Watch David Muir's Report NewsCenter 5's David Muir reports that Brudnoy's two-and-a-half decades are testament to his very survival, both personally and professionally. 25 years ago, Brudnoy was asked to fill in on a friend's radio show and he's been going ever since. Thursday night's program began with a call from Governor Paul Cellucci. "I wanted to call and congratulate you. You make a great contribution to our community and we are rooting for another 25 years for you," Cellucci said. "I'm hoping to become the Strom Thurmond of talk radio," Brudnoy said. Brudnoy averages 2 million listeners a night in 38 states. He never thought he'd be at it this long. "When I first started here, it was during the era of forced busing in Boston. The city was torn apart. There was an enormous amount of pain with that," Brudnoy said. He was one of few who spoke out against the forced busing. They were words that helped him earn the respect of one of Boston's most powerful politicians. "I remember your arrival on the scene 25 years ago," U-Mass President Bill Bulger said. Bulger, along with NewsCenter 5's Natalie Jacobson, appeared on Brudnoy's anniversary show. Brudnoy's listeners stood by him in 1994 when he took his fight with AIDS public. Brudnoy spent weeks at Mass General comatose for a time and near death. Several weeks later, the contrast was startling. Fifty pounds heavier and stronger, Brudnoy announced his fund for AIDS research. He says that he is still grateful to his audience. "I fully intend to keep on doing this as long as they want me to do it," Brudnoy said.