The Prime Minister's Place

And They Still Remember Me..

2011-04-23T21:49:00.000-07:00

It's been over 8 years since I've played Dusty Music on the radio in Chicago. Before I started playing Gospel music I was on the turntables playing Dusties. The reason why I am writing today is because I must have done something good as a Disc Jockey because several on-airs at the radio station tell me of how some of the listeners still recall - "Reggie Miles" playing music. And that just blows my mind.

Here's how it started. I was finishing edits on my research paper, I opened Facebook and a chat message appeared. It was from a DJ who I remember listening to the Dusty Show I hosted many years ago. The conversation was a written exchange of respect for both past and present.

The gentleman informed me that a listener stated she just loved the way I played music. I was amazed that after all these years a person still remembers the way I played music. And it made me wonder if I was just that good or is radio just that bad? And let me make this point clear, I'm not referring to the personality that informed me of the inquiry. As a matter of fact the gentleman is outstanding as a personality and a student of Dusty Music.

When I manned the tables and controlled the microphone -- Radio was different. Today with radio listeners have to digest what is served there are no choices on the air. Radio sounds the same across the nation. How boring. Back in the day, I was a "free form" DJ that tried to structure a presentation that was different from the rest. Man I hated to be a follower on the box. When I started playing Dusties, Richard Pegue and Herb Kent ruled. And I wanted a place among them. I had one mantra and that was to be Lottie Dottie able to play something for everybody. DJ's are not like that anymore they are specialist in specific styles. Entertaining a group from 6 - 60 is no more. You have to be one or the other. And I prided myself on being able to play something to move anyone whether if was Disco, Steppers, Funk, Soul, Jazz, Gospel or Blues.

What really separated me from other jocks on the radio and in the streets was not my knowledge of music but my ability to dance and party. I could dance with the best of them. I knew what it took to keep the party going. My mother was my biggest fan and teacher. I played the music that she liked even as a young child. The experience taught me how to read people and feel what they are feeling. Every now and then I would break a hit but that was not my strong suit, I played the hits on the box and kept the floor packed at sets. I tried to reach and connect with people (the ladies) that were in the set. First!

During the early days as a "steppers jock"and a radio personality, I was never intimidated by other personalities. As a matter fact, I would get fired up at the thought of being paired with the best of best. I loved being on box and in control of the party. People that did not know me, went around telling stories about me being "arrogant." Reality is I'm a kind person who can be a bit focused however some people did not want to understand that I was all about focusing on my craft and touching the individual. I put my heart into every moment of playing the role as a radio and DJ personality. There is a difference between a DJ and Personality. I am Blessed to be both.

So being remembered is such an awesome thing to me because out of sight means out of mind. And to have someone remember what you've done when someone else is doing the same thing. My God what a tribute.. To God Be The Glory.

My Love Letter to Disk Jockeying

2011-03-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

I recently viewed one of my favorite films. I love the movie "Brown Sugar." Each time I see it I get misty eyed at the end when the main characters find their way back to each other. This time while looking at the movie "Brown Sugar", I kept hearing the question "When did you fall in love with "Hip Hop?"

Of course, I do not know one thing about hip hop today. The greatest rappers to me were the early radio announcers who talked or rapped skillfully to the beat of the music and the "Last Poets." At least when they cursed and said the "N" word there was something in their poetry that led a person to think about the social and cultural conditions of Black people as a whole. Wait a minute, before you dismiss me as a "Hater." I'm not making a judgment on the Hip Hop art form today. I've learned to live with it. Reality in music for me though is the Temptations, The Dells, The Impressions, The Emotions and other great groups. I do not have a frame of reference for Hip Hop other than the early artists like Kurtis Blow, Rappers Delight, and Kool Moe D. Now back to the movie.

I wondered why I kept hearing that question then it dawned on me to change the words from "Hip Hop" to "Disk Jockey" And the question became When did I Fall in Love with Disk Jockeying? As I watched the movie I began thinking of what attracted me to radio and the life of a DJ. I also thought about why I no longer listen to the radio. And just like the way the main character quit his job working for the record company. I compared his feelings to my feeling of why I don't listen to radio. As in the movie the main character thought the company that he worked for was not being true to what "Hip Hop" really is. And that's how I feel about radio today. Radio is not true to the people and DJing has become mixing to the beat of beats as opposed to mixing to the beat of life.

Radio is not true to what radio really is. And the Disk Jockey's too, if they are called that today? The DJ's certainly are not true to what Disk Jockeying really is/was. Well what is a Disk Jockey? According to professor Gilbert Williams, The radio disc jockey wakes us in the morning, puts us to sleep at night, and in between, his time, weather and music announcements take us through the day. But the black disc jockey has been more than an announcer. He has transcended his job as a radio station employee and becomes in many cases, a cultural hero, an individual admired and respected for his work in the black community, his concern for his fellow man, and his ability to effectuate changes in society.

By that definition, that is why I fell in love with being a DJ. I thought that I would be able to make a career. When I feel in love with DJing and radio, my dream did not include syndication, deregulation, consolidation, and concentration. All I wanted was to help my fellow man and effectuate changes in the society. When commercialism takes center stage you can forget any lofty ideals. If it doesn't make money! Well it ain't happening! - Back to the question When did I fall in Love with Disk Jockeying?

I guess for me it was when I heard 1450 AM WVON and a talented man on the microphone named Herb Kent. Of course Herb was not the only DJ on the station he was just my favorite. Herb was the "Pied Piper" to the teenagers. I couldn't wait to get older and go to high school and attend one of those "Sock Hops" and a set at the "Times Square." Herb Kent gave the teenagers something to do at night. He would always tell the time like this It's 17 Tilden Blue Devil minutes after 8 o'clock. He gave the time like that with all the High Schools in Chicago. He also gave the teenagers entertainment, recognition, laughter, and encouragement. Who can forget the battle of the Ivy Leaguers and Gousters, the Wahoo Man, the Green Grunchin, the Gym Shoe Creeper and the Rib Supreme Commercials.

Before the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Banks and Company, Bob Wall and a host of others there were the "Electric Crazy People." Rudolph Browner, Orlando Reyes, Little Miss Corn Shucks and many other characters. Mr. Kent ruled the airwaves at night in Chicago. He made an evening show sound like a well produced morning show of today. Then suddenly technology entered radio and FM became the norm and with FM, a storm moved quietly across urban stations all over America.

Cathy Hughes after visiting a conference at the University of Chicago discovered "Lifestyle Psychology" and came up with the idea that "slow music" is what people want to hear at night. And at Howard University's radio station WHUR the "Quiet Storm" format was launched starting with the classic song "Quiet Storm" by Smokey Robinson. Needless to say, the rest is history and I stopped listening to radio after 7 pm. I was not and still am not a fan of the Quiet Storm format only because good slow music should be played within every hour not just at a specific time during the evening. A good party is combination of fast, medium and slow music.

Back to when I fell in love with Radio and DJing, on weekends at WVON, Richard Pegue who took radio to another level with a style and combination that no one other than WKKC's "P.J. Willis" was able to duplicate. Richard performed a unique combination of the classic golden era of radio with contemporary radio. Pegue's "Scandal Report" is often imitated through many of the television news magazine shows. His signature Be, Beep, Be Beep Beep lines and sound of the teletype in background imitated the golden age announcer Walter Winchell. The Scandal Report was filled with entertainment information of celebrities and local heroes. People could not wait for the weekend Scandalous Scandal report by Pegue.

The Quiet Storm format and the superior sound quality of FM along with other variables led to the end of Night Time Morning Style Radio of Herb Kent. The late 70's saw the beginning of the end of WVON, the Good Guys and WGRT/WJPC. Losing AM Radio WVON and WGRT/WJPC was my first heartbreak. I stopped listening to commercial radio and set sights on being my own DJ at WKKC. It wasn't until WBMX surfaced as the front runner in Chicago under the programming leadership of Lee Michaels that I began to listen to radio. FM radio really had good sound and it was competitive. The WBMX vs WGCI FM radio wars were great for Chicago radio. Today the same owner of multiple stations won't allow the stations to compete against one another and ultimately the listeners loose. What's the difference between WGCI and WVAZ?

Like the main character in the movie Brown Sugar, I wanted to "start my own" station because the industry has jilted me several times and forgot about what radio and the DJ really mean to the people. Unfortunately the American Dream was taken from me also and many other wanna be station owners with the passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. One must have major capital to start and own a radio station and to compete in the industry today one needs at least to own 10 stations. Where will I get the capital I mean millions to start a station in Chicago? I've always thought I could program a station with the best of them. And now technology affords anyone with a desire to start a radio station on the Internet to do so. The problem is that there are so many available one doesn't know which to choose. It's like a DJ and radio has become a dime a dozen.

Forgive me, I'm just not as excited about all the choices. Many people are reveling in their efforts as owners of an Internet Radio Station however for me it's nothing like the thrill of a real time experience of answering a live phone call, sharing some advice and telling listeners what time it is, the weather or about something that is happening in the community. There is nothing like breaking a new song watching the phone lines light up and people asking "who is that, who is that?" The Internet is great but the thrill is gone/delayed. I like my thrills in real time. The fun is not there for me. Internet radio is a lot of work. And being a DJ is/was something that came natural to me.

So I fell in Love with Disk Jockeying at the home at a very young age when my mother taught me how to play her favorite records on the ancient stereo console. I quickly learned how to operate the 45 spindle and keep the red and yellow record disks available. My mom was truly a party person and I mastered the art of reading her and what she wanted to hear that was the only way I could stay up late past my bedtime anyway. We all know that is a child's desire to stay up late. I took that experience of learning to read my mother and worked that in the Clubs.

I mastered a unique blend of radio DJ and club/tavern DJ. The secret was my voice. I saw "DJ Scotty" perform one evening and when I heard him use his voice as an instrument to make the party. I was hooked on seeing a packed danced floor and people bobbing their heads to the music. DJ Scotty sounded professional and he could relate to people in the Club that was amazing. I fell in love with creating and maintaining the flow of the evening. 25 years of my life I partied not realizing the terrific cost of the journey. I tried to make my life a party.

So today I look at the craft very differently. I respect those individuals that took the craft to another level by making the "turntables" an instrument. More power to you. I can mix but I choose not too. The guys that inspired me used their voices as the instrument. I learned to use my voice as the instrument. I like the combination of good music and good conversation. When a Disk Jockey is on top of his game he makes the party not only with what he plays but also with what he says. As much as some people complain about DJ's talking the reality is Black folks like to be talked to. It's not what you say it's how you say it. Check out the Rappers? That's all they do is talk! And to be on the real some of the very first Rappers were the legendary DJ's of the 60's. Part of my technique on the box has always been talking to the rhythm of the music.

Finally, despite how the art of DJing and Radio has changed in my heart I realize. I miss her, still love her, and if I had the chance I would go back to her.

Real Radio that's what it is all about.

Learning By Experience Put the Students on the Air

2011-01-05T22:25:00.000-08:00

It's a new year and I will be more aggressive writing about issues that touch me. After 12 years of teaching, I have learned and experienced enough about teaching to have something to say about what is a good education in media communications. Here is my first issue of the new year. Why aren't more students on the air at WKKC FM?

WKKC FM is licensed as an Educational Non Commercial Station. According to the FCC, 73.503 Licensing requirements and service. A noncommercial educational FM broadcast station will be licensed only to a nonprofit educational organization(City Colleges of Chicago) and upon showing that the station will be used for the advancement of an educational program. What that means is WKKC meets the FCC requirement by serving as a laboratory for students to gain practical experience that will benefit them in their careers. What students lack in ability should not be judged it should be the basis for the training program.

A college radio station is the place where the students can discover both freedom and responsibility in broadcasting. If students are not on the air how is WKKC FM meeting the FCC license requirement of an educational non commercial station advancing a program?

Here is what happens for students Howard University. Each year the General Manager of WHUR manager and the Faculty Adviser of the Department of Radio Television and Film chair a committee that selects student managers to run the station. The selected students are then trained during the summer in the operation of running a radio station. Each student manager is mentored by a professional counterpart from the station benefactor WHUR 96.3 FM, the 2009 Winner of the NAB "Urban Station of the Year" Award. The selected student managers are paid during the summer internship and receive a stipend for each semester.

At the beginning of the academic year the student managers select from a pool of over 125 applicants the personnel to man the station. This procedure though not perfect keeps the mission and purpose of the station in line with the mission and purpose of the Department of Radio Television and Film in that the student station is dedicated to embodying professional, ethical and legal standards while promoting a leadership experience for its students and providing broadcasting services to the Howard University campus and the world via the Internet.

The student managers along with the professional mentor and Howard University faculty work together in training the student managers to run the student radio station. Students run the day to day operation of the station and are accountable to the faculty adviser. Instructors who teach audio production classes assigns projects to produce content for the student station. Exceptional audio production students also are given extra opportunities to create and produce content for the HD radio stations of Howard University. There is a commitment to encourage students in the classroom to be "content" creators. In media today, the mantra is "content is king."

Student policies and procedures vary from school to school but educators agree that the student need is the most important. Every effort should be made to educate and train media communications students through hands on experience with an emphasis on leadership and critical thinking. The beauty of College Radio is that it is a place where desiring students can learn, stumble, fall down, and get up with the assistance of academicians and professional staff that care. Not the cold shoulder of the industry that will consolidate, downsize, voice track and syndicate operations closing doors of any opportunity. Teaching radio is more than preparing the student for a board operator position. There is still a need for communicators. It is the job of the academic institution to educate and train the students.

College radio may be the only place where a student can develop into a personality. Niche radio is for commercial radio stations. College radio can be eclectic. Why not encourage the desire of a young student or any student for that matter? Put students on the air and connect the faculty with the station to assist in teaching them. It's about teaching and "learning" the art of being a good broadcaster.

Here's a historical fact. Students in the early 70's at the old Wilson Jr. College worked together with faculty and petitioned the FCC to obtain the license for WKKC FM. Students wanted a radio station to learn and practice radio broadcasting in the program. Over the 35 year history of WKKC FM, the students desire to learn and participate on WKKC FM has not changed just the people and philosophies of those that run the station.

Thank God, that the Local Community Radio Act was passed and more "community stations" can surface in the area. Maybe some other schools will get a chance at owning a LPFM station.

Just my take.

An October to Remember

2010-11-04T18:12:00.001-07:00

The month of October in the year of 2010 is one that will
not be forgotten. Two giants in their respective fields made their transitions both of whom I knew. One I knew very well. The sense of loss after a loved one is sometimes hard to overcome and when multiple occurrences happen restoration in more challenging. O but thanks be to God for grace, mercy and knowing how much each one of us can bear.

On October 8th 2010, Albertina Walker the "Queen of Gospel" made her transition. "Tina" as she was affectionately called was more than just the queen of Gospel. She was a star maker, humanitarian, and a down to earth individual who you could touch. Albertina Walker loved the Church, Gospel Music, and the Gospel Music industry. At this time, I'm not going to list all of the things that she accomplished. I'll say this there will never be another "Queen of Gospel" like Albertina Walker and the Queen that passed the crown to her Mahalia Jackson both of whom hailed from Chicago. Gospel music is one of the best things to come out of this great city. The history of the proliferation of Gospel music comes directly through Chicago with such giants as Thomas A. Dorsey, Sallie Martin, Roberta Martin Kenneth Morris, and a host of others all of whom helped to shape the foundation of Albertina Walker.

I had the privilege and honor to speak to her regularly being a member of Gospel Music Workshop of America and the vice president of the Chicago Area Gospel Announcers Guild. She was always at every major affair and attend the GMWA convention religiously. She encouraged the founder of the organization the late Reverend James Cleveland to start the organization. Her support of the GMWA was unyielding. Throughout my 15 years as a member of the GMWA Alberina probably did not know my name but she called me baby and that was good enough for me because she always smiled when I came around. Now that smile and her not knowing my name was not fake, when I got married in 2004 she did not attend the ceremony but she showed my family love with a generous gift. Three years later in 2007 when daughter Morgan was born she again showed her love and blessed us with another generous gift. I can't tell you a specific reason why she blessed us. Albertina was just that kind of person.

I made it to Chicago to look at her and say thank you one last time. My heart was very heavy as I stood there thanking God for knowing her. Albertina gave me a tremendous opportunity to produce a tribute of her life from photographs that was one of my most treasured moments with the Queen. Each year at the Gospel Festival in Chicago, I would see her smiling and would go to her just to hear her say "I'm Still Here." Yes Albertina you will always be in my heart. God Bless You Queen Albertina.

God does what he does, in the way that he does and no one can question his actions or his wisdom. God doesn't make mistakes. Two weeks later on Friday October 22, 2010. Bishop Arthur M. Brazier quietly went to sleep. Not since the passing of my beloved grandfather Jesse McGee Bey had I felt such a tremendous loss. Bishop Brazier I honored and respected as a man and my pastor.

The Apostolic Church of God where Bishop Brazier was pastor for 48 years changed my life. I remember like yesterday after becoming a member of the Church, it wasn't two weeks later that the head of the Church engineering staff saw me in the Church corridor and asked are you Reggie Miles? I said Yes, He went on to say "your reputation precedes you and we have something for you to do in the Church." The engineer took me inside the television audio control room and boldly told me. "This is where you will be working!" I was so stunned and overwhelmed at the hand of God working in my life at that moment I said, Yes and faithfully manned that post for 8 years becoming a qualified audio engineer.

Now Bishop Brazier is a very special pastor. The Apostolic Church of God has over 20,000 members. He was a good shepherd. Many people would say "with so many members how can he be a good pastor?" Bishop Brazier made it a point to return all of his calls. I called him in his office and he got back to me in the same day. One of the proudest days of my life happened when I received a letter from Howard University and Bishop read the letter to the Congregation telling everyone that I had been selected to join the faculty at Howard University.

The next proudest moment is when Bishop Brazier stood with me at my wedding in 2004 at my wife's church with her pastor doing the ceremony. Bishop Brazier with all his things that he had to do made the time to be at my wedding. In the 8 years since being in Washington there was never a time when Bishop would not tell me "Brother Miles when are coming back home. We need you!"

During the years of his illness I saw Bishop get weaker and prayed for more time with him. It hurt really deep to see him grow weaker but he prepared us. And he let us know that he wanted to see Jesus. However even with knowing and the preparation of the inevitable the sense of loss still has a way of making its presence known but the devil is a liar. Bishop Arthur M. Brazier lives in my heart and I will continue my support of the Apostolic Church of God and my pastor Dr. Bryon T. Brazier. This was an October that I will never forget !!

It Worked Out For My Good

2010-07-15T23:15:00.000-07:00

It was in the winter of 1995 and one morning I turned on the radio to 89.3 FM and heard Gospel Music. I was shocked and excited because I was a new Christian and a member of The Apostolic Church of God. I was working at the Church in the audio ministry and attending Columbia College.

The morning I heard Gospel Drive changed my life. The next day, I went to see Kevin Brown and we began talking about the new "Christian" experience. Kevin invited me to join the Gospel Drive team and every morning at 6:00 AM "without pay" I faithfully made my way to WKKC FM and began producing the "Gospel Drive Show" and following the program I would head to Columbia College for school.

The Gospel Drive program exploded in Chicago. Now I can't give you any specific numbers regarding how many people were listening but I will say that program captured the South Side of Chicago took the reputation of WKKC in another direction and influenced the decision of some commercial station managers to consider the Gospel format in Chicago. Gospel Drive became so visible that the administration was worried that the playing of Gospel music on WKKC would violate the First Amendment of the Constitution and bring lawsuits to the station. The paranoia by the administration of Kennedy King College towards Gospel music became an issue and would ultimately lead to a management change in 1997.

I continued volunteering at WKKC FM and in the summer of 1996, was given an internship at CBS during the 1996 Democratic Convention. I along with several other KK College students enjoyed the paid internship put together by the City Colleges of Chicago. In the fall 1996, because of my excellent work ethic I was given a part-time position as an audio engineer in the Theater.

Although my title was theater engineer, I was charged with assisting in the operations of WKKC FM under James Kelly who became the point person for the radio station. Mr. Kelly's new designation came from the Director of Broadcasting. I was being thrust in the middle of Kennedy King College/WKKC politics and did not have any interest in being part of the mess. I determined that I wanted to join my mentor and teacher Professor Hemphill as a colleague at Kennedy King College.

On Thursday June 5, 1997 everything changed for me at WKKC. Kennedy King college politics were raging like a forest fire. James Kelly had been suspended from WKKC FM over religious statements made by an announcer and there was student unrest over his suspension. At the City Colleges of Chicago board meeting several students protested the suspension of Mr. Kelly and other things. The actions of the students resulted in the resignation of the Director of Broadcasting. WKKC was in turmoil and at 5:30 PM the Director of Broadcasting resigned and I was asked to oversee the operation of WKKC FM.

The decision to accept overseeing WKKC was the best and worst decision I made in my life. The best part of the decision would be realized after I was terminated. The worst part was ongoing. I had just graduated from Columbia College and was very inexperienced. In the early days of managing I had to teach myself and learn everything about the business of commercial radio, non commercial radio, and educating students in a very short time. I was alone being baptized by fire, a real on the job training experience however Mr. Hemphill was there for me and held me up through everything.

Accepting the management duties of WKKC was the worst situation for me because my decision created many enemies. Every moment of my 6 year employment at WKKC was being scrutinized. I'm not sure if there was ever a day that I rested being in that position. I was never paid just value for my efforts or recognized for anything other than the last days at WKKC but that did not stop me from doing my best. I knew from the moment that I accepted the position that I could/would not be able to match the accomplishments of my predecessors however I envisioned my place to be in the classroom.

As the point person of WKKC I left the programming as it was. There was no need to change the format it was not broken. WKKC FM's programming was eclectic. I hated the urban radio stations in Chicago. They all sounded the same and I felt they were not serving the community. There was nothing unique about any commercial radio stations playing urban music in Chicago. Their uniqueness was lost due to the philosophy of media deregulation, consolidation and the pursuit of corporate profits.

The early days of managing WKKC were filled with challenges. The Dean instructed me to write a "Station Manual" to structure the operation of WKKC. Student access and participation was paramount. The procedures for being on radio were clearly defined. I believed in learning by doing. Any student who desired to be in radio, I encouraged to create and develop themselves into a unique personality and "not worship" anybody on the radio. And at the same I stressed the importance of being a critical thinker and innovator.

The opportunity to teach surfaced after enrolling in graduate school. I found solace in the classroom. Professor Hemphill guided me on being an instructor. It was in those sessions that I felt the magnitude of being a teacher and I relished the responsibility. Mr. Hemphill directed me in balancing the management of the station and the classroom experience. We talked on a regular basis and Virgil helped me to develop an educational framework for training and managing the station. Each semester students in the advanced radio production class produced a public affairs program. I was on a mission to involve as many students on the radio station that I could and everyone had to spend time in the news department.

WKKC became the "Station Making the Difference!" My perspectives about radio changed in graduate school as I began to look at radio's future differently. It was in a future of technology course with Dr. Mel Muchnik that I saw the future of radio on the Internet. Dr. Muchnik assigned a book entitled "Being Digital" by Nicolas Negroponte which had a profound effect on me. After reading the book, I spoke with my graduate adviser the late Professor Eli Segal and decided that I would write my thesis on "Webcasting" a project based on putting WKKC FM on the Internet.

The first changes were made to the station slogan and WKKC 89 point three FM to WKKC 89 dot 3 FM, the signaling of WKKC heading towards the Internet. Now back in 1997, people were deeply entrenched in terrestrial radio and discounted the presence of the early Internet. Most people called me crazy for making the change but today those same people realize I was being a visionary. Everything is on the Internet. Researching the Internet, developing the infrastructure for placing WKKC on the web, finding funding for the project then writing about it earned me a Masters Degree in Media Communications from Governor State University, unfortunately despite having everything technically to complete the project the journey stalled for numerous reasons beyond my control.

The students coming to the Broadcasting Department at Kennedy-King College were full of hopes and dreams. Enrollment under my watch tripled from 100 to 357. As I studied the broadcasting industry in graduate school. I realized that because of industry deregulation and consolidation that the job market would become smaller and smaller however that did not discourage me from telling students the truth of the industry and still encouraging them to be the best that they could be. Everyone one my former students will tell you that I said to them "kick everybody's a-- there is no one better than you on the radio!" Today several students under my watch are working or have worked in the industry.

WKKC was awarded the Black College Radio Station of Year and the award came as a surprise us. While I did not make the trip to Atlanta in 1997, the reaction of the students when they returned inspired me to continue the annual journey to the BCR. In traveling to the Black College Radio Convention the students met students from other HBCU's and built relationships especially with students of WTST Tennessee State University's Student Run Internet radio station. One of most rewarding things about the college experience is networking with students from other campuses.

