John Long oral history interview, October 20, 2017

Item — othertype: Oral History

Identifier: M226_LongJ_20171020

Staff Only

John Long oral history

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Scope and Contents

Interviewed by Kevin Fleming. In this interview, radio industry veteran John Long discusses his inspirations to pursue a career in radio broadcasting and his early experiences working in the industry during the 1960s. He describes his transition from small town radio in LaGrange, Ga. to his Atlanta-based stint as a record promoter for Mercury Records and the details of the work. After leaving Georgia radio, Long began a transitory chapter in his career where he moved from station to station around the country, (including stations in Cedar Rapids, Ia., Boston, Mass., El Paso, Tex., and Memphis, Tenn.) working primarily as a program director. Finally, Long describes his return to Georgia and his role in founding the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame.

Dates

Creation: October 20, 2017

Creator

Long, John, 1944- (Interviewee, Person)

Restrictions on Access

Oral history available for research.

Biographical Note

John Long was born in Waynesburg, Pa. in 1944. In his youth his family relocated to Georgia and settled in LaGrange in 1959. John Long began his radio career at WTRP in Lagrange. His interest in music took him to Atlanta in 1964 where he was hired as a promotion man for Mercury Records, which lead him into radio as an on-air personality. After a long career in which he served many notable stations as air talent, Program Director and General Manager, John retired from his position as Senior VP/Group Manager of Station Broadcasting in Macon, Ga. John is the Founder and President of the non-profit Georgia Radio Hall of Fame, and author of the book "Puttin' on the Hits" about Top-40 Radio in the 1960s and 1970s.