Hattie Leeper [2], 2006 December 12

File

Identifier: OH-LE0437

Staff Only

"Chatty" Hattie Leeper oral history interview 2, 2006 December 12

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Scope and Contents

In the second of three interviews, "Chatty" Hattie Leeper discusses her career with AM radio station WGIV in Charlotte, North Carolina as a DJ during the 1940s-1960s. Mrs. Leeper describes the mix of music and talk played at the station, the types of programming throughout the day, and how the station featured both national popular music and local artists. She describes how the station's employees and listeners were diverse, but the station was characterized as predominantly black, particularly in the early days. While advertisers on WGIV in the beginning were all black-owned businesses, Mrs. Leeper describes how white merchants soon began advertising on the station as well. She discusses the service mission of the radio station in the community and memorable guests on her program, ranging from local Charlotte residents to Ike and Tina Turner. Mrs. Leeper also recounts how she got her start as a DJ while a sophomore in high school.

Dates

Creation: 2006 December 12

Biographical Note

Hattie Leeper was around 76 years old at the time of interview, which took place at her home in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was born in Edgemoor, South Carolina in 1930. She attended Central Piedmont Community College, earned a Master’s in Education Administration, and was employed as a disc jockey at WGIV, WRPL, and WAYS radio stations; the chair of the broadcasting department at Gaston College; and the founder and owner of Chatty School of Communication.