The students of Kennedy King College continued making the trips to the Black College Radio Convention becoming enterprising and raising funds to help sponsor the trip. The broadcasting club organized fund raising activities during the basketball season. Everybody worked together. WKKC FM was broadcasting home games of the basketball teams and the Broadcasting Club was allowed to sell concessions to raise money for the Atlanta trip. As manager of WKKC FM, I had a focus on public affairs programs as well as music. I added several talk shows to the line up along with more gospel music and because of those efforts I received the "Station Manager of the Year Award" from the Black College Radio Convention in Atlanta.

The Kennedy-King College experience suddenly came to an end on January 3, 2003. It was a surprise to me, but insiders knew that the "termination" was going to happen at the beginning of the year. I was crushed. I remember the students coming to my house asking me what do you want us to do. I told them nothing. What it is, Is What it is. I'll be fine. I just couldn't understand why there was an attempt to "destroy" my reputation after I had worked so hard trying to develop a program to educate students and build the college.

In addition the dream of giving back to the community as a professor ended. Despite the accomplishments I made as a teacher/manger it amounted to nothing because I was an "AT WILL" employee which meant I could be terminated for good, bad, any, or no reason. However, the experience I gained from Kennedy King College prepared me for where I am today. I could not have had a better opportunity than I had at Kennedy King College. The experience lead me into research and scholarship on Internet radio, college radio management, media ownership and digital production. I managed a nationally recognized college radio station, taught in a Junior College completed an MA degree and established a reputation in the Gospel Music industry all at the same time. What others meant for harm turned out to be "for my good!"

In my years at Kennedy King College I met some very influential persons Alex Snipe, Drew Dawson, Chris Squires, Jamillah Muhammed, Lee Michaels(WCAO), Taft Harris and many other broadcasters. I authored how to set up an Internet Radio station, installed the first computer automation system for WKKC FM and began the 24 hour broadcasting schedule. Under my leadership, Crawford Broadcasting recognized the impact of WKKC's gospel programming and offered me a job on Power 106. I had the opportunity to go to many professional and educational conventions and met Sherman Kizzart, Michael Jaye Jackson, Dr. Turk Logan, Professor Shannon Levingston and Shirley Ellis. All of these individuals impacted my career in one way or another. When I arrived in Washington, DC I was hired at WCAO Heaven 600 in Baltimore and all of this came from the hard work during the WKKC experience. And most of all the students at Kennedy King College under my watch were some of the best students I have experienced. They cared for me and those that did not respected me.

I have to call out a few KK students especially Bruce, Kevin, Nicole, Drewsean, Traci, Latrice, Donnie, Paki, Karla, Arnetta, Shanaka, Richard, Tommy, Davonna, Tangy, Thomas, Fredrika, and so many others. If I forgot you (and I know I did) it's because I'm getting older. Also the high school students who were in the knowledge quest program.

"They Don't Know Who We Be" -- LOL !

Many thanks to Shannon Thomas, Maeola Davis, Chris Base, Rick Crum, Lamont Watts, Kevin Brown, Darryl Dennard, Fletcher Garrett, Derrick Smith and David Franklin for helping me out during my watch. Also, Al Greer who in his creative genius and amazing voice produced some incredible 89 dot 3 imaging drops. (We're 89 dot 3, because it's impolite to point!). Finally I have to mention a few of the WKKC Veterans who manned their posts and helped with the new recruits. Thanks Mike Brown, PJ Willis, and Keith Reed.

The WKKC experience was rough, but when I got the call from Howard University stating that I was selected to join their faculty the Kennedy King College experience was worth it! And I would not change it for the world.

Thanks KKC/WKKC -- To God Be The Glory!

WKKC - So Long Old Friend -Thanks for the Memories

2010-05-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

This photo is just a memory of the location of Kennedy-King College. The place on 69th and Wentworth Avenue in Chicago where this building once stood is a pile of crushed cement and broken glass. The old Kennedy-King College was once a vibrant place that housed "Chicago Powerhouse" WKKC 89.3 FM.

Before the City College of Chicago announced in December of 2004 the hiring of Marv Dyson former general manager of WGCI as its executive director. WKKC FM had a 30 year history of serving the community in the public interest. As one of the first on air announcers and a volunteer for over 20 years I'd like to share some history and say thanks to several people who deserve credit for doing an incredible job of making WKKC one of the best college radio station in the nation.

I remember like yesterday in 1974 walking in to the radio station office of H.D. "Woodie" Briant and announcing that I wanted to be on the air. I was given an audition on the spot, told to rip some news copy and read a couple of stories. After the audition I was assigned to do news. When WKKC first started the news team was probably the best area of operation. On the news team were two experienced guys Earl Gilbert and Al Bethea. Those guys I looked up to. Earl did the mornings and Al did the evening news. Later on Melisse Robinson became a fixture and WKKC news provided something special in the community. In the early years of WKKC's history students were trained in all aspects of radio announcing and everyone had to do news.

WKKC was born out of a struggle started by the former Wilson Jr College students to get a radio station for the broadcasting and theater department of Kennedy King College. Dr. H Adrian Rainer and others were the catalysts for obtaining the license for WKKC FM. My first teachers were Winslow Jefferies and Virgil Hemphill. The station engineer was Mike Woodland. Francis Willoughby was the program director, Vernon Mullin was production director Earl Gilbert news director and Connie Hedgepath was assistant to HD Briant. I and fellow classmate Rory McKinzie were the first members of the on air staff.

In the early days not many students knew about the radio station in Kennedy-King College. I can't recall how I found out but I left another school to go to Kennedy-King college right away when I heard about the radio station. Radio and being a Disk Jockey was a part of my life that I was addicted to. WKKC FM was a blessing in disguise and I couldn't wait to get there and be on the air.

My first on air shift was Monday through Friday 6 to 8 PM. WKKC's first studios were located adjacent to the television studio classroom. In the TV classes you could see the station in full operation. I could not pay attention in TV class because I wanted to be in the studio. The original studio featured a McGurdy console, huge turntables with the 12 pound motors, studer revox tape recorders and cart machines. For years I performed faithfully at WKKC FM having a ball playing the "Best Variety of Hits and Dusties."

The first change to WKKC came with the arrival of student Kevin Brown whom I trained at WKKC FM. Kevin was a quiet student and always paying attention to what was going on around him. I respected him and he respected me. When Kevin arrived he was being groomed to be the engineer/manager of the station. Exactly how Kevin Brown became the point person for the station is a mystery to me. Soon after Kevin arrived in the late 1970's he went to work finding a counterpart to help him run WKKC FM and that counter part Kevin found at a local skating rink was James Kelly. These two young men changed the face of WKKC FM.

Kevin Brown became station manager and made James Kelly program director that was the best move ever for WKKC. Kevin and James were a great combination that produced a legacy of talent from WKKC FM. Kevin Brown dealt with all the politics of Kennedy-King College and the City Colleges of Chicago while building a strong relationship with the faculty to insure that students were getting both a classroom and practical experience. James Kelly went to work like a master builder constructing WKKC FM into a respectable and powerful community institution.

From 1977 - 1997, Kevin Brown and James Kelly led WKKC through power increases from 10 to 100 watts and 100 to 250 watts. James Kelly made sure that WKKC was sounding the best it possibly could at all times. James Kelly is a genius of an audio engineer who lived radio. It was James who modified the programming schedule to include more community involvement information with public affairs programming. James utilized his experience to teach young people the art of audio engineering and how to be radio broadcasters. The founder of the Young Peoples Network James established a safe haven for the youth in WKKC and every summer established a summer jobs program through his organization. The list of students influenced by James Kelly is very long. He is responsible for the likes of Guy Black, Isadore Pink, Mike Brown, Khris Raye, Rena Garrett, Jonathan Hood, and Gant Man. I can also include myself to the list.

Kevin Brown and James Kelly ran WKKC FM responsibly. The station was very well respected in the community. Under their leadership WKKC FM always had a policy against music with derogatory lyrics. Only two rap songs could be played an hour that was the rule. The format style of rap and hip-hop today was created at WKKC. WKKC FM broke the very first "Rap" records in the nation. While the big stations were arguing over the virtues of the new music. James Kelly found a place for it and instituted it on WKKC FM. It was common knowledge in the Chicago PD circle if "WKKC breaks it, we'll play it!" During its time WKKC broke many artists and records. I remember the day when New Edition made their debut in Chicago and was not received well. Bobby Brown had quit the group, I saw them in Fletcher's Record shop and we were killing "Jealous Girl" on the radio. I called James at 5037 and told him I was bringing them to the station. Gaylon Hayes was on the air and started telling the listeners that New Edition was on the way and over 300 people was outside waiting for them. Needless to say that sparked the spirits of those young men.

There are so many more stories that can be shared about Kevin and James and what they did at WKKC FM. I want to honor them for their dedication to WKKC FM and the work that they did. Today, I appreciate you.

Thank you Kevin Brown and James Kelly for putting up with me 20 years in my rants and raves and still taking me back. Thanks for doing the job that you did for the Englewood Community through the community calendars , remotes, and all the young people you mentored. Thanks for giving us an opportunity to learn and appreciate radio and most of all thanks for instilling in the students the importance of an education. Thank you Professor Virgil Hemphill and Winslow Jeffries for being both pioneering professionals, great college teachers and colleagues.

The new WKKC has a long way to go before reaching the legacy of the old WKKC. And to start on the journey it begins with teaching and training students, not only with a good staff but with academicians that care about the college and the program that they are part of.

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMM!

2010-03-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

Future of Media and Information
Needs of Communities Workshop

As I sat in the workshop, I was disappointed that I was one of a handful of African Americans in attendance. "The Future of Media and Information Needs" is a vital concern for all Americans especially minorities, females, and people of color. In a time where the law is regulated to favor a dominant "white male" ownership of the media I do not understand why a stronger African American presence was not at this workshop. It could be misconstrued that African Americans do not care about the media and accept the present state of the media as is. When African American need to make a strong showing of visibility and concern about media. African Americans are somewhere else. We cannot depend on others to fight for justice for us. We must stand up for our own concerns. Otherwise people will think that African American don't care and do as they wish.

The ability to own stations and transmit messages created for and designed by African Americans through audio,video, and print from the perspective of an African American is paramount to the culture of African Americans. Ownership of media and the right/ability to transmit messages should be at the forefront of the civil right organizations. The broadcast media is simply unjust too few own too many. I know that some would argue that it does not make a difference the "ethnicity" of the owner and I could agree with that if the corporate owners allowed the managers to manage then the ethnicity of th eowner doesn't make a difference but under the marketplace ideology decision making is out of the local programmers hand. In the corporate workplace you'll this "Corporate says we must do it this way!"

This workshop as with most others featured the typical debate between the marketplace ideology and the public trustee model of broadcasting. Let me say that I am on the side of the public trustee model because I have not seen the benefits of the marketplace ideology of broadcasting in terms of jobs, ownership, local news and information. I have witnessed losses in jobs, ownership, local news and information under the marketplace ideology.

As a matter of fact, the full enactment of deregulation(I mean changing the rules to favor a few) through the 1996 Telecommunications Act has many of my former broadcasting colleagues out of the industry or working in another career. As for ownership, African American owners are being crushed as media corporations dominate local markets and those African American owners that are surviving are imitators of the business model of the dominant white male ownership. There is a huge disconnect between Black Radio and Black People even when the owners of are African American. Syndication employed by African American owners is the worst thing to happen in Black Radio and localism but African American owners must employ the practice(syndication) in order to survive. Radio historically connected African American people and communities. A rising number of African Americans do not bother to listen to radio anymore.

On the positive side Commissioner Coops a warrior for the public interest did not hold back anything in his remarks. I suggest that you go to http://www.fcc.gov and download his remarks and read his statement in its entirety.

Finally, a stunning moment occurred when the minority and people of color media ownership question surfaced and no one the panel was a person of color who could actually address the question. There was glaring moment of silence until Andrew Schartzman of the Media Access Project offered remarks. I asked the FCC Senior Advisor to Chairman were there any people of color invited to the panel and he stated that the invited persons canceled. I did not ask who was invited and took him at his word however the entire world witnessed as Commissioner Coops remarked about the "sins of the commission's omission" in terms of minorities, females and people of color, where a workshop was held and only one person of color was present out of three panels. How change seems to be the same.

Peace

Media Ownership Workshop 2010 - Columbia South Carolina

2010-02-27T16:42:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday February 23rd, I made a point to listen to the FCC's Media Ownership Workshop webcast. I guess I'm just a hopeless romantic about radio and what it use to be. I'm still not convinced that radio broadcasting today effectively serves the communities to which they are licensed to. The myth of the benefits of the marketplace ideology in broadcasting has not materialized for people of color. Exactly the opposite has happened. The 3% Radio ownership by African Americans has declined by 50% since 1998 that's half of what little was there in the beginning.

With the 2010 Quadrennial Regulatory Review – Review of the FCC Commission’s Broadcast Ownership Rules and Other Rules Adopted Pursuant to Section 202 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and a democratic majority I was hoping for a vibrant discussion between the Broadcasters, the citizens of South Carolina, and the FCC. What I saw and heard during the webcast brought more questions to my mind about whether or not a "change will come." It's sad but I must say it going to take miracle to take the airwaves back but I won't give up in the fight.

The workshop was dominated by the South Carolina Broadcasters Association who artfully made the case for the status quo. Their collective presentations turned out to be a forum to talk/blow their own horns about the virtues of their individual "public service" , public interest, community involvements and the struggles they face to survive in the current economy. All of the panelists (South Carolina broadcasters) raved about how they are helping the community in this poor "economic" environment and why the present marketplace model of broadcasting must be preserved and is the justification for their present operations. The South Carolina broadcasters went as far as making a case for "consolidation" they called it "centralization." The reality is the economics of broadcasters/business is not really the concern of the FCC.

A more vibrant dialogue would have solicited and included the input from the audience, listeners, and consumers of the region. As the broadcasters bragged about their individual public service campaigns, the place where the workshop was taking place was nearly empty. So much for the evidence of the public service! I guess the South Carolina Broadcasters forgot to let people know about the FCC coming to town. It was amazing less than 50 people were in the venue and the majority of people in the place were FCC members, panelists and invited guests. It made me wonder about how much the people knew, care about their media and media ownership in the region.

On the bright side there were several good questions asked by the few audience members that were in attendance. One former news announcer stated quite frankly "You people (FCC and Broadcasters) broke it, now were going to have to fix it. We had a good working model of broadcasting in this country that got broken. As it went (broadcast licenses) to the auctions and bidding up the prices for stations. You broke it, now it's going to have to be figured out how to fit it."

In my opinion that was the most compelling statement of the workshop because there was no definitive reply to the statement. The truth was being told by the individual. The present regulations regarding media ownership by the FCC is skewed toward "white male ownership" of the media. Too few own too many. Diversity of ownership is just a word to be kicked around. Telecommunications policy will have to be changed in a way that the marketplace can be opened up for more people to participate. In this depressed economy a failing broadcast company could not be bought by a minority, person of color or female because the market value of the property is too high and banks are not giving loans on media properties. This economy has the broadcasters crying broke and lobbying for further relaxation of the local ownership limits at the same time. Now that is a mean game and greedy game. One South Carolina Broadcaster went as far as to imply, "It is the right of a Strong broadcaster to Dominate the Weak." How unjust can that be?

Somewhere down the line grass roots people have to be protected from the greedy corporations and greedy individuals. In 1926, Senator Davis quoted Secretary of Commerce Hoover stating,
"It is inconceivable that the American people will allow this new born system of communication (radio) to fall exclusively into the power of any individual, group, or combination. Great as the development of radio distribution has been we are probably only at the threshold of development of one of the most important human discoveries bearing on education, amusement, culture, and business communication. It cannot be thought that any single person or group shall ever have the right to determine what communication may be made to the American people. We cannot allow any single person or group to place themselves in the position where they can censor the material which shall be broadcast to the public. Wow, that's something to think about.

My most pressing concern is the battle for more African Americans to have the opportunity to be like an Alex Snipe a local African American broadcaster with multiple stations in a market. Mr. Snipe's success cannot be the only story because then his success is just another token and the African American community doesn't need more tokens we need more owners.

Finally, the people of color selected by the FCC made great presentations and were very diplomatic and not radical. With diplomacy there is a need for some radical thought. All the questions regarding people of color and minority media ownership programs were answered lukewarmly with the promise of further analysis. The battle for more people of color and minority gains in media must go through the courts because any measure to help the less fortunate attain the American Dream must endure rigorous legal challenges by those who have beliefs in the marketplace ideology and the first amendment. Remember some people in American believe it is their right to own EVERYTHING. It may be in the best interest for the local communities to ask for more Low Power FM stations. I am creating a podcast called Reggie on Radio look out for it.

Peace

A Chance to Touch History

2010-02-05T20:13:00.000-08:00

I was 5 years old in 1960 when 4 second semester freshman at North Carolina A&T State University took a stand that started a movement that eventually changed the segregation laws of the south. 50 years later, on February 1, 2010, I got a chance to touch three of them. Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and Jibreel Khazan (Ezell Blair Jr) celebrated in Greensboro, North Carolina the historic moment at their Alma mater North Carolina A&T. It was a great celebration that brought together generations under one banner "AGGIE PRIDE." For me, that was one of the most incredible site, sound and sensation that I have felt in regards to my history as a Black man and African American. I really felt proud.

The A&T Four were very young men when they stood up against the racial injustices of the south. They risked their lives and their futures. David Richmond one of the original four paid the price for freedom as he passed away at the age of 49. He was represented very humbly and graciously by his son David Richmond Jr. For a week I got a chance to get close to them hear their stories and learn how these Black men stayed close to one another. Not only did I see them in Greensboro, North Carolina they also came to Washington,DC where they were also honored in the African American history wing of the Smithsonian Museum. I became close to Dr. Jibreel Khazan who is wealth of knowledge. I met is wife and family. It is an honor that I will never forget.

The A&T Four hold a special place in my heart because their story shows that it doesn't take a mass movement to make a change. The four young brothers 50 years ago sat in a dorm room on the campus of NCA&T and decided that enough was enough. Their strategy was to employ the method of Gandhi's non-violent resistance to break the code of racial injustice in the south. Seven months after their display of unity and courage, the lunch counters in the F.W. Woolworth stores were desegregated.

I wanted to share the historic moment with the students at Howard University. In hopes to plant a seed about the importance of activism, keeping the focus on the struggle and using their brilliance to find solutions to the problem that plague us in our own communities. We do not necessarily have to blame "oppression" for all the ills in African American communities. We (Black Americans) are already doing a great job of keeping ourselves down. The question is when and who is going to get frustrated enough at the terrible things we do to ourselves and take a
stand.

I am proud of the work the Howard students did to document the celebration. I am grateful to the Time Warner Endowment sponsored HU/NCAT project with the John H. Johnson School of Communication at Howard University.

Also, my colleagues for without them I could not complete the project.

Performance Royalties: Can Artists and Radio Get Along? Is that the right debate?

2009-11-23T23:01:00.000-08:00

Well I have to take my hat off to Reverend Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow Push Coalition. The Annual Symposium in Washington, DC on November 19, 2009 was a surprising event.
Admittedly, I was skeptical about the event. I did not hear or read about the symposium until the last minute (and that's another story) while I was discussing media ownership with some students. For some reason, I was determined to make this event. Although I expected to see the usual suspects in attendance building their own brands and and supplying the masses with great rhetorical exchanges void of any tangible solution. I've come to believe like so many others that no one (the so called leaders) really care about "the people" in the way that the leaders use to do in 60's.

As I enjoyed the free breakfast at the Rainbow Push Symposium. I heard for the first time Representative John Conyers. Regardless of my position on the Performance Rights Acts, I gave my full attention to this "Warrior" of the cause for African American people. He deserves that respect and more. Representative Conyers did not go into a whole lot of this and that about the Performance Rights Act. He asked that you merely go to his website and read the information and talk to him about it later. Man I thought that is the least that I could do, no problem. He wants not to debate but find a solution.

What struck me the most about Representative Conyers was the candor in which he told the audience that they (meaning the republicans and the republican backed conservative media) are going to throw everything at President Obama in 2012. And I sat there thinking, Why in the hell are we arguing about the Performance Right Act? Whether or not the act becomes a law African Americans are losing stations and ownership at an alarming rate and there will not be a bailout. And only a few drums left in the community. TAMA Broadcasting with its 11 stations and two newspapers is now in receivership. The drum that radio once was in the African American community is slowly being silenced or bought by outside interests who can afford the price that is out of range for another African American. Who's going to lend or invest in a Black man and a media venture during this economic downturn? Newt and his gang took care of the incentive in 1995 with the repeal of the Tax Certificate policy And we are arguing about whether or not the artists should be paid for airplay on radio?

I said at the beginning of the Performance Rights debate that this is a diversion something else is happening. In my rants to people on the hill most said that another wave of consolidation is coming and lobbyists are pushing for further relaxation of the ownership rules where a corporation can own up to 12 stations in a single market. And with African American corporations losing heavily in this economic downturn, it's no wonder why lobbyists are asking for more relaxation of the ownership limits. The corporations want to gobble up the remaining African American companies that are failing. No, No, No, we gotta fight the power ! Corporations have messed up radio. Messed it up, Messed it up and Messed it up through their greed. Not just one of them, all of the radio corporations have ruined radio. They program through one silly game called "monkey see monkey do." And corporations cannot adequately supply the community with their need through this one size fits all method of programming. The corporations have robbed locals communities with their programming.

At the end of the presentations, I went to directly to Representative Conyers and said to him "I know you voted against the 1996 Telecommunications Act can this Performance Rights Act debate be spun in to a "Media Ownership" issue? Too few own Too many and they want more. I think we should put some focus on the media ownership issues. He looked at me then instructed one of his assistants to take my information. I will meet with him in the coming weeks. I am sympathetic about the PRA but media ownership in the community is something that we all need to stand up and fight for right away. Why is it that a certain group has to own everything all the time? When I think about not being able to hear the African American perspective on an African American channel or run totally by African Americans. And African American getting their news and information from sources other than themselves, I question whether that is a forward move. It looks to me like stepping backwards to a time when African Americans did not own any radio stations. Why aren't African Americans yelling about media ownership? Oh well. I guess that's my calling.

2009-11-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

Minority Radio Ownership at a Standstill

from Richard Prince Journalism's
http://mije.org/richardprince/minority-radio-ownership-standstill

November 2, 2009

Affirmative Action Setbacks, 1996 Law Continue Toll

In the last two years, the number of commercial radio stations grew from 10,506 to 11,249.

But minority radio ownership has remained virtually flat over that time. A report released Monday found that 815 of those stations, or 7.24 percent, were minority-owned. A similar study in 2007 put the figure at 7.76 percent.

The minority population of the United States is approximately 32 percent.

The study was conducted by Catherine Sandoval, a professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law, partnering with Allen Hammond, also of the law school, and David Honig of the Washington-based Minority Media and Telecommunications Council, which lobbies for minority broadcast ownership.

The study's was undertaken to make recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission.

It urged the FCC to take the new figures into account when it reviews ownership rules next year. It wanted the agency to recognize that most owners of color obtained their stations before the Supreme Court restricted the FCC's ability to take race into account in awarding licenses and construction permits, and before the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which abolished limits on ownership of broadcast stations, squeezing out many smaller broadcasters.

The report noted that "74.7% of all minority-owned stations broadcasting programming air minority-oriented programming. This pattern refutes Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s assertion in Metro Broadcasting v. FCC (1990 . . .) that the proposition that minority ownership contributes to diversity is based on stereotypes. The correlation between minority radio ownership and diversity in program service is robust.

"The FCC should recognize minority broadcasters’ contributions to our nation’s democratic dialogue and analyze how its media ownership rules can ensure that minority broadcasters and the communities they serve thrive in the twenty-first century," it said.

Spanish was found to be the most popular format among minority commercial radio owners, airing on 291 or 35.7 percent of the 815 minority-owned radio stations.

Urban, African American targeted formats were broadcast on 135 minority-owned commercial stations. Six broadcast an “Urban News/Talk” format, airing a News/Talk format addressing African American community concerns, the study said.

"Nine companies controlled by Native Americans and five Native American tribal governments operate commercial radio stations programmed in a 'General market' format, primarily Country," it continued, adding that "Programming in Country also makes these stations eligible for local, national, and regional buys targeted at Country audiences, a large market since it is the nation’s second most popular format and was for decades the nation’s number one radio format."

"The study found that 324 different minority owners control the 815 full-power stations, with 139 of those Hispanic and 129 African American. Sixty-one percent of those owners own a single station," RadioInk noted on Monday.

The FCC is holding three workshops this week as it begins a congressionally mandated quadrennial review of media-ownership rules. At the first session on Monday, Michael Copps was the only FCC commissioner in attendance, John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable reported.

