A night with Bob Abrahamian’s Sitting in the Park on WHPK brings a tour through rare soul gems and poignant tributes. Opening with the Montclairs’ debut “Hey You, Don’t Fight It,” Abrahamian’s broadcast delves deep into overlooked tracks and unsung heroes. A particular highlight is a tribute to Detroit legend Steve Mancha, whose recent passing marked a somber moment for soul enthusiasts. Bob weaves in soulful cuts, while sharing important community safety tips and radio recommendations, nurturing a community of listeners united by their love for deep soul.
Bob Abrahamian 00:00
Okay, you are tuned to WHPK, 88.5 FM in Chicago. You're now listening to Sitting in the Park. My name is Bob. I hope you're having a great New Year so far. I will be playing soul music for you until 9 PM. If you want to call me up, the number here is 773-702-8424. Gonna start up the show with the first record ever released by the Montclairs. This track is called Hey You, Don’t Fight It.
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Bob Abrahamian 11:12
Okay, you’re tuned to WHPK, 88.5 FM in Chicago. You’re listening to Sitting in the Park. My name is Bob, and this show happens every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9 PM. We started off this show in St. Louis with the very first record released by the Montclairs called Hey You, Don’t Fight It. After that, from DC, we had the Differences with Five Minutes. Then, a soul record by a doo-wop group—the Silhouettes—with Not Me Baby. The last cut was from a group called the Victors, supposedly the same group as Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. The track was called Not Only a Girl. The show is just getting started. If you want to call me up, the number is 773-702-8424. Shout out to Dre in Chatham and Tony in California—thanks for calling up. If anyone else wants to call, again, the number is 773-702-8424. This next record is by a singer from LA named Betty Turner. This track is called Tell Yourself a Lie.
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Bob Abrahamian 25:05
Okay, you’re tuned to WHPK, 88.5 FM in Chicago. You’re listening to Sitting in the Park. My name is Bob, and this show happens every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9 PM. We started off that set with a singer from LA named Betty Turner with Tell Yourself a Lie. Then, we had a group called the D-Lites with Give It Up. Following that, we played Sugar Pie DeSanto with Ask Me. Next up, a group from New Orleans called the Sugar Lumps with I’ve Got a Brand on My Baby. And the last cut was by a singer named Leola Giles, who was the lead singer of the Apollos. They had a record called All Sold Out, which got played in Chicago. The track was called Keep It Coming. Okay, we’ve got an hour left of the show. Thanks to everybody who called up so far. If you want to make a request, ask a question, or share a comment, the number is 773-702-8424.
Sad news this week: Steve Mancha died a couple of days ago. He was a legendary Detroit songwriter and singer. He sang in the group The Holidays and 100 Proof Aged in Soul. He also wrote for many artists, including the Dramatics. Later, I’ll be playing a Holidays record, but right now, here’s Steve Mancha’s biggest hit, Don’t Make Me a Storyteller.
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Bob Abrahamian 41:02
Okay, you’re tuned to WHPK, 88.5 FM in Chicago. My name is Bob, and you’re listening to Sitting in the Park, which happens every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9 PM. We started the last set with Steve Mancha’s hit Don’t Make Me a Storyteller. After that, we had an obscure group called Solar Circuit with I Can’t Let You Go from Detroit. Then, EJ and the Echoes with I Had a Hard Time from Upstate New York. Next, we had Soul Brother Six with their very first record, I Don’t Want to Cry. The last cut was from an obscure female group called the Shades of Love from New York City. They performed a nice version of Women Will Do Wrong.
Now, I have to give you some information. If a fire breaks out in your home while you’re asleep, how will you know? Smoke and heat build quickly, making every second count. A smoke alarm can alert you to danger and make the difference between life and death. Install and maintain a smoke alarm on every level of your home, and replace the battery every year. Also, children are naturally curious, and they want to learn, so follow their lead. If they like to help out in the kitchen, let them stir the spaghetti sauce or count the eggs. While doing laundry, fold in a lesson about colors and shapes. Simple learning games can be fun for both of you. Everyday moments are learning moments. It’s easy, and when you talk with your child, you build vocabulary. Learning starts long before school does. For more tips, go to bornlearning.org.
Another show you might like on this station is called The Dusty Party. It airs every Thursday night from 9 to midnight. On that show, there’s a rotating lineup of DJs that play soul, funk, blues, and jazz from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Another show you might enjoy is From the Subway to the Street Corner. That show airs directly before mine on Sunday nights from 6 to 7:30 PM. It’s hosted by Doc, and he plays doo-wop from the 50s to the early 60s. Okay, if anyone wants to call me up, the number is 773-702-8424. This next record is another track with Steve Mancha, who passed away recently. It’s by the New Holidays and is called Maybe So, Maybe No.
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Bob Abrahamian 58:50
Okay, you’re tuned to WHPK, 88.5 FM in Chicago. You’re listening to Sitting in the Park. This is a weekly soul show that airs every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9 PM. We started off the last set with the New Holidays featuring Steve Mancha with Maybe So, Maybe No. After that, we played an awesome track from Chicago by an obscure group called Andre & Zero Plus with Sparkle in a Woman’s Eye. Then, a group from Houston called Cool and Together with His Beginning Is My End. The last cut was by a group from New York called Blaine and the Rhythm Makers with You’re My Last Girl. This is the same group that later became GQ.
Okay, we have about 25 minutes of the show left. Sorry to the person who just called up—call me back right after I get off the mic. If the phone’s busy, just keep trying. The number here is 773-702-8424. This next record is by the fabulous Waller Family. It’s called I Love You So.
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Bob Abrahamian 1:13:40
Okay, you’re tuned to WHPK, 88.5 FM in Chicago. You’re listening to Sitting in the Park. My name is Bob. The show happens every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9 PM. Also, if you like the show, you might like my website, which is www.sittinginthepark.com. On that site, I have audio of all the interviews I’ve done, plus all of my shows from the past four years. I will have tonight’s show online by tomorrow at the latest.
In that last set, we started off with the Fabulous Waller Family’s I Love You So. Then, we had a singer named Louis Freeman with How Could You Run Away. After that, a group called Flight with Let Me Get Next to You. The last cut was by a singer named Moses, and I think it was from New York. The track was called Sweetest Love. Okay, we have 10 minutes left of the show. Unfortunately, I did not bring Ronaldo Domino today, but I’ll bring his records next time I’m on. However, I will be playing the Love Lights’ request and a Sugar Lumps record that someone wanted to hear again. If anyone else wants to call me up in the last few minutes, the number is 773-702-8424. This is the Love Lights with My Conscience.
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