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10 Questions with ... Walt "Baby" Love (Walter L. Shaw Jr.)
November 1, 2022
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Part-Time WWYN-FM/Erie, PA.; KYOK-AM/Houston, TX.; KILT-AM/Houston, TX.; CKLW-AM (The Big 8) Winsor, Canada/Detroit, MI.; WOR-FM/New York City; WBLS-FM/New York; WNBC-AM/New York City; KSD-AM/St. Louis, MO.; WVON-AM & FM/Chicago, IL. (Operations Manager); 93 KHJ-AM/Los Angeles; KKTT-AM & KUTE 102 FM/Los Angeles (OM); KFI-AM/Los Angeles (7p-Mid); KMPC-AM/Los Angeles (Weekends Mid-days & Vacation & Sick Relief)/ Urban Radio & Music Editor Radio & Records Newspaper -Twenty-One Years; Syndication: The Countdown With Walt "Baby" Love, Gospel Traxx , and African Americans Making It Happen: Radio Hall Of Fame Induction November 1st, 2022.
1) How do you feel about being inducted into the Radio Hall Of Fame?
First, let me say this, I really appreciate your thoughtfulness in thinking about me and wondering how I feel about being recently "Inducted" into the Radio Hall Of FAME. In our divided and lack of civility polarized society, it's a blessing to first be asked the question and then have a platform to share one's thoughts. I'm ecstatic, thrilled, humbled, overjoyed, and filled with appreciated because of what it really means, not only to me and my family, but to those who've believed in me and helped me along the way of the many years of giving my all. I can remember those folks who laughed at me, who tried to discourage me, who even hurled racial slurs at me because of my daring to have the nerve and the audacity to even think I had what it took to compete on the "BIG" stage of "Mainstream" TOP 40/CHR Radio and actually and ultimately become a winner as an iconic on-air talent. It's a blessing Sammy, it really is. It's part of what the American Dream is all about. Having a dream, a goal, a desire to accomplish something that the LORD has put in your spirit and then having the faith and courage to go after it and not give up or quit until you have completed the mission. My Great grandmother used to tell me, "You want something honey, talk to GOD about it, have faith and go get it! You can do it. If those other boys can achieve things, you can too!" She was a fighter; a go getter and she passed those faith filled DNA genes on to me. Praise GOD!!
As you know, I've had and still have a "storied" career in several interesting career fields. I served honorably in the United States ARMY for six years and eleven months on Active Duty and to reach a full seven years of service I needed to re-enlist for a third Tour Of Duty which would have increased my pay. So, the military wasn't going to do that unless you re-enlisted for another three years. I ain't mad at 'em, the regulations are the regulations. I must say this, my time as a Paratrooper in the 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and when I was in Southeast Asia (MACV) 9TH LOG Command "B", Northeastern Thailand were life experiences I am extremely proud of and thankful for. After the military and back in the "World," radio became the next challenging mission we undertook with the "goal" of making it big as an "On-Air" talent doing Top 40/CHR formatted radio, the only catch was, no one Black in the U.S. had that distinction but my friend Chuck Leonard at the famous "77 WABC" in New York City. But, as Black Preachers' have said for years, "If you can perceive it, you can receive it and achieve it!". That spirit, that sense of achieving that my Great-Grandmother and my mother put in me has driven me all my life and still does. Radio has been the incubator, so-to-speak, that has given me the creative skills to add to my career goals and achievements like my two New Year's Eve Television Specials aired on CBS O&O's-- nationally Co-Hosted with me by Jeffery Osborne, Whitney Houston-- and the second year Janet Jackson Co-Hosted with me; Whitney and Jeffery and I Executive Produced along with my partner Sam Riddle; Two Lou Rawl's' Cavalcade Of Stars United Negro College Fund Raisers as Co-Producer, judging several times on the TV Show Star Search, becoming a Published Author of "The Gospel According To Rev. Walt 'Baby' Love, Published by Simon & Schuster; and becoming an Ordained Elder in The African Methodist Episcopal Church while obtaining my Master Of Theology Degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, in Pasadena, California in 2005. Now, on the fence about going after the "Doctorate"…WHOA!! Oh, and remember this…all this was happening for a "Radio Guy" while I was the Urban Radio & Music Editor for Radio & Records Newspaper and doing our three Syndicated radio shows; The Countdown with Walt "Baby" Love; African American Making It Happen, and Gospel Traxx with Walt "Baby" Love. So, when I tell you GOD is good and GOD is a way maker if you trust him, if you serve him and if you follow his command, I'm a living testament of what He can and will do. What He's done for me, He can do for you.