Copps said media consolidation was likely going to continue as soon as the economy picked up, Eggerton reported.

"Copps said that there was less diversity, competition, and localism because the 'tsunami of consolidation' had eroded the underpinnings of all three, thanks in part of sloppy FCC oversight."

Despite the benefits of minority ownership cited in Sandoval's report, many critics maintain that black-owned and Spanish-owned stations can also be negative influences, citing their cutbacks of news and public affairs programming and for some, a lack of social responsibility.

“We cannot count on the owners of commercial radio, Black or White, to do the right thing by the community,” Bruce Dixon, managing editor at BlackAgendaReport.com, told the Final Call in May. “I don't see how we can stop the bleeding in Black radio, because owners don't acknowledge our people-hood. They only see us as a vessel to sell something to.”

Sometimes Life Can Be So Uncomfortable

2009-10-20T23:14:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was blessed to have an opportunity to speak to several students at the Howard University John H. Johnson School of Communications Annual Career Fair. I have been invited to participate at the career fair many times and the gist of the panel is helping to prepare the students for a future in radio.

Over the years, I have always tried to present a "hold on to your dream and learn everything" perspective. This year was really different because I know that several of the corporate companies are in a hiring freeze on talent. I wasn't much of a panelist because I don't like misleading students so I did not have much to say. The professional panelist did an outstanding job of talking about the great things that they have done personally in their respective career. While listening to the other panelists, I decided to just come out and say I don't know why anyone would want to be in "radio" today.

The job opportunities for talent are slim to none. An individual with that "special" gift of being an air personality has to really shine and be exceptional beyond measure just to get a fill-in board operator position. Maybe the best route is to learn the "sales" side. Radio belongs to the market and the advertisers. If anyone says different you are being mislead. The buzz word in radio is "branding." How many brands do you have? Talent behind the microphone means ZERO. Radio announcer positions/host positions are manned by people with an already established "brand." You can go down the list of persons on radio and find comedians, writers, singers, and musicians on the microphone.

Radio is in a "no risk" mode. The companies are dealing only with talent from other entertainment genres who already have a brand. The advertisers are comfortable with established names. The farm system that use to be college, small market and medium market radio stations are gone. I told the student on air staff at Howard. This is your last opportunity at personality radio. Make the best of it and do every show as if it were your last.

It use to be that a talent could graduate college or some broadcasting school and start a career and make a decent buck in a small market. And once that talent made a name for him/her the next step would be a larger market. That doesn't happen anymore. Especially in what is called "Urban Radio." Small and medium market stations air syndicated programs to stay alive in the market.

As I sat on the panel I wondered how long would it be before those folk on the panel would be kicked out of the game because of their age? The reality is "radio is a young man/woman's game. The present folk manning the stations today have a "limited" shelf life. There won't be another Hal Jackson 65 years and Herb Kent 60 years on the radio again. It's so bad for radio talent today that many seasoned professionals will volunteer at a non commercial station. When a station(corporation) replaces a number 1 rated show host for a syndicated program the business is no longer about local talent. Locally produced shows cost the corporate company too much or they are just too greedy.

So I did the wrong thing and tried to tell students about changing communications policy and seeking to own radio stations. Of course that did not go over to well. Most of the students thought that I was just a bitter old man and wanted to talk to the "professionals." And I understand but just remember I told you what the professional will not tell you because you are not a threat to me.

Are You Ready?

2009-10-15T17:19:00.000-07:00

Energy and Commerce Committee
Unanimously Supports Local Community Radio Act

Thursday, 15 October 2009

Bill Moving Swiftly Toward Full House Vote

With a unanimous voice vote, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the Local Community Radio Act this morning. By repealing restrictions that drastically limit channels available to low power FM (LPFM) stations, the Act will allow hundreds of community groups nationwide to access the public airwaves.

The popular, bipartisan legislation is on the fast track to becoming law. Shortly after all five FCC Commissioners reaffirmed the FCC’s longstanding support, the bill passed out of the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet by a voice vote. After today’s passage out of committee, the Local Community Radio Act heads for a floor vote in the House.

In his opening remarks today, Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) urged his colleagues to support the bill.

“As a longtime advocate of expanding low power FM radio services and the dynamic contribution they make to localism, a bedrock of our communications laws, I am pleased that the Committee is acting on this important bipartisan measure. Low power FM stations provide diverse, locally-originated programming that serves the needs of the community,” said Rep. Waxman.

Lead co-sponsor Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) noted that earlier concerns about potential interference with full power stations have been addressed.

“We are proud to have the support of many incumbent broadcasters for our legislation,” said Rep. Doyle. “We made changes during the subcommittee's consideration of the bill to resolve concerns from other incumbent broadcasters, and we are especially pleased that National Public Radio expressed their appreciation of these changes.”

The bill has recently gained the support of its former skeptics in Congress, including Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), the only former broadcaster on the committee. Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), a lead co-sponsor of the bill that originally restricted low power radio in 2000, also now supports the legislation.

Hundreds of groups across the country are organizing for the opportunity to have their own radio stations. One of the most active among these is the Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP).

“Our goal is to provide Chicago with a showcase for the city's diverse music and arts scenes and to cover local news stories too often overlooked by bigger media outlets,” said Shawn Campbell, President of CHIRP. “Our 140 volunteers are true believers in radio that is live, local, and truly connected to community. We are ready to start broadcasting original content around the clock as soon we are given the chance.”

Advocates say that today’s vote is a call to action for supporters of local media.

“We are sounding the alarm,” said Cory Fischer-Hoffman, Campaign Director at the Prometheus Radio Project. “Passage out of full committee signals that Congress is finally ready to act on local community radio. Now is the time for everyone who wants a voice in their community to urge their Congressional Representatives to support HR 1147.”

article originally published at Prometheus Radio Project.

Black Radio, Dead, Gone, Intergrated and Assimilated

2009-09-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

First of all, before anything else let me say "Thank You" to Congressman Bobby Rush for an attempt at serving the people.

When I heard that the film makers of Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio were invited to a panel at the 39th Congressional Black Caucus Convention. I was truly excited. What an opportunity for Black Americans to express their feelings about the current state of radio! After seeing the film I thought "Now is the time for all persons who care about radio to come to aid of the community and state the case against deregulation and the 96 percent of media owned by corporations headed by white males.

Boy did I get fooled! The session from the start got away from Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio as the new FCC Chairman Julius Genakowski began speaking of the virtues of Broadband. Now don't get me wrong, I love the Internet and the Internet must never fall into "corporate" hands. Corporations will undoubtedly place a toll booth everywhere on the information superhighway. What bothers me is the fact that it seems that both sides of the political fence feel that it is alright for corporations to have an unlimited ownership of radio stations. And we the people owners of the airwaves should just live and let go any ideas of owning radio. Invest and seek to program content on the Internet that's the future. If the Internet is all that give up the airwaves, but that won't happen because Radio is the most personal of all mediums that is why they(white males) want control of it and ownership of all the airwaves. We can forget about help from politicians. As my colleague always reminds me "there is not one politician who will take a chance at taking on the media."

In the session, I thought that the film would be shown and it was not. I realized then that the course of the session would be all over everywhere from Katrina to Health Care with everything in between from freeing political prisoners and what's being played on radio. Only the film makers of Disappearing Voices and Congressman Rush stayed on course with the issue of policies effecting media ownership.

Warren Ballentine was the moderator of the session. He is a brilliant man and I don't want to sound like I'm hating but I am sick and tired of "syndicated" hosts moderating media issues of the community that they contribute adversely to. For every station that airs syndicated shows 6 - 8 people lose jobs in radio. Common sense will tell anyone not to cut the hand that feeds you. As my colleague always states, one can't serve two masters.

When I told Mr. Ballentine that I think he is doing a great job but I hate syndication. He looked at me as if to say "take that up with my boss." So having a syndicated host as a moderator for an important issue regarding Disappearing Voices in Black radio doesn't seems to be moving towards revealing any solutions to the problem. It is a oxymoron. The syndicated host will protect his syndicated territory.

Also the panel was loaded with radio people. Skip Finley, Paul Porter, and Jim Winston. All of these brilliant men did not provide one solution to the people regarding freeing the airways from the supremacy of "white male ownership." Black Radio station owners were making a case for more syndication because the economic downturn is affecting their revenue. They must reduce expenses and syndication is the only way that Black Radio can survive and stay competitive with other radio stations. They want us to feel empathy for their plight while they make money, cut jobs, make us laugh, and provided no local information.

Inside the session, there were many older individuals. And judging from the comments, I am sure that many in attendance were not aware of the reasons Black Radio is in the state that it is in today. I say that because the media rarely reports on itself or the FCC. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was done through a lot of "non discussed" stealth legislation.

I would have liked to see more young people in the audience. It's their future. Media policy and ownership is something that should be presented to them. The history of Black radio and the impact that Black Radio had on the Black community is gone. It's Gone ! Martin Luther King in his 1967 Speech to radio announcers stated, "For better or worse you(radio announcers) are opinion makers of the community." No more...

I am amused when people talk about the recent power of what is termed Black Radio. Many refer to the effort that Michael Baisden made in rallying people over the Jena 6 case. Truth of the matter is this on May 9, 2007 a local journalist Jordan Flaherty editor of Left Turn Magazine was the first to bring the case to a national audience via the Internet. The Jena 6 issue hit public radio before Black Radio on Democracy Now. Black radio picked it up after the local reports of Mr. Flaherty.

And one final thought, I wish when people are at these forums that they stay on the subject. I stood in line waiting my turn to speak and time ran out. People never seem to look behind them when they get a mic in their hands they go on and on.

I left the session concluding that the minority owners are too tied in to the status quo to support any change in policy. As a result the McDonaldization of what is termed Black radio will continue. There is no more Black Radio. It's corporate radio that targets Blacks for profit. The once potent, proud, and essential communication element of the African American community is no more.

What remains now is to educate the younger generation in hopes that they find in themselves an effort to lead the fight to take radio back. The older generation is too caught up to do anything.

Just my take

Show Them So They May See !!!

2009-08-10T01:46:00.000-07:00

From The Black Waxx Dispatch Newsletter

Disappearing Voices – The Decline of Black Radio at the Congressional Black Caucus in September 2009

NEW YORK, August 10, 2009 -- Already surrounded by an atmosphere of critical and public acclaim, Disappearing Voices – The Decline of Black Radio -the eagerly awaited documentary directed by controversial filmmaker U-Savior Washington- will be the focal point of an issue forum by the same name on Friday, September 25, 2009 from 3:00pm – 5:00pm at the Washington Convention Center in Washington , D.C. during the Congressional Black Caucus’ 39^th Annual Legislative Conference.

Congressman Bobby L. Rush has invited Disappearing Voices executive producer Iyanna Jones to participate on a panel that will address among other things the current state of Black owned radio stations, the factors that have contributed to Black Radio’s demise and what can be done to revitalize it.

While not a complete history of Black radio, Disappearing Voices – The Decline of Black Radio offers viewers a well-rounded discourse that touches on the impact of Black jocks not only on radio but also on the very fabric of American life.

Replete with rare interviews with prominent figures in American society like Melvin Van Peebles, Al Sharpton, Dr. Kristal Brent Zook, Chuck D of Public Enemy, FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, Kae Thompson, Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets and so many others, and with air checks by famous jocks like Frankie “Hollywood” Crocker, Enoch “The Dixie Drifter” Gregory, Jocko Henderson, Hal Jackson and Eddie O’Jay, Disappearing Voices does more than examine the factors that contributed to Black radio’s demise. It is an expose, a history lesson, a memoir and a source for solutions.

Director U-Savior Washington delivers an in-depth exploration of Arbitron, advertising agencies, Black radio station owners, Black disc jockeys, and the historic inequalities that plagued Black radio and continue to overshadow the industry today as well as possible solutions for the ailing Black radio industry.

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The Prime Minister says this...

This film inspired me to write about the dismal state of media ownership by African Americans. Disappearing Voices is not a history of black radio. The history of black radio would take longer than 60 minutes. Disappearing Voices simply shows how Black radio has changed and tells why. If you have not saw the film purchase it and show it to your family. Get everybody talking about Disappearing Voices. Malcolm X said "The media is the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the mind of the masses. "

In Case You Didn't Know - Part II

2009-08-09T19:56:00.000-07:00

From the American Radio Relay League, Inc.

Baker, Clyburn Confirmed by Senate: FCC at Full Slate

Meredith Attwell Baker

Mignon Clyburn

On Friday, July 24, the Senate confirmed the nominations of Meredith Attwell Baker and Mignon Clyburn as FCC Commissioners. Both nominees appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on July 15 to be vetted by the 25 members of the committee. Baker and Clyburn were nominated by President Barack Obama on June 25; no date has been set for their swearing in.

Clyburn will fill the unexpired term of Republican Deborah Taylor Tate, whose tenure as a Commissioner came to a close on January 3, 2009 when the Senate failed to confirm her nomination; Clyburn's term will expire June 30, 2012. Baker will fill the unexpired term of fellow Republican and former Chairman Kevin J. Martin who resigned in January 2009; her term will expire June 30, 2011. Baker will join Robert McDowell as a Republican on the Commission. Current Commissioner Michael Copps is a Democrat, as are Chairman Julius Genachowski and Clyburn. Only three sitting Commissioners may be members of the same political party.

For much of this year, the FCC has been operating with just three commissioners. Once Genachowski was sworn in as chairman, Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein, a Democrat, left the FCC. He was confirmed by the Senate as the Administrator for the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS), also on July 24. Chairman Genachowski said that he is looking forward to "forging a strong partnership with Jonathan as the FCC and RUS collaborate to extend the benefits of broadband to all corners of the country."

Meredith Baker Attwell

Baker, the daughter-in-law of former Secretary of State James Baker, served as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and the Acting Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) from 2007 to January 2009. Named as Deputy Assistant Secretary in February 2007, Baker first joined NTIA as a Senior Advisor in January 2004, and also served as Acting Associate Administrator for the Office of International Affairs and on detail to the White House, Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Baker spearheaded the coupon program for digital-to-analog converter boxes to help facilitate the transition to digital television (DTV). She has served on delegations representing the United States at major international telecommunications conferences and engaged in bilateral discussions with senior level officials from countries around the world. Before joining NTIA, Baker was Vice President at the firm of Williams Mullen Strategies where she focused on telecommunications, intellectual property and international trade issues. From 2000-2002, she held the position as Senior Counsel to Covad Communications. Before that, she was Director of Congressional Affairs at the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) from 1998-2000. In the 1990s, Baker worked at the US Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit in Houston and later at the law firm of DeLange and Hudspeth. From 1990-1992, she worked in the Legislative Affairs Office of the US Department of State in Washington, DC.

In her opening statement at her confirmation hearing, Baker spoke of the need for broadband technology. "Chairman Genachowski, who is off to a great start at the FCC, gave an inspirational introductory speech to the FCC staff on the day of his arrival," she said. "He stated that the promise of technology has never been brighter and consequently, the obligations of the Commission have never been greater. I share that view. The FCC holds the keys to unleashing the power of broadband, the new media landscape and true public safety interoperability. That responsibility is challenging but the rewards will truly make a difference in the life and future of every American."

Baker reminded the Committee that Congress has directed the FCC to develop and implement a National Broadband Plan by February 2010. "This directive holds great promise for our nation," she said. "Not only do many aspects of our children's education and opportunities for lifelong learning depend on this directive, but so too does the next generation of health care delivery, smart energy grid development, and public safety interoperability. The FCC will play an important role in making sure that the right regulatory environment exists to incent companies to build out infrastructure faster, to reward innovation and investment and to encourage competition."

She also spoke about the Radio Spectrum Inventory Act that was introduced in March in the Senate; a companion bill was introduced in the House in early July: "I believe we can reap great benefits from a spectrum policy that unlocks the value of the public airwaves in more efficient, transparent and flexible ways. The Spectrum Inventory bill that this Committee marked up last week shows important leadership and is a first step to increasing wireless broadband use in innovative ways such as secondary markets, leasing, and testbeds."

Chairman Genachowski congratulated Baker on her confirmation. "Meredith is a distinguished public servant who will bring unique insight and expertise to bear in the agency's policymaking process," he said. "I enthusiastically await Meredith's arrival at the FCC and the opportunity to collaborate with her on advancing our shared goal of improving the lives of all Americans. With the full slate of Commissioners on board, I look forward to working with all of my colleagues on policies that advance innovation, investment, competition and consumer interests."

Mignon Clyburn

Clyburn, the daughter of House Majority Whip Representative James Clyburn (D-SC), has served on the Public Service Commission of South Carolina since 1998. The Public Service Commission regulates South Carolina's investor owned public utilities, including providers of telecommunications services. Before her election to that body, she spent 14 years as the publisher and general manager of The Coastal Times, a weekly newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina.

In 1998, Clyburn was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly as a Commissioner to represent the Sixth Congressional District; she has been re-elected three times, chairing the Commission from 2002-2004. She is a past chair of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, and is presently the chair of the Washington Action Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). Clyburn also serves on NARUC's Audit Committee and Utilities Market Access Partnership Board.

Clyburn told the Committee that she will "work with each member of [the Commerce, Science and Transportation] Committee to ensure that the FCC is fair, open and transparent and that it protects consumers, encourages robust competition in the marketplace and champions technological innovation."

In her opening statement, Clyburn emphasized that "We also must ensure that all Americans have access to and can make productive use of the communications tools essential to making the American Dream a reality. Most notably, by providing universal, high-speed, high-quality affordable access to broadband we can establish the essential underpinnings for enduring national prosperity."

In speaking to the Committee, she told them that she was "a strong believer in the value of collaboration within and among levels of the government," and has "witnessed first-hand the benefits of and necessity for cooperation among local, state and federal governmental agencies. These partnerships are essential to achieving a uniform and predictable regulatory environment in which technological innovation can thrive."

Clyburn said that network operators should have "reasonable tools" to control what goes over their networks. She said that whether network neutrality regulations were needed would depend on whether the market was competitive. If so, there might be no need, but if not, it warranted consideration.

"It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Mignon L. Clyburn on her Senate confirmation," Chairman Genachowski said. "Mignon's deep commitment to public service, experience in state government, and entrepreneurial expertise will be invaluable assets to this agency. I enthusiastically await Mignon's arrival at the FCC and the opportunity to collaborate with her on advancing our shared goal of improving the lives of all Americans through communications. With the full slate of Commissioners on board, I look forward to working with all of my colleagues on policies that promote innovation, investment, competition and consumers."

______________________________________________________________

The Prime Minister Says this,

The FCC is headed by a Democratic majority Genachowski, Coops, and Clyborn. The two Republicans are McDowell and Baker. We have seen from the recent past that the "majority rules" in the FCC. I just hope that the Democrat majority will stand strong for the public interest and the majority of American people. The FCC must be held accountable. Past decisions by the Republican majority have centered on benefiting the very people they supposedly regulate.

Change is greatly needed at the FCC too much has been done behind closed doors to benefit only a few. The public must align themselves with whatever organization they choose that advocates media reform. The only way to beat organized money is with an organized people. The media that is working today is not the best media it could be.

Each day I do not see anyone like me with their own news program. I do not see a Black owned media network. All my life, I have heard views from a majority not like me. When can I see a Meet The Press show with a Black host and 4 or 5 Black speakers/news reporters talking about today issues with a Black ideology or perspective? Right now is the time for something different.

Cathy Hughes and Radio One needs some competition from another Black owner. Then maybe the programming at their stations will change. Competition breeds better quality. We should demand more competition in media. Tell the FCC to do away with a single company owning more than 2 stations in a market. Consolidation did not improve radio for the people. Radio is the worst it has ever been even with Tom, Doug, Michael, Russ, and others. It's worst because it does not serve the local community. Now is the time to write the new FCC Commissioners especially Commissioner Clyborn she is an advocate of the public interest.

FCC Chairman Takes on Diversity

2009-08-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Washington, DC -- Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced key senior agency staff in the Office of Communications Business Opportunities (OCBO) and Office of the General Counsel (OGC). These positions include: OCBO Director Thomas Reed, OCBO Senior Deputy Director Carolyn Fleming Williams, and Associate General Counsel and Chief Diversity Officer Mark Lloyd.

“The FCC must ensure that the communications field is competitive, generates widespread opportunities, and is open to new ideas from all sources,” said Chairman Genachowski. “This exceptionally talented team will collaborate on the policies and legal framework necessary to expand opportunities for women, minorities, and small businesses to participate in the communications marketplace.”

Director, Office of Communications Business Opportunities, Thomas Reed: Mr. Reed most recently was Of Counsel at K&L Gates LLP in Washington, DC, where his practice focused on a broad range of issues including commercial litigation, corporate governance, investment management, and civil rights. At K&L, Mr. Reed specialized in regulatory issues affecting women and minority-owned businesses. He has worked extensively with some of the nation's largest organizations that advocate for women and minority-owned business and is a regular commentator on disadvantaged business enterprise certification procedures. He has also served as Legal Counsel to the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. Before joining K&L, Mr. Reed was a Senior Trial Attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Senior Deputy Director, Office of Communications Business Opportunities, Carolyn Fleming Williams: Carolyn Fleming-Williams most recently served as Director of the Office of Communications Business Opportunities, FCC. During her 15-year tenure with the Commission, she has also served as a Senior Attorney-Advisor with the Media Bureau. Prior to joining the Commission, Ms. Fleming-Williams served as corporate counsel with the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT). She was also an associate attorney with the law firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, now K&L Gates LLP. Prior to joining K&L, she was an Honors Attorney with the U.S. Department of the Treasury. She has also served as President of DC Habitat for Humanity and as a Fairfax County Commissioner for Civil Service.

Associate General Counsel and Chief Diversity Officer, Mark Lloyd: Mr. Lloyd was most recently the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights/ Education Fund, where he oversaw media and telecom initiatives. Mr. Lloyd also has been an adjunct professor of public policy at the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute and a visiting scholar at MIT, teaching communications policy. Previously Mr. Lloyd has been a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, the General Counsel of the Benton Foundation, and an attorney at Dow, Lohnes & Albertson. Before becoming a communications lawyer, Mr. Lloyd had a distinguished career as a broadcast journalist, including work at NBC and CNN.

The Prime Minister say this,

This is the most exciting news to date. To ensure that the communications field is competitive, generates widespread opportunities, and is open to new ideas from all sources,” is the start a new era. People need to know that this kind of ideology now exists at the FCC and people need to write and communicate with the FCC that they applaud this move.

In Case You Didn't Know

2009-08-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

The Senate Confirmed Julius Genachowski as FCC Chairman:

The Prime Minister say this,

There was not much media coverage regarding the Senate confirmation of Julius Genachowski as the new FCC Chairman. His selection as the new chair signals the end to "business as usual" in the FCC. The new chair is expected to bring about change. Change that was started by acting Commissioner Michael Coops. It's vitally important for the public to understand the role of the FCC and their rights as citizens regarding the agency. As the statement of Senator Rockefeller indicates, the FCC did little for the American public and a lot for the companies they were charged to regulate.

Now is the time to educate the local communities that there is a need for change at the FCC. Malcon X said, "The media is the most powerful entity on earth." Certain people understand this power and desire to have total control of broadcast media. The FCC and the law must protect the interests of all citizens. (Absolute power corrupts absolutely) Broadcasters have selfishly been on a path of greed leaving the communities they serve bankrupt of pubic affairs, service, and information. The marketplace model will not serve public interest.

Don't take my word for it. Look and listen to the television and radio stations in your own local communities. Nothing is different. Minorities and women need equal access to media ownership through regulation. Diversity is better for a democracy when all voices can be heard and has access to delivering their own messages.

Statement of John D. Rockefeller, IV

Hearing: Nominations Hearing

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Communications technology is at the pulsing center of our new economy. For our nation to meet the challenges we face in education, health care, the environment, and to remain globally competitive, we will require top-notch communications infrastructure. Because good communications policy will lay the foundation for these noble goals, we need real expertise at the Federal Communications Commission.

As I have said before, I believe that being an FCC Commissioner is one of the most difficult and most important jobs in Washington. It may also be among the most under appreciated. The powers of the FCC are vast. Its decisions impact every American.From the bills we pay for phone and cable services, to our ability to reach public safety in times of need. From the content that gets broadcast into millions of living rooms throughout America, to the broadband networks that can bring equal opportunities to our largest cities and our smallest rural hamlets – the FCC oversees it all.

The decisions this agency makes are vital to our nation’s future. Because we entrust FCC Commissioners with these vast powers, we expect a lot from them. Yet over the last decade, the agency has disappointed. Too often FCC Commissioners have focused on making sure that the policies they advocate serve the needs of the companies they regulate and their bottom lines.

