The Rise and Fall of Vee-Jay

There is no denying today that radio is in a boom period, with over 10,000 commercial stations on the air. At the same time, however, the Peabody Board has noted that, ironically, the number of entries from commercial broadcasters continues to drop. Happily, this program, produced by a popular station in New York, reveals the vitality, entertainment value, and information for which the commercial band has long been noted. Executive producers Bob Slade and Johnny Meadow have crafted a definitive documentary about Vee-Jay records, begun in 1953 by African-Americans Vivian Carter and Jimmy Bracken. Interspersed among the great hits of this vintage label are the recollections of former record manager Eddie Thomas and record producer Billy Vera, which co-exist alongside the infectious enthusiasm of Slade and Meadow. For providing an hour of priceless information and sheer fun, a Peabody to WRKS-FM for The Rise and Fall of Vee-Jay.