So, once again, 'How do I feel about being inducted into the Radio Hall Of FAME?' The Annual Radio Hall of FAME Awards Dinner & Ceremony was the "CHERRY ON TOP OF THE CAKE" for me because it's the highest award/achievement one can receive in our industry and as I said earlier, I'm thankful, I'm grateful and I'm humbled.
2) What are you up to these days?
Doing my best to stay busy, as always. God has blessed me to stay involved in several things, and I'm grateful to be doing the things I love, at this point in life. My Ministry through my syndicated Gospel Traxx Show is top of mind along with my Ministerial work at First A.M.E. Church, Los Angeles, better known as (F.A.M.E.) that keeps me engaged in the community and nationally.
I'm really thankful to the folks at Reach Media, Inc. for giving me the opportunity to work with them, specifically David Kantor, Alfred Liggins and Ms. Cathy Hughes at the parent company, Urban One, because of their belief in our unique outreach to people; reaching them where they are in their lives by ministering to their "natural" spirit and encouraging them to connect with God's "Holy Spirit" using music, scriptures, testimonies, interviews with their favorite Gospel artists, factual health tips, and nostalgia, all while having a little church, which is good for our overall outlook on life.
As you know Sam, I've had the opportunity of doing three television music-oriented specials in the past and I've asked the Lord, if it's in His will, to allow me the privilege of glorifying HIM one more time with another unique presentation. So, we'll see what happens. You never know what God's gonna do. You may or may not know, but Gospel Traxx With Walt "Baby" Love, just celebrated our twenty-fifth year in syndication making us a unique entity in the Gospel music and radio world.
My agent, Eric Wiess, of the Wiess Agency, has played an important role in our success and my career in syndicated radio since 1995 and for that, I'm grateful for his loyal and professional representation all these years. As it pertains to our future, it's bright, as always. Why? The answer is found in one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible, Jeremiah 29:11 says, and I quote: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." It's all about faith.
3) When and why did you decide to go into radio?
Now, that's an interesting question for me because I was torn about whether I should re-enlist (again) in the U.S. Army and decide to do the twenty towards retirement or get out and try this gamble doing something I really didn't know that much about. But I was interested in finding out more about this mystic that a career in radio had put in front of me through other people I knew in the radio business who seemed to be doing quite well, while also telling me how much they enjoyed doing what they did on the air being personalities. I think I really started thinking about it seriously at my last duty assignment in Erie, Pennsylvania on the ROTC Staff at Gannon University after returning from Southeast Asia during my second enlistment and that was in 1966.
The radio thing didn't really hit me, so to speak, until late 1967 when it became a little more serious in my thinking because I knew I was going to have to make a "command" decision about my life and wellbeing that would affect me for the rest of my life. That's when you find out if you're a "man" or a "boy" and after what I had lived the past six years and eleven months on active duty, I knew I was a man and I had what it took to take on the next challenge in my life, no matter what it was gonna take. I talked to my mother and my grandmother about it, to get a little "wisdom." My mom said, "Go get 'em Sarg. Give it a try." So, here I am, still, Rockin' the Box.
4) Weren't you a paratrooper?
Yep, I sure was and still am mentally and spiritually. I love and respect all people who've served in one of our Nation's military branches. But I'm biased, paratroopers are my brothers and sisters. Back in the day we didn't have any female 'troopers', but today's Airborne Units have the ladies jumping too. Bravo, I like that. I was in the 82nd Airborne Division, B. Company, First of the 505th Infantry.
Later, I was transferred to Headquarters & Headquarters Company of the 505th. From the time I was a little guy I wanted to be a 'Trooper' either in the 101st Airborne Division or the 82nd ABN Division. So, when I was old enough, I enlisted in the U.S. Army, volunteered to go Airborne and boy oh boy, it was everything I thought and more. You can believe that. It made a man out of me.
