He went from being a truck driver to being chauffeur and general assistant for Los Angeles radio personality Al Jarvis.
[9] In 1948, he became a disc jockey and announcer on KOWL radio in Santa Monica, California,[7] and 10 years later he was described in a newspaper article as "the station's top personality and most valuable property".
[9] Adams became the Emcee and stage director for the fourth Cavalcade of Jazz concert held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles which was produced by Leon Hefflin Sr. on September 12, 1948, and continued for the annual event for 10 more years.
Dizzy Gillespie, Frankie Lane, Little Miss Cornshucks, The Sweethearts of Rhythm, The Honey Drippers, Joe Turner, Jimmy Witherspoon, The Blenders and The Sensations were all featured as Adams emceed his first Cavalcade of Jazz concert.
[11] In 1954 Adams played boxer "Husky Miller" in the award-winning "Carmen Jones" film opera featuring an all-black cast headed by Best Actress Oscar-nominee Dorothy Dandridge.