[1] His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. Maybe its one of the high points in their life.". From 1988 to 1997 he hosted a well-known jazz program on Saturday nights on WHYY-FM before moving to WRTI. Maybe its one of the high points in their life, Perkins told The Inquirer in 2020. I did a good music program over there for twenty years. TN: Why was it important for you to keep doing your show? BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. 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. It has to be accurate. Joseph V. Labolito. 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. Well put you in there with the news guy and youll learn., At three different stations, I learned something about radio, Perkins 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 | Jazz Host Extraordinaire Bob Perkins is Retiring from Weeknights on WRTI Our beloved "BP with the GM"Bob Perkins with the Good Musicis turning off his mic on weeknights starting on June 30th after a long and storied career. Some of the management of that station listened to me on WGPR and they liked what they heard, he said. He was known for his laid-back and mellow style. TN: Why do you feel people respond so strongly to music? Contact. He is a jazz program host and DJ for WRTI. Jazz radio host and South. You trusted the newsperson you were listening to. Philadelphia,PA19122 USA. BP was awarded the 2002 Mellon Jazz Community Award. - regular airs Philadelphia Youth. I next made a move over to WRTI, which is Temple Universitys radio station, as a volunteer DJ playing jazz music. We spoke with him about his show, the power of radio and the beauty of jazz. Perkins then moved to public radio station WHYY to host a weekend jazz music show before joining WRTI. 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. Since I turned 65, he reports with a tone more of irony than self-pity, its been one thing after another. 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. Since his Bloomberg profile states that he has gone to both . The world wasnt moving quite as fast. You can find some solace in what you like. Listener-supported. 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. A young BP with his brother Joe. But on the other side of the coin, technology can be very dangerous.. TN: People staying at home have been listening more to the radio and less to streaming services. At 90.1 FM. Bob Perkins has been a fixture on Philadelphia's airwaves for 50 years. WRTIs legendary jazz DJ Bob Perkins retires at age 88, Police find ancient mummy in delivery mans cooler bag in Peru, At least 36 killed after passenger and freight trains collide in Greece, Florida 19-year-old accused of killing three, including reporter, in shootings, Lori Lightfoot concedes mayors race in Chicago, European space agency pushes for lunar time zone, College students turn to influencing as new side hustle. 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. BP: It seems that way. He began his career at WGPR Detroit. 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. His show will come to an end June 30, but he says this wont be the last his fans hear from him. A mainstay of the jazz music and radio community, Perkins has been on-air at WRTI since 1997. Am I going to capture their imagination today? My gerontologist tells me, Keep moving.. But BP programs his own. They were very kind at WDAS, and they also allowed me to moonlight at WHYY-FM. Learn More about Joe Bob Perkins' net worth. I went to a radio school through my father. The radio station was owned by the Black Masons of Detroit. Listen to BP's last weeknight shift on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. He is known as "BP with the GM," short for Bob Perkins with the Good Music. And it is. A Philadelphia man has become an institution by keeping the sounds of Philly and American Jazz alive for decades. 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. Music they danced and romanced to when they were young people.. Im just about 90% recovered and the letters that they sent, it was embarrassing to me because of the flattery that they gave me. His older brother had introduced him to the music of Duke Ellington, which sparked a lifelong love of big band and jazz music. At the same time, I started writing for the Philadelphia New Observer newspaper owned by Hugo Warren. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, she has studied piano, voice, guitar, saxophone, and music theory at Granoff and Settlement Music schools, and PCPA - now University of The Arts, and continues private instruction with her husband Leon Mitchell - composer, arranger, vocal coach, and musical director of The Philadelphia Legends of Jazz Orchestra. A mainstay of the jazz music and radio community, Perkins has been on-air at WRTI since 1997. BP with Dave Brubeck in 1983 - backstage at the Academy of Music. This was in the mid-1920s., My father was kind of a genius in handling his radio, Perkins continued. Im waiting for my doc to give me clearance to return to work so that I can keep putting out that good GM . Also known as "BP with the GM," (translation: "Bob Perkins with the Good Music"), Mr. Perkins has been in the broadcasting industry for more than five decades as an on-air host, and is now commonly referred to as a Philadelphia jazz radio legend. I was a war baby. Classical music and jazz public media. I never knew exactly how my father came to love radio so much, but he was an avid radio listener, Perkins recalled. WRTI. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. 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. What Bob does, it makes people feel like youre coming home, she said. I look forward to the opportunity to pick up the mic at WRTI on Sundays to continue to serve all the listeners with finely-tuned ears who have said that Ive helped keep jazz music alive in Philadelphia, and beyond.. Not doing anything heroic. He credits his love for radio to his father who repaired radios as a hobby when he was young. I dont think that there's anybody in Philadelphia who's a true jazz fan who doesn't know who he is, McKenna said. It gives you a feeling of a time gone by, a past era where jazz was the music of the day.. News was almost like a religion back in the day. Partner Tupper Lake Partners 2021 - Present 2 years. Twitter: @WRTImusic Language: English Contact: I'm thrilled he'll continue to host Sunday Jazz Brunch after he retires, because we all need some GM (good music) with our toast and jam!". 