He will continue to host his Sunday program. Perkins has been ill and off the air for a few months but will make his return in the first week of January. Any birthday wishes? TEMPLE UNIVERSITY Jazz-Classical WRTI/PHILADELPHIA evening host BOB PERKINS is stepping away from his weekday 6-9p (ET) show on JUNE 30th. I think in some way, Bob is able to bridge that gap, King said. I was weaned on radio. Why might that be? He began his career at WGPR Detroit. In addition to his job as jazz host, BP writes numerous columns and commentaries on jazz for local publications in Philadelphia. But his well-honed approach to the music would remain unaffected. Jazz also captivated Perkins at a young age. They were a great family of jazz artists. I know Ive been very blessed. They don't think that it's accessible to younger people. His salvation was radio, Perkins said. You can also hear the GM on Sunday Jazz Brunch with BP from 9 am to 1 pm. I guess along with fast food came fast everything fast cars, fast thoughts, fast relationships. Bob in the mid '60s - a seasoned veteran on the job for one year at WGPR in Detroit. Maybe its one of the high points in their life, Perkins told The Inquirer in 2020. We love your GM("Good Music")and you! He throws in a four-hour show on Sunday mornings for good measure. 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. 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 . Thats a long time. 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. But what are you going to do? ", BP going one on one with the audience shows a very strong kinship, said Craig, himself a 40-year veteran of local radio. 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. The thing I liked about what Bob did was that he didnt call it a jazz show. How does it connect with them in a way other things dont? We have a father right now and that's Bob Perkins.. All the girls belong to me!". Last Update. Domain Insight 2/27: The First Audacy Atlas Divestiture Will Go To. Take a look at this photo album of Mr. Perkins through the years. But he played the radio, that was his only salvation from the pain. 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. Lets sit around and gab, whatever the case may be. And I do it by feel what should follow this piece of music and is my next piece of music as good or better than the previous piece of music that I played? New Temple Press book celebrates Philadelphias Italian legacy, Hundreds of Temple community members gather to celebrate the life of Sergeant Christopher Fitzgerald with his family, Temples Lenfest Center increases job opportunities for the North Philadelphia community, Globally connected campus: A presidential visit to Temple Rome, Whats the best way for an athlete to build their brand? He was known for his laid-back and mellow style. Not quite content as a newsman, in the late 70s he volunteered for a moonlighting job as a weekend music DJ with WHYY, where he coined his on-air moniker: BP with the GM Bob Perkins with the Good Music. TN: Why do you feel people respond so strongly to music? I dont know how they do it. Perkins is currently engaged for the annual Cape May Jazz Festival Concert Series and the Tony Williams Jazz Festival Concert Series. It was always in the back of my mind, like a latent dream, that maybe one day, Id get into radio.. 1101 W. Montgomery Avenue All rights reserved. TN: Have you made any changes to your playlist, in light of whats happening? Perkins wandered into the station at WGPR-FM and got a position as on-air DJ and Announcer. Meaning "Bob Perkins with the good music. I would do reports on Philadelphia radio about what was happening in Detroit. PERKINS, 88, has been hosting at WRTI for 25. Went to Texas A&M University. 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. I did what I could, he said, because I didnt know a thing about writing editorials. 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 | 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. I met him when he was a frequent visitor to the 900, One November night in the year 1934, a 17-year-old girl was about to take the stage at the Apollo theaters Amateur Night program and planned to do a, Many years ago, a group of teenage musicians decided to form a small jazz band in South Phillythey went on to become high-profile players in the jazz, WRTI's own jazz legend Bob Perkins sat down with Kile Smith in December, 2012 for a wide-ranging interview about Dave Brubeck the man, his music, and his, I believe the year was 1983 when I was asked if Id like to emcee a concert at the Academy of Music, headlined by Dave Brubeck and his sons and the Modern, Some folkseven jazz fanswouldnt know that 'Robert Chudnick' was the real name of the musician whose handle was Red Rodney. Music has always been for us African American people something for us to hold onto no matter what, from Africa to anywhere in