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Jimmie 'J.J.' Walker's Dynomite! Songs

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

Now we hear from another person whose known for his unique style. You might remember comedian Jimmie "J. J." Walker from his role as Kid Dynomite from the TV series "Good Times." A while back, he was with us to talk about his career, his views on politics and his new memoir. After that, he gave us some of the songs a self-described old guy like him listens to for our occasional segment we call In Your Ear. And this is what he had to say.

JIMMIE WALKER: Hi. This is Jimmie "J. J." Walker. One of my favorite artists - and I like his combined work - is Bill Withers.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "AIN'T NO SUNSHINE")

WALKER: Ain't no sunshine when she's gone. He has a best of album. And I'm a huge Bill Withers fan.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "AIN'T NO SUNSHINE")

WALKER: I think that the feel of it is just really good music and it's storytelling and it's stuff that has lasted through the years - stuff that I feel, as an old guy, you know, over 60, that I like.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "AIN'T NO SUNSHINE")

WALKER: Kenny Rankin, he has a great voice. You hear a lot of guys doing what he does, and they're trying to copy him, but he is just great. He has a great song, "Blackbird," by The Beatles. And if you want to get some good stuff, listen to Kenny Rankin. He's fabulous.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "BLACKBIRD")

MARTIN: That was comedian Jimmie "J. J." Walker. To hear our previous conversation with him, just go to our website at NPR.org, click on the programs tab and then TELL ME MORE. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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