Jim Porter, Jr.

JIM PORTER JR., one of Arkansas' foremost entertainment impresarios and a leader in integrating the music scene in Arkansas, passed away at St. Vincent Infirmary on Sept. 3, 2015. Jim was born on Sept. 1, 1932, to James Skillern Porter and Verla Menard. Primarily his paternal grandmother, Louise Skillern Porter, a southern matriarch with flaming red hair, raised him while his father served in the Army during World War II. She spoiled him a bit, but he was not one to complain. He had dogs and horses and a place in the country (Lamar Lodge near Lake Winona) where he spent many a summer with his grandmother and grandfather (Pops) and saw the likes of John McClellan, Orville Faubus and Joe T. Robinson and other politicians of the time. Jim graduated from Little Rock Senior High (now Central High) in 1950 and went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas in 1954 with a BS in business administration. He lettered in tennis and continued to play for many years thereafter. After college, Jim started out in the family businesses and tried to follow a "traditional" path that his father had paved for him. Working in sales and public relations, he became active doing volunteer work, serving as Chairman of the United Way of Pulaski County, Campaign Chairman for the March of Dimes, board member of the Little Rock Boys Club, trustee of Lamar Porter Field, member of the Arkansas Hospitality Association, and many other organizations. He also served on the board of Union National Bank, which later became part of Bank of America. Jim realized that the "traditional" path was not for him, and while working in the family businesses, he started bringing in top name entertainers, many of them black, to perform in Little Rock. He was not a singer, nor did he play any instrument, but his love for music and all things connected to music led him towards his calling as an agent/manager and promoter of musicians. As a promoter of national artists and bands, Jim ran into southern racism and segregation. The Central High crisis in 1957 caused many black artists to refuse to come to Little Rock, fearful for their safety. Jim was forced to concentrate more on booking and managing local musicians through what was at the time Arkansas' only full time booking and talent agency, Consolidated Talent Corporation (later to become Porter Entertainment). During his booking career from the late 50's until his retirement in 2001, Jim placed talent across Arkansas (and even in Las Vegas) at clubs, hotels, restaurants, and private functions- anywhere that people needed entertainment. Jim saw first hand the inequities of black musicians in Arkansas, the separate and very unequal accommodations, and the segregated venues. Never giving up promoting national artists, the 60's led him and his co-investors to bring in such national names (mostly jazz artists) such as Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Woody Herman, the Four Freshman, Dave Brubeck, George Shearing, Harry James and others. His most memorable promotion, however, was the 1961 Ray Charles concert at Robinson Auditorium. Jim dared to enter the balcony area restricted to "colored" patrons and was arrested for attempting to incite a riot. Charges were dropped but it took several years before the auditorium abandoned their unwritten segregation policy and in 1966 Louis Armstrong was allowed to play before an integrated audience. Years later, Jim helped bring the musical "Hair" to Little Rock, with the specter of full nudity causing consternation to Robinson Auditorium and some of the citizenry. Jim was inducted into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Arkansas Jazz Heritage Foundation Hall of Fame in 2006. He was appointed to the Martin Luther King Commission in 2005 and entered politics to serve as a member of the Pulaski County Quorum Court from 1998 until 2006. He is featured in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture and authored "The Musical Integration of Little Rock." Pulaski County Historical Review 53 (Fall 2005). Always an entrepreneur, Jim also started MusAd Recording Studio, where commercial jingles were produced and bands could record demo tapes. The Hot Air Balloon Theatre (in the old Center Theatre on Main Street) was the site for G-movies and live entertainment for kids. The Yellow Rocket, an arcade in the "Heights" is still remembered by now middle-aged adults who spent afternoons and weekends feeding money into the game machines and eating snacks. Continuing his love for entertainment and his pursuit of equality, Jim opened up Arkansas' first integrated country club, the Riverdale Club (not to be confused with the Riverdale Country Club, later to become Pleasant Valley Country Club). In addition to swimming, golf and tennis, the club featured dining and live music by integrated bands for integrated audiences. A lifetime member of the Little Rock Country Club, Jim once brought a black musician (after hours) to the Club when the only other blacks there were servers. Jim also vocally supported (while Chairman of the United Way) efforts by several members of the Junior League of Little Rock, to gain membership for a Jewish candidate. The League having refused, these members resigning in protest. Eventually both the Junior League and the Little Rock Country Club welcomed members of color and all religions. Always one with a bright wit and a sharp pen, Jim wrote several books, hosted TV shows ("After Five" and "Scene Around") featuring restaurants, bars, clubs and their patrons and employees. He was featured on a weekly radio show about dining and entertainment, and wrote "Scene Around" columns and a dining and entertainment guide for the Arkansas Democrat. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jim Porter and Verla Porter, his sister, Louise "Lou" Porter Finch, grandson, Noah Porter, step-mother Marty Bundschuh Porter, and cousins Edwin Hubbard and Elizabeth "Liz" Cheney. Jim is survived by his wife of 39 years, Lillian Porter, his three sons (from first marriage to Jo Ann Wilbourn) Lamar Porter (Debbie), Kevin Porter (Susan), Shawn Porter, and daughters Marti Porter Rickel (Greg) and Cathy Cowan Jones, grandchildren William Edward Porter (Erica), James Michael Porter (Nora), Ashley Porter Nguyen (Anthony), Hunter Jones, Anna Catherine Jones, Austin Morris Rickel, Billie Watts (Jeff), Russell Hardwick, and great-grandchildren Isabella Nguyen, Christian Nguyen, Johnathon Carmicheal, Jacob Carmichael, Anna Watts, and cousin, Larry Hubbard (Emily), nephew Greg Finch, niece Leslie Finch (Romey) and second cousin Mike Cheney. The family expresses sincere thanks and appreciation for the loving care provided by caregivers Johnnie Stewert, Jamie Wilson, Triena Stuart, and Vickie Parks. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015, at Reubel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham, Little Rock, Ark. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 West 17th, Little Rock, Ark. Burial will follow at Mount Holly Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lamar Porter Field, c/o The Boys and Girls Club of Central Arkansas, 1616 West 3rd Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72201. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.