TalkToMe: DJs

Being a Baltimore guy I listened to a lot of "real" R&B radio - back when
Fat Daddy (the late Paul Johnson) was king. One of the best "mellow" sounding R&B jocks was a guy who called himself "Jolly Jerry B" better known as Jerry Boulding. I listened to him on WEBB. Other great Baltimore R&B jocks were: Billy Fox, Kelson Fisher, Chuck Leonard, Chuck Richards, Rockin Robin, Hot Rod and the incomparable "Big Al Jefferson." You don't hear radio entertainers like these guys anymore.

from cheap propecia | May 29, 2009 12:01 PM

Incredible site!

from odell pearson | March 31, 2009 02:38 AM

Anybody who listen to black radio in the 60's and 70's, and especially in the Chicago area, listen to alot of great personality. But there was something about"Hale Power...and WVON...Cicel Hale, it was like poetry.

from pace music Joe | May 19, 2008 02:58 PM

pace Joe place

from pace music Joe | May 19, 2008 02:58 PM

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from pace music Joe | May 19, 2008 09:43 AM

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from pace music Joe | May 19, 2008 09:43 AM

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from Diana | March 1, 2008 10:28 AM

Back in the day if you lived in Philly. something crazy happen at 9:00pm. people would grab radio's from were ever they could get them. Because everybody knew butterball was on the air doing the love portion. Butter would open the show with a rap. And then a female would say go on and tear it up Butter Ok. And from that point on Butter own the airways. I mean take it from me being a young girl at the time. We would go Nuts.And even my older cousin's at the time would be screaming and hollering, crying, almost passing out. Because Butter would play hit after hit. And with each song you would hear women screaming.And the guys would be there to lovin the music. Because they knew that Butter had sat us up for them. And after the show the guys pick off who they wanted.Or sometimes the females would go after who they wanted. I mean Butter gave you heart he made your love jones come down on you. And if it was in the summer time. People would be out side holding radios and singing. At this point all I can say is. Go On And Tear It Up Butter Ok.All who remember Butterball back in the day in Philly speak on it. Diana

from Diana | March 1, 2008 10:09 AM

Back in the day if you lived in Philly. something crazy happen at 900pm. people would grab radio's from were ever they could get them. Because everybody knew butterball was on the air doing the love portion. Butter would open the show with a rap. And then a female would say go on and tear it up Butter Ok. And from that point on Butter own the air ways. I mean take it from me being a young girl at the time. We would go Nuts.And even my older cousin's at the time would be screaming and hollering, crying, almost passing out. Because Butter would play hit after hit. And with each song you would hear women screaming.And the guys would be there to lovin the music. Because they knew that Butter had sat us up for them. And after the show the guys pick off who they wanted.Or sometimes the females would go after who they wanted. I mean Butter gave you heart he made your love jones come down on you. And if it was in the summer time. People would be out side holding radios and singing. At this point all I can say is. Go On And Tear It Up Butter Ok.All who remember Butterball back in the day in Philly speak on it. Diana

from zark | September 10, 2007 08:40 PM

I worked at WOL from 1966-1973.While I didn't know Petey Greene,I DID know the other people depicted in the film,and was disappointed at the number of liberties you took with the facts as I know them.
To begin with,contrary to your film, Petey Greene was NOT A DISC JOCKEY, band was certainly NOT hired to increase ratings during morning drive time. As you undoubtedly know, he had a community-oriented talk show,and, as I recall, was on the air on the weekend.
To the best of my knowledge, Petey did NOT organize a demonstration outside the Dupont Circle Office to protest his firing.
Martin Sheen portrayed the owner of WOl, Egmont Sonderling, giving the impression that he was the person intimately connected with the day-to-day operation of WOL. In fact,John Pace was the Station Manager, and was the individual who made the personnel decisions.(As an aside,while the film portrays numerous meetings around a big table,I doubt that there was any office at WOL that held such a large table,and,in any case,there wouldn't have been enough WOL executives to fill it.There were about 4 salesmen and a program director).
Speaking of the program director...while Dewey Hughes deserves all the credit in the world for bringing Petey to the station, he was NOT the program director, but was the Community Affairs Director.(The actual program director was Dave McNamara).
A small point-since you went to the trouble of using actual names of some disc jockeys, like the Nighthawk and Sunny Jim Kelsey, why would you also include a false name like "Soul Poppa," instead of the name of a real WOL"Soul Brother"of the time like Fred "Soul Finger"Correy or Jerry "Jolly Jerry B" Boulding.
I believe that you deserve credit for producing this risky commercial venture; I just wish you had adhered to the facts alot closer.
Sincerely,Mark Diamond
P.S.-Should you be in touch with Dewey Hughes,give him my regards.We co-produced a TV Show together and I've always deeply respected his
high standards and commitment.

