Although some white listeners protested against the music, black audiences responded with enthusiasm and began to write fan letters to Richbourg.

At one point, Ma Rainey speaks of white listeners' reaction to blues music.

In a radio broadcast he assured white listeners and warned blacks that the school would be "off limits" to blacks.

Muhammad warned the handful of white listeners that his speech would be "a rough ride" and proceeded again to attack Jews.

Second, Cole, who in 1938 was one of the first blacks to have a national radio show, remained unthreatening to white listeners.

But, he said, "according to audience requests, from both black and white listeners, radio stations should be playing more rap music."

A more mass-appeal version of the format is rhythmic oldies, which attracts both white and black listeners.

Because if black musicians want to reach white listeners and record buyers, they're told they must cross over.

The executives complain that their large, loyal audiences are relegated to supporting roles while stations with white listeners take the star turns.

Some white listeners have phoned in often enough to qualify as regulars, introduced by first name and neighborhood alone, a rarity for the station.