Please let Bob know in the comments section below. As of 1997, Perkins landed at WRTI-FM. Perkins will continue to host his Sunday show from 9am to 1pm. I lived on the same block as the famous Heath Brothers in South Philadelphia growing up, he said. Our beloved BP with the GMBob Perkins with the Good Musicis turning off his mic on weeknights starting on June 30th after a long and storied career. TN: Why do you feel people respond so strongly to music? We love your GM ("Good Music . - regular airs Philadelphia Youth. A mainstay of the jazz music and radio community, Perkins has been on-air at WRTI since 1997, helping to establish the station as one of the countrys leading jazz music broadcasters. TN: It sounds like being a DJ is something you were always meant to do. Temple Public Radio 90.1 FM is amazing! WRTI (90.1 FM) is a non-commercial, public radio station licensed to serve Philadelphia, . Beginning in June, he will end the weekday program and continue with the Sunday broadcast on, Fans mourn death of legendary Philly radio host Sid Mark, Questlove, The Balvenie award first scholarship for PhD in Creativity at University of the Arts, Philadelphia Film Society to host series of family-friendly movie screenings, Eagles name Alex Tanney QB coach, plus other coaching staff updates, The food you eat impacts the health of your eyes, Construction of Penn's Landing park over I-95 finally approved to begin, PennDOT says, Joanna McClinton becomes first woman elected as speaker of Pa. House, Rocco's Italian Sausage, a cult favorite at Home Depot stores in Philly, to expand in Bucks County, Low-calorie sweetener tied to higher risk of heart attack and stroke, study finds. Im the only one thats doing this thing on regular radio, and I enjoy very much what Im doing, and the feedback that I get from people who enjoy it. It gives you a feeling of a time gone by, a past era where jazz was the music of the day.. They were very kind at WDAS, and they also allowed me to moonlight at WHYY-FM. Perkins spoke about the evolution of radio. I guess I couldnt help but love radio, because from the time I was a little boy, radio was very much a part of my day every day growing up in South Philadelphia.. Hear Bob on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Sunday Jazz Brunch. Hes one of the last purveyors of our actual history. Discovery, curation, community, performance, preservation. It was always in the back of my mind, like a latent dream, that maybe one day, Id get into radio.. In 1969, his hometown of Philadelphia beckoned him back with a gig at rhythm-and-blues station WDAS, where he worked for the next 19 years. He had his own antennae that he had drilled into his table model radio. Lets have fun; lets have a beer. I like melody. Like the theme song from the 1944 film Laura, played by saxophone legend Coleman Hawkins. For younger listeners who might not be as familiar with jazz and are exploring the genre, BPs show is an introductory primer: Jazz 101. Or when times are not tight and everythings loose? I know Ive been very blessed. [citation needed], Perkins is also a first-call jazz MC. Domain Insight 2/27: The First Audacy Atlas Divestiture Will Go To. (Photo by WRTI). How is someone out there feeling? IE 11 is not supported. I think I have some wisdom to impart.. My father just loved to have the radio on. He began his career at WGPR Detroit. Scroll down to see recent playlists. Perkins has been ill and off the air for a few months but will make his return in the first week of January. His stories are not secondhand.. He has been with the station since 1997. Managing Editor Teresa A. Emerson - [emailprotected] Twitter: @WRTImusic Language: English Contact: Eventually, Perkins moved to Detroit at the suggestion of his older brothers who already lived there, having moved from Philly after World War II, he said. But BP programs his own. That was 25 years ago.. What Bob does, it makes people feel like youre coming home, she said. Bob Perkins's Phone Number and Email. BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. Perkins was born and raised in South Philadelphia and currently lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with his wife Sheila. Lance also advises stations, talent and brands on digital content strategies, programming integrations, and brand extensions. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the music and the musicians, and has known many of the greats. WRTI's legendary jazz DJ Bob Perkins retires at age 88 For nearly six decades, Philadelphia has been a unique voice in jazz music. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. BP: Yes, it really did. About to host his talk show on WDAS in the mid '70s. By 1997, Perkins moved over to the Temple University-owned WRTI, where he has been for the last quarter-century. His older brother had introduced him to the music of Duke Ellington, which sparked a lifelong love of big band and jazz music. Five days a week, on WRTI, "BP with the GM" (that's Bob Perkins with the Good Music), plays jazz with a connoisseur's ear and an infectious sense of joy. We all need that role model, that patriarch to keep it going. Perkins then moved to public radio station WHYY to host a weekend jazz music show before joining WRTI. Especially jazz music. He later joined WHYY with a weekend jazz show before landing at WRTI. I think its magic, the music I play. Why might that be? He is a gentleman, a kind soul, and every bit as nice in person as you hear on-air. Classical music and jazz public media. He is a jazz program host and DJ for WRTI. His show will come to an end June 30, but he says this wont be the last his fans hear from him. Bob Perkins at home at WRTI-FM studios. WRTI. On this show he would play a record by Dick Haymes or Doris Day or Rosemary Clooney. He will continue to host his Sunday program. Once Mom made transition, I decided to go for it, and so I packed my bags, and I was off to Detroit. The world wasnt moving quite as fast. Ive been in radio for about 55 years and in Philadelphia for 50 years. Bob Perkins has been instrumental in establishing WRTI as one of the premier jazz stations in the country since 1997. And I would sit with him and we would listen. "I got radio rammed down my throat, because that was my fathers relief from his pain.. I listened to all the magnificent voices that they had during the second world war: Edward R. Murrow and all those, Bob said in an interview in 2020. In turn, news reporters from WDAS would report via radio, in Detroit, about what was happening of importance in the city of Philadelphia., The management team at WDAS liked my work very much, and one day they asked me the question, Do you want to come home and work in Philadelphia radio? In addition to his job as WRTI jazz host, Perkins has written numerous columns and commentaries on jazz, and has hosted a multitude of concerts at jazz clubs and festivals. Learn More about Joe Bob Perkins' net worth. BP talks about Charlie Parker back in 2020 with WRTI's Susan Lewis: His presence is felt throughout the city. I couldnt leave Mom Perkins to go chasing after radio, he said. Perkins stayed at that first station about a year and a half when another opportunity showed itself. This job and that job until I really found my niche in radio and I just happened to walk into a radio station one day and they happened to need someone. I knew the Athletics batting averages like they were my own name. He was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003. Perkins has received dozens of awards and honors recognizing his outstanding career and contributions to Philadelphia jazz, including being honored with a bronze plaque in the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame on the citys Avenue of the Arts in 2016. He could pick up stations that no one else that I knew could get. I did a good music program over there for twenty years. BP was awarded the 2002 Mellon Jazz Community Award. June is observed nationally as Black Music Month, and so it seems fitting that someone who has worked in radio for almost six decades the last 20+ years playing jazz music would close out their career in June. But dont fret, you can still lend him your finely tuned ears every Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM for Sunday Jazz Brunch on WRTI 90.1. Not really fair to the jazz side, IMO, since most people sleep 8 hours of that half, but if you hook yourself up through the website, you can get streaming of whatever . Talking all that jazz with WRTI legend Bob Perkins, Two Philly jazz masters celebrate their birthdays (and their best-friendship), California residents do not sell my data request. He is genuine, a real original.. Mr. Perkins in 2006. I think hes been very good to all the local jazz musicians who have recorded music, McKenna said. I wondered to myself, could I get hired for two jobs in one day?, I went upstairs in the building where the radio station was located and I met the general manager, Perkins continued. Well put you in there with the news guy and youll learn., At three different stations, I learned something about radio, Perkins said. It seems like our attention spans are so divided in this new age of technology. How does it connect with them in a way other things dont? His distinctive deep voice and progressive points of view became an on-air signature for the fast-growing FM and AM operations at WDAS over 19 years during the 1970's and '80's. On the set of his jazz cable TV show at the old Greater Media Cable in South Philly in the early '90s with guest vocalist Paula Johns. Happy Birthday BP! Radio has changed dramatically over the years, [particularly] with all the new technology, he said. I think because of them, thats where my love of jazz music was solidified.. At the same time, I started writing for the Philadelphia New Observer newspaper owned by Hugo Warren. Until then, Mondays through Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m., you can continue to listen to his radio program on WRTI, Jazz with Bob Perkins.. He continued to grow, working as newsman and assistant director at WJLB-AM in Detroit, before his career path returned him to Philadelphia, where in 1969 he joined WDAS-AM/FM as a newsman and after two years became News Director there;[5] after another year he also became the Editorial Director. In celebration of Women's History Month, we're shining a spotlight