from candita brooks | August 20, 2007 02:38 PM

where is this movie playing ? 90809

from Deborah | August 20, 2007 06:03 AM

When will "talk to me" be released at theaters in Columbus, OH? I know this is a racist state, I'm just tired of not being able to see premiers until after a certain amount of time, or not at all.

from L. A. | August 11, 2007 08:39 AM

"Talk to Me" was a great movie. If it wasn't for the director, Kasi Lemmons pushing to get this important film made, Petey may just have been a footnote for Washingtonians. The performances of all the lead and supporting characters were outstanding. Taraji this is your film.

from Fred Heutte | August 5, 2007 02:30 AM

I don't know who the greatest DJ is -- the Mighty Burner Bobby Bennett on his mean mota-scoota was my favorite back in that day. As for the Nighthawk, he was the man, enough said.

I grew up almost in the shadow of the WOOK antenna on Riggs Rd NE, and I had a lot of favorites there too (if I recall right, Sunny Jim had a stint there, and Soul Poppa the Be Boppa, Ernie Fields and even an unknown named Donnie Simpson).

But as a 6th grade white kid in 1966 I can say without reservation that WOL had the biggest impact on my musical life -- from my time in college radio to associate editor at the Unicorn Times all the way to the present as a house and techno DJ in Oregon.

My family was a Washington Post subscriber, but every Saturday I bought the Evening Star and clipped out the Top 10 charts from all the local stations -- WEAM, WEEL, WINX, WPGC, WMAL (Felix Grant's jazz 10), WOOK and of course WOL.

'Talk to Me' is really a fine movie with a lot of good period touches, and I was especially pleased to see Ben's Chili Bowl in one scene because they just about kept WOL afloat for a few years.

There is one thing, though, that is just plain wrong -- all the records on the turntables in the movie are LPs! But what WOL played on the air and what we bought at Waxie Maxie's on F St downtown were 45s -- I still have mine.

We can forgive that though, the movie is true to the time, to DC, to the music, and to Petey Greene and the other DJs who defined the unique feeling of DC 40 years ago.

And by the way, what about Bobby Bennett? Today, the Mighty Burner is program director for Soul Street, XM Radio channel 60. Get on down wichyobadself :)

As for Talk to Me, tell all your friends to see it. And now I'm waiting for the sequel, Bustin' Loose: The Chuck Brown Story . . .

from ron harris | July 28, 2007 04:17 PM

My favorite was and is Bobby Bennet, The Mighty Burner. Bobby was the dj on the 3 to 7 pm shift, just before The Night Hawk on WOL, 1450 AM. Bobby is presently the host of Soul Street on XM Radio. I think Bobby came to DC in 1966, the year I graduated from High School.

from AfrikahVenus | July 23, 2007 11:39 AM

One of my favorite DJ's was Bob Jones at KDIA here in the bayarea. After to moving to the East cost (DC), I started listening to a lot of BLACK TALK RADIO which is miss very much. I listen to BERNNIE, CATHY HUGHES, a Brother named Miles/Ralph from Ben Hill in Atalnta who had a show called the DC Posse (If my memory serves me right). I also listen to BOB LAWS (night talk) out of New York.

