LaRita Shelby 1995

 

 

LaRita still keeps it happening.  Take a look at her filmography. We were lucky enough to have her doing a show for us.  This is another one of George's recordings.

 

At her website, http://www.laritashelby.com there are some wonderful videos (buy the cd!).

 

LaRita Shelby 1995

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LaRita Shelby 1994

 

LaRita was totally right about bringing a freshness to her show.

LaRira Shelby 1994

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Visit her website http://www.laritashelby.com/
Check out the CD, jazzy and smooth. 

LaRita Shelby 1994

The party is NOW, with L.A.Rita!

LaRita Shelby 1994R

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LaRita Shelby 1994

Love that picture.  Here's LaRita.  Matt recorded these in England from about 600 miles away.  It's a bit noisy but a bunch of fun.

LaRita Shelby - 1994

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LaRita Shelby 1994

LaRita Shelby saved some of her favorite shows and is making them available to us. Today a visit with Blair Underwood. Thank you Jazzy! Visit her website, A Date With A Song is great music

LaRita Shelby 1994

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LaRita Shelby 1994

I was so happy to find this.  Last year LaRita sent several of her AFRTS shows and somehow this one wasn't posted then.  Here's LaRita Shelby with guest Paul Hardcastle.

LaRita Shelby with Paul Hardcastle

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LaRita Shelby 1994

I'm always going to be grateful to LaRita and Roger Carroll for helping us get a LOT of new material.  In there was a bunch of her AFRTS shows.  Wonderful radio.  Take a listen!

LaRita Shelby 1994

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LaRita Shelby 1994

There is a party going on, with LaRita Shelby.  She shared several programs with us and I'm thankful.

If you haven't heard "Date With a Song"  you really should.  Light, jazzy but not muzaky.  Information at http://www.laritashelby.com

LaRita Shelby with Kevin Young

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LaRita Shelby 1994

Love that picture.  Here's LaRita.  Matt recorded these in England from about 600 miles away.  It's a bit noisy but a bunch of fun.

LaRita Shelby - 1994

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LaRita Shelby "Operation Inclusion FMB"

LaRita Shelby is determined that AFRTS broadcasters will be recognized.  We've talked about this a few times over the years.  I see something starting...

MISSION:  "Operation Inclusion - F. M. B." 

Gentlemen, your mission if you choose to accept is to wage an all out effort to see that former AFRTS/AFN announcers and staff are not forgotten in celebrations commemorating AFRTS/AFN's 75th anniversary.  The mission is called Operation F. M. B. for the inclusion of Former Military Broadcasters.   

I (LaRita Shelby) would like to formulate a nationwide and official campaign to see that former military broadcasters who appeared on the AFRTS, AFN and all other affiliated radio and television networks are recognized by the Obama White House in honor of this landmark feat in history.  Additionally, I would like to note the culturally diverse talent that took the airwaves during this time, such as  women and minorities.  The mission of inclusion calls for more names to be added to the historic list of announcers- those that served from 1974 to the present time.     

This initiative will align present and former broadcasters (and staff) who were enlisted, as well as civilian contractors such as myself. 

Our recognition seeks to bring present and public attention to the contributions of these announcers for the following: 

• Providing command information 
• Raising moral among our troops  
• Being global communications ambassadors 

Our efforts exposed American music and culture to many of the nations where we were heard, it helped international communities to learn English as a second language and served as an important part of our military history.  I seek to do this currently, because due to the nature of today's digital environment, we have made new connecting points to our fellow comrades who were and are yet on the airwaves for our American military forces.   

My personal story involves meeting a Desert Storm soldier who told me that he and his boys would skip dinner while in Kuwait to get back to tent B 12 to listen to my show on AFRTS.  Today I have heard from soldiers in Alaska, England, Germany and beyond who still have fond memories of AFRTS.  A champion in this cause already is Thom Whetston, who has done a brilliant job of chronicling many AFRTS broadcasters online via the AFRTS Blogspot at  http://afrtsarchive.blogspot.com/.  Thom was an Army Broadcast Specialist from 1976-1985 in South Korea and the Republic of Panama.  Listen to Thom's AFRTS Archives demo here:   

We are all connecting through social media these days and we certainly want to be included as AFN is celebrated this year.   

So far, I believe the coalition to bring this into fruition to include Ret. Sgt. Major Larry Whitley, former Navy Broadcaster Ron Brewington and of course Thom Whetston. 

  

Proposed event: 

• A live ceremony at AFN headquarters and press conference that includes not only the current staff of AFN but former broadcasters who were a part of AFRTS history
• A call to action for media outlets to strongly consider hiring from the talent pool of former military broadcasters and civilian contractors. 

Recognized accomplishments should note: 

• Providing command information 
• Raising moral among our troops  
• Being global communications ambassadors 

Action items: 

• Establish a weekly conference call among the team 
• Further coalesce the team to recognize former AFRTS broadcasters 
• Designate team members to make sure that all further efforts are D.O.D. compliant 
• Identify a Veterans affairs liaison and an official AFN liaison 
• Designate a supervisor of logistics as we go forward  
• Designate a social media coordinator to get the word out to as many broadcasters as possible  

Official AFN site today:  

http://afrts.dodmedia.osd.mil/heritage/page.asp?pg=heritage 

Contact: 

Former AFRTS contractor (1990-97) LaRita Shelby  

Former Navy Broadcaster Ron Brewington 

Ret. Stg. Major Larry Whitley 

If you would like to contact any of those people that will be making this happen, please  let me know and your information will be forwarded.

Former Army Broadcaster Thom Whetston afrts@live.com (612)356-2377  

Larita Shelby

A few years ago LaRita did a wonderful presentation via Powerpoint, mostly about her time with AFRTS.  This is great!

LaRita Shelby

I really wish we had more of her shows, if you have any please share!

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LaRita Shelby 1995

Another great aircheck from the George Schilli collection.  George grew up listening to AFN and became a broadcaster.  These were great teachers.

Still an amazing talent, be sure to visit her website at http://www.laritashelby.com

LaRita Shelby 1995

LaRita Shelby

Larita Shelby

Last week, LaRita was invited to a special luncheon at AFRTS-BC to celebrate Black History Month.  She had had a Powerpoint presentation about her years with the network and is sharing that with us.

LaRita Shelby

If you don't have a Powerpoint viewer (or Office installed):

Powerpoint viewer

Be sure to visit her blog:  http://bealadyfirst.wordpress.com/

Hello and welcome! I am LaRita “Jazzy Rita” Shelby, the co-writer of the new song Mr. President’s Girl and the creator of the Lady FIRST campaign. This a good will mission to show love & support for our First Lady Michelle Obama. Kicking this off in Women’s History Month is the perfect time because the song also celebrates this defining moment in history, and promotes comeraderie among women. We seek to empower women to be first in their own lives and to encourage them to continue to be (FIRST) Fascinating, Intelligent, Realistic, Stylish and Tenacious in all that they do.