VALDOSTA — Doug Jones enjoyed a rare opportunity as a teenager. He worked at a Philadelphia-area hotel that allowed him to meet many of the soul and R&B; superstars of the 1970s.
As part of June’s Black Music Month, Jones, now of Valdosta, shared memories of meeting some of these performers.
A Hilton hotel hired Jones to work as kitchen staff. His smile and energy soon had him working in the front of the hotel. This same energy pushed Jones to introduce himself to stars staying at the hotel.
Of course, with the stars staying at the Hilton, Jones joked, he didn’t seek them, “they came to me.”
This energy would eventually lead him to working as a disc jockey for radio stations in Pennsylvania, then Florida and then in Valdosta, where he has lived for several years.
Many of his radio years were working as a disc jockey in the country-music format. He admits being a black country-music DJ surprised many people. He has been listed in three different radio ranking books: Britch, R&B;, and Arbitorn. He worked at WGOV, and hosted the Gospel Morning Show.
“I grew up listening to many kinds of music and many different radio stations,” Jones said. “I have earned many backgrounds in music with many experiences. I learned all I could about all formats of music. ... You must know your music in order to reach different types of people. You must know your audience well.”
Part of this education came from meeting famous stars. Jones sat down with The Valdosta Daily Times recently and shared some of his encounters and thoughts on the stars he met.
Isaac Hayes: Doug Jones skipped school to meet Isaac Hayes, best known for his theme song to the movie “Shaft.” “I thought he would be impressed that I skipped school to meet him,” Jones said. Hayes wasn’t. He agreed to pose for a photograph with Jones, but did so with a warning. “Isaac Hayes told me that my education was more important than meeting him.”
Gladys Knight: A very gracious woman, Jones said, both to him and her back-up singers. Jones asked to have his photo taken with her. Knight said she would pose for a photo only if the Pips were also in the picture. The Pips are in the photo with Jones and Knight.
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.: Leads for the Fifth Dimension, best known for “Up, Up and Away” and “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.” Very nice people, Jones said.
The Spinners: This harmonious R&B; group were clean-cut guys who were very friendly and approachable, Jones said. “It was a big thing to meet them.”
The Supremes: Jones encountered this group after the Diana Ross years. He wanted to meet Jean Terrell. He sneaked into the room where they were performing and had his photo taken with the group.
Al Green: Jones had to deal with dogs to meet the star with the hit “Let’s Stay Together.” In meeting Green, Jones also met what he believes were Green’s Dobermans. “His dogs attacked me as I was trying to get my photo taken with him,” Jones laughs, adding the dogs sniffed around his ankles.
Dionne Warwick: Jones’ meeting with this soul singer did not go well. He asked for an autograph but did not ask if he could kiss her. He gave her an impromptu kiss on the cheek, and she refused him an autograph and a photo. The kiss angered her, he said. Jones did get a photo of himself with Warwick’s back-up singers.
Redd Foxx: Foxx was no singer. He was a comedian and Fred Sanford in the television show “Sanford and Son.” Jones attended Foxx’s stand-up show and was shocked by the comic’s blue material. Still, he encountered Foxx after the show. It was about 4 a.m.
Foxx agreed to the photo with Jones, but “he told me to hurry up because he had to go to the toilet.”
Local News
DJ shares meeting the stars for Black Music Month
- Local News
-
-
Lake Park: Council members resign
Immediately following the Citizens to be Heard portion of the regular Lake Park council meeting Tuesday night, council members Eric Schindler and Paul Mulkey tendered their resignations.
-
Valwood goes global
Valwood School has hosted several international guests for the past several weeks.
-
City cuts ribbon on new home
With a snip of some over-sized wooden scissors, the City of Valdosta took another step in eliminating substandard housing.
-
Berrien clinic director loses job
Speaking to The Valdosta Daily Times about the possible discontinuation of the Berrien Elementary School MED Clinic led to the program’s executive director losing her job Monday morning.
-
From the CIA to man about town
Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.
-
Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future
A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.
-
New TV listings section debuts in print edition
In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.
-
Man shot in Valdosta; police car, ambulance collide
Response to a shooting Saturday afternoon led to a collision between a police vehicle and an ambulance.
-
Annual Father-Daughter Dance enters 16th year
Three-week-old Emmaline Taylor lay contentedly on dad Trey Taylor’s shoulder Friday night, completely oblivious to the sights and sounds of the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance.
Now in its 16th year, the popular annual event is sponsored by Valdosta’s First Presbyterian Church and held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.
“We’ve been looking forward to this,” Trey Taylor said. “When we first got pregnant, (my wife Sheya and I) looked to see if she would be here in time for the Father-Daughter Dance.” -
VPD offers online citation payment
The Valdosta Police Department has implemented a new online service to assist traffic violators.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes MN, MO, CO
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
