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Russ Parr (born 1959 in California) is an American radio DJ, film director, writer, actor and television personality known for such television shows as '' Rock 'N' America''.


Career

Parr began as a Production Services Director at ABC TV. Russ was the morning DJ on
KDAY KDAY (93.5 FM, "93.5 KDAY") is a radio station that is licensed to Redondo Beach, California and serves the Greater Los Angeles area. The station is owned by Meruelo Media and airs a classic hip hop format. The station's studios are locate ...
doing imitations of
Magic Johnson Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. Often regarded as the greatest point guard of all time, Johnson List of NBA players who have spent their entire career w ...
,
Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party a ...
, and other celebrities. He also worked as a stand-up comic for eight years, performing his first show as an opening act for
Joan Rivers Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014), known professionally as Joan Rivers, was an American comedienne, actress, producer, writer and television host. She was noted for her blunt, often controversial comedic persona that w ...
in Santa Monica, California. Parr also found parts on a number of television shows including ''
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'', '' The Jenny Jones Show'', and ''Turnstyle'', and appeared in television commercials for
Kodak The Eastman Kodak Company, referred to simply as Kodak (), is an American public company that produces various products related to its historic basis in film photography. The company is headquartered in Rochester, New York, and is incorporated i ...
and
McDonald's McDonald's Corporation, doing business as McDonald's, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational fast food chain store, chain. As of 2024, it is the second largest by number of locations in the world, behind only the Chinese ch ...
. Parr left
KDAY KDAY (93.5 FM, "93.5 KDAY") is a radio station that is licensed to Redondo Beach, California and serves the Greater Los Angeles area. The station is owned by Meruelo Media and airs a classic hip hop format. The station's studios are locate ...
(Hollywood) in 1989 and ended up working on KJMZ in
Dallas, Texas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...
. 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 (an inversion of his name). On it he released records as Bobby Jimmy and the Critters. He scored a few hits, including "Roaches" (a parody of Timex Social Club's song "Rumors"); "We Like Ugly Women," "One Glove" (a song satirizing Michael Jackson), and "Ugly Knuckle Butt," which still receives airplay on such outlets as the Doctor Demento Show. Bobby Jimmy released three albums before fading into obscurity. Bobby Jimmy and The Critters was also credited on
N.W.A N.W.A (an abbreviation for Niggaz Wit Attitudes) was an American hip-hop group formed in Compton, California in 1987. Among the earliest and most significant figures of the gangsta rap subgenre, the group is widely considered one of the great ...
's first album '' N.W.A and the Posse'' (1987), because Arabian Prince was a member of The Critters. In 1989, he left Hollywood (where he was a morning host on Los Angeles' 1580
KDAY KDAY (93.5 FM, "93.5 KDAY") is a radio station that is licensed to Redondo Beach, California and serves the Greater Los Angeles area. The station is owned by Meruelo Media and airs a classic hip hop format. The station's studios are locate ...
, the first all hip-hop radio station) for
Dallas, Texas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...
, where he worked at KJMZ 100.3 JAMZ. He also launched FLAVA TV, which enabled him to direct, write, and act. In 1996 he moved to Washington, D.C., and Radio One's 93.9 WKYS-FM, where he began the ''Russ Parr Morning Show with Olivia Foxx''. By Spring 1997 the show was number one in the D.C. radio market. In December 2002 Foxx left and the show went national. Georgia Foy, also known as Alfredas, Parr's former co-host in Texas, joined as Foxx's replacement. Parr made his directing debut with the 2006 drama ''The Last Stand''. He directed the roast of John Witherspoon, as well as the comedies '' Love for Sale'', '' Something Like a Business'', '' 35 and Ticking'', and '' The Undershepherd''. Parr hosted the ''Russ Parr Morning Show'', heard weekdays by more than 3.2 million listeners in 45 U.S. cities, and nationally syndicated by Reach Media. He also hosted a weekend show, ''On Air with Russ Parr'', which can be heard on more than 40 radio stations. Aside from his radio gigs, Parr is also the co-host of the TV One dating show ''Get the Hook Up''. In December 2023, Parr announced the end of his morning show.


References


External links


Official ''Russ Parr Morning Show'' Website''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
{{DEFAULTSORT:Parr, Russ American people of Nigerien descent American radio personalities American television personalities Urban One TV One (American TV channel) Radio personalities from Washington, D.C. African-American film directors American male television actors American male film actors Living people 1959 births Film directors from Washington, D.C. African-American radio personalities