But he played the radio, that was his only salvation from the pain. He began his career at WGPR Detroit. 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. He announced his retirement from weeknight shows in April. It takes a little bit of thought. Perkins, a longtime jazz DJ, will continue hosting his weekly "Sunday Jazz Brunch show. But BP programs his own. Ive been in radio for quite some time. Which is a hard thing to do. He was known for his laid-back and mellow style. A Philadelphia man has become an institution by keeping the sounds of Philly and American Jazz alive for decades. BP's last WRTI weeknight shift is on Thursday, June 30th from 6 to 9 PM. News was almost like a religion back in the day. 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. The general manager told me one of his announcers would be leaving in a few days and I could try out for his job. Partner Tupper Lake Partners 2021 - Present 2 years. Like the theme song from the 1944 film Laura, played by saxophone legend Coleman Hawkins. Mr. Bob Perkins ("BP with the GM") WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns 80 years old today. He loved radio programming, and since I was the last kid at home, we listened together to all the great voices John Facenda and Edward R. Murrow anything that was on the radio, from Jack Benny to the Philadelphia Athletics games. It has to be accurate. Perkins had a five-year relationship with The Philadelphia Tribune, where he wrote commentary on government, society and public affairs. All rights reserved. BP means a great deal to listeners of all ages. 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. 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. I think because of them, thats where my love of jazz music was solidified.. Targa Resources 20 years . This net worth approximation does not reflect any other investments that Mr. Perkins may own. At 90.1 FM. I did a good music program over there for twenty years. "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.. But you try to always put that best music forward. 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). Maureen Malloy, the director of jazz programming at WRTI, says there was an insane amount of listener response to Perkins unexplained absence. 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.. They were doing quite well, raising their families, Perkins said. Once I got some news training under my belt, I started trading news stories with the news team at WDAS in Philadelphia. I leaned on them when I got into radio until I got my own sea legs and could navigate on my own.. I knew the Athletics batting averages like they were my own name. BP was awarded the 2002 Mellon Jazz Community Award. Joe Blocks parents were fans of WRTI and the pianist grew up listening to BP, becoming a fan himself. Eventually, they changed their format to Jazz and Classical music. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. People call me and tell me, I didnt like jazz till you played it, Perkins told The Inquirer in 2016. I try not to ad-lib and talk about what is going on. Perkins sat and listened and learned his lessons and developed a calling. Thats the magic part about this thing called music. I'm a general assignment breaking news reporter. 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. Perkins then moved to public radio station WHYY to host a weekend jazz music show before joining WRTI. He is a jazz program host and DJ for WRTI. Temple Public Radio 90.1 FM is amazing! I always felt like they hired me because they wanted to get back at WDAS. 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? I think it would be silly to have me programming for a jazz historian.. I think in some way, Bob is able to bridge that gap, King said. I was a war baby. 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. 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. His Sunday 'Jazz Brunch' show will continue. BP broke into the radio business in 1964 when he landed an on-air job in Detroit. Im waiting for my doc to give me clearance to return to work so that I can keep putting out that good GM . In 2016, he was awarded a bronze plaque on Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts. We love your GM("Good Music")and you! TN: People staying at home have been listening more to the radio and less to streaming services. I had been selling insurance in North Philadelphia at the time, knocking on doors. Experience Board Chair Orennia 2021 - Present 2 years. You can also hear the GM on Sunday Jazz Brunch with BP from 9 am to 1 pm. Happy Birthday BP! Beginning in June, he will end the weekday program and continue with the Sunday broadcast on90.1 FM. But on the other side of the coin, technology can be very dangerous.. Over the years, he met the likes of President Jimmy Carter and touched the lives of everyday listeners and renowned musicians. I know Ive been very blessed. ), I remember telling my friends about it, McKenna adds. Jazz radio host and South. Since his Bloomberg profile states that he has gone to both . Since I turned 65, he reports with a tone more of irony than self-pity, its been one thing after another. 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. 1101 W. Montgomery Avenue We would listen to WAR in Detroit, which is 500 miles away. But I had some qualifications, too, because my dad got into radio back in the 1920s, when radio was in its infancy. I dont know how they do it. Perkins was born on December 6, 1933. I had WDAS and WHYY, doing all of those things simultaneously for about 10 years. 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. His Sunday 'Jazz Brunch' show will continue. His fathers illness is what really led to radio becoming an important part of the Perkins household. 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. Mr. Bob Perkins, WRTI's own "BP with the GM," is retiring from full-time broadcasting after 25 years at the station and 57 on the air. 