I served with some great guys from all over the country. That really made it interesting and a great experience. You learned respect and diversity…and if you didn't want to learn about respect and diversity in an Airborne Unit. Well, you either learned or you found out what you should have known before you volunteered to be an Airborne solider. It's the Airborne Way, not your way.
5) Would you share some RKO and Paul Drew Stories?
I think one of the best is how he found out about me and became interested in hiring me to be one of his air personalities up in Canada. I say, "Up in Canada" because when he became aware of me on the air and my abilities. I was in Houston, Texas at the famous KILT-AM (The Big 610), as it was then known back then. It was the Number 1 radio station in Houston, Top 40 at its best. Our PD was Bill Young, who was well respected by the most influential radio and music industry executives at that time. Bill and Mr. Dickie Rosenfeld had hired me away from the R&B radio station that gave me my first fulltime job right out of the military, KYOK-AM/Houston.
So, when they decided to hire me, they told me that they didn't have a shift for me, but they were going to create one for me from 10p– 1a Monday through Friday and Saturday nights from 7p-mid. I'm on the air one night and the request lines were lighting up and I answered this one line, and a gentleman says, "Hey, is this Walt "Baby" Love?" and I said, yes, it is; and he said, "Wow, you're really sounding good tonight. I like that." I thought to myself, "I wonder who this guy is. Probably somebody getting ready to make me angry." God hadn't saved me yet. I responded to him by saying, "Thank you very much. Listen, I'm on the air, can't talk long. What can I play for you, what would you like to hear tonight?" Paul then says, "I want you to work for me, I'm Paul Drew." I couldn't believe it and I didn't believe it. So, I said, "Right, get off the phone man." And I hung up so I could concentrate on my next set.
As the night continued and I kept answering the request lines, as we were trained to do. The same guy called again. I spoke to him, and he told me he was Paul Drew and wanted to offer me a job at CKLW in Winsor/Canada. CK was one of my favorite radio stations back then in the sixties and I used to listen to it every day and especially at night when I was in Erie. I thought someone in the radio business was messing with me and going to pull a joke on me, so I hung up again. Long story short, I got a call from my friend Dick Kline who was a record company executive at Atlantic Records in New York who was a friend of Paul's, but I didn't know Dickie had told Paul about me being over at KILT.
Dickie said, "Man, Paul Drew wants to have a conversation with you, and he said he called you on the request line and you hung up on him." Well, it was true, I asked him to apologize to Mr. Drew for me and asked him to give him my home phone. No cell phones back then. Paul called, we talked, and he laid it out and understood my apprehension. I told him I loved Houston and really didn't want leave. He told me this could be an opportunity of a lifetime. Then said, "Let me fly you up here for a few days and let's talk in person."
That did it, and I became the first Black air talent on the Top 40 side of things at any of their facilities. You know, like 93 KHJ/Los Angeles; WRKO-AM/Boston; WOR-FM/New York City; KCBQ-FM/San Diego; WHBQ/ Memphis and KFRC-AM/San Francisco. At that time Bill Drake was the Programming Consultant to the chain, but Paul was extremely influential throughout the company. I was his personal pick and his personal project, and he let me know it. As he put it, "You're my personable responsibility. If you succeed, I succeed and I'm not going to let you fail." What can I tell you, God is good. We stuck with each other until he passed away. God bless his soul. At CKLW, he and Rosalee Trombley, his Music Director, who was Canadian, were a force to be reckoned with. She's a legendary radio programming executive in Canada. Love me some Rosalee. Between her and Paul, I was in good hands. I might have another one or two stories, but let's leave it at one Paul Drew story.
6) Who are some of the people who influenced or mentored your career?
Early on, back in Erie, PA while I was still in the military on active duty at Gannon University, I had two students who were freshman in the mandatory ROTC Program. They asked me to tutor them and give them a little help with one of their classes. They said, "Hey Sarg, could you give us a little help after hours?" I told them if I could help them out, I would. One guy was Ron Seggi and the other student was Pat Rogers from Meadville, PA., not far from Erie. Seggi was a local kid from Erie.
