Crosley memory master7/1/2023 "Shakespere" was like the Pied Piper of local talent, leading them on to the promised land and exposing them to new heights. "The Gig" featured students from the area's schools doing the latest dance steps on the air to the hot music of the day. Halison, then later at WRAP with Chester B.Ĭan you recall rushing home to move those rabbit ears around on that old TV, so you could pick up WHRO TV's broadcast of "The Gig" hosted by Calvin "Shakespere" Perkins? Calvin also was a hot, personality jock on radio station WHIH. Shout out to the great Jay Dee Jackson who got his first break in radio at WPCE with Frank "Hot Dog" Over the years, FM took over, along with computerized play lists and test audiences, so the innovative, creative, soulful AM stations faded away, changing to Talk radio, Gospel, or other formats. You had Frankie "Soul Ranger" Stewart, Chester "B" Benton, Milton "Funk Master" Bowie, Maurice "The East Coast Rapper" Ward, HJ "The Real J" Ellison, Robert "Bobby Jay" Jackson, JJ Carmichael, and the incomparable, Frank "The Master Storyteller-King Hotdog" Halison. There was no computerized programming back then, with each DJ spinning their own selections and their persoanlites being as much a draw as the platters on the turntables. The station was 850 WRAP and later changed to 1350 on the dial. They played not only the national hits, but also records from the vast pool of talent that was emerging from the Tidewater/Peninsula area, an area rich in Soul and R&B. This small AM station was innovative and captivating, with dedicated listeners tuning and making these jocks a part of their daily lives. Support and help us keep your legacy alive.īack in the day when vinyl was king and radio ruled the air, there was a little station in Norfolk, Virginia which had legendary personality jocks, like Daddy Jack Holmes. Show a little love for the site with a small, medium, or large donation. Please submit any info or pictures you may have for us to post on Virginia's Music Soul. Frank “The Master Storyteller-King Hotdog” Halison.We are searching for names, pictures, and stories about the Personality Jocks who touched your lives from stations like WRAP, WHIH, & WPCE. Starting with the legendary “Daddy” Jack Holmes, these were the velvety voices which issued us the time, the weather, the hot news of the day, the latest gossip, and all the tidbits of info which touched our meager lives and made us feel better. They were the DJ’s who delivered the music we loved, but more than that, they were the “personality jocks” who kept us up on the latest happenings. How many times do you think he would play this over and over while "The Train is on."Ī few friends of Frank Halison paying their respects to him at the viewing and remembering old times. Halison, who took his final ride August 10, 2016. So, here is the train riding song-a tribute to The Master, Frank The story is-Don’t lose your head over a little piece of tail. The dog turned around to get it andĪnother train came along and knocked off the dog’s head. Walking along the railroad track when a train came along and knocked offĪ little piece of his tail. Sometimes there was even a story, like the one about the little dog May be,” along with the obligatory, “Fly on mighty sparrow, fly on.” Was a shout out to his mother, “Good-night Miss Bessie B. His show with a nod to his father, “Big Frank from Louisville, who neverĬooked a pot of bad gumbo and some folk said he never will.” There Teller) would do the train off the top of his head and weave stories,Īdvice, and inspirational messages into the journey. Storyteller (who was once listed in the phonebook incognito as M.S. People wouldĮven pay to be picked up on that imaginary train. Would be excited to take a ride on that imaginary train. The homeless, as well as dignitaries and local celebrities. Pick up the people at the local jail, the prostitutes on the corners, Special stories, some as special favors, some as regular friends who He would pick up passengers for various reasons, some of them having Spontaneously conducted a tour of various cities in the area, picking up ![]() Tune in for half an hour to an hour, where Frank would play the same He was a ratings bonanza for various stations he workedīecause he had personality and creativity.Ĭreations was “The train.” Every day, at a certain time, people would More people knew him by the personas he createdįor his radio shows, probably his most lasting name was The Master ![]() Vaughn Wray Funeral Establishmentĥ873 Poplar Hall Drive Norfolk, Virginia 23502įrank J. Frank "The Master Storyteller" Halison IIIA Life Celebration Service will be held at Palm Gardens, 5927 East Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, on Saturday Septemat 12 noon.
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