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 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. BP: Yes, it really did. WRTI, which broadcasts classical music from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. each day, and jazz from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. - What would I do without Bobbi Booker as my gentle alarm clock? But it seems like the longer I stayed out, [chuckles] the more positive response I got. I think I have some wisdom to impart.. #WRTImusic He currently hosts from 6 pm to 9 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 9 am to 1 pm Sundays. Bob Perkins, age 8. Who knows what lies behind that smile? Bob Perkins reflects on his memories of Philadelphian tenor saxophonist Sam Reed, who passed away earlier this month.. Perkins spoke about the evolution of radio. On this show he would play a record by Dick Haymes or Doris Day or Rosemary Clooney. Copyright 2022 RadioInsight / RadioBB Networks. 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. Hed just play people that he liked. 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. Bob Perkins' first radio gig at WGPR-FM in Detroit, 1964. Sunday Jazz Brunch with Bob Perkins airs from 9 AM until 1 PM. He went on to work for WDAS and while in Philadelphia, [2] in 1997, he joined WRTI-FM Temple University Radio. When Bob Perkins was growing up at 19th and Gerritt Streets in South Philadelphia during the Great Depression, his father, Deforrest, was stricken by arthritis at age 39 and could no longer work at his job as a freight elevator operator. I [then] looked up and I saw a sign that read WGPR-FM. Remember, I came up as a war baby. At the same time, I started writing for the Philadelphia New Observer newspaper owned by Hugo Warren. 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!. Im just playing music. Perkins' jazz show has been broadcast Monday through Thursday from 6-9 p.m. and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sundays. Something they can hum. 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 . PublishedDecember 6, 2013 at 5:49 AM EST. Lets sit around and gab, whatever the case may be. Or Tony Bennett singing My Foolish Heart accompanied by pianist Bill Evans. You should hear this guy.. [1] His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. Bob Perkins at home at WRTI-FM studios. Or when times are not tight and everythings loose? 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.. 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. Language: English Contact: WRTI-FM 1509 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, 3rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19121 Website: http://www.wrti.org/ Email: Bob@wrti.org Episodes 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. This was in the mid-1920s., My father was kind of a genius in handling his radio, Perkins continued. [1] His radio career began in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. Information about his on-air schedule may be found at WRTI's website. Courtney Blue, KLN '12, hosts Late Evening Jazz, The Jazz Request Show and Nouveau Jazz Showcase. I knew that people kind of liked my music. He got his first job in radio during a trip to visit his two brothers in Detroit in 1964. 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. A young BP with his brother Joe. TN: Why was it important for you to keep doing your show? His stories are not secondhand.. He was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003. Here's a great in-depth article about Bob from the Chestnut Hill Local. Ive gotta find something else to do, he said. Mr. Bob Perkins ("BP with the GM") WRTI jazz host extraordinaire turns 80 years old today. When WHYY dropped its music programming to concentrate on news and information, Perkins moved uptown. They were a great family of jazz artists. The jazz hosts show offers a break from the stresses of COVID-19. Thanks! Thats a long time. And it is. His salvation was radio, Perkins said. As of 1997, Perkins landed at WRTI-FM. Learn More about Joe Bob Perkins' net worth. Ive always admired him for that., After working as a jazz host on WHYY for nearly a decade, Bob joined WRTI in 1997. He made his own antennas and we could sit and listen to Chicago, Detroit. 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. WRTI listeners will still be able to join him for Sunday Jazz Brunch, from 9 AM to 1 PM. 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. 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. The radio station was owned by the Black Masons of Detroit. All the girls belong to me!". Bob Perkins will retire from his full-time position hosting nights at Temple University Jazz 90.1 WRTI Philadelphia. PERKINS, 88, has been hosting at WRTI for 25. How does it connect with them in a way other things dont? I think its magic, the music I play. 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. 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. "People say, You ought to give it up, man, go retire somewhere. Why? Music they danced and romanced to when they were young people.. Mr. Perkins in 2006. I looked around, and I found a station that wanted a newsman. He goes way back and he studied by listening to some of the great commentators and broadcasters over the years, he said. In 2016, he was awarded a bronze plaque on Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame on the Avenue of the Arts. 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.. Jazz host Bob Perkins in his office at WRTI. Its almost like were trying to do too much. He makes it interesting and inclusive for everybody.. 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. Scroll down to see recent playlists. BP: People, they never call me, seemingly. Twitter: @WRTImusic Language: English Contact: 1. We have a father right now and that's Bob Perkins.. They don't think that it's accessible to younger people. But theres something about music. He is a jazz program host and DJ for WRTI. 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. 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 | His father built homemade antennas that could pick up broadcasts from hundreds of miles away and the two would sit and listen together. Ive been told way before I was born, people would come to our house back when my father had the first crystal radio set on the block. 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! A survey of the playlist from one of his last shows before his stroke is a ramble through classic jazz interpretations of American Songbook standards. He could pick up stations that no one else that I knew could get. I was out for about four months. Bell Building He is one of the few DJs at WRTI, or any radio station in existence nowadays, allowed such a luxury. 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