A Brief History
John and Vermya Phillips were both born to large families in Texas. John had five sisters and 1 brother. Vermya was the seventh of 10 children. Both unfortunately lost parents during their formative teen years. In his late teens after the death of his father, John knew he was ready to leave Texas. After some conversation of two aunts in California with a friend and the flip of a coin, John headed out to California in 1940. John was part of a quartet until 1942 when he was inducted into the Army. John served in the military from 1942 through 1945 as part of the 532N Quartermaster Company; supplying food and ammunition to front line troops in the European Theater of Operations. John was discharged in December of 1945 and recounts that, as being when his radio career took off.
While John was off in the war, Vermya was pursuing her education and being blessed by God with people such as Mrs. Willie Ray Anderson, her god-mother, through whom she was blessed immensely. Vermya attended and graduated both, Wardell’s Beauty School and Paul Quinn College. At one point she worked in a restaurant and as a cosmetologist. After finishing college Vermya went on to teach 8th and 9th grade. Along the way, she became a member of the Tolivers Chapel Baptist Church.
Upon his discharge, Christmas day 1945, wanting to be a radio announcer, John attempted to use the GI Bill to further his education, but was told Blacks could not be radio announcers. After some time John found himself working for the City of Los Angeles. Meanwhile Vermya went on teaching. In the early fifties, while visiting her sister in California, the sister told Vermya that she had seen John recently as he used to live across the road from them as children, and he told her that if Vermya came to California, to let him know. In June of 1955 John and Vermya were married. In 1957, John and Vermya took on the responsibility of being church announcers at Progressive Baptist Church, then Mt. Tabor in 1958. The late Rev. J.T. Stewart was recently called as pastor and John served as sound engineer.
On March 2, 1958 John and Vermya started at as a husband and wife team with an hour and a half program. John went on to the Don Martin School of Broadcasting. Going on to work at various stations across the country, John and Vermya joined the Gospel Music Workshop of America started by the King of Gospel, the late Rev. James Cleveland. On March 14, 2004 the Lord called Vermya home.
The journey continues to be rich and rewarding as John continues to be a force in Gospel Music. While Vermya is greatly missed, the high standards of excellence, the created together, continue today as John faithfully and skillfully brings listeners the very latest and best in Gospel Music. John was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall Of Fame November 4, 2007 in Akron, Ohio. Please feel free to join John on KTYM, Saturday mornings and remember that God loves you and so does John Phillips.
While John was off in the war, Vermya was pursuing her education and being blessed by God with people such as Mrs. Willie Ray Anderson, her god-mother, through whom she was blessed immensely. Vermya attended and graduated both, Wardell’s Beauty School and Paul Quinn College. At one point she worked in a restaurant and as a cosmetologist. After finishing college Vermya went on to teach 8th and 9th grade. Along the way, she became a member of the Tolivers Chapel Baptist Church.
Upon his discharge, Christmas day 1945, wanting to be a radio announcer, John attempted to use the GI Bill to further his education, but was told Blacks could not be radio announcers. After some time John found himself working for the City of Los Angeles. Meanwhile Vermya went on teaching. In the early fifties, while visiting her sister in California, the sister told Vermya that she had seen John recently as he used to live across the road from them as children, and he told her that if Vermya came to California, to let him know. In June of 1955 John and Vermya were married. In 1957, John and Vermya took on the responsibility of being church announcers at Progressive Baptist Church, then Mt. Tabor in 1958. The late Rev. J.T. Stewart was recently called as pastor and John served as sound engineer.
On March 2, 1958 John and Vermya started at as a husband and wife team with an hour and a half program. John went on to the Don Martin School of Broadcasting. Going on to work at various stations across the country, John and Vermya joined the Gospel Music Workshop of America started by the King of Gospel, the late Rev. James Cleveland. On March 14, 2004 the Lord called Vermya home.
