Wheelin' on Beale

From Library Journal: In the late 1940s, Memphis radio station WDIA became the first to target its programming to a largely ignored black audience. "Cannonball" Cantor, one of the few white announcers on WDIA, tells how this decision resulted not only in business success, but mirrored America's nascent awareness of African American culture and social issues. While featuring shows with the now-quaint titles of "Tan Town Jamboree" and "Sepia Swing Club," WDIA influenced a generation of young white Southerners who would soon meld the blues they heard on the radio with country music to form rock 'n' roll. African American on-the-air personalities and community involvement led to a more positive self image for listeners and paved the way for the civil rights struggle of the 1960s. This firsthand look at one of the early victories in America's war against racism is recommended.