Time and again, the FCC has shortchanged consumers and the public interest.

The influence of special interests at the agency is especially troubling, even noteworthy in the distasteful way they clamor for their preferred candidates for FCC office. This is why I remain deeply interested in FCC reform. And this is why I continue to weigh the merits of FCC reauthorization. I want an FCC that is transparent, that inspires public confidence, and that makes our digital infrastructure a model for the world. Tragically, this has not been the case for some time. But if the past has been bleak, we have cause for optimism ahead. Because I have met the Administration’s nominee for Chairman and am thoroughly impressed.

Mr. Genachowski brings to the job both public and private sector experience. He has enthusiasm for the power of communications. But the tasks before him are complex. The days undoubtedly will be long.

So, Mr. Genachowski for your panel, let me be very clear about the challenge before you. Fix this agency, or we will fix it for you. Prove to us that the FCC is not battered beyond repair.

Show us that the FCC can put consumers first and give them confidence that when they interact with the agency they will get a fair response.

Show us that the American people can trust the data that the FCC produces and that it can guide us to good and honest policy.

Show us that the American people can have affordable and robust broadband, no matter who they are or where they live.

Show us that parents can have confidence to view programming in their homes without their children being exposed to violent and indecent content

Show us that the agency can think beyond its borders, work with industry and government to create jobs, expand entrepreneurship, grow educational resources, and improve healthcare.

And that’s just for starters.

So let me remind you that the Congress and the American people will look to you for results.

I thank you for joining us today, for your willingness to serve, and I look forward to your testimony.

Black Radio-One Tycoon Runs Republican Game

2009-08-06T16:36:00.000-07:00

Published on Black Agenda Report (http://www.blackagendareport.com)

Black Radio-One Tycoon Runs Republican Game

by BAR executive editor Glen Ford

“Corporate predators like Cathy Hughes now claim to be the champions of small Black broadcasters.”

Early in George Bush’s first term in office, BET billionaire Bob Johnson ingratiated himself with the new president by convincing 48 other Black business people to endorse the Republican campaign against the Estate Tax. Although less than one-half of 1 percent of African Americans were wealthy enough to pay federal estate taxes, Johnson warned that the levy threatened to wipe out the first generation of Black millionaires, thus stunting the growth of capital in Black America. The claim was nonsense, but it gave “Black” political cover to the Right’s ancient jihad against what it called, the “Death Tax.” Johnson’s attempt to merge general African American interests with those of the rich white Right earned him the gratitude of President Bush, who would later commission Johnson as Black point man in the GOP assault on Social Security.

Johnson’s anti-“Death Tax” list was top-heavy with on-the-make Black media types, including Radio One founder Cathy Hughes, then a newly-minted member of the Black billionaires club. Hughes is currently running the old Bob Johnson/Republican game in an attempt to defeat the Performance Rights Act, which would require radio stations to pay royalties to performers of recordings played on the air. The legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), is a prime target of the National Association of Broadcasters, the immensely powerful radio and television industry lobby, and the Republican Party, which has countered with its own “Local Radio Freedom Act.”

The GOP characterizes the Performance Rights Act as a “tax” on radio, to be resisted like all other taxes – despite the fact that the royalties go to performing artists, not government coffers. But it is Cathy Hughes’ mission to give greed and right-wing politics a “Black” angle– just as Bob Johnson did with the Estate Tax and Social Security. In one of the most crude, down-and-dirty campaigns in Black radio history, Hughes charges that the Performance Act threatens to destroy Black radio. Through the megaphone of her 50-plus stations (she once owned 70), Hughes lashes out at Conyers’ colleagues on the Congressional Black Caucus who are co-sponsors of the bill (“these black elected officials continue to ignore the imminent danger to black media ownership”), Conyers’ wife (who has been indicted for illegal conduct in totally unrelated circumstances), and even Dionne Warrick (who “nobody is playing,” anyway, hisses Hughes).

“Cathy Hughes’ mission to give greed and right-wing politics a 'Black' angle.”

In a letter to station listeners (“my Radio One family”), Hughes claims Rep. Conyers’ (“our 80 year old African-American Congressman”) bill would “murder” Black-owned radio by putting “many black owned radio stations out of business. And force others to abandon their commitment to provide free music, entertainment, news, information, and money losing formats like gospel and black talk.” The message is a wonderment of sheer gall, wild hyperbole, and a kind of audience abuse and blackmail.

The relative pittance in artist royalties required by the Performance Rights Act would have virtually no impact on the solvency of Hughes’ radio empire, the fifth largest chain in the nation, which recently awarded Hughes’ CEO son, Alfred Liggins, a $10 million bonus. The legislation already delays and minimizes the effect on small radio stations (billing less than $5 million a year). Hughes' threat to withhold “free…news” is at once hilarious and profoundly dishonest. Radio One does not do news, just like its main competitor in the Black-formatted radio market, Clear Channel. In this regard and many others, the two corporations are identical. As products of feverish corporate consolidation unleashed through wholesale deregulation of the industry in 1996, both chains are responsible for the “murder” of local Black radio, as I wrote in a the May 29, 2003 article, “Who Killed Black Radio News?”:

“In the process, Black ‘stand-alone’ stations, typically operated by businesspeople with longstanding roots in the community, have been forced out - or have cashed out. News has most often been jettisoned in favor of 'talk' - the seductive format that ranges from quality syndications that do have value to a national audience but provide little to sustain local struggles, to vapid, 'barber shop'-type offerings, eclectic blocks of time filled with chatter, signifying nothing.”

“Hughes' message is a wonderment of sheer gall, wild hyperbole, and a kind of audience abuse and blackmail.”

It is laughable, and yet also deeply sad, that corporate predators like Cathy Hughes, who grew fat and arrogant by systematically snuffing out and buying up local Black broadcasting, now claim to be the champions of small broadcasters. (As do her Republican allies, with their “Local Radio Freedom Act.”) Hughes seems to threaten to pull out of “free” Black broadcasting if she has to pass on a small royalty to performers, as is the law in every other developed country. Folks need to call Hughes' bluff, and dare her to divest her Black radio interests, the source of her fortune. Black radio is a very profitable format, due largely to the unique loyalties of Black audiences. It is this loyalty that Hughes attempts to harness to her corporate, Republican-led campaign against the Performance Rights Act.

With a monopoly on the mass Black media microphone in many cities (literally), Hughes wields her broadcasting licenses as weapons to threaten Black congresspersons elected by citizens in “her” markets. Hughes has targeted Mel Watt (D-NC), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Bobby Scott (D-VA) and other Black co-sponsors of the Conyers bill. If, as reported, Hughes has run negative commercials attacking Performance Act supporters on her radio stations and refused to sell airtime to proponents of the Act, she is in violation of not only Federal Communications Regulations but also federal restraint of trade laws. Sean Glover, a spokesman for Music First, a coalition of performer royalty advocates, told BAR that legal action is contemplated against Hughes.

“Hughes wields her broadcasting licenses as weapons to threaten Black congresspersons.”

A recent issue of the congressional newspaper The Hill reported that the NAACP has called for a “truce” between Black Caucus members and Cathy Hughes (“Bitter feud between black radio, CBC over royalties,” July 27). The headline is somewhat misleading. At its national convention in New York, last month, the NAACP enthusiastically endorsed the Conyers bill, declaring:

"H.R. 848 is the only source of income for many older performers. They didn’t write the songs – but they brought them to life. Without the performers, these songs would be nothing but words on a page. And for many of them, radio performances are their only source of potential income. Therefore be it resolved that the NAACP endorses and supports H.R. 848, The Civil Rights for Musicians Act of 2009 and call on the NAACP units and members throughout the country to contact its Congressional members and Senators and the President of the United States to pass this measure into law so America’s performers can receive the respect they so long deserve."

In Detroit, where Radio One and Clear Channel battle it out with identical formats and a common non-news policy, local NAACP president Rev. Wendell Anthony called a news conference to demand Hughes “stop [her] dishonest attacks.” Rev. Anthony charged that “Conyers and other members of the CBC have been the target of a vicious smear campaign spearheaded by Big Radio corporations and CEOs who refuse to pay royalties to African-American musicians and performers.”

The supposed “split” among Black “leaders” over this issue is also an illusion, although one that calls into question the very nature of what passes for “leadership” in Black America. Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have sided with Radio One – or more accurately, with the commercial broadcasting industry and Republicans in Congress. Nothing could be less surprising. Jackson and Sharpton are radio performers whose radio shows exist at the whim of Cathy Hughes or her counterparts at Clear Channel and other corporate chains. The two media reverends have come to more resemble corporate products, captives of broadcast boardrooms, than popular leaders.

“Jackson and Sharpton are radio performers whose radio shows exist at the whim of Cathy Hughes or her counterparts.”

The road to the current Black political wasteland, where a broadcaster can bully the Black Caucus and align herself with Republicans with impunity – began with the gradual extinction of local newsrooms at Black radio stations. Thirty-five years ago, virtually every Black radio station employed at least one newsperson to cover local events. In Washington, D.C. in 1973, three Black-oriented radio stations fielded 21 reporters – a full-fledged local Black radio news corps. Black newsrooms identified and gave voice to new activists through a medium that reached virtually the entire community. In a sense, Black radio acted as an incubator of Black leadership.

Taking news for granted, African Americans invested their political capital in demands for increased Black broadcast ownership. It was simply assumed that more Black owners would naturally translate into more and better Black radio news and community services. But the impulse to cut news and services and join the corporate herd came much more naturally to many Black entrepreneurs. A few got rich, like Cathy Hughes, but Black people as a whole have been poorly served by this class. In the absence of local news on Black commercial radio, the political life of the community withered across Black America. We have now arrived at the pitiful state in which media-based “leaders” are compelled to line up behind a corporate boss woman to support a right-wing Republican bill that would deny royalties to Black performers.

“The impulse to cut news and services and join the corporate herd came much more naturally to many Black entrepreneurs.”

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), as an institution, contributed to this sorry state of affairs, by its historical fixation on Black media ownership even as businesspeople like Hughes turned their holdings into news-free zones for private enrichment. Now the monster has turned on the Caucus.

The following CBC members are co-sponsors, with John Conyers, of the Performance Rights Act:

Yvette Clarke [D-NY]

Emanuel Cleaver [D-MO]

Marcia Fudge [D-OH]

Sheila Jackson-Lee [D-TX]

Eddie Johnson [D-TX]

Henry Johnson [D-GA]

Eleanor Norton [D-DC]

Bennie Thompson [D-MS]

Edolphus Towns [D-NY]

Diane Watson [D-CA]

We shall see how many members scurry to get out of Cathy Hughes’ way.

BAR executive editor Glen Ford can be contacted at Glen.Ford@BlackAgendaReport.com.

_______________________________________________________________________

The Prime Minister says this.

There is a lot of focus on Cathy Hughes and Radio One. While I do not support the business practices of the media company. I think and agree that it is a good thing to hold Radio One accountable for it's programming practices. Malcom X said"The media's is the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses." I am happy to see that some in the community is paying attention to what is being aired.

While many are unleashing harsh criticism on Radio One, that too is being used against us. It's divide and conquer. The performance rights issue is being used as a wedge to split and fragment the Black community even more. While I sympathize with the performance rights issue. I do not agree with the creative community that radio should pay performance rights. My disagreement is not because of the cries of Cathy Hughes. I disagree because no one has come with the actual value of what it means to have music played on the air.

The performance rights issue a diversionary tactic to keep the focus off the real issue of media ownership. The public everywhere is dissatisfied with the role of radio. 96 percent of all radio stations are owned by "white males" who have a Republican agenda. This is bigger than Cathy Hughes. The media will not hold a mirror to itself. It's going to take people telling the FCC and the elected officials to make changes. The most important issues are "imposing" ownership limits in the local area. The present limits should be reduced to 1 AM and 1 FM in a market. Bigger media is not better media. Another important issue is reducing the term limits on the license of a radio station from 8 to 3 years. The public should not have wait so long to challenge a station that is not meeting the needs of the community. More diversity of ownership will bring better radio to the airwaves.

Our people need to be educated about the media and what we can do to change it. We do not have time to choose sides. The FCC media ownership review happens in 2010. What's up with that?

Local Warrior's Joyous Celebration

2009-08-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

He became known as Reverend Leonard Barr. I knew him as Terry. I remember when he arrived in the neighborhood on 58th Street and Normal Blvd. He was one who was never at a loss for words. He had an answer for everything and could almost do anything. Terry came to love the Englewood neighborhood where he spent a good portion of his younger years.

Reverend Leonard T. Barr was the same guy, I knew as child growing up on Normal Boulevard. Despite all his success in whatever arena he ventured in. I still called him Terry and treated him like the childhood buddy we grew up as. I last saw him at our neighborhood picnic in Sherwood Park in August of 2008. Terry died July 30th 2009. He was 56 years year young.

When I managed Kennedy-King College's radio station WKKC, Reverend Barr was on fire for the Secretary of State Jesse White and started a radio program "Report to the People. When he came to me with the idea. I had reservations. I was more interested in the benefits towards the students. Reverend Barr assured me that the experience would be like an internship and that the students would learn something. Needless to say the Report to the People program became a success and the student I assigned to the program went on to work for National Public Radio. It was a win win situation. And that's how things happened with Terry throughout his life he tried to make a win win situation for everything and everyone he came in contact with.

At his home going celebration, everyone spoke of the win win situations Terry contributed in their lives too. Those who paid their respects came across all denominational lines and from varied occupations. Media personnel included Cliff Kelly, Marv Dyson, Pam Morris, and Herb Kent. Political figure Dorothy Brown and state official Dr. Damon Arnold knew Reverend Leonard Barr and spoke highly of this wonderful man. The mayor of Chicago also sent his condolences through Reverend Vance Henry.

The music in the service was festive and spiritual as Loretta Oliver, The Barrett Sisters, Calvin Bridges Otis Clay and Diane Williams elevated our spirits through song. Each of the artists in their own way added something powerful to the service. The clergy showed great respect for their sleeping brother with class and dignity. All the ministers on the program did their parts graciously. Bishop William Ellis represented the clergy that brought everyone to agreement about the life of Reverend Barr. He was good soldier.

The remarks of the one an only Reverend Henry O. Hardy brought a roar from the pews as he exclaimed that Reverend Barr had to exceed the standard set by his name. Reverend Hardy has a uncanny way of delivering his message professorial yet simple. The Host pastor Reverend Charles Jenkins said it best of Pastor Hardy's style, "he comes at you though Websters dictionary and every day language at the same time."

All of this set the stage for the family to pay tribute to Reverend Barr. His uncle Reverend Jacob Barr revealed the story of a young Leonard in childhood who took a spanking to keep from going to sleep. Then his son Reverend Emanuel Barr talked about a great lesson that he learned from his Dad. He said I get it now Dad. One has to be merciful too.

Finally, his spiritual father and mentor Reverend Clay Evans provided us with a eulogy to take home to anyone who is without Christ. Reverend Clay said Jesus is the Stimulus. He paid it all. During the eulogy by Reverend Evans other pastors in the audience took out pens and were taking notes. What great respect for the Reverend Evans a great man the God.

And I believe Leonard was happy with the service. People were joyously celebrating the life of a man who served God and served God's people. Though absent from the body his presence is with the Lord. I wonder what Terry is trying to tell God. I hope he is not complaining about his inability to catch a softball. Leonard was very talented in many ways but he couldn't hold on to softball to save his life and he played first base that's what I remember most about Terry.

God Bless You.. Peace be unto you

The Prime Minister

Reflections on the GMWA - GAG Convention

2009-08-03T06:10:00.001-07:00

Before I decided to write about the Gospel Announcer's Guild annual Convention, I really had to take into consideration the impact of the economic downturn and its affect on the industry and radio announcers in general.

Many of the nation's most notable gospel announcers and programmers were surprisingly absent, among the no shows were Larry Tinsley from Atlanta, Lee Michaels from Baltimore, and Michael Adrian Davis from Memphis. In addition, there was a noticeable absence of Radio One personnel and personalities from the Sheridan Gospel Network. In a time when announcers should be uniting together it's seems that we are drifting apart.

The reality is that Gospel Announcers and Announcers in general have lost control of the craft. There was a time when local radio announcers meant something to their employers and the community. Legendary announcer and programmer Lucky Cordell states "employers thought twice about replacing a popular announcer." Now the announcer is replaceable, the music industry and advertisers dictate to the stations and management the music and personality. There is a new business model that radio operates under today.

Unfortunately, for many who chose to become a radio announcer with the dream of a lifelong career, that will not happen. Radio is for the young man or woman for a limited time. Local radio is slowly and systematically being replaced by syndicated hosts. And it's ironic that many in the business celebrate radio syndication as success while at the same time the death toll of the local announcer rises.

I can remember attending a GAG Convention and hearing the "mantra" of learning and practicing the techniques of "real radio" to elevate your status. Then you find out that even with improvements to your craft and execution you were being replaced through syndication by a gospel artist or comedian.

This year's GAG Convention with the theme "No More Excuses" provided some thought provoking panel discussions about several issues facing radio today. However many of the real issues affecting the radio personality were not brought up for example "Why can't we(gospel announcers) select the music anymore? Many of the panel discussions were slanted towards the artist perspective with the final day devoted partly to radio. Even the HR 848 Performance Rights issue was dominated by "the creative side" or artist perspective. One of the panelists felt the discussion was one-sided because there was not a voice from radio to speak on their perspective. For radio announcers in gospel there is still fog in the air about how the PPM (Portable People Meter) is affecting Gospel radio, however inside the room there was no discussion. And the issue of broadcast ownership surfaced but was not explored deeply.

Of course several artists came in the room to says thanks. Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, Kurt Carr, Byron Cage and Maurette Brown Clark were among those that stopped by. And several indpendent artist performed well during the praise breaks. One artist in particular Pastor Seon Thompson laid everybody out in room and outside the room as he ministered powerfully singing I'm Out.

There was a refreshing twist to the final day of the convention as Al Hobbs reached out to the membership for their comments and suggestions for the 40th Celebration of the GAG in 2010 in Cincinnati. We hope that the will of the people is answered in 2010. All in all the 40th year gathering looks to be a great celebration of the accomplishments of the most overlooked of all radio announcers. The Gospel Radio Angel.

The Prime Minister.

What's Going On ?

2009-07-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

Recently, the opening lyrics of Marvin Gaye's Classic song "What's Going On" have been on my mind. In Chicago over the weekend news of violence, violence and more violence dominated the top stories and the violence continued during the week with a UPS driver being shot in an attempted robbery. In the past two years nearly 40 innocent teenagers have lost their lives.
What's Going On?

Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today.

What's Going On? Donnie Hathaway's Live Version is echoing in my mind too. Where is the good music on the radio when it's needed? Where is radio when you need it? The current wave of violence is not as important as the Jena 6? Oh, you mean death to innocent young people is not enough for Steve, Tom, Doug, Rickey and other syndicated show hosts to talk about. Radio being all over everywhere at the same time makes radio very ineffective in the local situations of Chicago, Detroit, Washington, Cleveland, and other metro areas because their focus has to be on national issues and millions of listeners. And no one in the local communities ever complains that they can't even hear the correct time mornings on the radio? The radio host always gives the time as so many minutes after the hour. A blind person listening to the radio will never know the correct time of day.

Whats Going On? The local issues are gone!

Back in the day, WVON the Black Giant, had a series of public service announcements called "Operation Crime Stop." They were only one minute in length and helped to stop some of the nonsense that occurred in the Black Community of Chicago. Radio cared then. Today the life or well being of a listener is not worth 60 seconds. Wow, look how far we have fallen.

One day last week a former student of mine wrote "Black Homicide is a pandemic in our communities and it needs to stop. We have died in vain long enough and I am sick of it. This country was built on the Blood, Sweat, and Tears of our ancestors. Everytime I read a story of the senseless violence in the black communities it makes me wonder, why? Everytime we do something ignorant that hurts the whole community I wonder, why? We need this crap to stop. It starts with the man or woman in the mirror then our families and communities.

Black Radio and Radio take a good look at yourself.

The Prime Minister.

Professor Miles Selected for Christian Tabernacle Gospel Supreme Gold Star Award

2009-07-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

A pleasant surprise arrived by mail from the Christian Tabernacle Church where the Reverend Maceo L. Woods is the Founder and Pastor. It was a letter of Congratulations as a receipent of the 2009 Gospel Supreme Gold Star Award. The last thing on my mind was receiving an honor in my hometown. Oh but Thanks be to God from whom all blessings flow. The last time I was recognized in Chicago was in 2000 and this selection is one that I will cherish becasue it speaks directly to my heart. "Your example of faithful and dedicated labor of love in the ministry has glorified God and edified God's people."

The Gospel Supreme will take place on Monday, September 21, 2009 at Christ Universal Temple, 119th and Ashland Avenue at 8:00 PM. Words can't describe how I feel. I give all glory to God.

Fight for Performance Royalities or Media Ownership?

2009-07-10T07:24:00.000-07:00

Radio One Gets Heat For No-Show At Panel

Congress Daily PM, Judiciary

Thursday, July 9, 2009
by Andrew Noyes

Radio One, the largest U.S. minority-owned media company, came under fire from the House Judiciary Committee today for refusing to testify at a hearing billed as a forum to examine plummeting advertising revenues, increased media consolidation and pending legislation that would end a long-standing copyright royalty exemption for over-the-air radio, which broadcasters oppose.

Judiciary Chairman John Conyers and others scolded Radio One founder Cathy Hughes and her son, CEO Alfred Liggins, for being no-shows.

Other critics of the bill who Conyers said snubbed him include National Action Network President Rev. Al Sharpton; Rainbow Push Coalition President Rev. Jesse Jackson; syndicated radio host Tom Joyner; and the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council's David Honig.

Judiciary Courts and Competition Policy Subcommittee Chairman Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said broadcasters were invited to weigh in on the bill before it passed the committee in May, but their unwillingness to offer performers any compensation is unreasonable since Internet, cable and satellite services all pay.

Conyers and Judiciary ranking member Lamar Smith had amended the legislation to appease critics by delaying its enactment date and reducing the amount of fees radio stations would have to pay.

Their changes also directed the Copyright Royalty Board to consider the impact of their rate-setting on religious, noncommercial, minority-owned, and female-owned broadcasters.

They asked GAO to complete by November a study that would examine the bill's effects, particularly on minority, female and religious stations.

Liggins called today's hearing "misguided and disingenuous." He said he backed out as a witness after learning Conyers would focus on the royalty bill and had invited a supporter of the measure, R&B Foundation Chairman Kendall Minter, to testify.

"I'm not going to sit there and get beat up," Liggins said in a phone interview. Broadcasters urged the committee to hold a minority-specific hearing before marking up the bill but they were rebuffed, he added. That is when Radio One instructed its on-air talent at several stations in Conyers' congressional district to take to the airwaves in opposition.

Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, and Melvin Watt, D-N.C., tried to temper the royalty bill rhetoric by appealing to broadcasters who were not present. "We still love you, you are still our constituents, and we still believe in what you do for our communities," Jackson Lee said.

Watt added he was "not inclined to box with shadows" and wanted to concentrate on the stated purpose of the hearing, which faced a lengthy delay due to floor votes.

Minter was joined at the witness table by Media Access Project President Andrew Jay Schwartzman, Arbitron CEO Michael Skarzynski and National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters Executive Director James Winston.

The Prime Minister says,
While I am not a fan of the business practices(syndication) of Radio One, I do think that calling a hearing: "Trends Affecting Minority Broadcast O wnership" and then making a focus on the Performance Rights Act is a bit disingenuous and an outright ambush. The politicians on the hill need to focus on the issues affecting media ownership.

Media Access Project President Andrew Jay Schwartzman testified,

Here are several of the most important things:

Reimpose limits on national radio ownership and strengthen existing caps on local and national broadcast ownership.

Reduce the license term to three years and enforce meaningful rules. This will create opportunities for minorities to obtain the licenses that will be forfeited.

Restore the tax certificate policy which was repealed in 1994.

Grant the pending application of Robert Johnson’s innovative Urban Television proposal, which would allow vastly increased minority ownership of digital TV multicast streams.

Enact HR 1147, which will expand the low power FM radio service and serve as a platform for training for a new generation of minority radio broadcasters.

I could not agree more.

As much as I want to help the artists/musicians I can't because what the performers and musicians want will only benefit the artists/musicians and not the community as a whole. The issue for me is more minorities being able to own a radio station. Musicians and performers are being just as self centered as radio. It's like the pot calling the kettle black. The argument by the performers and musicians is "The internet, cable and satellite radio stations already pay performance fees to artists." Therefore AM/FM radio should do so to. However, it seems to me that the argument overlooks the fact that these services(cable, satellite, and Internet) have a subscription fee. It doesn't cost these broadcaster anything because the consumer pays upfront. The Temptations sang "Don't let the Jones Get You Down."

