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'''Alan C. Hunter''' (born [[February 14]], [[1957]]) was one of the original five video jockeys (VJ's) on MTV from [[1981]] to [[1987]]. He currently heads the production company [[Hunter Films]], which he formed with his brother [[Hugh Hunter|Hugh]]. He is also one of the founders of | [[Image:Alan Hunter.jpg|right|thumb|Alan Hunter]] | ||
'''Alan C. Hunter''' (born [[February 14]], [[1957]] in [[Birmingham]]) was one of the original five video jockeys (VJ's) on MTV from [[1981]] to [[1987]]. He currently heads the production company [[Hunter Films]], which he formed with his brother [[Hugh Hunter|Hugh]]. He is also one of the founders of [[WorkPlay]], a multipurpose office, studio and entertainment facility in [[Birmingham]]. | |||
Hunter graduated from [[Mountain Brook High School]] in 1975 and earned his Bachelor's degree in [[1979]] from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. He pursued acting for a while, earning a role in the video for David Bowie's "Fashion" before being tapped as the last of five on-air announcers to join the upstart MTV network. | |||
[[Image:Alan Hunter on MTV.jpg|left|thumb|Alan Hunter on MTV]] | |||
MTV went on the air on [[August 1]], [[1981]] at midnight in selected markets. Hunter was, by accident, the first VJ to appear on screen, with the words "And I'm Alan Hunter. Let's get to it". During his first month with MTV he kept his regular job tending bar at New York's Magic Pan. When a customer recognized him, he left bartending and became a full-time VJ -- attending concerts and parties until the wee hours and then coming back to the studio at 8:00 AM for a full day of taping interviews, promos and features. Hunter distinguished himself by pushing for more remotes and road trips rather than in-studio interviews. He stayed with the network for seven years and, unable to find other work in the industry, moved back to Birmingham and, with his brothers, founded WorkPlay. | MTV went on the air on [[August 1]], [[1981]] at midnight in selected markets. Hunter was, by accident, the first VJ to appear on screen, with the words "And I'm Alan Hunter. Let's get to it". During his first month with MTV he kept his regular job tending bar at New York's Magic Pan. When a customer recognized him, he left bartending and became a full-time VJ -- attending concerts and parties until the wee hours and then coming back to the studio at 8:00 AM for a full day of taping interviews, promos and features. Hunter distinguished himself by pushing for more remotes and road trips rather than in-studio interviews. He stayed with the network for seven years and, unable to find other work in the industry, moved back to Birmingham and, with his brothers, founded WorkPlay. | ||
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Hunter also hosts an 80s music channel on Sirius Satellite Radio and the "Looking for the Stars" reality show on the Starz network. He has also done voiceover work for Verizon Wireless radio spots. | Hunter also hosts an 80s music channel on Sirius Satellite Radio and the "Looking for the Stars" reality show on the Starz network. He has also done voiceover work for Verizon Wireless radio spots. | ||
Hunter had two children, Callie and Dylan, with his first wife. He married the former [[Elizabeth Hunter|Elizabeth Bradley]] of New York, New York on [[July 7]], [[2007]]. In [[2010]] he received the [[Alabama Music Hall of Fame]]'s Media Award. | |||
==References== | |||
* | * Anson, Robert Sam (November 2000) "Birth of an MTV Nation." ''Vanity Fair'' | ||
* "[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/TV/08/02/mtv.hunter.cnna/ Alan Hunter on 20 years of MTV]" (August 2, 2001) CNN.com/entertainment. - accessed April 3, 2006 | * "[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/TV/08/02/mtv.hunter.cnna/ Alan Hunter on 20 years of MTV]" (August 2, 2001) CNN.com/entertainment. - accessed April 3, 2006 | ||
* "Alan Hunter named 'Communicator of the Year' by IABC chapter" (November 15, 2005) ''Birmingham Business Journal'' | * "Alan Hunter named 'Communicator of the Year' by IABC chapter" (November 15, 2005) ''Birmingham Business Journal'' | ||
