After over a quarter century on the WRTI airwaves, BP is taking his GM to the PC.
Anyone who listens to jazz on the radio in Philadelphia is familiar with broadcast legend Bob Perkins’ shorthand. “BP with the GM” is “Bob Perkins with the Good Music,” naturally.
Perkins eased into semi-retirement last year, going from full-time hosting on WRTI to anchoring its “Sunday Jazz Brunch.”
The “PC” is my own unauthorized addition to Perkins’ lingo. It stands for podcast. At 89, Perkins will be taking the leap into producing fresh digital audio content. You can learn more about it at the link.
During my time at WRTI, we crossed paths occasionally, if I happened to be filling in on an afternoon classical shift. Knowing his sly sense of humor, I offered once, “It’s not every day that British Petroleum meets American Oil Company” – a play on BP and Amico (Amoco).
I wish Bob the best. With a lifetime of experience in jazz and the media, the man himself is living history. And of course he’s always had impeccable taste. Whether it’s Yusef Lateef’s “Love Theme from Spartacus” or Dakota Staton’s “The Late, Late Show,” I’ve always enjoyed his GM.