Media ownership is the real issue where the focus should be and fight waged. The folks in Washington, DC messed up with the passage of The Telecommunications Act of 1996. Incidentally, the Telecommunication Acts was the most lobbied bill in history. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 is real culprit. Too few own too many. This act allowed unlimited media ownerships which is the real enemy to democracy and diversity.

Radio One and other Black media corporations are caught in the middle of a game they simply can't win. In order for their companies to stay alive during the economic down turn and lack of advertiser revenue, they must syndicate programming. It's terrible but because of the lending and banking systems Black owners must turn profits daily or lose their stations. Losing more minority owners is not acceptable. Did you know that there was a move for an increase in local ownership limits to 10 and 12 in a market?

And on the other hand, I have not heard or seen from one of the supporters of HR 848 anything about the state of media ownership being an important issue. More diversity in the media ownership landscape including females will be more beneficial to everyone including the musicians and performers. With more diverse owners more people can have an opportunity for employment and more opportunities for new music to be played.

At one time an announcer could lose his job on one station and be hired on another station in the same city. Today an announcer loses his job and 9 out of 10 time the company that fired him owns the station where he is seeking employment.

Conyers should continue the fight he waged in 1996 as he voted against the 1996 Telecommunications Act. The FCC needs to be held accountable for the mess it created. The dismal state of minority and female ownerships need be addressed and solutions provided. The fight for equal access to media ownership is far more important to democracy and diversity. As Media Access Project Andrew Schartzman testified "A more diverse marketplace of ideas creates a more democratic society. Frankly, minorities know a lot more about the lifestyle, customs and traditions of the majority white culture than white people know about minority cultures. In short, I need widespread minority ownership at least as much as minorities do.

The Prime Minister.

What A Wonderful Memorial Service

2009-07-07T20:48:00.000-07:00

It must be my old age because I did not have a dry eye during the entire 2:15 minute celebration of life for the World's Greatest Entertainer Michael Jackson.

I guess my eyes welled during the wait for the start of the program. When the gold casket was rolled in the flow began. Trying to watch the service with no emotion and staying strong was not going to happen with me. My hat is off to all the folks who held their cool.

Man, This was It. Michael is gone. God took him back from this mess and God doesn't make mistakes. The world will miss Michael and the world showed it on Tuesday. The Internet was jammed, folks were glued to the TV, and radios were tuned to the service. This was a massive show of Love. And it took God to do what he did to show the world the gift that he gave to us. Some folk should be holding their heads down in shame.

Everything during the memorial was magnificent, dignified, and professional. No one can imagine or feel the hole that is left in the Jackson family. Pray for them. In a few days the toxic sludge and media viruses will attempt to weaken the legacy of Michael Jackson. Marlon said it best "Maybe now they will leave him alone." Unfortunately, that is not going to happen.

Soon after Michael expired the media was repeating, Michael Jackson is in financial trouble with over a 400 million dollar debt. Michael was such a shrewd and intelligent businessman that his estate is worth billions even with the debt. The media stopped the debt mess after realizing that in death Michael was outselling all the current artists. Then oddly more mess is occurring with cries from folk saying the media has been paying to much attention to Michael Jackson.

Well Fox News continued with their reporting/distorting during the memorial. So as the late Clara Peller said "Where's the Beef?" Like I posted earlier, Mr Jackson made a lot of people rich and people will still be getting rich after his death. And according to the values of the celebrity media culture that we have in America. Michael deserved the attention and more. Barry Gordy said the label King of Pop was not big enough for Michael. He became the Greatest Entertainer of All Time.

I stood up for Reverend Al Sharpton because he kept it real. He said Thank You Michael. Although others in the media called his words "controversial." Reverend Al preached to the family like a "minister" should have.

What I hope that doesn't get lost about Michael Jackson is the fact that he "studied" the greats. He was always asking questions. He wanted to know everything about his craft. He became the best because he studied all the best and was willing to work hard to attain it. And most of all he kept loving even when many people turned their back on him.

The Prime Minister

WOW The Mighty OJAYS

2009-06-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

Normally, I don't anticipate watching a television awards show but this year the BET Awards 09 was special. All day I waited for the program because it was billed as a tribute show to Michael Jackson. This production was three days in the making due to the sudden death of the World's Greatest Entertainer. The original planned production was abandoned in respect to the entertainment icon. If anyone is still confused and doubting the impact that Michael Jackson placed on the World these last few days should provide a clearer picture. No prior entertainer has dominated the media like the passing of Michael Jackson. I'm sure no other entertainer ever will. The World really had something special in Michael. Many of the celebrities talked about how Michael Jackson impacted their lives. The words and memories were fitting to the World's Greatest entertainer. His Father Joe Jackson was in the front row and Janet spoke at the end of the program. The spirit of Michael Jackson must have been in the auditorium.

For me, the special of the night was the performance by the Life Time Achievement Honoree the Mighty, Mighty OJAY'S. It was an amazing performance that pierced through the evening which was dedicated to Michael Jackson. If you missed their performance Sunday Night do not miss the Encore presentation on Tuesday. And don't be hard on Don "Soul Train" Cornelius.

When the O'Jays sang I turned up the volume to hear the Legends from Canton,Ohio and they did not disappoint. Harmony, Harmony and Harmony a straight up singing lesson. Eddie and Walter still have it. And the newest member of the O'Jays hit the notes of the late great O'Jays original member William Powell flawlessly. I mean the O'Jays Sang and "Stepped." Excuse me, you would have to be a fan of singing groups to really appreciate what the O'Jays did on that stage. Don't take my word for it, watch them and turn up the TV as they perform and you will see these "Legends" step and sing great harmony. The harmony itself was music to my ears and that harmony was better with time. I was done after the O'Jays performance. I actually felt better. Micheal's death was heavy on my heart. This weekend seemed so long. I wish singing groups could make a comeback through our younger performers. Maybe our sons and brothers can work it out. BET should have let the O'Jays sing Love Train and that would have been an added tribute to Michael.

The Prime Minister

Michael Jackson, Now Appearing in Heaven with Jackie and James

2009-06-26T00:17:00.000-07:00

When I saw the breaking story on MSNBC I knew this news was going to be really bad. I switched channels and every news outlet was reporting that Michael Jackson had suffered cardiac arrest. As I continued looking at the images, I began praying but when I saw the police starting to redirect traffic near the hospital a tear formed in my eye. I knew then Michael was dead it was just a matter of the news outlets making the announcement. When MSNBC confirmed that Michael had expired. I yelled Oh No!, but the truth is God does not make a mistake he wanted Michael home with him.

My heart immediately went out to his family especially his mother. I remembered my grandmother and the pain she was going through as she looked upon my mother who expired. My grandmother kept saying that's my baby. I feel for Michael's mother and for any mother that has to bury their child.

There will be many debates over the legacy of Michael Jackson. He was a gifted man who spent his entire early life on stage. Michael studied Jackie Wilson and James Brown. He was destined to be a star. I first saw him with the Jackson 5 at the Regal Theather on 47th Street and King Drive(South Park) in 1968 singing "Big Boy." They were good. In his career as a member of the family group and soloist Michael Jackson has influenced legions of entertainers.

He was innovative to the music industry creating the first music videos. Michael Jackson made a lot of people rich. His style set standards for all other entertainers. Thriller sold 100 million copies worldwide. Some artist won't sell that many records in 5 lifetimes. He led the way. Despite what was printed in the media, I never believed one thing that was printed or broadcasted. I took Michael at his word. Michael was a victim of his own stardom. None of us can image what he had to go through. And none of us will ever see the likes of an entertainer like him again.

The Prime Minister

True, But the Issue is Greater than Radio One

2009-06-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

Black Radio Doesn't Deserve Our Help

Why should we run to black radio’s defense when it has failed black communities so terribly?

By: Mark Anthony Neal | Posted: May 27, 2009 at 6:35 AM

On May 13, more than 200 protesters gathered outside the Detroit offices of House Judiciary Chairman and longtime Michigan representative John Conyers, who sponsored the controversial Performance Rights Act (HR 848). Known as the "performance tax," the bill would require that radio stations pay yearly license fees for the right to play music on the air.

The protest was sponsored by Radio One, the largest black-owned radio company in the country, with over 50 stations in nearly 20 markets and an increasing share of the so-called urban market via TV One, Giant magazine and the signature syndicated drive-time program, The Tom Joyner Morning Show. Radio One's "Save Black Radio" campaign responds to fears that the new law would hurt already struggling black-owned radio stations.

What's not clear to me is why we should be crying any tears for Radio One. It is BET without the rump-shaking videos, and it's nearly as destructive in warping the musical and communal values that have historically made radio an institution in black communities. This is the very same industry that has effectively shut out independent artists, put out music and lyrics that degrade women and warp the values of children.

Why should we run to black radio's defense when it has failed black communities so terribly?

To be clear, the debates about the Performance Rights Act are part of an ongoing struggle between record companies (the major global conglomerates, Warner Music Group, EMI, Sony and Universal Music Group) and large radio broadcasters such as Clear Channel, CBS Radio and Radio One.

Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is pushing the bill in an effort to combat the long-known, though often-denied practice of "pay for play." The practice was brilliantly captured in a series of Salon essays by Eric Boehlert, and three years ago then-New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer forced Universal Music Group into a $12-million settlement in response to claims that the company had engaged in pay-for-play tactics.

In this light, the Performance Rights Act is simply payback (reparations, perhaps) with a stream of money going from the radio stations back to the record companies.

Both record companies and the radio industry have touted the adverse impact on artists if the bill passes or fails. Both arguments are disingenuous given the exploitative relationship they have with talent.

As industry analyst Cedric Muhammad noted a few years ago, Radio One was notorious for admonishing on-air talent who played music that was not sanctioned by the company, making it difficult for independent artists to get airplay. Understandably, Radio One's own corporate ambitions were tied to their willingness to play the game on the recording industry's term, and accordingly now that the environment has changed, they are trying to reverse course. Black radio used to be a place that was supportive of local and independent artists. For many, the idea of black radio has long been dead as companies like Clear Channel and Emmis (parent company of New York's famed Hot 97) have effectively mined the field for "authentic" black on-air talent, to give the impression of being "black-owned," while having little to do with the black communities they ostensibly exist to serve. In a highly competitive marketplace, black-owned radio stations have had little choice but to try to replicate the successes of the ClearChannels of the nation.

Even those Radio One partners such as The Tom Joyner Morning Show and The Michael Baisden Show, who were admirable in their roles during the 2008 election season, are problematic in the ways that they privilege national issues over the kinds of vital local concerns that radio stations have historically shed light on. In his important book Fighting for Air: The Battle to Control America's Media, Eric Klinenberg provides examples of radio conglomerates that didn't have personnel on the ground at local stations and thus were unable to warn their local listening audiences of impending dangers. Because smaller radio stations were often the only places where real independent artists could get any airplay, this bill will be detrimental to independent artists, as Tony Muhammad recently noted.

To be sure, the economic impact that the Performance Rights Act will have on black and community-based radio stations are real, particularly those without the corporate profile of Radio One. Historically, black radio has been indispensible to the social and political gains of black Americans, as William Barlow and Brian Ward attest to in their respective books, Voice Over: The Making of Black Radio and Radio and the Struggles for Civil Rights in the South.

But as new technologies emerge, so have new opportunities, particularly under difficult economic conditions. As such, this is a moment that demands new models (indeed, the use of podcasts and online programming like that of Bob Davis' Soul-Patrol Radio points the way) and perhaps "black radio" as we know it and as Radio One has represented it, needs to die, in order for black radio to survive.

Mark Anthony Neal is professor of black popular culture in the Department of African and African-American Studies at Duke University. He is the author of several books including What the Music Said: Black Popular Music and Black Public Culture and the forthcoming Looking for Leroy: (Il)Legible Black Masculinities. A version of this essay first appeared on his blog.

___________________________________________________________

Reggie Miles comments

All the complaints about Radio One and other media corporations are the reasons why Black people should rise and protest the state of media. I agree that if the radio industry should "bottom out"that would be a good thing for the big media corporations to die. Now is the time for media reform groups to mobilize for change from the corporate giants who have devoured the public airwaves for commercial gain. It is not the time to throw the hands up in disgust, intellectualize about the ills and abandon Black Radio. The radio spectrum is vital and diverse people should have access to it.

The solution to the present media situation is a matter of becoming active and political towards changing the rules to benefit more than a few white males. There are several media reform groups working towards better media. Free Press has an excellent beginner's guide. The so called deregulation is not working. Is it true that small businesses drive this country? Then radio should become a small business enterprise as it once was.

There should be ownership limits in radio. It is apparent that large companies do not adequately serve the public. People are complaining about radio and several studies have been completed. One of the most detailed studies on radio was done by the Future of Music Coalition. Now is the time to raise our voices in protest about the media. In our debates let's continue to educate the masses about a sick and greedy media system.

The Free Press provides and excellent Media Policy 101 guide. With ownership limits more people will have an opportunity to be owners. With that said the focus should be on securing diversity of ownership which is what the FCC should be doing. The Center for American Progress details the importance of diversity in the study Local Diversity Matters. The frustration concerning Black Radio should be directed at the FCC through massive amounts of letters and emails to the FCC. Also include your Congressman and Senator. The FCC has updated the Public and Broadcasting which summarizes information about the FCC and Broadcasting.

New media and technologies are great and it is a good thing that the Internet is available to all but do not sleep on the fact that "big conglomerates" see the Internet as another revenue stream and want to control the pipeline to create a tollway for more revenue and gate keeping.

Support Network Neutrality and don't overlook or give away radio. Consider this, if the new media is going to move people away from radio Why does big business want to keep a dying medium? The reason is because radio is the most personal and immediate of all mediums and the future of radio is brighter through Digital and HD broadcasts. Radio is the grand daddy of the electronic media and has survived through many changes and will survive through changes brought on by itself. Why give up the grandfather?

Disappearing Voices: The Documentary

2009-06-20T21:22:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the ICE Theaters and 1690 am WVON for co sponsoring the screening of Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio, in Chicago. The 7:00 PM showing on Friday June 19th was well attended. Although I personally would have liked to see a packed house. The response was refreshing. This film is an eye opener. It holds you through 60 minutes of information packed images on the role of communication in the lives of African Americans. This bold presentation won't be advertised through "mainstream" media because the content will wake radio listeners up.

Now if you decide to see for yourself the film and I recommended that you do. View Disappearing Voices looking at the greater picture. The content of the film is not an exhaustive history of Black Radio, that would take a 6 Disc DVD set. View it with some young adults. Purchase the DVD and make it the focus of a special family gathering. Disappearing Voices is great for a gathering at a Church. Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio lets you know the important role of media communication in our culture.

After seeing the film, there was a discussion hosted by WVON that wasn't long enough. Several in the audience wanted to discuss the film longer than the 25 minutes alloted. It's just that good that it makes you want to talk about radio. Unfortunately, the film producer and director were unable to join us in Chicago, their presence in the Q&A after the film would have surely helped to raise a great wave of activism which is really the intent of this film. It reminds me of the song by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes ---- Wake Up! ---- Everybody..

And thanks to the everyone at Blackwaxx.com for making Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio. You can pre order your copy at http://www.disappearingvoices.com/preorder.html

Incidentally, there is a History of Black Radio Documentary in the works and I can't wait for it !

The Prime Minister

It's Time to Hold Black Radio and the FCC Accountable

2009-06-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

Let me begin with this, Radio One is not the only reason for the lack of quality programming, news, public affairs and whatever in Black Radio. There are other Black corporate owners doing the same things as Radio One. Now I do not endorse the business practices of Black corporate radio but I understand why they do what they do. Is that right or wrong? I won’t judge because given the same hand I’d probably play it the same way.

Today’s Black owners who took their business practice to Madison Avenue walked into a den of sharks. It’s like rolling the dice in a crap game with the richest men in the world. They can fade anything you put up. They only let you come to the table so that they can take what you own in the end. Pray for the survival of our Black Owners. They are in a game that is extremely hard to win.

It's a funny thing about the game of "Monopoly." A person can never win in another person's house. The rules always are changing. When they (white males) wanted to change the rules in the media they created an ideology. They called it "Deregulation" which was really a cover name for rewriting the (Communications Act of 1934) rules to benefit a select few white males. The problems with Black Radio are not the entire fault of Cathy Hughes and Radio One. Please remember that to stay in the game you must play the game according to the(their) rules.

Over 40 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King noted the importance of Black Radio. What Martin Luther King described in 1967 as the role of the Black radio announcer was true. And what he said is exactly the reason for controlling the airwaves today. Through radio Black people managed to come together, stay informed and made political gains however that did not go unnoticed. There was a concerted effort to rid the African American communities of conscious "Black DJ's" and it was Black DJ's that did the handiwork.

Unknowingly some of the brightest Black minds in communication led to the demise of Black radio. It was black men that offered the format "More Music and Less Talk" killing the personality DJ that black people thrived on. It was a Black DJ that was hell bent on "Crossover Music/Radio." The Black DJ was a highly respected individual of the community. The DJ according to Professor Gilbert A Williams was a cultural hero.

Black radio began to decline when (white males) realized how much money could be made in the Black Community through radio. Black owners should be commended for surviving the "hell" they have had to endure to stay in business. Madison Avenue and Wall Street are on a mission to "Takeover Black Radio" and the entertainment industry period. Oh yeah, three of the four major record labels are now owned by International Companies.

Broadcast ownership rules and telecom policy were rewritten through stealth legislation to benefit "investors." It all started with calling radio a "product” or “commodity” then arguing for a "Marketplace approach to Broadcast Regulation." This happened in 1981 under President Ronald Reagan. FCC Chairman Mark S. Fowler spearheaded the rhetoric of the Marketplace Approach to Regulation. However the seeds for change were planted under President Carter and the deal sealed under the Clinton administration.

You see while Black people were striving to dominate the world of entertainment. White males were striving to change the rules to control all the venues. It’s amazing that there exist any local concert promoters today. Clear Channel owns radio, the billboards, concert promotions and major concert venues. Rap Brown said we dominate the field of entertainment but we don't control the field of entertainment.

Yes it's time to hold Black radio accountable, but the push can't stop there. Cries of localism, diversity, and equal opportunity should rise from Black people to the FCC. We want Local Radio! We want local Radio! We Want radio regulated to serve the public interest.

For Black radio, Tom Joyner, Steve Harvey, Doug Banks, Russ Parr, Yolanda Adams, Michael Basiden and other syndicated hosts are not the answer. Radio should always be local.

The only thing that can change this situation is for an informed Black people to Rise. The information you obtain about radio cannot come from the folks in radio. Many of them want to maintain the status quo. Align yourself with organizations that wish to challenge radio as it is.

An organized people can beat organized money.

The Prime Minister

Check This Out. I thought this was done very nice.

Syndication or Localism that is the question?

2009-06-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

In the wake of the Chicago showing of the long awaited documentary film Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio. The Prime Minister felt the need to reprint an article by the U-Savior, director of the film Disappearing Voices written nearly a year ago addressing an August 2008 feature in Black Enterprise entitled “Money, Power & Black Radio: How Steve Harvey and Tom Joyner Capture Your Ears and Dollars,” written by George Alexander.

GUEST COMMENTARY

Money, Black Power and radio

By U-Savior Washington

Published Aug 14, 2008 10:52 PM

U-Savior

The August 2008 issue of Black Enterprise featured an article entitled “Money, Power & Black Radio: How Steve Harvey and Tom Joyner Capture Your Ears and Dollars” written by George Alexander. In the article Alexander points out the viability of Black radio in today’s market—despite the seemingly obvious challenges.

As is the case with the approach to many of the problems affecting Black people in America today, the article addresses the “symptoms” and treats them as the focus rather than reaching deeper to present an accurate analysis of the problems facing a medium that has always been under siege.

The article cites “a rapidly changing industry” and ‘brutal competition” as some of the major obstacles facing Black radio today. It claims that the medium “can survive through syndicated programming and bold entrepreneurial moves.”

But what causes these inequities? There are stations that are doing well despite the market’s overall slump. So why is it that with all the sound business models they could emulate, Black radio still struggles? Why has it historically had difficulty competing despite the fact that Black music (or urban, as it is called today) is one of the most popular genres in the world?

The article makes no mention of the historically inequitable treatment that Black radio station owners receive at the hands of Arbitron, the radio ratings system which discounts Black-owned and -programmed radio stations through inaccurate, outdated and racially biased measurement systems. Nor does it mention the Madison Avenue executives who render Black radio unprofitable by refusing to pay premium advertising rates, even though these stations enjoy the largest audience across the board.

Alexander points out that Black radio suffers because a Beyonce, for example, can be heard on many mainstream stations and that listeners need not tune in to exclusively Black-programmed stations to hear her music. But it neglects to deal with the aspects that historically set Black radio apart from all other radio in the first place and that are now nonexistent: serious Black talk and personality radio.

During its golden age Black radio was exciting because it allowed listeners to hear new music; it made listeners enthusiastic about the listening experience because the jocks viewed their uniqueness as a strength. Now we’re forced to hear the same ten songs by the same five artists over and over, played by disc jockeys who promise not to talk too much.

Today’s mainstream Black radio does not deal with Black issues in the unapologetic manner that helped it make a connection with the community. Bob Law’s show, Night Talk, was popular not solely because it was syndicated. It was popular because Bob Law’s approach to politics and culture was relevant, and the show’s content was potent. Comparing the availability of a Black crossover pop artist to the availability of the kind of political content and local coverage offered from the 1960s through the 1980s does us a disservice.

As pointed out in the Black Waxx Multimedia, Inc. film “Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio,” it is not simply the artists or the jocks who are disappearing. Nor is it simply their absence that renders Black radio impotent. It is the fact that the voice of the community they represent has no forum.

Racism and inequality

The Alexander article sought to treat the predicament of Black radio as merely an economic one, when in fact politics and America’s inherent racism are to blame. Even from an economic standpoint we must go back to the beginning of Black people’s presence in this country. While whites owned businesses and set up institutions, Blacks were forced to work for free. Even at the point of the emancipation of the enslaved there were no programs set up so Blacks could “catch up.”

The disparities grew exponentially as time passed. When radio spectrum licenses were first given out, Blacks were excluded. We can’t imagine there is a level playing field in the radio industry today when there is still a need for affirmative action in the workplaces and educational institutions across the nation.

The answer to conglomeration and racism is not an updated business model. The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters complains about the monopoly that conglomerates like Clear Channel enjoy, but there is more to the story than that. Arbitron and Madison Avenue work to keep Black radio poor, patronizing it with substandard rates to maintain their false face of diversity. White-owned media enjoy proliferation while Black-owned radio struggles to stay afloat. Meanwhile NABOB members won’t go for the jugular because they need the crumbs the ad execs dangle in front of them in order to survive.

How can the station owners be sure of their audience when they can’t trust the people measuring them? And if Arbitron’s numbers can’t be trusted, how many times will station owners continue to change their format without questioning the fact that no matter what they play they get paid the same substandard rates for airtime?

Another factor that isn’t taken into consideration is the role the Federal Communications Commission plays–or doesn’t play. The FCC is supposed to protect the interests of the public by seeing to it that radio station owners operate with some level of responsibility to the public, which includes offering programming that serves the community as well as protecting station owners from being forced out of business by monopolies. Clear Channel and Infinity Broadcasting are stark evidence that the FCC is not doing that job. In the article there is no mention of holding this government body accountable.

The fact is most people may not listen to the radio anymore because they sense a lack of loyalty on the part of these owners. A huge sector of the Black population wants more from Black radio than relationship guidance, gossip, comedy and Jesus. They want to be taken seriously from a political perspective. They want radio that reflects their local issues.

They don’t want Black-faced radio that furthers a white-business/political/cultural agenda. They want Black radio that reflects what is best and brightest about their community. You can’t have that if a guy who’s never been to their town and who doesn’t know about the young boy who was killed by police that week is on the radio during all the prime times. Meanwhile coverage of local activists who make positive changes in the community is replaced by gossip jocks whose sole contribution to the airwaves is “who’s sleeping with who, who’s gay, and whose breasts are fake.”

We need to make room for our best and brightest. There are too many charismatic and informed individuals who need access to the microphone. Regardless of the success of a few chosen ones, if we settle for anything less, we can’t really call it Black radio with a clear conscience.

The writer is with Black Waxx Multimedia, Inc. and is the director of the documentary, “Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio.” Go to www.disappearingvoices.com. Email:info@blackwaxx.com.

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10 month later in the midst of crisis African American owners asked Black people to "help us save Black Radio" while on the other hand African American owners have selfishly operated under the mantra of the Gospel of Wealth and Greed centralizing operations through technology using big names, cutting valuable jobs and opportunity. Syndication they claim will save us from our financial burdens and syndicated programming is better because it's produced better. Bigger media is not better media. I wonder has Black Radio asked Black people what they want? And will they provide it?

