Spider Harrison

Bernard “Spider” Harrison (b. Long Island, New York - ) – Radio personality and singer. Nicknamed “Spider” during his years as a thin, speedy high school running back in Hempstead, New York, Harrison got his first experience on radio while attending New York’s C.W. Post College. His first professional radio job was with WTLC-FM in Indianapolis, where he moved to in 1968. At WTLC, he was the afternoon voice at first and eventually became program and music director. Not only did he establish himself as the city’s first DJ of soul music, but he also made his mark by promoting local performers like Billy Wooten (see above under “Jazz”) and the Highlighters, a funk band which at that time featured singer James Bell and drummer Dewayne “Funky Buzzard” Garvin. Backed by the rhythm section of the Highlighters, he wrote and recorded “Beautiful Day,” which was a local hit in its day and resurfaced on Funky 16 Corners (compilation CD of obscure funk recordings from 1968 to 1975 on Stone Throw Records, 2001). In 1973, Harrison re-located to Nashville, where he became famous through his job at WLAC-A.M. Succeeding the legendary “John R” (John Richbourg), Harrison established the station’s night time “Rock N’ Soul” format. When his WLAC became more talk-show dominated in 1980, he moved to Los Angeles to become the West Coast promotions director at Sugar Hill Records while working on the radio part-time. In L.A., he also joined the Screen Actors Guild and picked up some small roles in film and television. Lastly, he created the syndicated radio show, “Whatever Happened to .. . ,” which started in Black Radio Exclusive Magazine in Hollywood in 1986.