Vida Blue And The Summer of 1969

That summer was unusually hot. Returning back to Michigan from Arkansas we couldn’t tell much difference in the humidity, but that was okay because now the station has air conditioning on the upper level so day to day work is much more pleasant.

I’m getting out into the community and meeting with Black business owners. We invited them to the station so that could see what is about to take place --- a Black owned and operated FM radio station programming R&B, Soul, Jazz, and Gospel music for Saginaw, Flint and the surrounding area.

Also, by this time Choker Campbell’s Tri-City recording company produced one of its first recordings--- a song about Vida Blue, the great left handed pitcher for the Oakland “A” baseball team.

The Saginaw and Flint communities were excited about the new radio station and Choker Campbell’s recording studio.

 Detroit was getting competition and the Black community was proud.
  

History of FM radio: Detroit's first Black owned radio station.

During the 1970s FM radio experienced a golden age of integrity programming, with disc jockeys playing what they wanted, including album cuts not designated as “singles” and lengthy progressive
rock tracks.

"Institutional racism and a shortage of capital, however, continued to discourage Black entrepreneurs from investing in radio broadcasting. African Americans would not make substantial inroads into radio ownership and management until the 1970s. Black radio emphasized news, public affairs, and music after World War II".

source:  

"First exclusively Black radio show goes on the air--and others follow"

May 26, 1960 station WCHD simulcast the R&B format of WCHB. This was Detroit's first black owned radio station.  October 1969 WWWS/W3-Soul became the second Black owned and operated FM station in Michigan.

July 1969: Celebration Time

School is out for the summer and most of my time has been spent traveling  between Detroit, Flint and Saginaw with Earle and Bobby.

By this time the Saginaw-Flint grapevine has heard that an FM radio station, to be located in downtown Saginaw, was about to become a reality.

 

Everyone was pleased with the progress that had taken place. Now I had a chance to get away from Michigan to celebrate the 4^th with my family in Arkansas and to get some much needed rest.

With all that had been accomplished the most important celebrated event is the birth of my only son, Samuel Williams, III.