Paul Clark is thrilled to be back at Member Supported Jazz90.1. Back for a 3rd or 4th stint since 1989. But who’s counting? He just can’t just shake the radio habit.
Paul began his radio adventure as a teenage DJ for his hometown radio station, back in the days of turntables and vinyl records, armed with a Federal Communications Commission Third Class Radiotelephone Operator Permit With Broadcast Endorsement. Technology has changed but radio is still about music and communication with the listeners.
Over the years Paul DJ’d at commercial and non-commercial stations, playing a variety of music: Top 40, Album Rock, Middle-of-The-Road, Music of Your Live , Americana and of course, JAZZ.
Paul’s parents were his original jazz influencers ,spinning big band and Sinatra records a LOT. Grandpa turned him on to radio at a young age ,tuning in big city stations from New York , Chicago, Boston, Memphis and New Orleans, soaking up a diverse mix of jazz and blues : Dave Brubeck, Son House, Charlie Parker, Ray Charles, Big Mama Thornton, Luis Armstrong, Louis Prima, B.B. King, Ella Fitgerald, Miles Davis, and Coltrane. Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, along with Ringo, inspired Paul to switch from guitar to drums. Yeah, yeah, yeah- a fledgling rock and roller, blown away by the British Invasion while also a teenage hep cat who loved jazz.
Drumming ” highlights” include jamming with Lionel Hampton and his band at a youth jazz workshop. A few years later, as part of a college program, Paul played with Jeff Tyrik. Unforgettable jazz experiences.
An avid reader, Paul’s book collection features books on jazz , blues and radio highlighted by favorites he received as gifts::
George T. Simon The Big Bands
Marshall McLuhan Understanding Media
Clifford Doerksen Radio Babel: Rogue Radio Broadcasters of the Jazz Age
Paul Clark’s radio journey continues- at Member Supported Jazz90.1