Now, since I am back on the West coast, I listen on the internet to live 365 to Kewedi (may have misspelled his name).

from MIA D. HORN | July 22, 2007 01:42 AM

The best DJ to ever hit the air waves then or now was the NIGHTHAWK. Good movie but lets keep it real they did not give NIGHTHAWK his due respect. THE MAN WAS AND WILL FOREVER BE A LEGEND.

from EasyEd | July 21, 2007 03:06 PM

"Funky" Larry Jones, who is now "Brother Larry" on an inspirational station, here in Houston. Anyone who has the film distributor's ear, let them know that they are leaving cash on the table, not pushing this film into more theaters. Give Cheadle his OSCAR!

Also shout out to the "Snowman"!

from Gayle Lecus | July 20, 2007 06:38 PM

Stern is not in the same leauge as Greene, even though Stern, like Petey broke all the rules to the agrin of the FCC.
Petey reminds me of a D.J here in Los Angeles called "The Mancifient Monteque"--Monteque's catch phase during the Watts Riots of the 60's was "Burn Baby Burn."

from Al Greer | July 18, 2007 10:57 PM

From 1962 until 1975 it was WVON 1450 AM Chicago's "Good Guys". Joe "Youngblood" Cobb, E. Rodney Jones ("The Mad Lad"), Pervis Spann "The Blues Man", Herb Kent "The Cool Gent", Richard Pegue, Bill "Butterball " Crane, Lucky Cordell, Cecil Hale, Jay Johnson and Ed Cook. They ruled the airwaves in Chicago and in the country. Motown wouldn't be what they are today without The WVON Good Guys because most of the Motown 45s were shipped to WVON first before the rest of the country heard them. If they tested well in Chicago, then it was a hit all over the country. If it wasn't for Program Directors like E. Rodney Jones and Lucky Cordell, there wouldn't be hits from artists like Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Mary Wells, The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye...etc...
One jock that stands out even to this day would be Herb Kent. His smooth delivery inspired me to become a radio personality in my own right. From the early 60's to today, Herb Kent has been at the top of his game because he changed with the times. He re-invented himself as a "Steppers" jock in the late 90's through today, making him one of the most popular Radio DJs in Chicago for over four decades. I'm proud to say that he was and still is one of my Radio mentors. I just hope that I can last that long!

from Marsha | July 16, 2007 09:47 AM

There will never be another like the Chief Rocker Frankie Crocker....May you live to be 100 and me 100 minus a day so I never know nice people like you have passed away....May he rest in peace. It was a great story and a wonderful movie.

from Jim | July 16, 2007 09:46 AM

Racist act? It's just the way a film got released. There's 4-5 films a week that get released like Talk To Me did. Dont worry guys, the film is expanding and will be in a theater near you soon.

from Nilaja | July 16, 2007 07:26 AM

Yes, Frankie Crocker on WBLS in NY was the best and right behind him came Vaughn Harper the voice who invented The Quiet Storm. Holla!

from FilmBuff | July 13, 2007 11:55 PM

to answer the question directly: frankie crocker of WBLS fm in New York City was THE quintessential DJ. But to the best of my memory - he was never political; he was all about the music. I gained a new respect for "P-town" He wasn't afraid to tell the truth.

