Erick Erickson kicked off 95.5 WSB’s new lineup on Monday morning with an emotionally touching monologue. And, it was for good reason.

Following the passing of Rush Limbaugh, Erickson will be the new voice of WSB-Radio’s noon to 3 p.m. time slot. It’s an exciting moment, but also a somber one. While Erickson is being offered a new time slot, the radio industry has lost a legend. And, Erickson has lost a friend.

“Let’s talk about the voice not in the room,” Erick Erickson said, immediately acknowledging Rush Limbaugh’s heartbreaking absence from the microphone. “This is new here at WSB. We’ve got our first major lineup change in a very long time. And this is, frankly, a lineup change that none of us - myself included - wanted; particularly under the circumstances.”

While a talented, battle-hardened and brilliant radio host in his own right, Erickson is taking on what some within the radio industry may call an impossible task. Erickson is picking up on 95.5 WSB where five-time Marconi Award winner and National Radio Hall of Famer Rush Limbaugh left off. It’s a tough job; one that Erickson is taking on with great respect.

“It comes through tragedy, through the passing of my friend Rush Limbaugh.” Erickson continued. It’s clear that the friendly, posthumous influence of the Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient remains with the new voice of WSB’s noon to 3 p.m. talk radio.

“There’s no way I can ever be number one as long as you’re around. You’ll always be the best. There’s not even a shot.” Erickson said, reminiscing on a previous conversation with the radio talk show legend.

“Rush Limbaugh is the best that there will ever be in talk radio.” Erickson later continued. “I will never be Rush Limbaugh and so I will not give you a bad impression of Rush Limbaugh. I will give you who I am. And that’s what I want to do. I want to proceed with my show, do my best to honor him.”

Of course, Erickson still plans to take his friend’s years of advice to heart. Speaking on one of Rush Limbaugh’s moments of wisdom, Erickson said ”The other piece of advice he gave was that this is not about saving the world, saving the country or fighting for conservatism. It’s about keeping you company and keeping you entertained. And, I will do my best.”

The feeling is seemingly present across the entire country. A void has been left within the world of talk radio since Limbaugh’s passing. But, there are those within the industry passionately determined to carry on his legacy. Erick Erickson knows what’s ahead.

“I have shoes to fill that cannot be filled.” Erickson said, offering a few final thoughts to his listeners. “More often than not, it’s better to be the guy that replaces the guy that replaces Rush Limbaugh. And, that is not where we are right now. And, maybe one day I will be the guy who is replaced by someone who can do it better than me. But, for now, we’re in this together, charting a course for the future. We would like to have stayed with Rush Limbaugh. And, unfortunately, that is not where we can be. He’s passed away, unfortunately. We’ll do our best to honor his memory as we move forward.”

Erick Erickson’s full monologue from the radio host’s inaugural episode as the voice of WSB-Radio’s noon to 3 p.m. time slot can be heard down below.

Cox Media Group