MIAMI – It is a voice from Miami’s past. A scratchy recording of a conversation, more of an audio letter, sent to loved ones.
The voice belongs to Milton “Butterball” Smith, one of the pioneers of Miami’s Black radio.
On the recording, Butterball talks about working in Miami, how he and his family are getting along in 1960’s Overtown. He paints a picture of a man building a career and he did just that becoming a community voice that locals remember to this day.
On the recording, that came to CBS News Miami from Butterball’s daughter Michelle and record collector Andrew Yeomansen, “Butterball” gives us a taste of his daily program
“From the 12-20 spot on the dial comes Mrs. Smith’s little fat butterball all 263 pounds of the “Fat Daddy.”
Milton Smith, who first called himself “Fat Daddy” and later “Butterball,” was the 1960s and 70s radio voice of the Miami Black community.
“Hey, he was loud. I guess that’s why I guess I thought I had to be loud too,” said James T., one of Hot 105’s best-known deejays.