Let me show how God's working on your behalf and you don't even know it. I asked both when they'd have some time to get together and they both said, "We work in the evenings." I said, "doing what?"; they both told me they were Disc Jockeys at local radio stations. Seggi worked for WJET-AM and Pat worked for WWYN-AM and WWYN-FM. Pat mostly worked on the FM. They told me when they had time for a little tutoring and I asked a very important question," "Can I come by the radio stations where you work and watch you on the air?" they said, "Sure, if you'd like to do it."
They got permission for me to watch and they kind of got it started for me. Another guy they were friends with was Rick D'imeco who worked at WWGO-AM in Erie. All of a sudden, I got to know these young "white" guys, all in medium market radio who were in their teens, welcoming me into to their professional space with open minds and not being concerned with my color. That was 1967. D'imeco and Pat were the first to suggest I try getting into their production studios at their respective radio stations and try and make a demo tape. Yeah, I said, "tape."
After that, when I decided to try going for it out in civilian life, it was Richard "Dick" Oppenheimer, at KYOK-AM/Houston, his PD, Rick Roberts, and Brother George Nelson, affectionately known when he was doing R&B as "Groovy" George. They all taught me what they could and encouraged me daily, telling me, "Kid you got it." Other mentors over the years were my two different Program Directors in New York at WOR-FM, Sabastian Stone and Mel Philips who both took a personal interest in me. Paul Drew and Bill Drake, the consultant, were their bosses from the West-coast.
Thank God, they directed me, helped me get better and better every time I was on the air. Sometimes there were brutal air check sessions of critique, but always fair, enlightening, and productive. I wanted to be the best and they were determined to help me accomplish the mission of allowing my talent to speak for me and let the world know, I wasn't just some token. My numbers spoke for themselves. When Mel became Program Director at WNBC-AM/New York, he brought me in as his afternoon drive personality to work with the likes of my man, Joe McCoy who was doing middays and they had Don Imus in the Mornings. You know, "66 NBC -Hit Me Again," we were giving away everything. It was a great experience and a lot of fun.
One of my other mentors was Ron Ruth, who was our General Manager at WOR-FM who was very good to me and nurturing about the "Corporate" broadcast world who had never seen anyone who looked like me in their hallways. By God's grace, Ron helped open my eyes, Goff Lebar our General Sales Manager there at OR-FM.
Paul put me with some great people when I was transferred from CKLW in Canada to New York City. One other person who deserves a lot of credit as one of my first mentors and encouragers is Chuck Leonard who was the first and only Black talent to ever work for (77 WABC/New York). Chuck was the best. Not only was he smooth and excellent on the air, but he was also a total gentleman and smooth in his demeanor. He was a graduate of The University of Illinois, Springfield, with a degree in Journalism. I met Chuck through another friend on my first trip ever to NYC, while on active duty and prior to being deployed to Southeast Asia in Northeastern Thailand.
Chuck took an interest me and when I got back to the civilian world and began thinking maybe this radio thing could be for real in my life. He was kind enough to not only encourage me but befriend me and guide me early on during my career. When I called him and told him I was on my way to CKLW in Canada and then on to New York to that little FM over at 1440 Broadway, 40th and Broadway to be exact, he was ecstatic. He said, "Man am I proud of you. Let me know when you get here, and we'll help teach about the city." Now, that's a friend who's happy for you.
7) How did you get your start in syndication?
By God's grace, mercy, and favor. God uses human-beings to help other human-beings and for me, when it came to my opportunity in syndicated radio, it came through the Founder/CEO of Westwood One, Norman Pattiz who I will always be grateful to because he believed in me, my talent, and my idea. He didn't look at my color, he was focused on my talent. How do I know? Here's the story.
One day while working at Radio & Records Newspaper, (the iconic trade publication known as R&R), the Co-Founder and Publisher, Bob Wilson, called me on my extension and asked if I was busy. I said, "No sir, I not. Just working on my column and making some phone calls. Why?" He said, "I have someone in my office who would like to meet you. Do you have time we can come around to your office and talk a little bit?" I said, "Yes sir, no problem."
That was the beginning of a great relationship and a blessing from God. They came around to my office, Bob introduced us, Norm and I shook hands and we all sat down and started 'chopping' it up, as the kids say. Anyway, after some pleasantries and chit-chat about my column and the radio business. Norman paid me a nice compliment about how he liked me on the radio. He said, "You're one of my favorite jocks. I like what you do." Then he said something I had been hearing for a while since I got into the industry. "You know, for a longtime I thought you were a white guy, but then I found out you were a brother."