from FilmBuff | July 13, 2007 11:52 PM

If you were born before 1975 but after 1940, run - don't walk - to see this movie. What a phenomenal trip down memory lane. Don Cheadle walks the walk and talks the talk. He serves up a brilliant performance that brings to life a man whom I never heard of in my life. But if you appreciate the 60's/70's music/history/culture etc., you will very likely enjoy this movie. I am not from D.C. and I swear I had no clue who Petey Greene was but I came away feeling like I grew up listening to him on the radio. Only minor disappointment. Being the film buff that I am - i immediately went on line to compare 'Hollywood's' Petey Greene to the real Petey Greene - and the producers/screenwriters somewhat distorted this man's life. One part - which I will not give away - was a shocking 'rewriting' of actual history - which in my view was totally unnecessary to fabricate. (hint - the tonight show.) Other than that - moving performances by all - Cheadle's co-star should change his name because I have no idea how to spell or pronounce it and I am unable to even explain who he was to my friends - nd he delivered an amazing performance. Call your agent dude?!Cedric the Entertainer was miscast; he didn't have enough lines and we wanted to hear from him. Any B actor could have performed his role - oh wait - he is a B actor - but he is rather well known - so it didn't make sense to put someone like him in a throwaway role. but for every minor flaw - cheadle leaves you feelng so satisfied that you ultimately cannot complain. If you were born after 1975 - or heaven forbid -after 1985 - you probably will have a 'so what' attitude typical of your generation. but that's not the movie's fault - it's yours. At 11 bucks a ticket (!) i have never paid to see the same movie twice - this one - i would pay to see again. Bravo ... or should I say, "Right On Daddy!"

from Kai | July 13, 2007 10:01 AM

I don't know why people are bringing up Stern. For one, he's not a DJ he's a talk show host and he's not man enough to carry Petey's jockstrap! Please!There is no comparison. As far as real DJ's -- in Philly back in the day we had the legendary Georgie Woods "The Guy with the Goods" who was a Petey Green kind of guy. There was nobody like him in the city. He hosted rock & roll shows at the Uptown, but was involved in the community. He was in the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement in Philly-- marching with King, inspiring young folks to fight for Black history in the public schools and marching around the wall at Girard College so Black children could go there. He spoke out on his show between records. He was the first to organize Black businesses into an association. He even ran for City Council back in the day and won, although they stole it from him. He eventually turned his show into a talk show in the early 70s where he REALLY told it like it is. I'm glad I got a chance to interview him before he died a few years ago. He was right when he said "these politicians in Philly are nothing but snakes!" Georgie was the man. He and Petey would have been great together. Both were true to themselves and Black people. God Bless both of them!

from S h a d o w | July 13, 2007 08:54 AM

Back in the the day in Birmingham, before the whole syndicated radio thing,...there were numerous local personalities that had my A.M. and F.M. dials on fire!

Most noteworthy were "Tall Paul", "Shelley The Playboy", and my all-time favorite,...AL J. better known as "Dr. Jumpenstein".

Legendary knuckleheads "Mark and Brian" who have gone on to gain radio success in a bigger market in California also got their start right here in the magic city.

These guys were the essence of the phrase 'D.J.'
long before shock Jocks like Howard Stern, or talk show host Michael Baisden or funny man Tom Joyner even made it to our airwaves.

These guys along with a few others were our local radio "heros". Loved by MaMa and Grandma alike.
You woke up to them and relied on them to set your whole day in motion.
I can still remember my Granny telling me to wrap up in the winter because "Shelley" said the 'hawk was out' that day.

There was even a D.J. here
who went to jail because he left the station to go home and catch his wife on bed with another man.
Anyone from Birmingham reading this either knows or has a family member who recalls the incident .

Birmingham radio stations like other cities I'm sure have D.J.'s with stories to tell like the one in this film.

I think we should 'all' check it out just to re live a little of the past.

Peace

S h a d o w

from Anonymous | July 13, 2007 06:56 AM

Before stumbling onto the Bad Boy of Radio (Michael Baisden), I hardly ever listened to the radio. This approachable bro' and his team has a way of making his audience feel as though the thought provoking and opinionated conversations are occurring among a circle of friends who are willing to agree to disagree on issues of interest to all.

from Jayfar | July 13, 2007 05:36 AM

Joey Reynolds!

from Holly | July 12, 2007 08:42 PM

Saw Talk to Me last night in Monterey. The cast was SPECTACULAR. Their work is something they can be proud of. I really enjoyed the film

from Melissa Fredricks | July 12, 2007 06:01 PM

Howard Stern is a pig.

from Jimmy | July 12, 2007 05:58 PM

Does Howard Stern count? Maybe he's not the nice guy everyone is hoping but Howard Stern is so entertaining, how could be not be the best?