The Pulse - Business Roundtable

Miller is working on rehearsing his voice, and learning how to use the operating board. His hands are slow, but steady, as he searches for the right controls. But Miller is no stranger to radio. He has been broadcasting on valley airwaves for over 30 years, with 40 years of experience in the business, and is now coming back to jazz radio after a long hiatus.

“I just got a hankering for some jazz,” Miller said.

Miller began his career in the valley, working at stations like KGST and KBIF. He was one of the first African-Americans in the country to own a radio station, KLIP in Fowler. His popular program The Jazz World of Woody Miller brought the sounds of artists like Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan and Oscar Peterson, to the Fresno airwaves in the 1950’s and 60’s. He was also a Fresno City Council candidate in 1969, a teacher at Fresno City College, lecturer, and respected figure in the African-American community.

It was not easy for Miller to break into the broadcasting business. Miller recalls the blatant racism he encountered while trying to build a career. But Miller is not easily discouraged. “I was blessed to have a good grandma. She raised me and always told me I could do anything. And so I grew up a little arrogant. I do believe I’m as good, or could be better than anyone else.” Miller said. He says that is what drove him to pursue a broadcasting career. “Someone told me I could never be on the radio, and I wanted to go out and prove they were wrong,” Miller said.

He started small, working part-time in sales in 1952 at stations in Fresno and Sacramento. Miller said he was able to sell so much advertising, that the managers started noticing his attitude and personality, which helped win him the sales.

His big break came when he met Morrie Mindel, owner of KLIP in Fowler. Mindel gave Miller the chance to broadcast on the air. When Mindel died, Miller took over KLIP, purchasing the station.

He took the opportunity and tried to use it in a way to benefit the African-American community. Miller’s son, Michael Miller, 54, remembers his father’s efforts to unite the community affected by racism and poverty. “He affected the community by providing an outlet. A lot of people looked up to him and still do,” the younger Miller said.

Now, the senior Miller is making a choice to come back to radio, and more importantly, music. “I’m really digging this sound,” Miller said. “When was this? Man, it was just made last year. I’m really feeling these tracks,” Miller said.

Not a bad review for a man that has rubbed elbows with some of the greatest musicians in history. Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Ray Charles are some of the musicians he has interviewed in his days. “Duke was good, but he was class, he always had on the sharp threads, and the ladies just loved him,” Miller said with a smile, “But Ray Charles, he was just real.” Miller said.

“I remember I was on my way to meet up with Ray Charles in the studio, and when I walked in, he was so intent on playing with the switches on the board, I didn’t want to disturb him, so I just stood there outside the door and waited. After a few minutes, Ray goes, ‘what you just standing there for? You gonna come in or what?’” Miller said with a laugh, “I’ll never forget that.”

Joe Moore, Station Manager of KFSR understands the impact Miller has had on the jazz community, “I get a lot of calls from people wanting to know about Woody Miller. A lot of people in Fresno got their first exposure to jazz through listening to his program. They wonder what he’s up to, or even if he’s still alive,” Moore said. “He’s a legend to many in this community, and people remember that.”

That is what prompted Moore to ask Miller’s son, Michael Miller, if his father was interested in being involved with KFSR. “I called up my dad right then and there and pretty soon, the old man was back in the studio,” Miller said.

The younger Miller lives in Fresno, playing jazz, indulging in his passion for music, something he learned a lot about growing up around his father. “I used to hang out at the radio station as a kid and meet all the singers and players that came through. It got me hooked to music,” Miller said.
The younger Miller admits he took those experiences for granted.

“Ever since I can remember, with my dad, I was always around the music, the atmosphere, the politics. I was always aware of what was going on in the community,” Miller said. “He was like a pioneer. If only I could do half the things he’s accomplished.” Miller said. “My old grandma, she always told me to stand up for myself, she blessed me with an independent spirit,” said Miller.

“I remember a dance I went to my senior year of high school in Oakland. I had on a brand new, shiny watch and a new tweed suit and everything. When I was on my way home, I walked right into a brawl, ended up getting kicked and punched. When I finally picked myself up, everything I had was ruined. I decided right then and there I was going to get out of Oakland and go someplace where people had class.”

Miller left his family without notice and headed for Los Angeles. Miller says this was an example of his independent spirit. “My family did not worry about me though. They knew I was mature and I had money. I could take care of myself.” Miller said.

But things did not always go the way Woody Miller planned. His life took a turn for the worse when he could no longer afford to operate KLIP on his own. He lost the station and went broke in the late 80’s. “It was hard. Nobody in my community understood what I was going through. They listened when the station was playing music, but they didn’t understand what it took to run it.” Miller said.

Miller describes the irony of feeling connected to the community he operated the station for, but disconnected as the only African-American in the radio business. It set him apart from others.

Ever since the shutdown of KLIP, Miller has distanced himself from radio. For several years he hosted a talk program on KFCF, called “Valley Black Talk”. Now, he’s happy to be back on the air with KFSR.

The younger Miller refers to his father as “Pops”, and says his father will never stop trying to connect to others, something he will be remembered for. “He put a dent in this valley. He grew up in a different time and took the slings and arrows of trying to do something different, back when doing something different wasn’t cool,” the younger Miller said. “And he’ll always be doing that.”