2021 Exhibition
39. The Scene
Artist Information
The Scene installation at DLECTRICITY will feature a large open-air dance floor in Circle Park (near Beacon Park), along with DJs, dancers, and other local talent. In partnership with WDET and MOCAD, this installation will pay homage to The Scene and Detroit’s legendary music history with programming from 7PM to midnight each night of the festival.
DLECTRICITY is partnering with Nat Morris, executive producer and host of Detroit’s historic daily dance show, “The Scene,” that aired on WGPR TV 62 from October 13, 1975 to December 31, 1987, to create a special dance and music installation for the 2021 festival.
WGPR was the first African American owned and operated television station licensed by the FCC in The United States. The Scene was perhaps the most popular local show to be broadcast on the station and would unwittingly end up giving birth to an entire generation of dance music and influence millions globally in the process.
Nat Morris
Nat Morris' radio career began in 1970 when he got his first job on radio at WTOY in Roanoke, VA. In 1972, Nat became a member of the DETROIT RADIO VIOCES when fellow Carolinian Ray Henderson recommended Nat to George White, then program director at WGPR-FM, in Detroit Michigan.
In 1975, Nat’s radio show led to him being selected to co-host the television show The Scene along with Ray Henderson on WGPR-TV. In 1976 Nat became the sole host of the show when Ray Henderson left the show.
The Scene was on the air for 12 years from 1975 to 1987 and was perhaps the most popular local show to be broadcast on the station. The Scene and Nat Morris are immortalized in several books that document the history of local Detroit television including; From Soupy to Nuts by Tim Kiska, 2005 – Momentum Books and TV Land- Detroit by Gordon Castelnero, 2006 – University of Michigan Press.
In 1988 after The Scene, Nat returned to North Carolina and radio where he became Program director for WCLY in Raleigh. While in Carolina, Nat owned and operated The Klubb nightclub in Durham with his daughter, Natosha Morris.
In 1991 Nat returned to Detroit and began to work in independent television with his friend whom he had mentored; R. J. Watkins who was doing a television dance show on WGPR-TV. In 1995 after WGPR-TV was sold, Nat began to air re-runs of The Scene on the then Barden Cable leased access channel under a video production company named after his popular show The Scene. Nat also produced a music video show on the channel called Video Go Go. Video Go Go aired until 2006 and helped to popularized leased access television in Detroit.
Nat Morris YouTube Channel