I told him "That's what happens when you're raised by your Great-Grandmother of mixed race who tells you; "Walter, if you speak the King's English, it will take you a long way." It's about being articulate, having no regional dialect and being able to use a strong vast vocabulary if you're going to be on the radio, no matter the format. Then he said, "Listen, if you ever think about syndicated radio and have an idea, come to me. Don't go to my competitors, come to me."
I told him, "I have an idea right now." and he said, "Well, when can we get together and talk about it. I'd like to hear what your idea is and how you think we might be able to work together." He asked when I'd like to get together and I told him whenever he had time and would be kind enough to speak with me. We met later that week at his offices and studios in Culver City. He graciously welcomed me into his office, sat down, had some hot tea, and talked about all sorts of stuff. Where I grew up, where he grew up here in LA, who our favorite sports teams were. You know his, the Lakers. Then he wanted to know about my upbringing in Western Pennsylvania and about my military service because he had heard about my having been in the Airborne when I was on active duty. After that, he asked me to explain my idea to him and why I thought it would work.
He like it, we partnered, the rest is history. The Countdown With Walt "Baby" Love was born. When he asked me what I wanted to call this show new syndicated show, I said, "I don't know. What do you think?" and he said immediately, "We'll call it…The Countdown with Walt "Baby" Love, how do you like that?". I said, "Wow, I like it." Then he said, "You gotta get it Walt. The Countdown…like, the Only Countdown." We laughed, shook hands, he gave me a big hug and asked, "Do you have a lawyer?", I said, "Yes sir." He said, "Put him in touch with us and let's get going. I'll pick one of my best producers to work with you, we'll set up a meeting to plan all this out and we're on our way." Thanks to Bob Wilson, Norm Pattiz, and the leading of God's Holy Spirit, we were in the syndication business.
Here's, the best part, that was just the beginning. Two other syndicated shows were birth out of The Countdown, African Americans Making It Happen and our current show Gospel Traxx with Walt "Baby" Love. We're currently celebrating our Gospel Traxx's twenty fifth anniversary. We started Gospel Traxx in February 1995. The Countdown was on the air for twenty-nine years. We've won several Billboard Awards for best R&B Syndicated Show of The Year and because they put our Gospel show in the same category, several times we were competing with ourselves along with the other nominees. Yet, the industry voted us as the best.
8) Could you tell us about your programming years?
Whoa, I've only had a few people ask me about those years, which were only about four years in total. It was nuts, in one city, where I programed twice and that was Chicago. Thank God we got great ratings and sales revenues increased, but I couldn't get it together when it came to some of the "local politics" at the stations I was programming and with the staffs I inherited on two different occasions. Let's put it this way. I enjoyed all the interesting things Chicago had to offer, you know, restaurants, museums, sports, Lake Michigan, the beautiful architectural buildings downtown on Michigan Avenue, as well as the theater and concert scene at the time.
All that was cool, but the gig, that was difficult for me. Not programming, other things. Thank GOD for friends like Rev. Jessie Jackson of Push Rainbow Coalition, Curtis Mayfield, my friend Tommy Edwards who was the Music Director at Top 40 (89 WLS) because we used to work together back in New York City at WOR-FM, Marshall, Eugene, Red and Squirrel. Some of y'all are wondering, "Who and the heck are those guys?" The answer, the R&B singing group The Chi-Lites who were natives of Chicago who I first met on my first job down in Houston and we clicked as guys and became friends. So, when I got to Chicago later in my career and all of us had gained a little success in our respective professions. They did their best to try and help me navigate how to operate in my new environment with folks that did things much differently than I did.
Remember, I came from the Top 40 programming philosophy, you know, today's Top 40/Mainstream approach. Programming music, imaging, liners, bumpers, segues, jingles, even day-parting music, things like that. Good old fashion solid disciplined programming while also having fun on the radio. Talking to people and not at them because they've invited and allowed you into their homes, places of business and their cars. All good sound programming approaches, in my opinion, then and now. After all that nonsense, I got the opportunity to come west to program the legendary KGFJ-AM & KUTE 102 FM/Los Angeles. Now, this was my second opportunity to work in L.A., but the first time as an Operations Manager.
