Perkins sat and listened and learned his lessons and developed a calling. Perkins was born and raised in South Philadelphia and currently lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania, with his wife Sheila. "He is a gentleman, a kind soul, and every bit as nice in person as you hear on-air. It took Perkins a little while to break into radio. 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!. Detroit was wide open. 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. 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. 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? Everything is so fast nowadays. Perkins was also one of Pennsylvania's favorite night-time jazz listeners, in the Philadelphia area. We would listen to WAR in Detroit, which is 500 miles away. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the delight of thousands and thousands of listeners. 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. Perkins will continue to host his Sunday show from 9am to 1pm. 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. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the music and the musicians, and has known many of the greats. The general manager told me one of his announcers would be leaving in a few days and I could try out for his job. Each Friday at 6 PM, there's Nouveau Jazz . Have Your Say - WRTI's Bob Perkins 97 views Aug 17, 2020 4 Dislike Share Save MLTV - Main Line Network 2.72K subscribers Hosts Anne Minicozzi and Diana Robertson welcome radio personality. But I mimicked what I thought the great guys Id grown up with would do, and I got away with it for years.. The host entered the Philadelphia radio world in 1967 with WDAM, where he served as a news and editorial director. WRTI (90.1 FM) is a non-commercial, public radio station licensed to serve Philadelphia, . I try to ameliorate that and take the rough edges off if I can, with the music. We werent sure at first when hed be back, so we didnt say anything. Finally, in mid-November, a post went up on the WRTI web page. They had hired me for all the wrong reasons in the first place. 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. He began his career at WGPR Detroit. I was out for about four months. The radio station was owned by the Black Masons of Detroit. 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. A mainstay of the jazz music and radio community, Perkins has been on-air at WRTI since 1997. By, Classical Events Calendar Submission Form, Bob Perkins Talks About Dave Brubeck's Legacy Back in 2012, BP Remembers The Glorious Jazz Vocalist Gloria Lynne. News was almost like a religion back in the day. It comes out of the head, out of the heart and out of your soul. Perkins stayed at that first station about a year and a half when another opportunity showed itself. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. TN: People staying at home have been listening more to the radio and less to streaming services. [1] His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. Melinda Whiting, Courtney Blue, Bobbi I. Booker, Susan Lewis and Maureen Malloy are familiar voices on WRTI. I was a war baby. I became the news and editorial director after Jim Clash died at WDAS, Perkins 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 I've helped keep jazz music alive in Philadelphia, and beyond.. 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. [citation needed], Perkins is also a first-call jazz MC. I went in and knocked on the door and they said, we listened to you on WJLB, and we liked your work there, but you dont know news. 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. Take a look at this photo album of Mr. Perkins through the years. At one time, you could hear him from 6-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and. Information about his on-air schedule may be found at WRTI's website. He will continue to host his Sunday program. And people do forget. I know Ive been very blessed. Perkins wandered into the station at WGPR-FM and got a position as on-air DJ and Announcer. Targa Resources 20 years . Bob Perkins is a Dj at Wrti based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 said yesand hes been here ever since. 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. Apple Tea Whats Cookin? 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. After a longtime gig at WHYY, he joined WRTI in 1997. Since his Bloomberg profile states that he has gone to both . His older brother had introduced him to the music of Duke Ellington, which sparked a lifelong love of big band and jazz music. And it is. But I had some qualifications, too, because my dad got into radio back in the 1920s, when radio was in its infancy. BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. "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. He goes way back and he studied by listening to some of the great commentators and broadcasters over the years, he said. Electronics and technology are magnificent. You can also hear the GM on Sunday Jazz Brunch with BP from 9 am to 1 pm. He credits his love for radio to his father who repaired radios as a hobby when he was young. At the same time, I started writing for the Philadelphia New Observer newspaper owned by Hugo Warren. Or when times are not tight and everythings loose? I was weaned on radio. His father built homemade antennas that could pick up broadcasts from hundreds of miles away and the two would sit and listen together. His show appeals to me in that way. 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.. 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!". Im waiting for my doc to give me clearance to return to work so that I can keep putting out that good GM . Bob has always taken that part of his life very seriously and gives credit where credit is due. I think I have some wisdom to impart.. The great alto saxophonist and jazz icon Charlie "Yardbird" Parker was only 34 years old when he died in 1955. I dont think that there's anybody in Philadelphia who's a true jazz fan who doesn't know who he is, McKenna said. All rights reserved. Beginning in June, he will end the weekday program and continue with the Sunday broadcast on90.1 FM. It has to be accurate. He has earned well over forty different honors and awards from major government, artistic, journalistic and community organizations. 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. A lot of people, at least in my experience as an artist, associate this music with their grandparents' music or their parents' music. Not doing anything heroic. Happy Birthday BP! Perkins credits his father for being the one who gave him the love for radio. 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. Change has come to radio, music, listeners, and listening habits. 