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. Radio has changed dramatically over the years, [particularly] with all the new technology, he said. The estimated net worth of Joe Bob Perkins is at least $6.75 million as of November 2nd, 2022. Mr. Perkins in 2006. That when I first became aware of who he was, said Larry McKenna, the tenor saxophonist who is one of the deans of Phillys jazz scene. Mr. Bob Perkins ("BP with the GM") WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns 80 years old today. This website uses cookies. 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? So when I came back I got these emails saying, Oh, were glad youre back. I save all my emails. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the delight of thousands and thousands of listeners. Hed just play people that he liked. [8] Philadelphia honored him in 2017 when he was inducted in Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame.[9]. WRTI has not yet put a new DJ in Perkins usual weeknight spot, which will temporarily be filled by station associate general manager Josh Jackson, KYW Newsradio reported. BP: No, I just put out the music. Electronics and technology are magnificent. Ive gotta find something else to do, he said. By Bob Perkins | WRTI-FM (Philadelphia, PA) One November night in the year 1934, a 17-year-old girl was about to take the stage at the Apollo theater's Amateur Night program and planned to do a dance routinebut changed her mind and decided to sing a song instead. Some of Bob Perkins' major honors and awards for career accomplishments include: The Kal Rudman Milestones in Radio Award; The Mellon Jazz Community Service Award, 2002);[6] Inducted to the Philadelphia Broadcast Hall of Fame, 2003 and the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia [1] Hall of Fame (Enshrined with Philadelphia Broadcast Legends John Facenda, Larry Kane, Dick Clark, Herb Clarke and Ed Bradley, to name a few); City of Philadelphia Proclamation by Mayor John Street for Outstanding Contribution to Philadelphia Jazz, 2007;[7] State of Pennsylvania Proclamations at the State House of Representatives and the State Senate for Outstanding Contribution by a Pennsylvania Resident to Jazz, 2007; U.S. House of Representatives Proclamation by Congressman Chaka Fattah for Outstanding Contribution by a Pennsylvania Resident to Jazz, 2007 (pictured above). Bob Perkins: I do itand Im not trying to be funnybut I do it really by braille, a feel. Growing up in a two-bedroom rowhouse near 19th and Reed in South Philly during World War II, Bob Perkins received intimate and powerful instruction on the healing properties of radio. Temple Now:The official source for Temple news.Copyright 2015, Temple University. During his short life, he became one of the, Mr. Bob Perkins ("BP with the GM") WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns 80 years old today. 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. Bob Perkins, age 8. Who knows what lies behind that smile? Meaning "Bob Perkins with the good music. Believe it or not, I next ended up at Power 99. I couldnt leave Mom Perkins to go chasing after radio, he said. BP's last WRTI weeknight shift is on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. WRTI, this 600th review is for you! Maureen Malloy, the director of jazz programming at WRTI, says there was an insane amount of listener response to Perkins unexplained absence. If you, WRTIs Bob Perkins joined the 2016 Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame class on October 19th. Bob Perkins on Trumpeter Red Rodney, an Overlooked Philly Great! Not only with his actual speaking voice, but also with the music he selects, Block said. 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.. 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. I stayed there for about a year and a half, but I was hungry to do news in radio, so I needed to move on. Music. Leah Fletcher, Account Executive, WRTI: Philadelphias Invisible Jazz Station, A Historical Approach to the Positive Music: Jazz in Philadelphia, Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul will be broadcast by US public radio stations during Black History Month, including WXPN and WRTI, Biden declares Kyiv stands in surprise visit to Ukraine, Supreme Court seems ready to reject student loan forgiveness, Former Philadelphia Eagle, CBS anchor Irv Cross had brain disease CTE, Queen Latifah will host the 2023 NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 25 in Pasadena CA. The once well-known jazz, Have you ever discovered that a famous person once lived very close to you? His selections are like a familiar hug from Jazz Land featuring your favorite standards and vocalists such as Sarah, Ella, and Nat, some Big Band legends including the Duke and the Count . Targa Resources 20 years . 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. The music that appeals to BPs old noggin is what he calls the melodic stuff with no expiration date, most of it recorded decades ago. He throws in a four-hour show on Sunday mornings for good measure. In 1977, Perkins, 88, started up a side gig with a public radio Saturday night jazz show at 90.9 WHYY-FM the station where he coined his BP with the GM moniker. People call me and tell me, I didnt like jazz till you played it, Perkins told The Inquirer in 2016. 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. Black Music Month means heritage, he said. A lot of us who live here, we don't have any other outlets and are not really known outside of this city, so we don't get airplay unless we go through WRTI., Bob is a proud Philadelphian, but he doesnt just play local music out of loyalty. Thats our savior, man.. 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. BP: Yes, it really did. He got his first job in radio during a trip to visit his two brothers in Detroit in 1964. All rights reserved. After breaking in as a DJ and announcer at WGPR-FM, he then expanded to news at WCHB-AM while also working as jazz program director for its twin, WCHD-FM. 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. Here's a great in-depth article about Bob from the Chestnut Hill Local. announced his retirement from weeknight shows in April, California residents do not sell my data request. 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. PublishedDecember 6, 2013 at 5:49 AM EST. Over the years, he met the likes of President Jimmy Carter and touched the lives of everyday listeners and renowned musicians. Or when times are not tight and everythings loose? 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