Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Radio & Record Relationship

Years ago when music was on vinyl and CD meant "Civil Defense," there was a long and successful relationship in the making. After the Second World War and Korean War, a great impetus spread across the nation creating newfound opportunities. American soldiers returned home from distant shores as they and their families moved around more freely and integrated throughout the country. Soldiers, both Black and White, who fought side by side in foreign countries, were exposed to different lifestyles and music and returned to the states with diverse humanitarian experiences. Each became more openly acceptable of cultures other than their own thus altering their social views. Within the larger cities, factories employed shift workers who continued in this inner-relationship of the masses which came together to spawn a new dawn for musical expression. In the late 1940's and early 1950's, Hillbilly Music began to spread from rural areas in the countryside into the larger Southern cities. Country radio provided the only broadcast available in some areas and was supported by mixed audiences. Already firmly entrenched into the fabric of consciousness was Blues Music, Jazz and Gospel. With segregation in existence, Black listeners were entertained by Country & Western radio while White audiences might tune-in the Blues. Musicians picked up on each others bipartite techniques thus creating a cross pollination of music styles. This infusion directly affected the components of each music tradition and pleasantly splintered a fusion of music thus resulting in a amalgamate of American music. At the same time, small record labels and recording studios began to pop-up while local radio's popularity spread like wildfire amongst the teenagers. A radio and record relationship would soon embark with a marriage created within Heavens transmitter. Call it Rock and Roll, Rockabilly or Soul Music, these songs were historic artifacts reflecting the social phenomenon taking place in the Deep South.

Control room photograph of WROX Radio in Greenville, MS by Tom Muck

3 Comments:

Blogger Judy Thorne said...

Mr. Rauls,
I live in Slidell, Louisiana and ran across your blog doing a search on WRNO (an old New Orleans radio station).
Mr. Hugh Dillard a former DJ for WRNO, runs a poboy place in south Slidell, which was devastated due to Katrina. Mr. Dillard - aka Captain Humble - lost all of the vintage photos of his DJ days as a result of Katrina ripping off the roof of his establishment.
I'm happy to say that he's reopened his restaurant and he's doing okay.
I was wondering if I could purchase a hard copy of your picture of Mr. Dillard to present to Cap so he can maybe once again fill his establishment with memories of his colorful past.
You can reach me at judyb54@charter.net or leave a comment on my blog
http://www.thanks-katrina.blogspot.com

Thank you!

10:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Phillip. This is Steve. You'll never guess who I was with tonight...Sam and Clark Kinser (his mother died and he was in own for that). That's why I'm writing you because Sam mentioned your web site, etc. Excellent work. I'm really proud of you. Who would a thunk...9 3/4.
Write me some time. Hope the misses is doing ok. Steve

9:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Judyb
Just a note to let you know that his restaurant was never reopened. He was hospitalized for an extensive time and is now living at an undisclosed place with family members. Keep him in your prayers. If you'd still like pictures I can get them for you (I have known him for thirty years). My facebook page is Phyllis Jensen Dillon.

6:51 AM  

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