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Teenarama: Interview with Al Jefferson, Bobby Lane, and Charles 'Chaz' Hall

Object Details

Creator
Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture
Scope and Contents
Al Jefferson, Bobby Lane, and Charles 'Chaz' Hall discussed the Teenarama radio program and how it evolved into the Teenarama dance program. Jefferson explained his role in the development of WOOK radio and the radio station's history, including a description of the radio station's programming and other on-air personalities. Jefferson and Lane talked about Richard Eaton - his personality, business sense, his relationship with the community, his family - and the program he hosted titled 'Unity Viewpoint.' They also talked about students' roles in the programming of Teenarama; the recruitment of the students; and recording of shows in the fishbowl at Waxie Maxie's record store. Hall described how he started at WOOK when he was in high school; how his interest evolved into learning more and more about the business side of broadcasting; and the various shows he worked on for WOOK. Lane, Hall, and Jefferson talked about Tex Daners and their relationship with him as well as the opening of the dance hall for teenagers called Casino Ball. They also talked about Bob King and 'Teenarama,' the television program. The interview was part of the research for the documentary 'Dance Party: The Teenarama Story.'
Interviews. Audio only. Part of the Teenarama Collection. Dated 19980927.
Date
1998
Extent
2 Sound recordings (audio cassette)
Type
Archival materials
Sound recordings
Topic
African Americans
Dance
D.C. hand dance
Teenagers
Television programs
African Americans on television
Segregation
Place
Washington (D.C.)
United States
Collection Rights
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Citation
Teenarama: Interview with Al Jefferson, Bobby Lane, and Charles 'Chaz' Hall, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier
ACMA.06-055, Item ACMA AV005296_A
Local Numbers
ACMA AV005296_B ACMA AV005274_A ACMA AV005274_B

Related Content

1 result(s)
  • Kendall Productions Records
    Scope and Contents
    The records of Kendall Productions measure 4.6 cubic feet and date from 1952 to 2006, with the bulk of material dating from 1997-2004. The records contain the administrative files, research, project files, photographs, and audiovisual material produced during the creation of the documentary Dance Party: The Teenarama Story. Administrative records include committee records, project assessments, budget files, promotional material, correspondence, and material related to individuals working on the documentary. Material within the series directly relate to the production processes of Dance Party: The Teenarama Story. Restricted files within the series have been indicated at the folder level. The administrative records were previously scattered throughout the collection. Research files include biographical information, the history of television broadcasting in Washington D.C., community history, background on Teenarama, and race relations from 1940 through the 1960s. The research file subjects were originally labeled by the creators, and their subject designations have been maintained where relevant. Material includes newsclippings, informational booklets, notes, pamphlets, unpublished essays or write-ups, and prints of website pages. Project files include interview transcripts and copies of questions for interviewees, documentary scripts, event fliers, equipment request forms, and realia. Event material relates to the production of Dance Party: The Teenarama Story, and not events related to the release or showings of the finished documentary. Photographs document people who were a part of the Teenarama show, cast reunion events, and the documentary filming or recording processes. Folder titles were given by the creators and have been maintained. They are organized alphabetically by folder title. Audiovisual material contains 63 items, a majority of which are VHS tapes. Material includes clips and edits of Dance Party: The Teenarama Story. Objects are listed alphabetically by their labels. Playback equipment is available.
    Historical Note
    The documentary film Dance Party: The Teenarama Story first broadcast in 2006 on the Howard University public television station WHUT in Washington D.C. The film traced the history and development of the television show Teenarama that aired from March 7, 1963 to November 20, 1970. Teenarama originated as the Teenarama Dance Party radio program broadcast on WOOK Radio in Washington D.C. and became a television program after WOOK Radio received a license to operate a television station. The program premiered as a teen dance show for Black teenagers in the Washington D.C. and surrounding metropolitan area, featuring popular songs. The show's programming was first created by Cal Hackett and Al Jefferson. Bob King hosted the show from 1963-1965. Following King's departure, the show rotated hosts such as Leon Isaac Kennedy, Moon Man, and Daniel "Hollywood Breeze" Clayton. Guest performers on the show included James Brown, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Major Lance, Mary Wells, Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, Billy Stewart, Martha and The Vandellas, the Supremes, and the Four Seasons, among others. The program broadcasted live six days a week, the first of its kind in the country catering specifically to a Black audience. The documentary about Teenarama was created by Beverly Lindsay-Johnson, Herb Grimes, and the National Hand Dance Association, and was funded in part by grants through the Humanities Council of Washington D.C.,The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, The Dudley Foundation and private donations. The film uses Teenarama to tell the story of teen dance television shows, youth and pop culture, race, and television history. The documentary is narrated by Martha Reeves of Martha and The Vandellas.
    Date
    1952-2006
    bulk 1997-2004
    Extent
    4.6 Cubic feet (3 cartons, 2 oversized boxes)
    Provenance
    Donated by Beverly Lindsey-Johnson in 2006.
    Rights
    Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
    Citation
    Kendall Productions records, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution, gift of Beverly Lindsey-Johnson.
    Type
    Collection descriptions
    Archival materials
    Photographic prints
    Scripts (documents)
    Notes
    Audiocassettes
    Compact discs
    Research
    Photographs
    Questionnaires
    Letters (correspondence)
    Interviews
    Federal government records
    Clippings
    Videocassettes
    Topic
    African American radio stations
    Television stations
    Teen television programs
    African Americans -- Social life and customs
    African Americans on television
    Dance in motion pictures, television, etc.
    Place
    Washington (D.C.)
    Identifier
    ACMA.06-055
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