* Harvey, Alec (August 1, 2006) "Hunter made TV history with MTV launch." ''Birmingham News'' | |||
* Kwon, Wade (August 1, 2006) "[http://wadeonbirmingham.com/2006/08/01/music-television-and-the-magic-city/ Music Television and the Magic City]" ''Wade on Birmingham'' | |||
* Whitmire, Kyle (July 22, 2007) ''[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/fashion/weddings/22VOWS.html?_r=1 Elizabeth Bradley and Alan Hunter]" ''The New York Times'' | |||
==External links== | |||
* [http://www.hunterfilms.com/ Hunter Films] website | |||
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0402694/bio Alan Hunter] at IMDB.com | |||
[[Category:1957 births | {{DEFAULTSORT:Hunter, Alan}} | ||
[[Category:Mountain Brook graduates | [[Category:1957 births]] | ||
[[Category:VJs | [[Category:Living people]] | ||
[[Category:Film producers | [[Category:Mountain Brook graduates]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:VJs]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Film producers]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Bar owners]] | ||
[[Category:Civic boosters]] | |||
[[Category:Entrepreneurs]] | |||
Latest revision as of 10:08, 24 April 2019
Alan C. Hunter (born February 14, 1957 in Birmingham) was one of the original five video jockeys (VJ's) on MTV from 1981 to 1987. He currently heads the production company Hunter Films, which he formed with his brother Hugh. He is also one of the founders of WorkPlay, a multipurpose office, studio and entertainment facility in Birmingham.
Hunter graduated from Mountain Brook High School in 1975 and earned his Bachelor's degree in 1979 from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. He pursued acting for a while, earning a role in the video for David Bowie's "Fashion" before being tapped as the last of five on-air announcers to join the upstart MTV network.
MTV went on the air on August 1, 1981 at midnight in selected markets. Hunter was, by accident, the first VJ to appear on screen, with the words "And I'm Alan Hunter. Let's get to it". During his first month with MTV he kept his regular job tending bar at New York's Magic Pan. When a customer recognized him, he left bartending and became a full-time VJ -- attending concerts and parties until the wee hours and then coming back to the studio at 8:00 AM for a full day of taping interviews, promos and features. Hunter distinguished himself by pushing for more remotes and road trips rather than in-studio interviews. He stayed with the network for seven years and, unable to find other work in the industry, moved back to Birmingham and, with his brothers, founded WorkPlay.
Hunter co-founded Birmingham's Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival and serves as its board president. He helped launch the civic activism group Catalyst4Birmingham. In 2005 he was named "Communicator of the Year" by the Birmingham chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. He has lobbied for the creation of a regional film promotion group, now realized as the Birmingham-Jefferson Film Office.
Hunter also hosts an 80s music channel on Sirius Satellite Radio and the "Looking for the Stars" reality show on the Starz network. He has also done voiceover work for Verizon Wireless radio spots.
Hunter had two children, Callie and Dylan, with his first wife. He married the former Elizabeth Bradley of New York, New York on July 7, 2007. In 2010 he received the Alabama Music Hall of Fame's Media Award.
References
- Anson, Robert Sam (November 2000) "Birth of an MTV Nation." Vanity Fair
- "Alan Hunter on 20 years of MTV" (August 2, 2001) CNN.com/entertainment. - accessed April 3, 2006
- "Alan Hunter named 'Communicator of the Year' by IABC chapter" (November 15, 2005) Birmingham Business Journal
- Harvey, Alec (August 1, 2006) "Hunter made TV history with MTV launch." Birmingham News
- Kwon, Wade (August 1, 2006) "Music Television and the Magic City" Wade on Birmingham
- Whitmire, Kyle (July 22, 2007) Elizabeth Bradley and Alan Hunter" The New York Times
External links
- Hunter Films website
- Alan Hunter at IMDB.com