace. Car salesman. Minister of Truth.
Searching for a way to indoctrinate North Texas with his Marxist ways.
Then an overdose of Trump Derangement Syndrome alters his body chemistry.

 

And now when Ed Wallace grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs.
The creature is driven by rage. And pursued by an investigative website.

 

Ed Wallace

“You will come to see the ruins of our government and how it will impact America and American lives forever.”

 

Announcer
“The creature’s indoctrination of the audience failed, so he stomped off in a huff. Ed Wallace is believed to be retired. And he must let the world think he is retired until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him.”

 

What is past is prologue. When the Fort Worth Star-Telegram told Wallace to shorten his articles, Wallace quit the paper. He took his ball and went home. Is it possible that when a sponsor not of Wallace's choosing was added to the show, Ed Wallace again decided to take his ball and go home?

ED… MAD! ED… BASH!

-- Related Stories --

 

2025 April 12 - Norm Reeves Auto Group Says Cheers to All North Texas Automotive Radio

2025 April 2 - A Saturday Morning Detention Discontinues as Ed Wallace Exits KLIF

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