When I signed my deal/contract to program those facilities, I was all set to find a creative way of making something "old", "new" again, meaning KGFJ-AM, a legendary set of call letters and a Black identification in L.A. Well, check this out. I decided to drive my car out and not ship it so I can take the southern route and see part of the country I had never seen before.
When I showed up just before Labor Day weekend 1978, turned my car radio on to the frequency and I hear, "You're listening to the new KKTT – The Kat – LA's Soul Of The City." I thought, "this can't be the right frequency. Let me scroll up and down the dial, I must have the wrong station." Well, I didn't have the wrong station, the owners had changed the call letters and started a new citywide billboard campaign and an on air give a way promotion.
My mother was still alive then and I stopped my car at a pay phone booth, called back home to Pittsburgh and told my mom what I heard. Here's what she said, "Walter Shaw," (that's what she called me when she was being serious with me and letting me know she was about to give me my marching orders), "Watch your mouth and do not go in there talking to those people like you're still a Sargent down there at Fort Bragg. Give them an opportunity to explain and tell you what their plan is. Then you calmly let them know your thoughts and what you'd like to do. Think about it over the holiday weekend and I know you'll work it out. Me and Grandma will be praying for you. Call me after you meet with them."
My mother and grandmother were strong Christians and full of wisdom. That's why I called home, it was to get some encouragement before I turn the car around and head back to New York and started another job search. It was a real downer. But it worked out, an impossible task that ultimately, once again, showed we had some skills in the programming arena.
Musically, that was part of the so-called Disco Era, songs by artists like Donna Summer, Betty Wright, The Bee Gees, Gloria Gaynor, Kool & The Gang, KC & The Sunshine Band, The O'Jays, and others were happening on KUTE 102. On KKTT we played some of the same artists along with Shalamar, Bobby Caldwell, The Manhattans, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The Natural Four, Evelyn "Champagne" King, and groups like The Tower Of Power.
We didn't beat anybody, but we made some gains. I had a great GM, Robert "Bob" Sabo, a native Angeleno and our GSM, was Bob Williams, also a good man and was excellent at national and local sales. Programming in LA worked for me mentally and spiritually because Bob Sabo believed in my programming strategy for both facilities, and I was able to bring in a few new on the air folks and a mix of music that gave us a more soulful modern mainstream approach with that Southern California easy way of life feeling you find in the Black community out here. Two on air people I brought in for KKTT was George Moore from Majic 102/Houston and a local guy I met named Benny Martinez. When he would play "Sitting In The Park" or "Summertime" by Billy Stewart or "Tighten Up" by Archie Bell & The Drells, we had everyone in East LA listening to us rather than our competition.
It was cool for two years and then the stations were sold, which was a bit of a shock. The folks who took over first sent a gentleman in to fire the two Bobs. After that was done, he told me that one of the principles, who by the way was African American, told him to fire me and to tell me that because I didn't want to work for Black folks when they offered me a fulltime job, they didn't want me working for them now. "Aint that lovin' you baby!" that's a Chuck Leonard saying.
They didn't mention the fact they didn't offer me enough money to work for them living in an expensive city. The Bible says, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper." I believe that with all my heart. They bought out my remaining contract and I started looking for a job. I was rescued by the successful Top 40 Program Director, John Rook, to work on the air at KFI-AM/Los Angeles. I keep telling you, "Keep the Faith".
9) How do you see the future of radio?
Even with all the new choices society has for forms of entertainment, I think radio is still the place to find the "human" desire for warmth and connection with other human beings enjoying music at the same time. The other human is that person on the air interacting with them in a number of ways that brings "joy" to the individuals listening.
Paul Drew once said to me when we were talking about, what he called "good" effective radio that reaches people where they are, "Walt, when you're programming radio remember this. Give the people some of what they want and some of what they need. And talk to them, not at them. They'll allow you into their world if you bring them into your world."
I believed that then and I still believe it. We practice that programming philosophy every weekend on Gospel Traxx along with our spiritual component supplied by God's Holy Spirit. I think radio's future, no matter the format, needs human "warmth" to be relevant in society along with whatever else they do.
10) Did RKO go out of its way to find African American air personalities?