The Prime Minister

The Gospel Sister Resigns

2009-06-17T08:56:00.000-07:00

Pam Morris submitted her resignation to the Mayor's Office of Special Events after 20 years as the Chicago Gospel Music Festival Coordinator. News of the resignation shocked the Chicago Gospel Community. Pam Morris affectionately know as "The Gospel Sister" called the Prime Minister to give the news of the decision direct from the source. I was flattered to be thought of in such a way.
Pam made it clear that she has done all she could do and accomplished every planned goal during her 20 year tenure as coordinator the World's first and largest open air Gospel Music festival. "The Lord said it's time to move on. I want to devote more time to my church, family, and grand children but first I have to find Pam again" said Ms. Morris. Also, The Gospel Sister stated that she is not resigning from Gospel Radio though. She will continue every Sunday with Gospel music on 1690 AM WVON and devote her energies towards bringing light to the senseless gun violence among the youth in Chicago.

The task of coordinating an event of the magnitude of the Chicago Gospel Music Festival is not an easy task. The festival was not without problems and controversy. Chicago politics and the religious community are deep waters to navigate. Pam should be commended for navigating at the helm for 20 years. The mere fact that a city sponsors a "Gospel Music Festival" can cause serious legal and first amendment issues. However, Gospel Music is an original art form that proliferated out of the South Side of Chicago. There had to be a way that Chicago could sponsor the event. Gospel Music is the best contribution that Chicago through Dr. Thomas A Dorsey has given to the World. In 1984 under Mayor Harold Washington the city officially recognized the Gospel Music Festival.

There is a saying in the Gospel Community that states "When one door closes another is ready to be opened. The Lord will Make A Way !" Thanks Pam for a job well done and a standard that the new coordinator will have to reach. May God Bless You and your family.

The Prime Minister

A Federal Bailout For Black Radio? Under What Conditions?

2009-06-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

From the Black Agenda Report

By BAR managing editor Bruce A. Dixon

There's a hilarious Direct TV commercial which takes place in the boardroom of a giant cable TV corporation. The not-too-bright suits at the table acknowledge that Direct TV is killing them, but one has a solution. “Two words,” he says. “Federal. Bailout. Read a paper. Everybody's doing it.” They all concur and nod in unison. A May 19 article in The Hill by Silla Brush confirms that reality has overtaken satire.

High-ranking House Democrats are urging the Treasury Department to prop up minority-owned broadcasters suffering from a lack of capital and lost advertising revenue amid the economic slump.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) is leading an effort to convince Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to take “decisive action” by extending credit to this sector of the broadcasting industry.

Clyburn and other senior members, including House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), argue that minority-owned broadcasters are sound businesses, but that the recession could undermine the government’s efforts to diversify the airwaves.

A number of members from the Congressional Black Caucus signed the letter, too.

So nobody is laughing. One of the most powerful congressmen on Capitol Hill wants bailout money allocated to black radio. Why? To start with, Radio One and the other leading African American owned broadcasters are pitifully small compared to Clear Channel, CBS and the big boys. Black radio is indeed suffering, and the reasons have nothing to do with the so-called “free market.”

“Free markets,” in fact, have never had anything to do with how the U.S. broadcast industry operates. The broadcast airwaves were not invented by some smart engineer or clever entrepreneur, they are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, along with gamma radiation and sunshine. The radio-TV broadcast spectrum is thus a limited public resource. Broadcast licenses are monopoly licenses awarded by the government to a select few wealthy individuals and corporations from which those wealthy few reap tens of billions in annual profits. Though licenses are supposedly awarded on the condition that broadcasters operate in the public interest, no broadcaster in U.S. history has ever had a license revoked for flunking this test.

If a public interest test for broadcast licensees were ever administered, few if any commercial broadcasters would pass. That certainly includes black radio. Where a generation ago black radio deployed local news gathering organizations in dozens of cities across the country, with black journalists ferreting out local news, there is not a single urban radio station standing with a news gathering operation. Journalism on black radio has been dead so long that no adults under 45 can recall what it looked or sounded like. The premiere black-owned radio chain, Radio One pioneered the cutting of newsrooms and their replacement with cheaper and more profitable talk shows, mostly about celebrities and relationships.

It's not as if black owned radio stations manage to serve the public on the artistic end either. As Davey D points out on Jared Ball's Jazz And Justice, the playlists for white owned stations aiming their programming at black audiences are the same as Radio One's. The corrupt regime of payola rules the airwaves on black owned stations, just as it does on white ones, depriving audiences of the opportunity to hear newer and local artists. A recent study by the Future of Music Coalition indicated that up to half the songs played on the top four radio chains are oldies. Radio One was not among the chains audited, but their playlists differ in no other discernible ways from their white owned competitors.

HR 848, the so-called performance rights legislation will doubtless further disadvantage black radio station owners because it will, in effect, legalize payola, and give the biggest chains more leverage in dealing with labels than smaller ones. Under HR 848 as presently written major chains like Clear Channel will be able, as Davey D points out, to cut deals with labels that ban airplay on competing stations. Radio One founder Cathy Hughes may not be entirely wrong when she predicts the end of commercial black radio.

Still it is impossible to justify a federal bailout of any commercial broadcaster when none of the commercial broadcasters are honoring their public service obligations. News departments on black and white radio, and on TV for that matter were dumped because, as Dr. Robet McChesney has pointed out for about a decade, entertainment is more profitable than news.

The crisis of black radio is an opportunity for African American communities, and for all Americans. It's one of our best, and maybe one of our last chances to impose stiff news and public service requirements upon broadcasters, requirements that they have successfully evaded since the FCC was founded more than seventy years ago. If leading House Democrats and the Congressional Black Caucus are really interested in reviving and revitalizing the institution of black radio, they need to lead and participate in a public discussion of how news coverage affects communities, how payola shuts down the careers of local artists, and what the public service obligations of broadcasters really should be.

Since radio broadcasting has never been and never will be a “free market” and the principle is well established in law that broadcasters hold their licenses on the condition of public service, the arguments about government “not picking winners” are just nonsense designed to protect the ill-gotten and irresponsible gains of those who run our airwaves for their private profit today. If a bailout of broadcasters is contemplated, there must be congressional hearings that explore what the public service obligations of broadcasters are, and stiff measures instituted to strip the licenses of those who fail to meet them. Should every station with gross revenue of say, $1.2 million annually be required to field a news department covering school boards, local issues and local politics? Should stations be required to play new and local artists in every market? What rights will the public have to police and enforce the service requirements of broadcasters?

If members of the Congressional Black Caucus are serious about saving black radio, they will need public support. They won't get and don't deserve it without a public discussion, without hearings in cities like Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia. Before any bailout of broadcasters, black or otherwise is contemplated, we have to have this conversation. BAR reached out to the office of Congressman Clyburn early this week and received no response. We will continue to call Rep. Clyburn's office on this subject.

Let's Move On

2009-06-05T22:28:00.000-07:00

Wednesday June 3rd supporters of the Local Radio Freedom Act declared

That Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over-the-air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.

The language is clear. This resolution is supported by 222 members of Congress which is over half and counting. The success of the Performance Rights Act HR 848 appears to have stalled.

Actually, I was invigorated by all the responses on both sides of this issue. I am a life long radio man. My opinion is that artist should take the battle to the record companies. Quoting from the producer of Disappearing Voices Iyanna Jones, "I think to pay artists on major labels that are getting a lot of money or are getting huge advances should not be a priority as far as the Black community is concerned." With that said, let's move on and focus on the real issues concerning the Black community about radio.

Many individuals voiced and posted their issues with radio in cyberspace and that was encouraging because people are tired of listening to what they are hearing. Radio is an important medium that should not be overlooked. The best thing that can happen for the Black community is to wake up the sleeping giant within us and come together to demand greater participation in media ownership and better quality from Black radio. Equal access is paramount.

There were so many attacks on Radio One that they seemed personal. The picture is bigger than Radio One. There should competition between Black Owners too. It would great to have at least two different Black owners in every major metro areas where millions of Blacks are. There is no competition in Radio everybody is doing the same thing. And the Telecommunications Act supposedly was to bring more competition to the communities. It did not. Our legislators who supported the Act were "bamboozled."

Think about this, questioning the legislation that has radio operating the way it does today. We can't blame Radio One, for going into syndication. When their competitors 96% of them syndicate programming. Syndication technology and programming saves millions of dollars through human resource elimination. Faced with the same choices as Radio One you would probably do the same thing. So cut them some slack and focus on changing rules/legislation to bring diverse and local programming to the radio.

I do not like syndicated programming it's built on the same business formula that all syndication uses. Do not forget that radio today is not intended to elevate community consciousness. For example, In Chicago where I live part-time, murders among young people have escalated tremendously. No one in syndication can address that local issue. I remember back in the day when "Real Black Radio" existed WVON had Operation Crime Stop, segments designed to help stop crime. Where is that today when it is needed? Oh yeah, Radio is caught up in humor, celebrity gossip and who's making love to who or what. Radio as a social agent has been axed from the Black Community, unless it is something like the Jena 6. We barely hear news headlines. Urban Radio today is focused towards greed instead of community need.

The Prime Minister.

People Get Ready - A Film to Open Our Eyes

2009-06-02T20:04:00.000-07:00

There is great anticipation by the Prime Minister for the release of this film "Disappearing Voices". As a life long student of the medium that helped me get over my fear of being alone in the dark, this film hopefully will educate Blacks in America that radio is a medium worth fighting for. The problem with radio is radio itself and that African Americans seem to have forgotten what radio actually contributed to the Black Community. Radio was once an adhesive that connected communities together. The personalities were once cultural heroes. Black Radio was central to the struggle. You mean to tell me that we've arrived and the struggle is over! I don't think so. Actually through "Disappearing Voices" the struggle must go into high gear with an effort to reclaim Black radio.

There has been plenty of criticism about radio in the last few weeks and some people want to abandon it altogether. The Performance Rights Act has complicated the issue more and African Americans are a house divided. It's time to remember what radio was and put some value to that history. A friend made a point that was very profound. He said, "There were great DJ personalities in every city in this country and we've forgotten about them and we're forgetting about radio." What he said made me think. I can still remember the Good Guys at WVON in Chicago. And I'm sure many of you can remember your favorite DJ's from your city.

We've lost localism, we're losing ownership and the identity of Black Radio. Today what we hear on radio is a showcase of promotions and buffoonery. That's Urban Radio and not Black Radio. Black radio was conscientiousness, political, informative and entertaining. Was Black Radio really that bad or was Black Radio actually that good? The film Disappearing Voices will answers many questions. This film will be shared with my students because they will have to live with and straighten out the mess that is radio today.

For more information go to http://www.disappearingvoices.com/
Check out the Trailer

Iyanna Jones Disappearing Voices Interview
Check out the Interview

The Prime Minister.

No to HR 848

2009-05-31T20:52:00.000-07:00

So much has been discussed about HR 848; the Performance Rights Act that it’s time for the Prime Minister to weigh in on the matter with a “No" to HR 848. I’ve read the opinions in support of HR 848 from musicFirst which ignited the concern over performance rights copyright/compensation. On the musicFirst website it states, “People who love music understand that creativity, talent and hard work are required to bring it to life. The goal of the musicFIRST (Fairness in Radio Starting Today) Coalition is to ensure that aspiring performers, local musicians and well-known artists are compensated for their music when it is played both today and in the future."

At first glance the aim looks good but when you research how the creators will get paid I have a problem with the mission. Almost every artist can tell you stories about how they have been swindled and beaten by record companies. The public has seen it glamorized in films like the Five Hearts Beats. Cadillac Records, and the Temptations. I wonder why in the world artists and musicians want the record companies to handle the monies again. Under HR 848 the revenues from the performance fee automatically go to the record companies which then distributes the money to the artist with the record company getting half off the top. It’s seemed under this relationship the “creators” are allowing themselves to be swindled again. That’s like asking the same person who has slapped you once to slap you again.

Let’s take a look at what is fair. When music is played on the radio the “creators” are being exposed to the public. They are getting free advertisement. Radio is the most immediate and personal of all mediums. If the song is a “hit” and let me make mention that not every song created is a hit. The record company benefits through the free exposure through increased record sales. Radio airplay increases music sales and performing artists and record labels profit from exposure provided by radio airplay. In fact, according to recent research, radio is providing the record industry with significant, incremental sales revenues or promotional sales benefit that ranges from $1.5 to $2.4 billion annually according to James N. Dertouzos, Ph.D.

The fairness in compensation I think should come from the relationship of the artist with the record company. Supporters of the Performance Rights Acts seems to have forgotten that that the free radio airplay leads to building the artist to the point where people are willing to pay for the music and anything else associated with the artist. The impact estimated from exposure to music on the radio is shown to be positive and significant for all music genres and radio formats. Each time an artist wins an award that artist says I want to thank Radio.

There is too much emphasis on what someone else is making as opposed to making sure you get the compensation from who is really responsible to compensate you. Artists are focusing on the 18 billion dollar revenue generated from advertising annually; well that revenue from advertising is not the same today. Advertisers are spending less on radio. And Radio stations are spending most of the 18 billion to service its own debt. Radio is not asking for or trying to get a cut of the artists share of concert revenue!.

Record companies failed to prepare and lost millions as the Internet ushered in the digital age. Does anyone remember Napster? The biggest seller of music today is iTunes. Music distribution has gone to bits! The record industry forgot to do their homework and did not invest in research to find and create new models to secure revenue in the digital era. It’s all about bits not mass CD’s.

Radio is not responsible for the lost revenues the music industry incurred due to Napster and other file sharing enterprises. The record industry wants to end and overlook the symbiotic relationship with radio that both industries profited from and make radio pay a performance fee. Presently radio pays nearly 500 million annually to writers and publisher. The record industry convinced several artists and politicians that the fair thing to do is ask Congress to review copyright law and make radio stations pay a performance fee for sound recordings because everybody on the Internet does.

I don’t know but to me that’s like holding a homeowner liable for an accident that occurred in front of their home. When the homeowner did not tell the driver to drive down his block or was the homeowner driving the car at the time of the accident. The driver and the insurance company are responsible. The compensation to the artist should come from the record company and the artist should negotiate performance compensation before radio plays the song .

The fair, present and future compensations the artist seeks should come from the revenue the record makes from sales and other promotions. The record companies are responsible for the artist losing revenue at the start of the digital era because the record company lacked future vision when the digital era arrived and did not invest in preparing to save and secure itself from losing revenues. It's not fair to radio that artists and record companies are allowed to create a compensation scheme to essentially make up for the lost revenue. An additional fee could motivate broadcasters to reduce the amount of music played. Such reductions would harm broadcasters, their listeners, copyright owners, and likely consumers of recorded music.

Supporters of the Performance Right Act also argue that other countries allow a Performance Fee. I don’t know the history of relationships of how other countries handle radio and the music industry. However, I will be arrogant to say this. No other country is as diverse as the US in regard to artists and the recording industry, therefore no comparisons or statements alluding to the fairness based on what other countries do in this regard are valid.

Another issue I have with the Performance Rights Act is how the performance fee will affect educational non commercial and community stations which do not allow advertising. . Most of these stations barely make it on their present budgets and this fee will cause many to cease playing music depriving the public of what little new and alternative music that is available on terrestrial stations. Many artists who are really trying to get exposed rely on the college, educational non commercial and community stations to build up their audiences. And it would seem by these stations ceasing to play music that would do more damage than good to the artist.

Incidentally, will mobile DJ’s club owners and restaurants have to pay this fee? That’s a sad state of affairs for the local DJ. I would be very angry with the performance fee. Today Copyright law is being challenged where anyone can will try to loop a loop in a loophole. Everybody wants to keep getting paid.

If I owned a radio station and this Act became law the first thing I would do is make it more costly for music to be played on the air. Somebody is going to have to pay for fee I have to pay, Right? New artists will undoubtedly have to pay more to get their music exposed. And that exposure will be for a limited time on radio. Artist with the oldies but goodies can forget it, there will be no more oldies shows it will be too costly to air oldies. So it looks like in the long run the artists both known and unknown will hang themselves if they support this bill. Radio should be exempt from the performance fee because radio was first on the scene. It's like radio is the founder of the organization. Founders have certain rights and exemptions until death and radio is a long way from death. With the new methods of distribution that the digital era provides artist should focus on trying to escape sharing revenue with the record companies.

With all due respect to the supporters of HR 848 the Performance Rights Act, I respectfully disagree and support H. Con. Res. 49 the Local Radio Freedom Act.

The Prime Minister

A Great Man

2009-05-29T17:10:00.000-07:00

On Friday Morning, Chicago’s gospel community paid tribute to a friend and colleague Deacon Anthony Harper whom the Lord called home for his next mission.

Tony, as he was affectionately called was a member of Visions, a Gospel Announcer, writer, FBI Intelligence Analyst, veteran, son, father, and husband died May 21. He was 49 years old.

The homegoing celebration for Tony was held at Valley Kingdom Ministries with Bishop Joseph A. McCargo from Laurel, Maryland Officiating. Bishop McCargo set the tone for a decent and orderly service for Anthony Harper whom he described as a “Great Man.” Pastor Willie James Campbell added to the wonderful characterization of Tony Harper and led a prayer like only he can encouraging the family to live and comforting wife Rose with “Don’t Worry,” canceling whatever the enemy meant for harm. The spirit made its way “In This Place.”

Friend and colleague Cedric Ford lead Visions in a stirring musical selection “In This Place” as the casket of Anthony Harper was being closed. Those moments brought tears to the eyes of the Prime Minister as I watched Rose Harper, say goodbye to her beloved husband with a gentle touch and kiss then Rose stood at the casket supporting the entire family. One could not help to feel for Rose in this time of bereavement but my heart broke witnessing Anthony‘s mother say goodbye to her son.

Among the Chicago gospel community who paid their respects included Dr. Dennis Cole, Pastor John Hannah and Bishop Larry Trotter. Deacon Dr. Dennis Cole, president of the Chicago Area Gospel Announcers Guild acknowledged the good work of Tony and described him as a towering gentle giant. I personally did not envy the task of Deacon Cole because he was on the program before the one and only Pastor John Hannah.

Pastor Hannah broke the sadness and stiffness in the sanctuary with laughter jokingly saying as he approached the podium to speak, "Let's give a hand to the Funeral Director" referring to Deacon Cole. Folks in the sanctuary were applauding before Pastor Hannah told them Deacon Cole is not a Funeral Director. After a few other personal remarks Pastor Hannah proceeded to bring the word. "Why does a bad thing happen to good people," He asked? Then he broke down the story of Job in his unique and powerful way and concluded his brilliant exhortation with "where are my worshipers at"? The exhortation made everyone in the sanctuary stop, think and applaud.

Shekinah Glory took the stage and moved the service deeper in the spirit with “Fall on Me” followed by remarks from friends and co-workers including two US Marines veterans, members of the Lindbloom Alumni Association, Apostle Kevin Dean and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent in Charge Robert Grant. Everyone spoke highly of Deacon Anthony Harper.

Tony’s best friend Pastor William A. Spann who happens to be Rose’s brother said “Tony was my best friend before he met my sister” then reflected on their relationship and sang To God Be the Glory which brought the crowd again to its feet. Bishop Larry Trotter followed representing the ministers and encouraged everyone that what’s to come is better than what’s been.

The Chicago gospel radio personalities that came out to celebrate the life and legacy of Anthony included Dana Devine, Angela Martin, Traci Kendrick, radio promotions specialist Debra "Snoopy" Hannah and Gerald Montgomery. Among the Gospel artists celebrating the life of Tony were Lonnie Hunter, VaShawn Mitchell, Pastor Chris Harris, William Hamilton, Rickey Dillard, Percy Gray, Gerald Gray, Vanessa Dukes of the Brown Sisters, Shirley Bell, Professor L. Stanley Davis and Felicia Welch. The sanctuary was filled with a who’s who of Chicago Gospel community notables who paid their respect to a giant of the kingdom that poured out his spirit into everyone he came in contact with..

Rest in peace my brother, though you are not with us in body. I rest that you are in the presence of the Lord. Thanks for being a friend.

Respectfully Submitted

Reggie Miles – The Prime Minister.

Smooth Jazz Leaves the Air in Chicago for Spanish format

2009-05-22T23:44:00.000-07:00

During the current economic downturn, broadcast radio continues to make changes to survive. Company decisions are keenly focused toward the financial bottom line and the profitability of the music formats. Today's switch by Clear Channel from Smooth Jazz to a Spanish hot adult contemporary format is purely business. In a report by the Sun Times, "Clear Channel executives blamed their inability to sell advertising against the smooth jazz format in the current radio environment for the need to switch formats at WNUA. " However, what is this "need"?

The need that the executives are referring to is the need that the company has to stay in business. Suddenly smooth jazz is not a viable option to make a profit? On the other hand the need could be "greed" disguised in a desperate attempt to capitalize on the growing Spanish market. From a purely business perspective the switch is a safe move. The Spanish community in the Chicago area as well as other places across the nation are growing. Chicago is not the only city that lost Smooth Jazz. Clear Channel has been switching the Smooth Jazz format across the nation and the reality is that Clear Channel wants to tap into the disposable income of the Spanish community to save itself.

The question now is what format will the company cut next "Gospel?" Stay Tuned. I called one of my broadcasting buddies and solemnly he said "It's going to get worse."

It's time for radio to really take a look at it's own practices and really question the operating model. Radio is the most personal of all mediums and yet radio seems to have lost the connection to individuals. The radio industry has only itself to blame for causing people to abandon it. I think the problem with radio today is that there is too much science and research. Radio has to learn how to make money with the public interest then maybe people would continue to listen at least I would.

Then again maybe it's time for the legislative branch to review their recent decisions on the media ownership rules. I think it would be better if radio had limits on ownerships. Because of the massive ownership of one company and it's inability to pay it's debts, millions lose. Why not take a look at the media ownership rules and find a way to bring back competition and the American way?

Eugene Smith Musical Tribute

2009-05-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

On Monday evening May 18, the late great gospel pioneer and legend Eugene Smith would have been very happy with the celebration of his life.

Members of the "Chicago School of Gospel" came out to honor the man they affectionately called "Gene. " His God son the Reverend Maceo Woods said that "Gene would have wanted the celebration of his life to be like having church." And that's exactly what happened, the early moments of sadness because of the physical loss of Gene, became shouts of joy for the man who lived his life singing to the glory of God and loving the Roberta Martin singers.

Eugene Smith was the last surviving member of the original Roberta Martin singers. Gene was the business manager of the group and the first gospel narrator, renowned for his ability to usher in the spirit before the soloist would sing. Gene's ushering in of the spirit transported audiences to a level of joyous delight. He was a showman and excellent MC that only performed to the Glory of God.

As I sat in the celebration at Christian Tabernacle Church among Chicago Gospel legends Vernon Oliver Price, Reverend Issac Whitmon, Reverend Stanley Keeble, LuDella Evans Reid and former Roberta Martin Singers Deloris Barrett and Romance Watson. I was in awe as these great singers paid tribute to the man that had an impact on Gospel music worldwide.

I last saw Eugene Smith at the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses in Chicago. Mr. Smith was being honored along with other Chicago Gospel Legends and I sat next to him in the service then escorted him to his limo when the tribute was over. I will never forget that evening.

There must be something in the spirit of Chicago Gospel Artists as the tribute moved on each singer seemed to usher in a new level. Vernon Oliver Price ignited the flame and Reverend Whitmon, Stanley Keeble, LuDella Evans Reid added logs to the fire. However, it was the Romance Watson and Deloris Barrett Campbell with the Barrett Sisters that set the house totally on fire.

And for me I kept wondering what could happen next then Ron Barrett and Elder De Andre Patterson brought in the spirit to the point where music was not needed and shouts of joy echoed all over the sanctuary. Everyone felt good about the celebration of Eugen Smith's Life.

The evening was continuation of the "Gospel Tradition" in Chicago on a Monday night. After the final selection from the Christian Tabernacle Church Choir everyone exchanged pleasantries like at a family reunion. Eugene would have been very happy because we had some Church.

Consider the Economic Best Interest and Save Black Radio

2009-05-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

There is debate in cyberspace among African Americans regarding

H.R. 848: The Performance Rights Act. The act which amends federal copyright law to grant performers of sound recordings equal rights to compensation from terrestrial broadcasters.

This act has been viewed as a tax that will be too costly for Black Radio owners. Criticisms and concerns on the issue has come from several places. All one has to do is Google HR 848 and 2,810,000 entries will appear and that's not including this article.

