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Gary Richardson, Oral History
Gary Richardson (b. Feb 18, 1957) Born to a coal mining family in Praco, Alabama, Gary spent some early years with childhood friends rummaging through junk yards, experimenting with discarded electrical components and such, and evolved into owning…
Ed Boutwell, Oral History
Ed Boutwell (b. June 21, 1937, d. January 25, 2023) founder of Boutwell Recording Studios in Birmingham, Alabama. Nephew of Albert Boutwell who was mayor of Birmingham from 1963 to 1967, Ed recounts numerous memories of growing up on Birmingham's…
Don Solomon and Norman B. Wooding Jr., Oral History
Don Solomon and Norman B Wooding, Jr, two pioneer Jefferson County gospel singers and, most recently, members of the Pillars of Birmingham, reminisce on the days of quartet concerts in Birmingham, including group members. The conversation took…
Al Isaac, Oral History
A flashback to the 1950's New York City days of Jocko Henderson, Birmingham born and raised Al Isaac had a special connection with his RnB and Blues listening audience at WATV 900 AM in Birmingham. His laugh, his character voices they were clearly a…
Ron January, Oral History
Ron January (b.March 13, 1953) As of the date of this post edit, Ron, is still on staff at (V94.9 FM-WATV 900) - where he has held almost every possible position - since 1978. Ron began broadcasting at Howard University in the early 70's and came…
Reflections on Paul "Tall Paul" White by his nephew, Paul McGinest
What follows are three interviews with the youngest nephew of Announcer Paul "Tall Paul" White. His name is Paul McGinest and he is the youngest son of Tall Paul's older sister Dorothy Rogers and her husband Linwood McGinest. As of the dates of…
Carolyn "Michelle" Shivers, Oral History
Carolyn “Michelle” Shivers (b. Sept 21, 1954). Michelle was an on air personality and, for a time, Music Director, at WJLD in the late 1970's. In this interview, she shares some of her recollections of the period that encompassed the 1976 WENN…
Bobby Hayden, Oral History
Bobby Hayden (b.May 28, 1937) Born in Huntsville, Alabama, Bobby was very active with the sports program at Alabama A&M and worked closely with Paul White (who would become "Tall Paul" in Birmingham at WENN 1320 AM) who would broadcast A&M games on…
Roscoe Robinson, Oral History
Roscoe Robinson (b. May 22, 1928) Roscoe Robinson, sometimes called "Scoe" is continuing to sing and record at 92. Born in Dermott, Arkansas to a musical family, Robinson's father was a minister and his mother sang spirituals and he had sisters, one…
Gwendolyn Sanders Gamble, Oral History
Gwendolyn Sanders Gamble (b. Nov. 17, 1947) and her two sisters Dot and Deborah, were Ullman High School students and active in the 1963 campaign. Gwen was 14 and a recruiter which means she would work inside the school letting other students know…