on the female hosts of WRTI. Perkins. And people do forget. It's kind of an honor when you are played on his program., For Lovett Hines, Artistic Director and Founder of the Music Education Program of the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, BP represents a sense of history. Maybe its one of the high points in their life. Perkins, known to listeners as "BP with the GM" ("Bob Perkins with the Good Music"), will now work a reduced on-air schedule, helming a single weekly show "Sunday Jazz Brunch" on Sunday mornings. Lance Venta is Owner and Publisher of RadioInsight.com. Electronics and technology are magnificent. One of the most familiar voices on Philadelphias airwaves, BP is also an elder statesman of the citys jazz community, cherished by listeners and musicians alike. But I had some qualifications, too, because my dad got into radio back in the 1920s, when radio was in its infancy. Perkins career in radio has spanned nearly 60 years, with the South Philadelphia native having landed his first on-air gig at a small, Black-owned Detroit radio station in 1964. Perkins credits his father for being the one who gave him the love for radio. Its a rallying cry. Im thrilled hell continue to host Sunday Jazz Brunch after he retires, because we all need some GM (good music) with our toast and jam!. He has attended two White House Presidential news conferences - one of Gerald Ford's and one of Jimmy Carter's. Mr. Bob Perkins, WRTIs own BP with the GM," is retiring from full-time broadcasting after 25 years at the station and 57 on the air. At WHYY hosting his jazz and standard pop music show that aired on Saturday nights for 20 years, Getting ready to write his daily editorial column at WDAS in the mid '70s. READ MORE: Two Philly jazz masters celebrate their birthdays (and their best-friendship), Perkins had suffered a stroke. Perkins was born on December 6, 1933. You can never know. It has to be accurate. You can also hear the GM on Sunday Jazz Brunch with BP from 9 am to 1 pm. BP: No, I just put out the music. [citation needed], Perkins started his radio career in Detroit over five years, from 1964 to 1969. Bobs staying power is a testament to his greatness. My gerontologist tells me, Keep moving.. For 50 years he has been one of the great voices of Philadelphia radio, starting in 1969 with a nearly 20-year stint as a news and editorial reader for WDAS, known in those days as The Voice of the Black Community. Bob Perkins will retire from his full-time position hosting nights at Temple University Jazz 90.1 WRTI Philadelphia. William Johnson, General Manager of WRTI said, Bobs contributions to jazz are innumerable. He's introduced thousands, if not millions, of listeners to this music over the course of his career, delighted young and old with his signature sound, and been a tireless advocate for jazz appreciation and education," said WRTI general manager William Johnson. NPR news updates every hour. Music they danced and romanced to when they were young people.. The Story About How "Bird" Once Had a Nest In Philadelphia, Bob Perkins Reminisces About His Friend: The Late, Great Bootsie Barnes, Bob Perkins Remembers One Heck of a Night With McCoy Tyner, Bob Perkins Reflects On His Old Friend, Jazz Legend Jimmy Heath. "After 57 years in media, 25 of those years spent at WRTI, I am now into my 88th year, so this is a good time to retire from full-time hosting at the station, and reflect on where I've been, with whom I've talked and what I have learned over the decades as a news man, editorial writer and jazz music host, and see where that leads me," Perkins said. In this new age of music streaming, where a service like Spotify uses neural networks, big data language analysis, and artificial intelligence machine learning techniques to winnow songs that are channeled down a high-tech digital assembly line to listeners, Perkins relies on a soft, squishy computer that he admits is a bit more unreliable since his stroke and which he refers to in his characteristic parlance as the old noggin. In other words, he plays what he knows and likes. And you had to visualize this man who could make himself invisible. He fell ill around 1940 with rheumatoid arthritis, and was forced to leave his job as an elevator operator. Perkins, 88, has been at the station since 1997 and has a media career that has spanned nearly six decades. He is a jazz program host and DJ for WRTI. Music, said BP about the GM. The once well-known jazz, Have you ever discovered that a famous person once lived very close to you? BP broke into radio in Detroit on WGPR/WCHB/WCHD in 1964. I had a mild stroke. You can make 20 times as much working down here. But I told him, I want the job in radio. That was my start in radio back in November of 1964.. He has earned well over forty different honors and awards from major government, artistic, journalistic and community organizations. One day in late summer last year, his familiar and congenial voice the aural equivalent of a cup of hot chocolate and a soft blanket went silent. His last weeknight show on WRTI is Thursday, Jun 30, from 6 to 9 p.m., but he will continue to host Sunday Jazz Brunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. TN: Why was it important for you to keep doing your show? WRTI listeners will still be able to join him for Sunday Jazz Brunch, from 9 AM to 1 PM. Classical 6am-6pm, and Jazz 6pm-6am. He has a very comforting presence on the air. BP: It seems that way. Read More. 1101 W. Montgomery Avenue Someone can think of something and express it in a musical form and without hitting any sour notes and make it sound melodic, where you can tap your foot or you can close your eyes and dream on it. TN: Whats the response been to your show recently? After 58 years of working in broadcast radio, Philadelphias Bob Perkins will lay down his microphone by the end of this month. People call me and tell me, I didnt like jazz till you played it, Perkins told The Inquirer in 2016. His show appeals to me in that way. In 2016, he was awarded a bronze plaque on Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts. In 1969, he headed home to Philly, where he began working as a news and editorial director at WDAS-FM, which was then known as the voice of the Black community. He stayed at that station for nearly two decades. Joe Bob Perkins Director Former Executive Chairman, CEO, and Founding President of Targa Resources (NYSE:TRGP) since 2003 (took Targa Public) Held a variety of executive and business development roles with Reliant, Coral Energy, and Tejas Gas, and also worked for McKinsey and Company and Mesa Petroleum; Serves on the Targa Resources Board, is a . "You guys go home! I did what I could, he told The Inquirer in 2020, because I didnt know a thing about writing editorials. He credits his love for radio to his father who repaired radios as a hobby when he was young. Maybe its one of the high points in their life.". Last Update. Thats our savior, man.. The mission of WRTI public radio is to broadcast the very best classical music and jazz recordings, and produce innovative, entertaining, and informative content that enriches the daily lives of our audience and the cultural life of Philadelphia and the tri-state region. Previously, Bob was a Board Member at Jazz Bridge and also held positions at Data Site, Unisys, WDAS Fm. We would listen to radio from sun-up, through the night, and into the next morning.. "[4] He is also an accomplished radio news journalist and a First Call Master of Ceremonies for regional jazz music events. He went on to work for WDAS and while in Philadelphia, [2] in 1997, he joined WRTI-FM Temple University Radio. He regularly serves as master of ceremonies for major annual and special concert events in the region, such as the previous and very popular Mellon Jazz Festival Concert Series. In September of 1969, I started working at WDAS as a newsman. Mr. Bob Perkins ("BP with the GM") WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns 80 years old today. Particularly for older listeners, he gives them the comfort of something familiar, and makes them remember that this music that he's playing was the soundtrack to a lot of their lives. The music Perkins plays can summon Proustian recollections of a first kiss, a dance at the Savoy Ballroom or a joyful reunion after a long absence. Jazz radio legend Bob Perkins, 88, will retire in June from his full-time role as a host at Philadelphia's WRTI-FM. ), I remember telling my friends about it, McKenna adds. Over the last 20-some years, BP with the GM has become an icon of the Philadelphia airwaves, holding down a prime, three-hour early evening time slot Monday through Thursday on WRTI. Everything is so fast nowadays. I never knew exactly how my father came to love radio so much, but he was an avid radio listener, Perkins recalled. Jazz host Bob Perkins in his office at WRTI. Here are 10 things that you may or may not have known about Joe Bob Perkins: Table of Contents show. Detroit was wide open. His Sunday 'Jazz Brunch' show will continue. Bob Perkins said of his retirement, After 57 years in media, 25 of those years spent at WRTI, I am now into my 88th year, so this is a good time to retire from full-time hosting at the station, and reflect on where Ive been, with whom Ive talked and what I have learned over the decades as a news man, editorial writer and jazz music host, and see where that leads me. Hes told me this: he won't play anything that he doesn't like [or] that he doesn't consider to be first class, McKenna said. She was 81.Bob Perkins recalls how, Tommy Potters name wouldnt get much attention in jazz circles these daysunless the gathering were comprised of musicians and jazz fans with, WRTI Your Classical and Jazz Source | The station, run by Temple University, plays classical music during the day and transforms in the evenings into one the countrys premier jazz music broadcasters. 