I was stunned when I came across this article Should We Save Black Radio? After reading the material, I bowed and shook my head left and right in disgust over the sentiments. However, I understand the point of view but my mother taught "two wrongs don't make a right." The idea that Black Radio should be allowed to die without a fight because black radio conducted business to make a profit is not the solution.

Black Radio owners as a result of the passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act were forced into operating as the majority media owners. There is an old adage, "When in Rome do as the Romans do. Black media owners had to operate like the majority owners. It is unfortunate that the present Black media owners are in a game that they can't win. Ad revenues are down and radio in general is going through an economic downturn.

A major advertiser on radio is the automobile industry and the automobile industry is nearly bankrupt. In order for Black radio to stay alive they are cutting costs and syndicating programming. I am not one for syndication but a little of something is better than a whole lot of nothing. And the urban stations owned by majority owners are providing far less information than the micro amount heard on black owned stations. Where did you find out about HR 848?

Diversity of media owners is important to a democracy, through diverse owners more viewpoints can be heard. With diversity listeners do not have to suffer through copy cat programming. Radio can truly be competitive. Unfortunately, Black radio had to copy the majority radio techniques to stay alive. And in some cases it was a Black radio executive that created cost efficient programming ideas for the majority owners that eventually cut their own throats.

Yes, I want to defeat HR 848 to preserve opportunities for other minorities and females at media ownership. Media ownership is the real issue not the performance right act. The greater conspiracy is to silence Black Radio through making it difficult to financially sustain the broadcast property. This will escalate the demise of the Black Radio. And guess what the next steps will be?

Majority owners will merge then lobby for an increase in "local ownership caps" from 8 to 12. Another wave of consolidation will hit forcing out Black owners and their station will be gobbled up. Leaving the Black community voiceless. And the camouflage of the attack is a mere $5,000 dollars price tag. Reality is none wants to pay a higher tax period. There is a bigger picture beyond the text written in the bill.

Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over-the-air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings. Artists benefits immensely from the free exposure that radio provides.

The record industry has ripped off artists since the industry has been around. And the record industry will continue ripping off artists. Why is it that many artists are ripped off by the record companies? And why should the radio owners have to pay for the artists contractual mistakes?

If this act becomes law, it will be extremely harder for Black Radio owners to run their stations efficiently with the performance rights tax. Now I feel for the artists however what I do not understand is why artists would trust the same folks that ripped them off the first time? Today the major record companies are owned by International Corporations.

H.R. 848 is only a precursor to the silencing of Black Radio. Do not forget that radio is the most personal of all mediums. Why does the majority want to control all of it? Why is it that some African Americans feel the radio would be better if the majority owned and controlled all the terrestrial radio stations?

Yes Fight Against HR 848, it is not in the best economic interest of the Black community.

For more information about HR 848 and how it would impact small and local stations click on the link below.

Area Radio Stations React to Performance Fees
Area Radio Stations React to Performance Fees Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:59:00 EST
http://www.associatedcontent.comvideo/173326/area_radio_stations_react_to_performance.html

The Chicago School of Gospel

2009-05-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

On Monday, May 4 at the Gospel Complex for Education and Preservation Annual Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
"The Chicago School of Gospel" was presented.

The panel of experts from Chicago revealed to the Gospel Community the story of gospel music as it proliferated from the Chicago area through known and unknown personalities and churches in the Gospel Music tradition. Professor L. Stanley Davis, Bob Marovich, Pastor Mack Mason and moderator Professor Reggie Miles validated how the gospel music tradition blossomed in Chicago and spread to the rest of world.

Professor Miles at the BEA

2009-05-11T10:51:00.000-07:00

On Thursday April 23, 2009, The editor of the Prime Minister's Place moderated a panel of scholars and presented a presentation at the Broadcast Education Association annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Professor Miles's presented a presentation entitled Podcasting: A Supplemental Learning Aid.

As podcasting matures, the number of educators adopting it continues to rise. The session explored who's using podcasting. The benefits of Podcasting from the perspective of students and the use of podcasting in the classroom to see if podcasts can improve student performance. Collaborating with Professor Miles were Mary Jackson-Pitts and Jin Yang of Arkansas State University and Lily Zeng from University of Memphis. The panel was rated as one of the Top Panels at the BEA. The paper and presentation by the editor of the Prime Minister's Place. Podcasting: A Supplemental Learning Aid was requested for submission to The Broadcast Education Association On Line Journal entitled "Feedback" for review and publication.

Tom Joyner Broadcasting Live from WKKC ?

2009-05-11T05:26:00.000-07:00

Every now and then when something in Chicago radio happens I get a call in DC and someone asks what's up this?

When told that "Tom Joyner will broadcast his show from the New Kennedy King College" I said "Oh Wow that's interesting, how does that educate students?" I am not a hater but where is the benefit to the students? Sure a few students will get the opportunity to see how a "syndicated" show is preformed that's admirable. However in the immortal words of "Public Enemy's" sideman Flavor Flav
"Don't Believe the Hype!"

As an educator, it is a force of habit to critically think about things in the best interests of the student. Having some experience at Kennedy-King College, I'm not sure that the TJMS broadcasting live from the New Kennedy King College benefits anyone other that the person that orchestrated the deal. Radio syndication has all but eliminated the opportunity for students to gain experience to become personalities like a Tom Joyner. How is the observation of a syndicated radio show beneficial to the student? Syndication has eliminated that very job the student covets. On the other hand, Tom Joyner in a classroom setting with a group of students adds value and quality to the learning experience. His experience and wisdom can be spread out over many students in a classroom setting.

A few people in Chicago radio attempt to rewrite Chicago radio history with a twist toward self aggrandizement and such maybe the case from the New Kennedy King College. The addition of the name Tom Joyner to the media program immediately adds status without adding quality while simultaneously camouflaging the weakness of the media program. "Hey" We've got Tom Joyner at WKKC. The question is what else is there to teach and train students other than "BIG NAMES?"

In this world of rapidly changing technology BIG NAMES are not enough. Students need the hands on experience and the knowledge of learning how to think critically. Content is king, technology is the tool and students must learn to utilize the tools of technology to enhance the creativity that leads to the creation of compelling content. KK College has state of the art broadcast facilities in WYCC and WKKC. Students that graduate the program should be trained in the technology, possess an ability to think critically and express themselves creatively. An education is more than just being trained to join the workforce.

Education also creates leaders for the changing world too. Like the person to replace a Tom Joyner

Tom's Back in Chicago

2009-05-11T04:32:00.000-07:00

Days after the Tom Joyner Morning Show was out in Chicago it was predicted that Crawford Broadcasting would move to land the show. Crawford Broadcasting owners of Soul 106.3 FM added the TJMS to it's line up to complete a win win situation.

Tom Joyner is a great talent and Crawford Broadcasting hopefully made the right move to help the struggling Soul 106.3 FM. In the recent past Steve Harvey was a part of Soul 106.3 and was cut after a year or so. The business of radio is to make money for the owners. Tom Joyner after being cut stated the reality of radio like this, “It’s business, “If I were Clear Channel, I’d probably do exactly the same thing because you’re in business to stay in business and, strategically, it’s what they should have done.”

On the other hand Chicago the City of Big Shoulders claimed Tom as one of their own and stood up against the firing calling the station, writing to blogs, and threatening sponsors. Tom will forever be a part of Chicago radio history because of the early days days at WJPC and the Fly Jock days at WGCI.

Chicagoan's are whole again as Mr Joyner continues the TJMS on Soul 106.3 FM.

Tom Joyner - My View

2009-03-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

As much as I respect Tom Joyner as a real true radio personality. I was never an advocate for syndicated programming. I do not like syndicated programs for simple reason that the host can never tell the correct time. It's always so many minutes after the hour. If I were a blind person listening to a syndicated show I would never know the correct time. Knowing the correct is a simple thing and is one that I value most.

Early in his career, listening to Tom on WJPC in Chicago was incredible and he cared about the people. Mr. Joyner is a study of excellence as far as being a radio host. Tom did the little things like using index cards to keep himself at the top of his game. In radio Show prep is everything and everything is show prep. When the TJMS became syndicated, I lost interest because syndicated shows can't give the correct time.

I read the Fly Jock Blog and Tom is a class individual. He did not trash or talk negatively about the industry he loves or the station that dropped the show. He said " It's Just Business" and encouraged his followers that his plight is an opportunity to move on to something greater. The TJMS leaving Chicago airwaves is "an opportunity for us to step it up and find new and exciting ways to stay on top of our game when the rules are changing all the time."

However, Tom wrote something that really struck a nerve. Tom stated, "The bottom line is black radio will never be what it once was, and there’s absolutely nothing we can do about that."

I wonder what is Tom suggesting? And Why can't black radio be what it once was? And why can't we do something about it. Unfortunately, I can not agree. There is something that can be done. People have to know what to do. If Americans can come together to elect a President of Color, we can do something about radio. The mountain may be high but can be climbed.

Moreover, do not to expect Tom or Black Radio to be a leader when it comes to the media reform and saving Black Radio. They are in too deep and must remain neutral. It's like Black Radio is being "blackmailed."

African American people and others must rise and question the FCC about what they are doing about diversity of ownership, localism, and the lack of women and minority owners. Business should not be allowed total control of the airwaves to do as the please without serving the public interests. The primary interest of a media corporation is the elimination of the public interest! And media that serves the local interests of the communities is what needs to be fought for. Bigger media is not better media and too few own too many! Radio needs regulation owners should not be allowed to own multiple stations in a market, thereby controlling the flow of information and content in local communities.

Losing the TJMS in Chicago is "Just Business." The loss stemmed from a business model that Tom endorses that's why he won't complain. Tom has prospered through syndicated radio. On the other hand, Mr. Joyner knows that the very existence of Black Radio is under attack. It reminds me of playing the game of "Monopoly" at a friend's house. I COULD NEVER WIN. I won in the game of "Monopoly" only when it was played at my house. Anyway, who knows, Tom could resurface on a Crawford Broadcasting outlet and be back in Chicago.

According to professor Lawrence Redd "One of the perennial struggles which Black people have faced in the United States is establishment and maintenance of effective communication systems among themselves." African American that want to move foward should not quit on this struggle. Tom's statement, "The bottom line is black radio will never be what it once was, and there’s absolutely nothing we can do about that," reads like people should give up and accept radio as it is, but since I have not talked with him, I won't come to that conclusion.

If Amercia can elect a man of color... Radio can be changed or at least "EQUALIZED" so that more people than a few whites males and a few blacks can share in the American Dream.

The fight starts with who owns the media.. As Marvin Gaye said "Got to Give It Up."

Does Anybody Hear Me?

2009-03-23T13:01:00.001-07:00

For ten years, I have labored to tell a message about the importance of media ownership. At a recent meeting of the Chicago Area Gospel Announcers Guild, I talked about how the recession is having an effect on the radio industry and a recent issue that brought black broadcast owners to Washington DC to present their side of the “Performance Rights Act” being lobbied by recording artists.

After the meeting, a man whom I respect and admire said to me, “I don’t know why you waste your time, those folks don’t hear you, all they want is a CD.”

Sometimes it does get frustrating speaking to Church folk. My Bible says “Study to show thyself approved”. I simply do not understand why as a people African Americans are not concerned with media issues.

I have great faith and I believe that God can do anything but fail. I was one who was dead in sin and brought to a wonderful life. As I do what I do everyday it is a testimony to the power of God. I am thankful.

In November 2008, 96% of all African Americans came together and voted for Barack Obama despite all the negatives presented 96% of African Americans voted that was faith that produced a work “the first African American President of the United States.”

However, African American had help and can’t take all the credit for the election. It was also a move of hope that produced the work. The present system of things have failed and many people are simply tired of living to get by. People want the opportunity to share in the American Dream and not just workers for the corporations. The desire for change that produced the first African American President must continue towards the media and only an organized peopled can defeat organized money.

God is still on the throne and in control. And I with the one voice that I have will continue to preach, that “if you don’t watch out the very things you take for granted will be taken away from you and owned by others that don’t share in your concerns their only concern is to make money off of you."

Now making money is not a bad thing in itself. However, the equality of opportunity to make money is what is at stake. The rules have been changed to limit opportunity to media ownership. It has been labeled “deregulation.” However, Deregulation was a buzz word, or a camouflage tactic, employed to conceal the real intentions of changing regulation to benefit a few.

And that's not the American dream that's greed.

Cadillac Records - A Look at Chicago

2009-03-17T16:41:00.000-07:00

I missed this film in the movie theaters so I decided when the DVD was released I would be one of the first to get it. And when I looked at the movie I was impressed about the route that the writer and director took in developing the story about Blues greats, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Willie Dixon, Howlin Wolf and Etta James.

The story takes a look at the "Chess Record" Company the artists, it's owner and the business practice of paying royalties with Cadillac Cars. The story was so compelling to me that I had to go down to 2012 S. Michigan to look at the original Chess Studios which is now the Willie Dixon Blues Museum. Ironically, for many years I was a visitor to the area on a regular basis. My mother in the late seventies and mid 80's lived right across the street in the 2101 S. Michigan building. I did not realize I was so close to history.

I watched Cadillac Records 3 times. I was so impressed with the acting of Columbus Short as "Little Walter" and the relationship he had with Muddy Waters. The film did a decent job of bringing forward the relationship between the two as well as the genius of the individual musicians. In addition, to Waters and Little Walter, "Howlin Wolf" was one heck of a man, I mean Wolf was bad, in a good way. I have always loved "Smoke Stack Lighting" and I don't know why, but I fell in love with even more so when I saw the story behind how the song came about. The film showed a little bit of everything. To really tell the Chess Story would have taken an epic undertaking like "Roots"a mini series. So much was said yet so much was left unsaid.

Now I won't get into the Beyonce and Etta James thing but I had to listen to the original songs sung by Etta. Now I understand why she was tapped as the first lady of Soul.Etta James is one great singer. Despite the nay sayers I enjoyed Cadillac Records.

Another Sad Note

2009-03-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered that a week before Richard Pegue passed another Chicago DJ passed away. He was known as "Butterball." I last remember him spinning the wax at the "Other Place." Butter was deep into Jazz and was known for a clean and powerful sound from his "MacIntosh" and JBL Equipment. In the late 80's, Butter modified his style to include "Steppers" Music because the "Other Place" became the late night spot for Steppers after the 2:00 AM joints closed.

The Other Place was strictly known for Jazz and on any given night you could walk in and hear the likes of Charles Earland and other Jazz greats. The owner "Maceo" was a Jazz lover to the bone but he realized to stay in business with the Jazz scene dying he needed to include new blood in the place. Thus the introduction of Stepper's Music happened in the Other Place. In the beginning the owner "Maceo" wasn't to keen on dancing in the Other Place, it was a show lounge and not a dance club.

Butter did a great job spinning was very hip, articulate and played some great jazz tunes to "Step" to. As a wealth of information, Butter was knowledgeable about electronics and audio. He built his own speakers and they produced a good sound. He welcomed me when I arrived at the "Other Place" and told me how best to get along with "Maceo" the owner.

Rest In Peace my brother and Lord willing we will meet again in the Heavenly "Other Place"

Herbert Rogers Kent

2009-03-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

This is a must read for anyone interested in the "History of Chicago Radio" or understanding the mind of one of the "Greatest Radio Personalities" of all time. I have come to know Herb better after reading the book and he is without doubt one of the most for real people on the planet. In the midst of mourning another great radio personality Richard Pegue, reading Herb's Book eased the burden and provided insight that filled the blank spaces of my childhood years with facts and the realities of radio "Back in the Day."

Herb Kent is another reason as to why I wanted to be in "Radio" and reading "His-Story"(history) was an enjoyable journey. Once you sit down and start reading you will begin laughing out loud and feeling some of the same feelings of this giant in "Radio." Herb Kent is complicated yet everyday like many other human beings. Herb defines the "Love of the Game" through his 60 plus years in Radio. Indulge yourself and journey through the nine lives of this radio pioneer.

Chicago Radio History

2009-03-09T19:56:00.000-07:00

On Monday morning March 9, 2009, there was only one thing on my mind and that was to go the Home Going Celebration for Richard Earl Pegue. I knew that some of everybody in Chicago radio would be there. And when I arrived at the Apostolic Church of God, some of everybody was there. When I got there I was met by Willie “Needle Master” Cox. We hugged and exchanged pleasantries but that was only the beginning.

Inside the church I looked for the familiar faces and to my surprise it took a while because so many people were glad to see that I had made it. There was no way that I would not have attended this celebration. It was out of total respect that I had to be there. The way Richard performed on Radio; I did on the radio and in the clubs as a DJ. We (the jocks) call it “post to post” radio. I prided my style on never talking on the vocals of a record. I could end one song and keep talking until the vocals of the next song giving information about the song or artist. There is no nonsense in post to post announcing. Richard no doubt was the master and taught many people knowingly and unknowingly.

Finally I ran across the old WKKC Crew, or at least the guys that were on staff while I was there. Chris, Allen, Nelson and I sat in the same pew and we talked about the craft we so dearly love and the man that we were paying our respects to. As we sat there in the midst of Chicago radio history we suddenly realized the magnitude of the moment. To see some of the WVON Good Guys was an event within itself. Chicago radio history was in the Apostolic Church of God. Herb Kent, Dr. Cecil Hale, Wesley South, Pervis Spann. and Lucky Cordell also radio colleagues Richard Steele, Jim Raggs, Emily McKendall, and Bonnie DeShong.

Pegue was respected by both the radio personalities and club DJ’s, I happen to be one that walked on both sides of the road on the radio and in the streets. Along with DJ Legend Willie Cox, was Sam Chatman, Luther Gage, Bill Humphrey, Ernest L. and Alvia McNeal and probably many more that I did not get too or see.

Now the service was beautiful from start to finish and the Apostolic Church of God staff handled it very well. A special shout out to James Hudson for the “Midnight Cry” he brought the spirit down on a few folk. Others who were on the program were also great especially the Black Ensemble Theater production. What can anyone say about Pam Morris? She performed like no other mistress of ceremony. Pam Morris has an uncanny way of saying the right things at the right time, making everyone feel at ease and still recognizing the “order of service in the house of God.

Many people were given the opportunity for reflections and one of those was the “Iceman” Jerry Butler and he blessed us with a few bars from that still great voice. The record industry and music retailers were recognized also. It was good to see George Daniels, Marshall of the Chi-Lites and Tommy Hunt. Many of Richard students were in attendance too and Pam Murphy laid it out reading a story Richard penned 30 years ago. Other Pegue disciples Al Greer, Ray Neal, Lamonts Watts, Maurice King and others were in the house. Oh and the commercial radio stations showed plenty of respect as well. Many of Richard’s former colleagues were there Glen Cosby, Tori Tyler, Joe Soto, and the one and only Ramonski Love who set the house on fire with Richard’s most famous jingle creation the Fun Town song. .Richard’s WKKC family members Marv, Marcella, Dennis, Kevin and Revelle also paid their respects.

As I sat there in the service two of my former students asked questions about who was who and in explaining to them about the great people of Chicago radio I realized a couple of things. One that the history of Black Chicago Radio has to be preserved and two that we cannot wait until someone else passes before we get together again. All DJ’s from Chicago, I am making a call out to you whether you were on the radio or in the clubs.

LET’S GET TOGETHER AGAIN SOON!!

Contact Reggie Miles rmileshu@yahoo.com

Tribute to Richard Pegue

2009-03-05T16:23:00.000-08:00

In our lifetime we come across mentors. And I was fortunate enough to have one of the greatest DJ's and radio personalities in front of me. In high school, back in the late 60's and early 70's, the desire to be behind the microphone and playing music was born.

I remember traveling to different high schools trying to get in a "Sock Hop or a High School Dance" because the DJ was this guy who I first heard on the radio weekends on 1450 WVON . I thought he was incredible. When he played music it was as if he was sitting there in the room with you. His voice was different and his command of the language was impeccable. He combined the hipness of the day with an ability to relate and talk to people where they were. He spoke with class.

Late nights on the weekend he would come on and the show sounded like it was in the daytime bright, cheerful, soulful, informative and entertaining. The Quiet Storm did not exist then. It was simply THE BEST MUSIC OF YOUR LIFE. And Richard was so "down for the craft" that his presentation birthed a legion of followers and disciples to which I became one.

As I moved into in my own career, I told people that I came from the School of "Pegueology" The Best Music of Your Life that's all I knew and that's all I wanted to know. As a student, I studied everything Richard did on his radio show. He had a way combining the Golden Age of Radio with the present time. It was excellent the way he combined the old with the new. I loved when he performed celebrity news with the teletype machine sound effect in the background and he would make transitions through different stories by saying BEEP, BEEP, BEEP giving the feel of an old Walter Winchell news cast.

Richard set the standard for jocks playing music and being professionals at their craft. Now I consider myself one of the best but when it came to Pegue I stood down, giving all respect to the man with the music and the knowledge of the music. He is the Doctor. On the radio, Richard did features that you'd wait an entire week for, like the Concert that you'd never hear again, the Midnight Sonata and let's not forget the old Chicago Dances. Richard Pegue had something for Everybody.

Now I was not directly associated with Richard. We came to know each other working in the same industry. I told him of the impact he made in my life. It was amazing that he knew of me and I respectfully called him "Uncle Richard." Mr. Pegue had an impact on the lives of many people in Chicago they really don't realize how much he contributed to their lives through his work as record promoter, retail music seller, music director, teacher, production director, songwriter, and radio personality. Richard was a true professional, a real local hero and a History Maker that always performed radio as the theater of the mind. I last saw him "spinning," with the fire still in his eyes and that warmed my heart.

In studying Richard I came to understand radio, the music industry and being a DJ. His techniques in the art of DJ performance was the standard I set for myself as radio personality, DJ and professor. I thank God for Richard because in him I saw that it is most important to always love what you do.

Professor Reggie Miles

What A Reality

2008-12-20T21:34:00.000-08:00

December 20th marked a day of revelation at the meeting of the Chicago Area Gospel Announcers Guild. There has always been a negative "stigma" associated with "Gospel or Religious" brokered programs and it was refreshing to hear the realization of change being needed in the area of gospel and religious brokered programs.

Sparked by a spirited and passionate commitment by the guild president, a cadre of member communicators led a panel and voiced various views on how to improve the presentation of the brokers or independent programmers. The realization was that the commercial radio industry will be limited in it's impact to the Gospel and Religious community because of fiduciary concerns. I began the discussion with my two cents on the state of the industry and the impending changes that an Obama led administration might bring to the FCC.

What I did not say in the meeting is this,” that both radio and music the music industries will suffer from the recession. Advertisers no longer believe in radio. As a result, because of less revenue radio will use automation, syndication, and more new technology to keep itself afloat during these trying times”.

In some cases there may be attempts at more consolidation and corporate downsizing. Every one's job is at stake. However, the impending storm for commercial radio will reopen opportunities for "independent programmers" to create new types of "local" programs where ministry is needed. Key points for brokers are content, personality, localization, professionalism, ministry, and commerce.

Let's first defined what needs to be redefined.

It is stated by some that Jack L. Cooper began black appeal radio in Chicago over 75 years ago. His program the All Negro Hour was one of the first to play the newly named and created "Gospel" music. In addition, Mr. Cooper is recognized by some to be the first Black DJ.

Well, what's the point with going all the way back to the early days of radio? It's been said that you don't where you're going unless you know where you've been. And the history of black appeal radio is something that can help the independent programmers today.

You have to understand in the early days of radio black people had to pay their own way. Black folks were not hired to be an on air host. It was not until 1946 that station ownership by an African American became a reality at WERD in Atlanta. Also, it was not until the late 40's that an African American was paid by a station to be a host of a radio show. African Americans paid for their air-time to be on the radio. Radio is an important part of the African American culture. Look at how far African American's have come in radio. And yet there is still a long journey ahead.

As my grand mother would always say, "you gotta pay the cost to be the boss. " And the early black appeal radio pioneers paid the cost, purchasing time on radio stations because they wanted to make money as well as uplift the community. And the harsh reality was that black men or women were not hired to work in radio in the early years.

Jack L. Cooper, the first black radio announcer some say, "brokered" his program and epitomized excellence on the air. He was eloquent and presented himself as a proud member of the African American race. Well, African Americans are a complex people with more that one cultural aspect. As good as the intentions of Mr. Cooper were, all blacks did not find Mr. Cooper style as inviting. Another great Chicago announcer who came a few years later was Al Benson, who was not noted for his excellence of speech through the English language, but he was a beloved figure in the African American community.

The advertisers loved Mr. Benson because of his popularity among the "potential customers." Mr. Cooper and Mr. Benson were two different and distinct personalities that were rivals and yet both were successful.