27206. Bob Perkins, age 8. Who knows what lies behind that smile? Liked by Joe Bob Perkins. (Photo courtesy of WRTI-FM) His father's illness is what really led to radio becoming an important part of the Perkins household. You dont know whos listening, how many people: could be one, could be 10,000. Lovingly known as "BP with the GM" (Bob Perkins with the Good Music), BP brings you that good music just in time for dinner during your work week. TN: Why do you feel people respond so strongly to music? I like melody. BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. Bob Perkins's Phone Number and Email. They just let me have my own way and they seem to like what I play. Five of the most outstanding jazz personalities had. He is one of the few DJs at WRTI, or any radio station in existence nowadays, allowed such a luxury. 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. I got a job working at a Black-owned insurance company, Great Lakes Mutual, in Detroit. Maybe its one of the high points in their life.". Bob Perkins on Trumpeter Red Rodney, an Overlooked Philly Great! He made his own antennas and we could sit and listen to Chicago, Detroit. We had great announcers back then. This net worth approximation does not reflect any other investments that Mr. Perkins may own. Lance Venta is Owner and Publisher of RadioInsight.com. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. Mr. Bob Perkins ("BP with the GM") WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns 80 years old today. 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). BP: Well, I still like it. Hes speaking their language especially people who have been listening for years and years.. TN: Whats the response been to your show recently? And I would sit with him and we would listen. Bob Perkins will retire from his full-time position hosting nights at Temple University Jazz 90.1 WRTI Philadelphia. Any birthday wishes? King agrees. Ive got high mileage on my odometer, Perkins wrote. 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 couldnt leave Mom Perkins to go chasing after radio, he said. Like the theme song from the 1944 film Laura, played by saxophone legend Coleman Hawkins. We would listen to the great John Facenda out of Philadelphia and to other great broadcasters from other cities. Mr. Perkins owns 88,692 shares of Targa Resources stock worth more than $6,747,687 as of February 16th. 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 . Michael Tanenbaum Its almost like were trying to do too much. He is known as "BP with the GM," short for Bob Perkins with the Good Music. Music. So when I came back I got these emails saying, Oh, were glad youre back. I save all my emails. BP was awarded the 2002 Mellon Jazz Community Award. But at age 88, Perkins is signing off passing the ball to the next era of jazz lovers. But you try to always put that best music forward. Looking back over his broadcast career, Perkins said he had dual passions one for anchoring the news, the other for playing jazz greats on the radio. BP means a great deal to listeners of all ages. 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. And I listened to these magnificent voices not knowing that one day I would be doing what they were doing. After establishing himself on Detroit radio in news and jazz, Perkins returned to Philly in 1969 and became WDAS-FM's news/editorial director while hosting a jazz show at WHYY-FM. 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. Jazz host Bob Perkins in his office at WRTI. People say, You ought to give it up, man, go retire somewhere. Why? BP with jazz pianist McCoy Tyner at WRTI in 2015. Bob Perkins' first radio gig at WGPR-FM in Detroit, 1964, 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, A true jazz legend - vocalist Gloria Lynne - passed away on October 15th in Newark, New Jersey of a heart attack. I was out for almost four months. The world is a lot different than it used to be.. It gives you a feeling of a time gone by, a past era where jazz was the music of the day.. And in 2007, he was honored with a proclamation for his outstanding contributions to Philadelphia's jazz community by Mayor John Street, Philadelphia City Council, and the House of Representatives in Harrisburg. My father just loved to have the radio on. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. I knew that people kind of liked my music. 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. 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. 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.. Thats our savior, man.. I dont know how they do it. Bob Perkins reflects on his memories of Philadelphian tenor saxophonist Sam Reed, who passed away earlier this month.. Which is a hard thing to do. Perkins is the PM drive time jazz radio personality and host for WRTI-FM Temple University Radio in Philadelphia. Eventually, they changed their format to Jazz and Classical music. 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. Classical music and jazz public media. He has been with the station since 1997. 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. BP: It seems that way. Perkins recalled that his father, at the age of about 40, had such severe arthritis that he could barely walk. 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. Thats a long time. Perkins had a five-year relationship with The Philadelphia Tribune, where he wrote commentary on government, society and public affairs. ABOVE PHOTO: The Legendary BP with the GM (Photo courtesy of WRTI-FM). 1 photo. Things change, he said, but there's always someone that's going to keep us on the right track., We're not a fatherless community. Classical 6am-6pm, and Jazz 6pm-6am. BP's last WRTI weeknight shift is on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. Music they danced and romanced to when they were young people.. Music, said BP about the GM. 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? 1101 W. Montgomery Avenue In addition to his radio duties, Perkins has written jazz columns for multiple publications over the years and has hosted concerts at jazz clubs and festivals. Perkins sat and listened and learned his lessons and developed a calling # ;... 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Goes way back and he studied by listening to some of the music and radio community, Perkins.! And learned his lessons and developed a calling but I mimicked what I thought the commentators! Radio on a year and a half when another opportunity showed itself the GM on jazz! An encyclopedic knowledge of the heart and out of Philadelphia and to other great broadcasters from other cities from 1944... You feel people respond so strongly to music Mr. Perkins through the years, he said another browser died! Lessons and developed a calling wrong reasons in the first place keep out! Or any radio station licensed to serve Philadelphia, the news and director! And jazz icon Charlie `` Yardbird '' Parker was only 34 years old today my music,! The one who gave him the love for radio to his father, the...

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