The short answer is hell no. When Mr. Drew offered me the job at CKLW to do the 9p to mid, we had a very honest heart to heart conversation about his desire to get me to take this job and trust him with my career. He told me how he had been searching for the right person who could "awe the D-Troit" audience and carry "The Big 8" exciting sound at night. He told me from listening to tapes of other individuals and hearing other people on the air live in their respective cities, he couldn't find that person he wanted. Then he said, "I want you." and then he told me how he was told by higher ups, "If you hire him, you're gonna be responsible."
As a Black man and a ex-paratrooper who served honorably as a Staff Sargent E-6, that spoke volumes to me because it meant we're going to war, together, to prove a point about a Black person having the ability to perform and we had to be able to trust each other and be committed to winning. He was very direct with me and said, "They don't want you and I do. We can make history together." That's all I needed to hear. Another challenge to "prove," we as Black people can do anything anyone else can do and do it better if given the opportunity.
Fast forward, Paul Drew, was the motivating force in hiring me and others after me. After I accepted the job Paul invited me to have dinner with, he and his wife Anne at their Detroit apartment. They were extremely gracious and warm. After dinner and desert Paul said, "I think you should know something." I said, "what's that," he said, "I didn't hire you, Anne did." And then he laughed.
He told me how he always ran things by her to get her thoughts on something he was about do." He went on to say, "I wanted you and when Anne agreed. I knew you were my guy." After we "rang" the bell, so to speak in Detroit and was "ringing" the bell in New York, Paul called me one night and asked if I know of another Black air talent who I thought would be good doing the Top 40 format. He meant following the format, reading live spots, getting into the music that was diverse and maybe want an opportunity to do mainstream radio.
I asked him why and he said he had a position open for the overnight show at KFRC-AM/San Francisco. He said, "Walt, because of your performance and what you've done with the company, I want to find another guy from R&B radio who can do the format. You've opened the door for other people to work with us." My best friend back in Houston at KYOK, George "Boogaloo" Frazer, had recently given me a call about a dude I really didn't know personally, but I had heard him on the radio there in Houston and thought he sounded pretty good. George told me the guy had left KYOK for a job in Chicago and things didn't work out well and he was looking for a gig.
He said, "Walt, help so-and-so. He married so-and-so who worked with us when you were here. She's a good person and that would help her." So, I told Mr. Drew, I didn't personally know this young man, but thought his air work, his style fit what we do and maybe he should check him out. He checked him out, ultimately decided to hire him. He didn't stay long. I won't go into why he didn't stay. Everybody's gotta do what they want to do. UUUGGGG!
After that he called me again and asked if I knew someone else for a gig at the RKO Memphis outlet. I told him I did, once again because of my friend George who told me about a gentleman named Barry Pleasant, ex-Viet Nam vet, ex-paratroop also who did three or four tours in country, who was from Houston and was working at KYOK. Barry died several years ago. On the air he used the name J. B. Stone. A solid guy, great broadcaster, and a wonderful human being.
George worked out a phone call between us and asked him if he would like to speak to Mr. Drew about a possible job opportunity. He said yes. Paul talked to him, checked him out, got some air-checks of his air work, and hired him for the Memphis station. A couple of years later he replaced me at 93 KHJ/Los Angeles after another air personality called me the N word and I shook him up a little bit. The company then sent me back to NYC to WOR-FM.
Thank God, for God! And thank God for Mr. Drew. The Black radio personality opportunities at RKO, at that time, belonged to Paul and I'm grateful for having been part of making a little history in the radio business even constantly under the microscope.
Bonus Questions
Looking back over your career any regrets or missed opportunities?
You know, I think we all have the "would-ah-could-ah-should-ah" epiphany about our lives and career choices. For me, I think everything has turned out pretty good for a guy who grew up in a rural Western Pennsylvania community, from a blue-collar family, raised by his Great-Grandparents and is now a twenty-three-year Kidney Cancer survivor.
I'm blessed because I'm still alive and healthy. Sam, there's a Gospel song called, "The Lord, Keeps Blessing Me" and that he has done. The Bible also tells us that he said, "I'll never leave you nor forsake you." Throughout this journey, he hasn't left me or forsaken me. With all the ups and downs, he's kept me.
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