Russell Williams, II oral history interview

2022-06-01

Williams II, Russell (interviewee); Annabelle Smith (interviewer)

Russell Williams, II was interviewed for the Joseph "Tex" Gathings oral history recordings in 2022. 

In this oral history, sound production mixer Russell Williams, II shares his perspective about Joseph "Tex" Gathings as a peer from the same generation.  Mr. Williams worked at several D.C. television stations in the 1970s, and went on to be successful in the motion picture industry in Los Angeles, California.  They first met in the 1970s via Tex's student James Featherstone.  Mr. Williams had heard of Tex and knew about the programs he created and worked on in D.C.  He shared that Tex encouraged Black people interested in the radio and television field to take leadership opportunities seriously because it influenced the reputation of the entire Black community. Mr. Williams shares recollections of Tex's radio program and "Teenarama" while acknowledging his personal interest in music guided him to other programs and stations.  He would often watch "Teenarama" to look for people he knew, observe fashion, and listen to R&B music. Mr. Williams shares that Tex served as an inspiration, mentor, and networking connection to several different generations, thereby influencing and increasing the presence of the Black community's employment in radio and television in the D.C. area. Tex invited Mr. Williams to sometimes observe or teach a class at Federal City College in D.C., where he described Tex as using a "peripatetic" teaching style to engage and challenge every student in the class.  He also describes Tex's sense of humor and physique.

History Associates, Inc.

oral histories

Broadcasting, Communications

Commercial Broadcasting

Special Collections and University Archives

English

Recording: 00:53:15 (mp3); Transcript: 24 pages (pdf)

Joseph "Tex" Gathings oral history recordings

An interview transcript is available.