We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Declarations and Independents: How Chicago DJ Al Benson Brought Black Cultural Production to 1940s Commercial Radio.
- Authors
Schnitker, Laura
- Abstract
Al Benson's legacy as one of the first Black DJs on commercial radio is widely acknowledged in Black radio studies. However, his achievements and contributions warrant inclusion in more interdisciplinary scholarship, particularly in popular music and media histories. This article analyzes a surviving Benson aircheck, first contextualizing his role during the mid-century boom in independent record labels and local radio, then showing how he refashioned popular music narratives as Black-mediated sites of cultural production. Additionally, the modest scope of primary sources available for this study brings critical attention to the need to preserve Black radio voices.
- Subjects
RADIO broadcasting; CULTURAL production; BLACK radio stations; POPULAR music; AFRICAN American radio broadcasters
- Publication
Journal of Radio & Audio Media, 2024, Vol 31, Issue 1, p115
- ISSN
1937-6529
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1080/19376529.2024.2325076