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American Masters

B.B. King's Start in Memphis: WDIA Radio

B.B. King tells the story of how his jingle got him a radio gig at WDIA in Memphis, TN.

Aired 02/12/2016 | Rating NR

American Masters

B.B. King's Start in Memphis: WDIA Radio

Clip: 2/12/2016 | 1m 19sVideo has Closed Captions

B.B. King tells the story of how his jingle got him a radio gig at WDIA in Memphis, TN.

B.B. King tells the story of how a product jingle got him a gig at WDIA in Memphis, TN, the country's first radio station to program exclusively for African-Americans. King approached the white station owners for an audition, and they asked him for a tune for Peptikon, which King provided on the spot. Peptikon, a so-called medicinal tonic, became the product sponsor for King's own regular show.

Aired 02/12/2016 | Rating NR

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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

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AARP

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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

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