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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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Arnold Dwight "Gatemouth" Moore, Oral History
Arnold Dwight “Gatemouth” Moore - (b. Nov 8, 1913, d. May 19, 2004). Starting his career on the air at WIBW in Topeka, Kansas, his home town, in the 1930's, Moore was a major blues singer in the 1930’s and 40's and a prolific recording artist and…
Tommy Jackson, Oral History
Tommy Jackson (b. Nov 18, 1946) - During his part time radio announcer stint at WJLD 1400 AM in the 1970's. Tommy also taught at Ullman High School and at Miles College. Here, he reflects briefly on various colleagues at WJLD radio, in particular,…
Dave Donnell, Oral History
Dave Donnell (b. Nov.2, 1949.) Dave held many positions at many stations, starting in 1969 at WVOL AM Nashville, his birth city, then to KALO AM Little Rock and finally to Birmingham, where he spent many years at WENN 107.7 FM, at WBUL 1220, at…
Sam Frazier Jr., Oral History
Sam Frazier, Jr. (b. Aug 12, 1943) a Birmingham singer who sang the blues, RnB, gospel and country, whose career spans recording in NYC, Birmingham and Los Angeles, Sam came up in the Edgewater neighborhood of Birmingham, played a blues harp and…
Reflections on Trumon Puckett from his son, Rod Puckett
Trumon Puckett (b. Aug 2, 1917 - d. Jan 30, 1967) - one of Birmingham radio's most famous names. Trumon Puckett was well know in gospel radio circles in both the Black and white communities with his "Gospel Ship" program on WJLD 1400. Beginning his…