The journey continues to be rich and rewarding as John continues to be a force in Gospel Music. While Vermya is greatly missed, the high standards of excellence, the created together, continue today as John faithfully and skillfully brings listeners the very latest and best in Gospel Music. John was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall Of Fame November 4, 2007 in Akron, Ohio. Please feel free to join John on KTYM, Saturday mornings and remember that God loves you and so does John Phillips.
Below Find the Excerpted Accomplishments of John and Vermya.
John began Gospel Announcing (1955)
John and Vermya started Announcing at KTYM as a husband and wife team (March 2, 1958 to 1965)
KFOXFM (1965-1970)
KKGO 105. 1 (1970-1985)
In 1985 they returned to KTYM as John has been on the radio a blessed sixty (60) years. To this date, he continues to play Gospel Music, making Gospel announcements, and offering Moments of Decision; ALL BY J & V Promotions.
John and Vermya were inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Detroit, Michigan; David Gough, Chairman, in the year 2000.
John was awarded the Mahalia Jackson Award by the Black Business Expo in September 2007 in Los Angeles, CA.
John was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame on November 4, 2007 in Akron, Ohio.
Education:
John holds a First Class, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadcasting license.
John also has an AA Degree in Broadcasting Engineering, Public Speaking, Journalism, Tele-prompters and News Reporting from the Don Martin School of Broadcasting - Hollywood, CA.
John attended Trade Technical College - Los Angeles, CA
Vermya attained a Third Class, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadcasting license.
Vermya also received both her Bachelors from Paul Quinn College - Waco, Texas and her Masters Degrees in Education, San Francisco State College.
In the Service of God:
John & Vermya were members of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, for thirty-three (33) years together. John continues to be an active member.
Both were inducted in the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame Museum in October of 2000.
John - Sgt. At Arms 30 years at G. M. W. A. - Gospel Announcers Guild (G.A.G)
John - Sound Engineer at Trinity Baptist Church
John - Deacon at Trinity Baptist Church
Vermya - Regional Secretary - 25 Years at G. M. W. A. - Gospel Announcers Guild (G.A.G)
Vermya - Deaconess at Trinity Baptist Church
Vermya - Choir Member at Trinity Baptist Church
Vermya recorded 3 albums & 6 (45 singles) all produced by John Phillips.
John and Vermya started Announcing at KTYM as a husband and wife team (March 2, 1958 to 1965)
KFOXFM (1965-1970)
KKGO 105. 1 (1970-1985)
In 1985 they returned to KTYM as John has been on the radio a blessed sixty (60) years. To this date, he continues to play Gospel Music, making Gospel announcements, and offering Moments of Decision; ALL BY J & V Promotions.
John and Vermya were inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Detroit, Michigan; David Gough, Chairman, in the year 2000.
John was awarded the Mahalia Jackson Award by the Black Business Expo in September 2007 in Los Angeles, CA.
John was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame on November 4, 2007 in Akron, Ohio.
Education:
John holds a First Class, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadcasting license.
John also has an AA Degree in Broadcasting Engineering, Public Speaking, Journalism, Tele-prompters and News Reporting from the Don Martin School of Broadcasting - Hollywood, CA.
John attended Trade Technical College - Los Angeles, CA
Vermya attained a Third Class, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadcasting license.
Vermya also received both her Bachelors from Paul Quinn College - Waco, Texas and her Masters Degrees in Education, San Francisco State College.
In the Service of God:
John & Vermya were members of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, for thirty-three (33) years together. John continues to be an active member.
Both were inducted in the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame Museum in October of 2000.
John - Sgt. At Arms 30 years at G. M. W. A. - Gospel Announcers Guild (G.A.G)
John - Sound Engineer at Trinity Baptist Church
John - Deacon at Trinity Baptist Church
Vermya - Regional Secretary - 25 Years at G. M. W. A. - Gospel Announcers Guild (G.A.G)
Vermya - Deaconess at Trinity Baptist Church
Vermya - Choir Member at Trinity Baptist Church
Vermya recorded 3 albums & 6 (45 singles) all produced by John Phillips.
John & Vermya Announcers
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