the Diaspora, to around the world, wherever our people live, music has been that sustaining force in good days and in bad, he said. Perkins recalled that his father, at the age of about 40, had such severe arthritis that he could barely walk. But I mimicked what I thought the great guys Id grown up with would do, and I got away with it for years.. It took Perkins a little while to break into radio. BP's last WRTI weeknight shift is on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. ABOVE PHOTO: The Legendary BP with the GM (Photo courtesy of WRTI-FM). But I didnt really visualize the response that I got. BP brought the GM back for the first time in more than four months his longest absence from the Philadelphia airwaves in 50 years on a Thursday night in December, followed a few days later by his Sunday show at 9 a.m. What he will bring to the microphone in a neat control room on Cecil B. Moore Boulevard just west of Broad Street is something his colleague Bob Craig describes as a style that is very, very warm and very personal and very loose. 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 . My gerontologist tells me, Keep moving.. Friday evenings at 10 PM, veteran WRTI jazz host J. Michael Harrison presents The Bridge, exploring the merging platforms of popular music and jazz. In 2016, he was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame as part of the Philadelphia Music Alliances all-jazz class of that year. Bob Perkins, age 8. Who knows what lies behind that smile? He also wrote editorials and other articles for the former Philadelphia New Observer. King agrees. Im just about 90% recovered and the letters that they sent, it was embarrassing to me because of the flattery that they gave me. For the last 25 years, hes become known for his warm, personable on-air style, extensive knowledge of jazz, and thoughtful, wide-ranging music mix. I think because of them, thats where my love of jazz music was solidified.. Radio has changed dramatically over the years, [particularly] with all the new technology, he said. announced his retirement from weeknight shows in April, California residents do not sell my data request. A few Philadelphia artists were sprinkled into the evening, including Perkins longtime friend, saxophonist Bootsie Barnes, and vocalist Phyllis Chapell, who dedicated her latest album to BP. I told the general manager about the job offer I had just received from the insurance company, and he replied, Take whichever job comes first., The general manager called me a couple days later and offered me the job, he said. It was a small station. And people do forget. WRTI's legendary jazz host, Bob Perkins, is surrounded by his cd collection of jazz recordings in his home in Wyncote, PA on December 19, 2019. I look forward to you lending me your finely tuned ears very soon.". So when I came back I got these emails saying, Oh, were glad youre back. I save all my emails. It comes out of the head, out of the heart and out of your soul. (Photo courtesy of WRTI-FM) His father's illness is what really led to radio becoming an important part of the Perkins household. Thats the magic part about this thing called music. He grew up in South Philadelphia and fell in love with radio as a child. By 1997, Perkins moved over to the Temple University-owned WRTI, where he has been for the last quarter-century. We would listen to WAR in Detroit, which is 500 miles away. Remember, I came up as a war baby. Previously, Bob was a Board Member at Jazz Bridge and also held positions at Data Site, Unisys, WDAS Fm. Electronics and technology are magnificent. He is a gentleman, a kind soul, and every bit as nice in person as you hear on-air. He has attended two White House Presidential news conferences - one of Gerald Ford's and one of Jimmy Carter's. Experience Board Chair Orennia 2021 - Present 2 years. Please let Bob know in the comments section below. But then hed also play Miles Davis, Maynard Ferguson, John Coltrane, and Bird. (The last being the nickname for the brilliant bebop jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker. Eventually, they changed their format to Jazz and Classical music. The host entered the Philadelphia radio world in 1967 with WDAM, where he served as a news and editorial director. Contact. Why It's So Hard for WRTI's Bob Perkins To Pick Just One Favorite Charlie Parker Tune, A Photo Album of Bob Perkins Through The Years, Listen to WRTI Jazz Host Bob Perkins Tell His Life Story In Radio, A Bronze Plaque for WRTI's Bob Perkins on Broad Street Walk of Fame, Jazz Host Extraordinaire Bob Perkins is Retiring from Weeknights on WRTI, Bob Perkins Talks About Dave Brubeck's Legacy Back in 2012. Melinda Whiting, Courtney Blue, Bobbi I. Booker, Susan Lewis and Maureen Malloy are familiar voices on WRTI. BP: No, I just put out the music. "I got radio rammed down my throat, because that was my fathers relief from his pain.. You can find some solace in what you like. 