Russ Parr
Encyclopedia
Russ Parr is an American
radio
and television
personality.
TV.
He also worked as a stand-up comic for eight years, performing his first show as an opening act for Joan Rivers in Santa Monica, California. Parr also found parts on a number of television shows including Martin (TV series)
, Jenny Jones (presenter)
, and Turnstyle, and appeared in television commercials for Kodak, Thrifty's, and McDonald's. Parr having no success, left Hollywood in 1989 and found his niche working as a disc jockey on KJMZ
in Dallas, Texas
.
Before Parr began as a radio personality, however, he had a recording career under the pseudonym Bobby Jimmy. In the mid 1980s, he owned and ran his own recording label, Rapsur Records. On it he released records by his band Bobby Jimmy and the Critters. They had a few hits, including "Roaches" (a spoof of Timex Social Club
's song "Rumors"); "We Like Ugly Women", "One Glove" (a song satirizing Michael Jackson), and their biggest hit, "Ugly Knuckle Butt", which still gets airplay on such outlets as the Doctor Demento Show. They managed to put out three albums before fading into obscurity and eventually disbanding. Bobby Jimmy & The Critters (Russ Parr) was also recognized as part of the original N.W.A. "posse" & credited on their 1st album "N.W.A. & The Posse" (1987).
In 1989, he left Hollywood, California where he was a morning host on Los Angeles' 1580 KDAY
, the first all hip-hop radio station, for Texas
. Parr went to Dallas where he worked at KJMZ 100.3 JAMZ. He also started FLAVA TV, which enabled him to direct, write, and act.
In 1996 he moved to Washington D.C. and signed on at Radio One's 93.9 WKYS-FM where he began the Russ Parr Morning Show w Olivia Foxx. By Spring 1997 the show was #1 in the DC radio market. In December 2002 Foxx left and the show went national. Georgia Foy(known as Alfredas) --Parr's former co host in TX—joined as Foxx's replacement.
Parr made his directing debut with the 2006 drama The Last Stand. He also directed the roast of John Witherspoon
as well as the comedies Love for Sale
, Something Like a Business, and 35 and Ticking
. His next film is the upcoming comedy-drama The Under Shepherd.
Currently, Parr is the host of the nationally syndicated Russ Parr Morning Show heard weekdays by more than 3.2 million listeners in 45 U.S. cities. He also hosts a weekend show, On Air with Russ Parr, which can be heard on more than 40 different radio stations. Aside from his radio gigs, Parr is also the co-host of the TV One dating show Get The Hook Up.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
personality.
Career
Parr began as a Production Services Director at ABCAmerican Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
TV.
He also worked as a stand-up comic for eight years, performing his first show as an opening act for Joan Rivers in Santa Monica, California. Parr also found parts on a number of television shows including Martin (TV series)
Martin (TV series)
Martin is an American sitcom produced by HBO Independent Productions that aired for five seasons, from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997 on Fox...
, Jenny Jones (presenter)
Jenny Jones (presenter)
Jenny Jones is a former Canadian American stand-up comedian and talk show host. She hosted The Jenny Jones Show from 1991 to 2003.-Life and career:...
, and Turnstyle, and appeared in television commercials for Kodak, Thrifty's, and McDonald's. Parr having no success, left Hollywood in 1989 and found his niche working as a disc jockey on KJMZ
KJMZ
KJMZ is a radio station broadcasting a Urban Contemporary format. The station is licensed to Cache, Oklahoma, and serves the Lawton area. KJMZ owned by Perry Broadcasting.-History:...
in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
.
Before Parr began as a radio personality, however, he had a recording career under the pseudonym Bobby Jimmy. In the mid 1980s, he owned and ran his own recording label, Rapsur Records. On it he released records by his band Bobby Jimmy and the Critters. They had a few hits, including "Roaches" (a spoof of Timex Social Club
Timex Social Club
The Timex Social Club was an American R&B/Hip hop group, formed in 1982 by students of Berkeley High School in Berkeley, California. They are perhaps best known for their 1986 hit single, "Rumors" and for being major forerunners to the soon-incipient new jack swing movement.-History:Originally...
's song "Rumors"); "We Like Ugly Women", "One Glove" (a song satirizing Michael Jackson), and their biggest hit, "Ugly Knuckle Butt", which still gets airplay on such outlets as the Doctor Demento Show. They managed to put out three albums before fading into obscurity and eventually disbanding. Bobby Jimmy & The Critters (Russ Parr) was also recognized as part of the original N.W.A. "posse" & credited on their 1st album "N.W.A. & The Posse" (1987).
In 1989, he left Hollywood, California where he was a morning host on Los Angeles' 1580 KDAY
KDAY
KDAY in Redondo Beach and KDEY in Ontario are a pair of synchrocasting radio stations based in South Los Angeles that airs an Classic hip-hop format aimed at African Americans in the 18-49 range. The station is owned by Magic Broadcasting, LLC and broadcasts at 93.5 MHz on the FM dial...
, the first all hip-hop radio station, for Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Parr went to Dallas where he worked at KJMZ 100.3 JAMZ. He also started FLAVA TV, which enabled him to direct, write, and act.
In 1996 he moved to Washington D.C. and signed on at Radio One's 93.9 WKYS-FM where he began the Russ Parr Morning Show w Olivia Foxx. By Spring 1997 the show was #1 in the DC radio market. In December 2002 Foxx left and the show went national. Georgia Foy(known as Alfredas) --Parr's former co host in TX—joined as Foxx's replacement.
Parr made his directing debut with the 2006 drama The Last Stand. He also directed the roast of John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey. As president of the College of New Jersey , he trained many leaders of the early nation and was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration...
as well as the comedies Love for Sale
Love for Sale (2008 film)
Love For Sale is a 2008 romantic comedy film starring Jackie Long, Jason Weaver, Mýa, and Melyssa Ford. The film was directed by Russ Parr and released to DVD on October 21, 2008.-Plot:...
, Something Like a Business, and 35 and Ticking
35 and Ticking
35 and Ticking is an african american comedy/romance film directed by Russ Parr.The film features a large African American ensemble cast, starring Meagan Good, Nicole Ari Parker, Tamala Jones, Kevin Hart, Kym Whitley, Luenell, Darius McCrary, Dondre Whitfield, Mike Epps, Clifton Powell, Jill Marie...
. His next film is the upcoming comedy-drama The Under Shepherd.
Currently, Parr is the host of the nationally syndicated Russ Parr Morning Show heard weekdays by more than 3.2 million listeners in 45 U.S. cities. He also hosts a weekend show, On Air with Russ Parr, which can be heard on more than 40 different radio stations. Aside from his radio gigs, Parr is also the co-host of the TV One dating show Get The Hook Up.
External links
- The Official Russ Parr Website
- Official Russ Parr Morning Show Website
- Interview with Russ Parr & Biography on westcoastpioneers
- Russ Parr Morning Show on American Urban Radio Networks
- On the Air with Russ Parr on American Urban Radio Networks
- The Last Stand - The Drama of Comedy A Russ Parr Film (Warner Home Video)
- Russ Parr discusses THE LAST STAND on Reelblack TV