How does this relate to the Gospel Announcer today? Well you can say that there is a Jack L. Cooper School of thought and an Al Benson School of thought for the Gospel Announcing. Oh yes!, don't let me forget these other schools from the Chicago area, the Rev Milton Brunson, Dr. Charles G. Hayes, Bill Doc Lee and Isabell Joseph Johnson Schools of Religious Announcing that were all significant in the black community in Chicago. Even the Queen of Gospel, Albertina Walker was a broker on the radio. Many Gospel Artists used the airwaves to get the word of Christ in song on the airwaves and help their career in the industry at the same time. All these schools have their valid points and system of presentation but the question is how can the announcers in the 21st century benefit from the history of the announcers of 20th century.

As a noted person in the radio industry said, "Brokers" are a station on a station." I think then that the best practice would be to do some of the things they do on the commercial level and create a new and unique programming foundations for Gospel and Religious programs that are financed through local area businesses. Learn RADIO SALES. Build your audience for your sponsors. Tell your sponsors that their customers are listening to your program. MAKE THE SALES. Connect ministry, technology and industry. It is easier said than done. However, our history says "It is possible."

Here's a list of some of the keys to sustain yourself as an independent programmer in the 21st Century. Remember, this God doesn't need your ministry.

Know your audiences and what they want - Qualitative Research Data
Network with other Brokers, Plan, Brand and Market you and the program.
Create a sponsorship package that tells your prospective sponsors that their customers listen to your program
Change the way you present yourself on the air. Religious announcing must change with the time. There is a new audience out there that may not know or understand how the pioneers presented gospel music and it may turn them off. Be inclusive and adapt to the new audiences.
Get on the Web, stay on Web and connect what you do on the air to the WEB.
Show prep is everything and everything is show prep. The most import thing in radio is what you say in between songs when no music is playing. Always be prepared.
When you minister get a sponsor.

It's a New Day

2008-11-07T07:05:00.000-08:00

Taken from the a song title of a James Brown song. There is a new day in America with the election of Senator Barrack Obama as President of the United States. The inspiration in me began to flow shortly after 11:00 PM eastern standard time when all the networks simultaneous announced that Barack Obama was the President-Elect. The announcement brought joy and tears to some and complete silence to others. It was the "New Day" arriving.

It's no need to list all the problems of what was before Barack. There are many characterizations. The only thing that is important now is that Americans of all persuasions unanamously and electorially voted that change was over due. Free Market dogma has bankrupted the country and the middle class. The time is now to take the "god" like admiration from former President Ronald Reagen and realize that his free market and deregulation principles did not account for the "greed and evil" it ultimately produced.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely and corporate interests ran amuck through unregulated markets leaving decificts, huge unemployment rates and too few owning to much. The people rose through a brillant campaign by President elect Barrack Obama. And many are claiming responsibilty for the victory. When the annoucement came I praised and shouted for this was a moment for God to get the Glory.

There are many that don't believe in the Bible or God and I respect their positions but for me it is clear that it was God who orchestrated all the episodes to bring his new "Joshua" to the forefront for his people.

Coming Soon

2008-04-20T21:58:00.000-07:00

Each month I talk about radio at the Chicago Area Gospel Announcers Guild meeting. In May, I will summarize the presentation on this Blog. I am committed to lifting the level of presentation of any Gospel announcer that so desires. Gospel Radio announcers are more important in today's radio environment. The war continues and good soldiers are needed in the army of the Lord.

Think on this.. What makes a great radio show? And Why should anyone listen to it?

THE END OF AN ERA

2008-01-24T07:56:00.000-08:00

Friday January 25, 2008 at 9:00 AM marked the end of 14 years of Gospel Music programming in the mornings on WKKC 89.3 FM. During the journey, both students and community benefited from the Gospel Music programming. I wonder what warranted the change after 14 successful years of playing Gospel Music?

Well, change is inevitable and when it occurs there is always some confusion, especially when the new vision is not clearly seen. Sometimes during change the overall plan is hidden behind a myriad of different agendas. I wonder what the overall plan is?

Here is a look at the last 14 years of Gospel Music history on WKKC. I can testify as an expert witness because I was there. In late 1994, then station manager and technical support staffer Kevin Brown decided to program Gospel Music in the mornings on a daily basis. At that time, WKKC's broadcast day was about 17 hours. Kevin added three hours to the broadcast day raising the total to 20 hours. There was no objection to the addition of Gospel Music from the administration.

The decision to add 3 hours of Gospel Music daily became a program called "Gospel Drive" with Mr. Brown as host. Kevin in his own way laid the foundation for gospel music programming in Chicago. "Gospel Drive" was the first Chicago radio program on FM that featured Gospel Music in the mornings.

Gospel Drive was a hit from the beginning. The show was entertaining, informative, inspirational and educational. Gospel Drive impacted the Englewood community. Kevin Brown catered to the wide audience that the Gospel Music generated. Anyone from 12 to 65 could find some entertainment on Gospel Drive. It was not about religion it was about the community and Gospel Music.

Moreover, Gospel music holds a special place in the culture of African Americans. Many use the Gospel in song to move through the toils and strains of life. Gospel music has always been a comfort to African Americans. Gospel Drive focused on providing that comfort of the Gospel in song to start people on their day.

However in 1997, WKKC FM made news headlines as an issue arouse over whether bible reading on WKKC FM violated the rules of separation between Church and State. The fallout over the issue ended the Gospel Drive program and began several management changes. Ironically, the bible reading issue was not attributed to the Gospel Drive program. Gospel Drive was renamed to the Gospel Express with new host Reggie Miles.

The Gospel Express maintained the focus of inspiring the community. However, student participation and preparation was highly emphasized. As a result, a Kennedy-King College student landed a job on 1390 AM when management changed the R&B/Oldies format to Gospel in 1998. It was amazing that so many students and community volunteers desired to participate with Gospel music programming. From 1998 -2003 more students and community volunteers participated on WKKC than in its entire 33 year history.

Yet success was not measured by increased enrollment or opportunities for student participation. There was another agenda at hand. A new state of art building was planned and the administration was looking to eliminate then restructure the Broadcasting Program. The Gospel Express ended in 2003.

During the years 2003 - 2005, WKKC FM was in chaos, yet the Gospel programming survived. In 2005, a new director of broadcasting was brought in with extensive experience in the commercial radio industry. The hire was showcased as adding "class" to WKKC FM.

Well the "class" that came to WKKC FM began by implementing radio professionals or "Legends" to replace students as on air personnel. WKKC became a "professional non-commercial" station. In addition, Gospel music was systematically reduced one program at a time. The first casualty was Thursday evening Gospel, then Weekend Devotion, and finally the morning Gospel programming called Praise, Love and Inspiration.

It's to late for protests, to late for the ministers to get together to save Gospel. The bottom line is that if management believes that it would better serve the station with a change in programming then the station has to do what is best for the station.

However, WKKC FM is an educational non commercial college station that should emphasize "TEACHING AND TRAINING.” There is perhaps no academic discipline whose instruction and scholarship, whether applied or theoretical, has the potential to change the human condition, as does the study of communication.

I hope the students at Kennedy-King get the opportunity to be on the air and play Gospel Music as well as other music genres. Also learn the industry of radio in the classroom .

Kennedy-King College and WKKC FM provided me with an opportunity. Today I teach at Howard University and work in radio at Heaven 600 AM in Baltimore. My career was launched through the opportunity at an educational non-commercial station.

The future of WKKC FM, is in the hands of the students that attend the college.

Happy New Year !!!

2008-01-05T20:52:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for the "new beginning." In the words of Albertina Walker, I'm Still Here!

Oh to be great in 2008, that is the motto with a focus on family. Not only the immediate family but the family at work, in organizations, and the students I teach.

Someone told me a while ago don't be afraid to speak, for you have something to say. You've been blessed. The time is now that I open my mouth through words in cyberspace.

Look forward to some interesting things with two exceptions "religion and politics." And I won't elaborate on the reason why. Anyway it's not important.

On the horizon is my research which has lead me to discover the importance of the Chicago School of Gospel and the early pioneers whose shoulders the genre stands upon today. There were a lot of people who will be forgotten if their participation and the history is not preserved.

Learning to become a storyteller is a journey and I find myself practicing by writing the story of my family to be told to my children and other relatives.

Today, I realize how important it is to share the memories of family. Those memories will keep the family alive and moving forward as FAMILY.

.

Prime Minister Inducted in the Broadcaster Hall of Fame

2007-12-24T05:03:00.000-08:00

The new Hall of Famers representing the Gospel Announcers Guild included

(standing, L to R):

Lady Donna Creer - National 2nd Vice President Gospel Announcers Guild

Dennis Cole - President of The Chicago Area Gospel Announcers Guild

Ed Stephens -President of The Virginia Gospel Announcers Guild

Prof. Reggie Miles -Vice President of The Chicago Area Gospel Announcers Guild

Lydia Goodin -President of The Florida Gospel Announcers Guild.

(Seated L-R):

Frank Walton -President of The Seattle Gospel Announcers Guild

Bro. Steve - President of The California Gospel Announcers Guild

Toby Young -President of The Harrisburg Gospel Announcers Guild

Chuck Spearman -President of The Missouri Gospel Announcers Guild, and

John Phillips - National Sergeant-at-Arms, Gospel Announcers Guild (Not shown)The Broadcasters Hall o
Sunday November 4, 2007 these members of the Gospel Music Workshop of America were inducted in the Broadcasters Hall of Fame. I am very proud to be a member of this fine Group.

Reflections - 2007

2007-12-24T04:34:00.000-08:00

As I reflect on the year, three songs come to my mind that best describe the journey "Joy and Pain," Yet Praise Him and I Won't Complain.

I have a new resolve to connect with family. During a meeting of the Chicago Area Gospel Announcers Guild, it was not a coincidence that conformation came from our guest speaker Donald Lawrence, that now is the time for all God fearer men to come to aide of family. And family means more than just those related by blood.

The world is still as the Temptations sang many years ago a "Ball of Confusion." In my own part, I will add less to the mess. In 2008, its time to be great. My goal is to liive where God gets the Glory from my Life.

Look Who Came Along While I was Gone !!!

2007-09-16T21:52:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since my last post but in the coming days I'll be updating this weblog. All I can say at this point that 2007 has been a wonderful year. This year has been capped by the birth of my beautiful gift from God a baby girl whom my wife named Morgan. She has been a wonderful addition to my life and I am forever changed.

2006-12-12T11:08:00.000-08:00

The Prime Minister is back in Chicago on the radio.

Congratulations Marcella Jones

2006-09-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

It is a great feeling for an instructor to see the success of a student or someone that was mentored. Marcella Jones gives me a great feeling as I watch and hear her become the "on air" Gospel Personality I envisioned over 7 years ago. Marcella and I met in the studio of WKKC. She was promoting a CD of the Choir she belonged to. She stayed in the studio and watched me have fun inspiring the people of God on WKKC FM. I guess that's when the bug hit her. She soon volunteered to work at WKKC FM getting up at 5:00 AM to perform on the Gospel Drive radio program.

Ms. Jones had no prior experience with radio but she had tremendous desire. I respected her for that desire because I could see that she was falling in love with radio and loved Gospel music. Most of all, I could see how genuinely she wanted to make the people of God feel good.

Marcella was faithful and throughout the experience on WKKC we would lock heads but I knew that she had something very special in her that would one day bless me. So I overlooked everything and took Marcella under my wing to train her.

Now she will be the first to tell you that working with me is no walk in the park. I am very passionate about radio. And sometimes that can make me a bit hard on a student. Being a personality is a great responsibility and a "gift from God." I am less tolerant when someone takes that gift lightly. Marcella endured all I dished out and stayed in there learning, learning, and learning.

In 2003, I became an assistant professor at Howard University, and Marcella continued to be faithful at WKKC as a personality. And just like I was rewarded for hard work and endurance she is reaping the fruits of her labor also. God is faithful and he sees all that we do. Especially the things we do from the heart. And Marcella always did things at WKKC from the heart. Believe me the salary was not all that.

In a recent conversation, I reminded her of how her friends and others would try to discourage her about voulunteering at WKKC. Because of her faithfulness God elevated her to a position of Gospel Music Director of WKKC FM which also got the attention of Mike Robinson program director of Gospel 1390.

The rest of the story is now history as Marcella has moved from the evenings to the mid-day the most "critical" day part position for Gospel Music. In my opinion, her spirit and personality are an excellent fit for the mid-day position on Gospel 1390. And I expect nothing less than the best from her.

Finally, this statement from Marcella says it all

Professor Miles:

"I still can't believe it, you saw something in me years ago and taught me everything I know and look what happened, I just told someone the other day that I used to watch everything you did from the way you talk and the delivery of your talk sets, to the music selection and the flow of the music. 2 things I will always remember you saying is failure to prepare is preparing to fail, and the famous always play skillfully (Psalm 33:3). Oh! one last one, talk to the people like you talk to your friend regina. Thanks for everything, I pray that I can make you proud. I love what God has blessed me to do.

Thanks Reggie,

Marcella you have already made me proud. Just keep doing what God has assigned you to do.
Thank You.

Professor Miles Teaches Radio Production 101 at GMWA Gospel Announcers Guild Convention

2006-08-18T23:54:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday and Wednesday August 15 & 16 in Dallas, Texas, Professor Miles taught over 76 Gospel Announcers in the art of making a commercial by using a digital audio editor. The workshop was designed for the person with very basic audio and computer skills. Radio is changing and jobs are vanishing, however the knowledge of digital technology makes the average announcer indispensable.

The two day workshop informed students on the purchase of equipment, the philosophy of making a commercial, and the basic techniques used to design a multi-track commercial. The students left the two day seminar energized with knowledge to expand their announcing craft.

Professor Miles at NAACP ACT-SO Awards Ceremony

2006-07-25T17:07:00.000-07:00

On Sunday July 15, 2006, Professor Reggie Miles worked as the FOH (front of the house) sound engineer at the 29th NAACP ACT-SO Awards Ceremony in Washington,DC. The Prime Minister along with four staffers from Howard University's student radio station WHBC assisted in the production of the annual event honoring some of the nations brightest African American high school students. The Howard student's Brian Young, Jessica Stugress, Karen Lawson and Jessica Harding received valuable experience as production assistants from one of New York's largest audio visual production companies. The students left with a positive attitude about the experience and Professor Miles was invited back as Sound engineer for the 30th NAACP ACT-SO Awards in Florida in 2007. You can view the ceremony and hear the audio engineering of Professor Miles at http://www.naacpwebcast.com/naacp2006/player_naacp06_01.asp.

We Have Not because We Participate Not!!

2006-06-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

For a voice in the media, networking and building relationships are essential. At Columbia College, the Community Media Workshop sponsored an event entitled "Making Media Connections." This annual event was held for two days and was well attended by many people except African Americans.

There is an old adage, "You have not because You ask not" well if you take that phrase and replace a couple of words you have the exact situation of African Americans in regards to media. "We have not because We participate not!" Since 2002, I have attended several forums regarding media and most of the African American participation/attendance came from the African American's who were invited as panelists which is totally disgusting.

Where were the African American voices speaking up for the concerns of African Americans? Organizations representing Hispanic concerns attended the event and questioned the direction of the media. The issue of immigration was mentioned at every turn.

Something has to be done to address apathy in the African American community. The powers that be will assume that African Americans don't care and overlook African American concerns when African Americans don't show themselves to be an active citizenry as opposed to consumers. A voice in and through the media is a good place to start. Attending forums that inform about the business of media and the power of its use are essential to the community. It's like not voting when so many people died for the right to vote.

We have not because We participate not !!

Hallelujah ! Gospel Radio Announcers Together on TV.

2006-06-07T19:30:00.000-07:00

What a blessing it was to see some of Chicago's most influential Gospel air personalities in a forum discussing "Ministry in the Music" with Apostle Daniel H. Wilson on the Kingdom Vision Television broadcast which aired Monday evening on WJYS.

The program brought together Pam Morris, Mike Robinson, Darryl King, Sonja Blakey, and Marcella Jones sharing their views on Gospel music and their particular ministries. If this program is an indication of what's to come in Chicago, then the ministry of Christ will be richly served. Why do I say this? Hmmm! The participants were from three different radio stations and the politics and business of radio took a secondary seat to the liberating message of Christ.

Chicago with all its greatness has had problems coming together for a common good. (Too much/Too many EGO(s) "Edging God Out") However, this time the message of the Gospel and the ministry of each announcer as it relates to people in Chicago took center stage.

Of course, the preacher Apostle H. Daniel Wilson, put it all in perspective as to the significance of music and its use. Simply stated "music should bring the "hearer" to a level of preparedness to hear the word and worship God.

What do you think about the Ministry of Gospel Music on radio in Chicago?

An Amazing Disgrace ?

2006-06-07T18:46:00.000-07:00

Note: The Prime Minister... wholeheartedly agrees that Chicago should have its own Gospel Heritage Museum to recognize the many talented gospel pioneers from Chicago

Republished courtesy of the Chicago Sun-Times
May 28, 2006

BY DAVE HOEKSTRA Staff Reporter
Chicago Sun-Times

The world's first gospel museum, hall of fame and educational center is being planned for Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

That's like having a surfing museum in Chicago.

Chicago is the birthplace of gospel music. Mahalia Jackson came of age in Chicago. The Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey lived his adult life in Chicago after being born in Villa Rica, Ga. As the "Father of Gospel Music," he wrote more than 3,000 blues and gospel songs. Dorsey mentored Jackson, James Cleveland, Albertina Walker and many other gospel greats at the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church, 33rd and Indiana, which was destroyed by fire in January.

There wouldn't be the uplifting Chicago soul of the Staple Singers, Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield without Chicago gospel. R. Kelly's music teacher at Kenwood Academy was Lena McLin. Her uncle was the Rev. Dorsey.

At the center of the Fort Lauderdale initiative is gospel superstar Dr. Bobby Jones. The museum will be named the Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel Complex For Education, Heritage and Preservation. Last week, Jones began moving portions of his operation from Nashville to Fort Lauderdale. Jones is host and producer of "Bobby Jones Gospel," which has aired on Black Entertainment Television (BET) since 1980.

"Nowhere in the world do we have a home for gospel music," Jones said in an interview from Nashville. "This will be the first, and it will be quite elaborately built. This will include a (1,100-seat) theater and a production studio. Fort Lauderdale had the desire to build this. I thought it would have been Chicago first, but if Chicago wanted it, it would be there by now."

The 22nd annual Chicago Gospel Festival kicks off on Friday. CeCe Winans headlines Saturday's performances in Grant Park, and Sunday closes with "The Gospel Champions" featuring The Caravans, Doc McKenzie & The Hi-Lites, and Joe Ligon & The Mighty Clouds of Joy.

Pam Morris has been the city's gospel fest coordinator since 1989. "We're not happy about Florida," said Morris, who also hosts a weekly gospel show on WVON-AM (1450). "Albertina Walker was doing it before Bobby Jones. She's from Chicago. I'm shocked. I'm not sure this was offered to Chicago, and Chicago is the mecca of gospel music."

Morris has been meeting with the Rev. Stanley Keeble, who is trying to find a home for a Chicago Gospel Music Heritage Museum. He has artifacts such as the tuxedo worn by the late James Cleveland when he received the first of his five Grammy awards, plus uniforms from Chicago's legendary Thompson Communiy Singers. "This is a crucial situation for gopsel music," the Rev. Keeble said on Monday. "And it is crucial for the city of Chicago."

Meanwhile, Albert Tucker, vice president of multicultural business development at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, said ground will be broken for the 60,000-square foot Florida project next year. He hopes a portion of the Jones gospel center will be open in 2008.

"We saw the need for the industry to have a permanent home," Tucker said. "And we are one of the major tourist capitals of the country. From an economic standpoint, we put our money where our mouth was."

Church and state
Earlier this month Florida State Rep. Christopher Smith announced $350,000 had been appropriated for research and development of the gospel complex. The money is in the state's new budget, awaiting approval from Gov. Jeb Bush. Ultimately, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau hopes to obtain between $5 and 10 million from the state. Tucker chairs the state's program for multicultural tourism.

Chicago's Rev. Keeble said, "My problem has been finding funding. Bobby didn't have any trouble finding funding. And he gets exposure from his television show."

The Rev. Keeble was a frequent performer on the "Jubilee Showcase" television show that ran from 1963 until 1984 on WLS-TV. By July he hopes to launch a Sunday morning "Chicago Gospel Jublilee" show on WCPX-Channel 38. ("Jubilee Showcase" tapes can be viewed at the Chicago Public Library Music Information Center in the Harold Washington Library.)

The key element in gospel coming to Fort Lauderdale is the bi-annual International Gospel Industry Retreat, hosted by Jones. Three years ago Jones, 67, moved his retreats from Las Vegas to Fort Lauderdale. Earlier this month, the 18th biannual retreat was held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The next retreat will be Dec. 4-6 in Fort Lauderdale. Tucker said each retreat results in nearly $1 million for the local economy.

"He brings in just about all the major gospel artists for educational summits as well as television tapings," Tucker said. "Last time he had Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar." That three-day retreat drew 1,100 people daily, according to Tucker. "It's really focused on the industry," he said. "The numbers have gone up in the education component where youth participate. At one point it was only for artists and label people."

Geography vs. unity

Lifelong Chicagoan Darius Brooks appears at 5:40 p.m. Saturday in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion as part of this year's Chicago Gospel Festival. His mother, Ethyl, played piano for Cleveland and Mahalia Jackson. Brooks was the songwriter and producer for the late Rev. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Singers. Brooks bleeds Chicago gospel, yet he understands Jones' initiative.

"Everybody in the gospel industry knows Bobby Jones," said Brooks, 43. "Any attatchment to Chicago would be awesome for him. The detatchment from Chicago would make eyebrows go up. Because of gospel, I would support him. I believe in unity. But there should be a museum in Chicago, and maybe this will open it up."

In 1989, a Jazz-Blues-Gospel Hall of Fame opened in the Chicago Public Library Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. The project was led by Charles Suber, former publisher of Down Beat magazine from 1955-62 and 1968-82. Initital inductees were Jackson, Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon. The "hall of fame" moved to the Harold Washington Library when it opened in 1991 and is now available as part of the library's archival collection.

The Rev. Keeble's Chicago Gospel Music Heritage Museum idea has its roots in a computerized history kiosk at the DuSable Museum. This week the kiosk will be moved to Grant Park in conjunction with the gopsel festival. The Rev. Keeble has played with Inez Andrews and Jessy Dixon. In 1968, he formed his own gospel choir, the Voices of Triumph.

In the fall of 2002, the Gospel Music Heritage Museum was ready to launch out of a donated building at Michael Reese Hospital. But hospital president Steven Weinstein, who offered the space, was transferred to Washington, D.C., and the musem never opened.

"I'm looking at various sites," the Rev. Keeble said. "I don't know their avalibilty."

'This is going to happen'

The International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Detroit was founded in 1995. That effort includes a Web site (www.igmhf.org) with a digitized history of gospel music. A "Wall of Time" tracing gospel music from 1865 and the museum's touch screen exhibits can be seen inside the Dorohn Records studio, a gospel label at 18301 W. McNichols Rd. in Detroit. The group is also seeking funding for a permanent museum.

"There's no real building in Detroit," Jones said. "There's concepts all over the country."

Jones' television show is produced in Washington, D.C., and that will continue. He said he will also continue to use Nashville as the base of rehearsal for his choir. Jones also will book gospel talent for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The prestigious Stellar Gospel Music Awards has a hold on the 2,700-seat Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for its 2007 awards show.

The Fort Lauderdale gospel hall of fame will have inductions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Tucker said, "I've already talked to individuals from the Gospel Music Workshop of America [founded by James Cleveland], the Praise and Worship Conference. We have word out to Bishop [Kenneth] Moales in Connecticut who worked with Thomas Dorsey.

"This is going to happen," he continued. "There is nothing like this anywhere for gospel. Our convention bureau put in $100,000 for the feasibility study, and we continue to support the efforts of the retreats. We want to make sure that Dr. Jones not only has a location, but a true team around him, supporting him."

Professor Miles teaches at BCW Internship

2006-06-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

Today, in Nashville, Tennessee I was honored to lecture journalism students from various universities across the country on sound capture and using a digital voice recorder. This is my second year working with the Black College Wire project which is an organization dedicated to teaching students how to be better journalists. How did I get here? Hmmm! this is an assignment from God! Working with academics Dr. Reggie Owens, and Dr. Valerie White, professionals Pearl Stewart, Richard Prince, and Jean Thompson is a great experience. I am honored to share with colleagues and teach students the knowledge God has gifted me with.

The Prime Minister's First Message

2006-06-01T08:53:00.000-07:00

Well, today I reach out into the world of cyberspace on a mission to inspire. My work is intended to reach students where they are. Learning to use technology is vitally important in the realm of communications. This blog is intended for students of radio production, audio editing, sound for video, multitrack music production and announcers.