"Chatty" Hattie Leeper oral history interview 3, 2007 January 19
Description
In the last of three interviews with Christina Wright, radio DJ "Chatty" Hattie Leeper discusses her career in radio and other professional pursuits in Charlotte, North Carolina, from the 1950s through the time of interview. She shares stories about her colleagues during her employment with WGIV, WRPL, and WAYS radio stations, including "Genial" Gene Potts, specifics about the how radio broadcasting changed over the decades, instances of workplace harassment and gender discrimination, and the widespread practice of payola, the practice of offering compensation to DJs for playing certain artists' songs, during the mid to late-twentieth century. Ms. Leeper also discusses opening, running, and ultimately closing her school, Chatty's School of Communication, operating a free summer camp for children, holding successful talent competitions for young people, and other acts of service for the community that she engaged in. Ms. Leeper concludes by offering advice on how to be successful in life.
