BP means a great deal to listeners of all ages. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. Bob received a Master of Science degree degree from Nazareth College. BP with Dave Brubeck in 1983 - backstage at the Academy of Music. "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.. They offered me a job and I accepted. [8] Philadelphia honored him in 2017 when he was inducted in Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame.[9]. In mid-December, as he planned his return to the airwaves, Perkins was worried that some physical effects of his stroke a few fingers that werent obliging might compromise his technical performance in the control booth. We all need that role model, that patriarch to keep it going. Every Saturday, I was there.. 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. Some of the management of that station listened to me on WGPR and they liked what they heard, he said. BP broke into radio in Detroit on WGPR/WCHB/WCHD in 1964. Remember, I came up as a war baby. Anybody who wants to hear jazz on the radio, you have to tune to WRTI and theres Bob Perkins. He also champions local musicians and music. Philadelphia,PA19122 USA. This was in the mid-1920s., My father was kind of a genius in handling his radio, Perkins continued. 2/17/2019. I lived on the same block as the famous Heath Brothers in South Philadelphia growing up, he said. A young BP with his brother Joe. Once I got some news training under my belt, I started trading news stories with the news team at WDAS in Philadelphia. But I didnt really visualize the response that I got. If theres any good thing about thisand theres very little good about itits the fact that maybe families are getting together again and eating at the dinner table again, in the kitchen or living room, and doing things together again. So when I came back I got these emails saying, Oh, were glad youre back. I save all my emails. Copyright 2022 RadioInsight / RadioBB Networks. Here's a great in-depth article about Bob from the Chestnut Hill Local. 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. This music conjures up some beautiful memories. READ MORE: Two Philly jazz masters celebrate their birthdays (and their best-friendship), Perkins had suffered a stroke. 1 photo. You can also hear the GM on Sunday Jazz Brunch with BP from 9 am to 1 pm. Bob Perkins on Trumpeter Red Rodney, an Overlooked Philly Great! Perkins was born on December 6, 1933. Perkins was honored with a bronze plaque in the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame on the citys Avenue of the Arts in 2016 and was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003, among other awards and accolades. 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. Perkins credits his father for being the one who gave him the love for radio. 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. Maybe its one of the high points in their life.". 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. Im just about 90% recovered and the letters that they sent, it was embarrassing to me because of the flattery that they gave me. 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 got his first job in radio during a trip to visit his two brothers in Detroit in 1964. 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. Perkins spoke about the evolution of radio. "He is a gentleman, a kind soul, and every bit as nice in person as you hear on-air. 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. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the music and the musicians, and has known many of the greats. 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.. 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. That petered out, but I was still at WHYY playing jazz music and loving it. In addition to his job as jazz host, BP writes numerous columns and commentaries on jazz for local publications in Philadelphia. He wanted to share his obsession. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. But I mimicked what I thought the great guys Id grown up with would do, and I got away with it for years.. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Perkins has been ill and off the air for a few months but will make his return in the first week of January. Bob Perkin's, a legendary DJ at the radio station WRTI,. Perkins then moved to public radio station WHYY to host a weekend jazz music show before joining WRTI. Bob Perkins' first radio gig at WGPR-FM in Detroit, 1964. As of 1997, Perkins landed at WRTI-FM. 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. "You guys go home! Pianist Orrin Evans believes BP is vital to Philadelphias jazz scene. Learn More about Joe Bob Perkins' net worth. 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? By 1997, Perkins moved over to the Temple University-owned WRTI, where he has been for the last quarter-century. 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. Twitter: @WRTImusic Language: English Contact: 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? Thats the magic part about this thing called music. 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. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the, Our very own "BP with the GM" shared his story, going back to childhood, with a large audience at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia on Feb. 22, 2019. Bob Perkins, a legendary DJ at the radio station WRTI, spun everything from Duke Ellington to Miles Davis. Everything is so fast nowadays. Perkins had a five-year relationship with The Philadelphia Tribune, where he wrote commentary on government, society and public affairs. You can touch a button and get any answer to any question that you have. 1101 W. Montgomery Avenue 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 went to work at another Black-owned radio station in Detroit which was just down the street and around the corner from WGPR-FM. Perkins has been ill and off the air for a few months but will make his return in the first week of January. The general manager told me one of his announcers would be leaving in a few days and I could try out for his job. Hes one of the last purveyors of our actual history. [3] One of his well-known sayings is "This is BP with the GM!". But I had some qualifications, too, because my dad got into radio back in the 1920s, when radio was in its infancy. "[4] He is also an accomplished radio news journalist and a First Call Master of Ceremonies for regional jazz music events. 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. 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). I think hes been very good to all the local jazz musicians who have recorded music, McKenna said. He grew up in South Philadelphia and fell in love with radio as a child. You can find some solace in what you like. 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. [citation needed]. For younger listeners who might not be as familiar with jazz and are exploring the genre, BPs show is an introductory primer: Jazz 101. And for 50 of those years he's been on the radio to the delight of thousands and thousands of listeners. Jazz also captivated Perkins at a young age. I guess along with fast food came fast everything fast cars, fast thoughts, fast relationships. At one time, you could hear him from 6-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and. It seems like our attention spans are so divided in this new age of technology. I was out for about four months. I knew the Athletics batting averages like they were my own name. 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 went downstairs at the same building, and told the insurance company, Im here to quit a job I never started. Leaving out the door of the insurance company, the man who had offered me a job selling insurance said, Do you know what theyre going to pay you up there? It has to be accurate. Classical 6am-6pm, and Jazz 6pm-6am. Bob has always taken that part of his life very seriously and gives credit where credit is due. 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. Managing Editor Teresa A. Emerson - [emailprotected] He will continue to host his Sunday program. Since his Bloomberg profile states that he has gone to both . I think its magic, the music I play. 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. Temple Public Radio 90.1 FM is amazing! The estimated net worth of Joe Bob Perkins is at least $6.75 million as of November 2nd, 2022. About to host his talk show on WDAS in the mid '70s. Information about his on-air schedule may be found at WRTI's website. Hed just play people that he liked. Perkins will continue to host his Sunday show from 9am to 1pm. Happy Birthday BP! 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. Read more MICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer My dad was my radio school, the 86-year-old remembered. BP was awarded the 2002 Mellon Jazz Community Award. Jazz host Bob Perkins in his office at WRTI. I was out for almost four months. They were doing quite well, raising their families, Perkins said. I went to a radio school through my father. 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. Detroit was wide open. It takes a little bit of thought. Those letters always remind me that you have people out there listening to you and theyre expecting some good things from you. What makes Bob so incredibly important to our music history and the history of Philadelphia is: he was there. 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. In celebration of Women's History Month, we're shining a spotlight on the female hosts of WRTI. Meaning "Bob Perkins with the good music. 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? 27206. He had his own antennae that he had drilled into his table model radio. Bob Perkins, WRTI DJ has been spinning music in Philadelphia since 1969. 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. 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. Courtney Blue, KLN '12, hosts Late Evening Jazz, The Jazz Request Show and Nouveau Jazz Showcase. (Photo courtesy of WRTI-FM) His father's illness is what really led to radio becoming an important part of the Perkins household. I did what I could, he told The Inquirer in 2020, because I didnt know a thing about writing editorials. Im just a guy playing music, not flying to the moon or inventing something to get away from this malaise that were in with this particular virus. TN: It sounds like being a DJ is something you were always meant to do. 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