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. By, Classical Events Calendar Submission Form. 1. 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. 2023 WWB Holdings, LLC. 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. Bob is jazz radio, David Conant, former general manager at WRTI, told The Inquirer in 2016. He makes it interesting and inclusive for everybody.. He went to work at another Black-owned radio station in Detroit which was just down the street and around the corner from WGPR-FM. You had to sit around the radio and visualize. It has to be accurate. 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. Or Tony Bennett singing My Foolish Heart accompanied by pianist Bill Evans. What Bob does, it makes people feel like youre coming home, she said. A stroke survivor from three years ago, Perkins is still kicking and hes still ticking, playing some of the best jazz music you ever want to hear on WRTI-FM. Temple Now:The official source for Temple news.Copyright 2015, Temple University. William Johnson, General Manager of WRTI said, Bobs contributions to jazz are innumerable. As of 1997, Perkins landed at WRTI-FM. BP broke into radio in Detroit on WGPR/WCHB/WCHD in 1964. 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. Detroit was wide open. In 1988, big changes came to WDAS, and I was amongst the first of the old group of employees to be let go, he continued. Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 01:44, promotes the subject in a subjective manner, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Art of Aging: Bob Perkins, a Philly Institution", "Talking all that jazz with WRTI legend Bob Perkins", "Bob Perkins: The Art of Listening article @ All About Jazz", "Meet the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame's Class of 2017", Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia website, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bob_Perkins_(radio_personality)&oldid=1140642424, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 01:44. Radio started I think, in 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the delight of thousands and thousands of listeners. Longtime jazz radio host Bob Perkins will retire from full-time hosting on WRTI-FM/Philadelphia in June, the public radio station of Temple University in Philadelphia announced Tuesday. The 88 year old Perkins has been on the air in Philadelphia since 1969 with stints as News Director at WDAS-FM and a Jazz host at WHYY before joining WRTI in 1997. But I had some qualifications, too, because my dad got into radio back in the 1920s, when radio was in its infancy. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. I next made a move over to WRTI, which is Temple Universitys radio station, as a volunteer DJ playing jazz music. I had been selling insurance in North Philadelphia at the time, knocking on doors. Perkins was also one of Pennsylvania's favorite night-time jazz listeners, in the Philadelphia area. In 1969, WDAS offered him a news and editorial position and asked if he might be interested in moving back to Philadelphia. Five of the most outstanding jazz personalities had. 2/17/2019. BP and Father Time have been having a continuous battle over the last several years and Im trying not to let him win the battle! BP was awarded the 2002 Mellon Jazz Community Award. He currently hosts from 6-9pm Monday through Thursday, and from . 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. Visit our, Bob Perkins Retires From Fulltime Role At WRTI, Classic Country Makes The Grade In San Luis Obispo, First Listen: Spotify DJ, YouTube Radio Builder, Brooke Grimsley Joins 101 ESPNs Opening Drive, WRNQ Debuts Marino in the Morning with Marissa, Canadian Programming Vets Launch RMR Media Strategies. Happy Birthday BP! He has earned well over forty different honors and awards from major government, artistic, journalistic and community organizations. I met saxophonist Sam Reed well before he became a legendary figure on the Philadelphia jazz scene. Classical 6am-6pm, and Jazz 6pm-6am. Lead a team to the Super Bowl, Student community health ambassadors look out for their fellow Owls, Temple faculty organizes lecture series for Ukrainian students at alma mater in Kharkiv, Behind the music: Grammy-nominated Fox alum finds success as an audio engineer and producer, Eco-friendly faces: Meet Temples EcoReps advocating for a sustainable campus, Charles Library shapes the future at Temple and beyond, Student and faculty musicians are Grammy hopefuls. 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. People know what is going on. Especially jazz music. Michael Tanenbaum Maureen Malloy, the director of jazz programming at WRTI, says there was an insane amount of listener response to Perkins unexplained absence. 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