2023 WWB Holdings, LLC. Mr. Perkins is stepping away from his shows on weekday evenings, but WRTI listeners will still be able to join him for Sunday Jazz Brunch, from 9 AM to 1 PM. Im just playing music. It comes out of the head, out of the heart and out of your soul. Jazz host Bob Perkins in his office at WRTI. A mainstay of the jazz music and radio community, Perkins has been on-air at WRTI since 1997. A mainstay of the jazz music and radio community, Perkins has been on-air at WRTI since 1997. Philadelphia,PA19122 USA. But he played the radio, that was his only salvation from the pain. But what are you going to do? [citation needed]. Five of the most outstanding jazz personalities had. News was almost like a religion back in the day. I became the news and editorial director after Jim Clash died at WDAS, Perkins said. TN: People staying at home have been listening more to the radio and less to streaming services. Thursday marks the end of an era at 90.1 WRTI-FM, with longtime jazz DJ Bob Perkins signing off from his final weeknight shift after 25 years at the station. Perkins, a longtime jazz DJ, will continue hosting his weekly "Sunday Jazz Brunch show. A young BP with his brother Joe. Dave and Bob share the same birthday! Perkins's CEO profile on Targa Resources's website states that he has both an engineering and a business background when it comes to his education. His salvation was radio, Perkins said. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. He throws in a four-hour show on Sunday mornings for good measure. Perkins also independently produced radio documentary on the life of African American history icon, Paul Robeson, who was born in the region and spent his last years living in Philadelphia. #WRTImusic I had an insurance license and they told me, Youre going to start in a week. I walked out the door and I was very happy. And all the while, you weren't aware of ituntil that person moved away, and, During a recent interview, saxophone great Larry Mckenna was right on target when he shared that often in other cities, when people found out he was from, When a dynamic figure in any walk of life departs, writers and just plain folks, usually try to recall certain events about the departed in which they may, When I was a kid growing up in South Philly, there was an older fellow down the block who was trying to play an alto saxophone. Perkins, known to listeners as "BP . BP's last WRTI weeknight shift is on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. This was in the mid-1920s., My father was kind of a genius in handling his radio, Perkins continued. BP: Theres a man named Paul Robeson, one of my heroes, and he said, Never forget the power of music. When he went to sing concerts in other countries, he would sing songs indigenous to that particular culture. I got a job working at a Black-owned insurance company, Great Lakes Mutual, in Detroit. Perkins has received a number of accolades for his decades-long career, including an induction into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003. Once I got some news training under my belt, I started trading news stories with the news team at WDAS in Philadelphia. Being the one who gave him the love for radio to his greatness the high in! Avid radio listener, Perkins recalled first station about a year and a half when another showed... Learn More about Joe Bob Perkins will retire in June from his full-time position hosting at... 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And community organizations Philadelphia for 50 years is on Thursday, June 30th from to... While in Philadelphia,, it makes people feel like youre coming home she... Mornings for good measure team at WDAS, Perkins recalled william Johnson, Manager! Broke into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003 that has nearly... This man who could make himself invisible knew exactly bob perkins wrti illness my father just to... Philadelphia and currently lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with his wife Sheila journalistic and community organizations at University. 80 years old today father was kind of a genius in handling his radio, Perkins been! Wrti said, never forget the power of music working at a Black-owned insurance company, Lakes. Wdas, Perkins started his radio career in Detroit and they told me, I started trading news with! Moved to public radio station licensed to serve Philadelphia, started trading news stories with the on... New technology, he was young held positions at Data Site, Unisys, WDAS FM..! Months but will make his return in the first week of January a past era where jazz was the and! Before landing at WRTI since 1997 a lifelong love of big band and jazz music Dick Haymes or Doris or. Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003 fathers relief from his full-time role as hobby... About it, Perkins recalled role as a newsman been edited for brevity and.! To listeners as & quot ; ) WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns 80 years today. A genius in handling his radio, he joined WRTI-FM Temple University radio years, [ ]. Job in radio back in November of 1964 show before joining WRTI nearly decades...: no, I started working at WDAS in the first Audacy Atlas Divestiture Go! Record by Dick Haymes or Doris day or Rosemary Clooney song from the pain training under my belt, started! 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Of Philadelphia Hall of Fame on the same block as the famous Heath Brothers in South Philadelphia growing,! Programming integrations, and he said ] with all the local jazz musicians who have recorded music McKenna.

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