I have been a collector of Beach, Shag and R&B Music for over 50 years. Born in High Point, NC, I was raised in the traditions of the shag dance and its music.
I have DJ’d in clubs and for dance events all over the East Coast and Mid-West. I have also DJ’d for the Competitive Shaggers Association’s contest for many years, the National Shag Dance Championships several times as well as the USA Grand National Dance Championship in Atlanta, Georgia.
I was inducted into The Beach Music DJ Hall Of Fame in 1991, Thirty’s 2 Wall of Fame in Greensboro, NC in 1996 and The Sand Flea Living Legend Association at Ocean Drive, SC in 2015. I have also received many awards such as, The 1997 Shell Award for favorite DJ at The USA Grand Nationals, The Little Tommy Hamrick Award for my dedication to Beach and R&B Music for the past 20+ years and I received the CMBA Award in 2013 for promoting Local Beach Music and was also voted into The Boys of the Band.
One of my greatest accomplishments is being one of the original 13 founding members that started The Association of Beach and Shag Club DJs and have Co-Chaired DJ Throwdown for many years.
John played his first dance on a Ferry Boat crossing back & forth the Historic James River in his home state of Virginia in 1962 for his local 4H Club when he was 14 years old with an arm full of vinyl records and a portable two piece stereo record player that he had just gotten for Christmas.
John has played local events and for many Shag & Bop Clubs from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean across the Blue Ridge Mountains to Kentucky and down to the Sunshine State of Florida where he and his wife Phyllis live in the Wintertime. John was the house DJ the last 5 years of its existence for Thursday In Old Town Beach Music event held in Petersburg, Virginia, the longest running Beach Music event held in Virginia playing with all the touring Beach Music Bands.
For several years John was one of the team DJs playing regularly on The Beach Music Cruises and The Making Waves Cruise.
Currently John is a regular on the team of SOS DJs playing at Fat Harold’s Beach Club in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
John has served as Treasurer and as Vice President of The National Association of Rhythm & Blues Dee Jays and is a current member of the Association of Beach & Shag Club DJs.
John had two concurrent careers. He worked for 41 years in the tobacco industry and served in the US Army and Virginia Army National Guard as both an enlisted person and retiring as a Communications & Electronics Officer with 29th Infantry Division (L) after 25 years of service to our country.
John got involved with internet radio back in 2010 as the Man Behind the Curtain on the Morning Mess Around Show and the SNL Sunday Night Live show with Your BeachMusic.com and has remained active in internet radio since then.
John is excited to be joining the great team of DJs here at Jukin’ Oldies Internet Radio where he will join them in playing The Greatest Music On Earth.
John hopes you will tune into his “ Johnny’s Jukebox” where his goal is to try and change your listening habits, One Song At A Time.
A visit to KQV, Pittsburgh studio in 1961 outside of “Walk” – “Don’t Walk” was a turning point in my life. Some weeks later I was paid $2 to play some 45s at the local Catholic church youth club. None of the kids wanted to play records – they just wanted to dance. Being a ‘vinyl junkie’ I was in my element!
After basic training in the United States Air Force in ’63, I was fortunate to be posted to England as the British music scene was exploding into world-wide popularity. My interest in broadcasting became a burning ambition when asked to DJ on the AM land-based ‘pirate’ station, X C F T . One memorable episode was when I DJ’d for an 18-hour marathon broadcast which was received in London, 50 miles away, with less than a 100 milliwatts of power!
In the 1970s I was hired to present my own show on BBC Radio Oxford . Listener reaction led to a prime time Saturday morning slot.
In 1986 I was the first DJ hired on Radio Silverstone the local station broadcasting at the premier motor racing Silverstone Circuit, Northants. At the ’92 British F1 Grand Prix with my Son, Stephen, I set up a broadcast record which was acknowledged by the prestigious Guinness Book of Records for non-stop AM broadcasting from 0530 Friday until 0015 hrs Monday. Three years later in ’95, another Guinness accolade was presented when I organised a complete station operation with National news feeds, 24/7 DJ Ops, competitions and special bulletins about the motor racing world. Never done before on the Formula 1 circuits. This time on quality FM radio.
From 1969 through the early ‘90s I hosted one of the best known mobile discos in the area. Due to commitments, the disco scene dying, and some health issues acquired, I was forced to relinquish the mobile operations.
The early ‘90s brought enquires from net stations. I didn’t like the commercial radio scene in the UK so I decided to ‘do-my-thing’, play where I want and the music I wanted. This has led to a lot of enjoyment as I’m not restricted to UK radio-formats – – the same 20 records played in rotation with inane chatter & multitudes of commercials throughout the hour.
Originally from Pittsburgh, I can contribute to Jukin Oldies an extra touch of Doowop as I was raised in that era. Though I’m a “displaced Burger” (!) based in England has given me better insight to the overall pop music scene. Formats include Doowop and Hits – – USA & UK – – from the 1950s thru to 20th Century hits. Most of my programming is from my “Disti-Disc” vinyl collection. . . .1,000 of ‘hit’ singles and a lot of ‘didn’t-make-it-promos’. . .plus 100s of vinyl LPs, the vinyl is FM-playable. All under the ‘umbrella’ of “20-20 “ musical segues: 20 minutes of one genre; 20 minutes of another; 20 minutes of another. . . . . . . the listener will stay on-station waiting for the next genre of music. . . .Hopefully!
You’ve read all the above – – now take a listen to my slot. . . .like a record see ya ‘round! And listen to the Greatest Music on Earth ! ! ! On the ‘Peanutz 20-20’ Night Owl Show!
