James “Alley Pat” Patrick: Atlanta’s Renowned First Black Disc Jockey

0 Posted by - May 15, 2021 - Black First, BLACK MEN, FEATURED, LATEST POSTS

In 1947 James “Alley Pat” Patrick began his career as one of Atlanta’s first black disc jockey under the name “Pat Alley.”  It is said he got the nickname by inviting his listeners to “go in the alley and drink beer.”

cat2

Patrick was born in Montezuma, Georgia to a Baptist preacher and nurse, his family moved to Atlanta in 1931. Patrick graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. During World War II, he served as a member of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen and after graduating from Morehouse College with a degree in Science and pre-med, he was set to go on to medical school.

But during this time, he was discovered by WERD Programming Director Ken Knight while calling out a bingo game and “jiving” over the loudspeakers. He was invited to submit a demo tape and he was soon working for WERD, the first black-owned radio station in America.

In 1954, Patrick joined the staff of WAOK, the country’s first 24-hour African-American radio station, co-hosting a show with Zenas Sears, who was a white disc jockey. Patrick also served as a bail bondsman for local activists. His comical, and “tell it like it is” persona made Alley Pat a trailblazer in Atlanta radio, a legacy which has had an effect on many radio personalities today.

 

 

 

Source:

http://www.wdkkradio.com/alley_pat/

 

 

7 Comments

  • gamefly May 2, 2019 - 6:06 am

    What’s up, I log on to your blog like every week.
    Your story-telling style is awesome, keep it up!

  • gamefly free trial May 28, 2019 - 10:30 am

    You really make it appear so easy together with your presentation but
    I find this topic to be actually something that I feel I might by no means understand.
    It sort of feels too complex and very wide for me.
    I am taking a look ahead in your subsequent submit, I’ll attempt to get
    the grasp of it!

  • gamefly free trial May 29, 2019 - 12:30 pm

    I love it when individuals come together and share views.

    Great website, keep it up!

  • gamefly free trial May 31, 2019 - 5:50 pm

    You actually make it appear really easy along with your presentation however I
    in finding this matter to be actually one thing which I think I would never understand.
    It kind of feels too complex and very huge for me. I am taking a look forward on your next publish, I will try to get the cling of it!

  • gamefly free trial June 2, 2019 - 11:51 am

    Truly no matter if someone doesn’t understand afterward its up to other viewers
    that they will help, so here it takes place.

  • EllEffemn June 5, 2019 - 11:44 am

    Cialis Generika Auf Rezept online pharmacy India Cialis Generic Viagra Homme Cialis English

  • EllEffemn June 13, 2019 - 9:07 am