Rock ‘N’ Roll Reveille with Father Jim Drucker, Philly’s Doo Wop Priest

Father Jim Drucker is a fully ordained Catholic priest. Father Jim grew up on the streets of Philadelphia northeast Philadelphia (K&A). But, before joining the priesthood, Father Jim Drucker was Jim Drucker the song writer, record producer, 1960’s WIBG record hop producer and disc Jockey and music publisher. Father Jim worked at many radio stations, but he is most remembered for being on the legendary WARM that was by far the most listened to radio station in the history of NE PA radio and was rated Number One in the USA in the1950’s, 1960’s, and 1970’s. Virtually everyone who lived in the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Area knew him.

He recorded many Philadelphia recording groups in the early 1960s at Sound Plus Studios. Reco-Art (Sigma Sound), The Bosstones, The Four Casts, The Lydells. Later he would manage and record groups in NYC, Wayne and Merlin (RCA), The Buoys (Scepter) at Laurie Records (Allegro Studios), 8th Street Bridge, Peer Southern Studios, Decca Records Studios, Scepter Record Studios and RCA Records.

DRUCKER MUSIC PUBLISHING BMI, had a million-seller hit “TIMOTHY” with the B/w of the # 13 Hit Record in America in 1970, charting # 13 on Billboard, Cashbox and Record World Magazines.

Father Jim’s Show will play the music of the DooWop era and the 1960s when he was rocking at radio stations in America. His main focus will be devoted to helping veterans, of whom he is one. Father Jim served as an enlisted man in the USARMY/Vietnam era and later after ordination to Priesthood he was in the USAF Reserve in Philadelphia as Sr. Catholic Chaplain (Captain) at the 911th CSS at Willow and then as Sr. Catholic Chaplain at the 111th TASG PA ANG. He served active duty in the USAF as a Catholic Chaplain from 1987-1992 and served overseas during Desert Storm.

Billy Carlucci adds doo-wop flavor to the show!  At the age of 13, Billy’s career began in Philadelphia as a songwriter and singer.  He sang from the streets of South Philly to the corners of Southwest Philly, harmonizing with his first group, Little Billy and the Crystals, in late 1959.  In the early ‘60s Billy formed Bily and the Essentials and was a favorite on Bandstand, and of pioneer rock and roll stations with DJs Jerry Blavat and Hy Lit.

Billy joined Danny and the Juniors in 1971 and toured worldwide and in every city in the US for 18 years.

His writing and producing credits include Goody Goody Gumdrops by the 1910 Fruitgum Company, the Flamingos, Leslie Gore, Teresa Brewer, Jay and the Americans, Pixies Three, Jordan Brothers, Ricky Nelson, Keith and the Three Degrees.

Over 60 years later, Bily is still singing doo-wop harmony for his multitude of fans on his radio show and at various venues, and recently with Jerry Blavat at the Kimmel Center.

Bily has over 20 recordings, including Maybe You’ll Be There, The Dance is Over, Babalu’s Wedding Day, Over the Weekend, and the classics, Remember Me Baby and the Actor.  His recent albums, Original Masters, Anniversary 55 and The Christmas Album have been widely acclaimed.

Father Jim and pal Billy Carlucci will play DooWop Music and have many special celebrity Guests on LIVE and by phone. He hopes to promote veterans’ causes which is very special to him. He will share his vast knowledge of music on WWDB-AM 860 Saturdays from 4-5PM. He will have as a co-host Dr. Andrew Savicky, Ret. USAF Lt. Col., Psychologist, as an aid to our Philly and area Veterans.

Listen to Rock ‘N’ Roll Reveille with Father Jim Drucker, Philly’s DooWop Priest every Saturday from 4-5PM on WWDB-AM 860.

35 episodes