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KELVIN K. KEECH — NBC Announcer
LTIGH lights in the life story of Kelvin Kirkwood Iveech, National Broadcasting Company announcer, reads like a travel guide to romance and adventure. Keech wandered far for the material which constitutes his background as one of NBC’s ace announcers. Romance found him in foreign lands. Adventure was his companion at war. All of these things came to Keech because he heeded the sail of wanderlust. It was a call which first he heard in the land of his birth — Hawaii. It led him from an intended career as chemical engineer to the bright lights of Continental capitals. A rather battered ukulele, one of Keech’s prized possessions, has accompanied him since as a school boy he came to the United States to attend Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. The war found Keech a radio engineer in France. After the Armistice he and some of his buddies organized a jazz band. The “White Lyres,” as the organization was known, saw much of Europe’s famous watering places. Keech ran “face first” into romance in the old-world capital of Constantinople. He met a young Russian girl. The girl could not speak English, and while Keech knew French and a smattering of lapanese, Portugese, Chinese, and native Hawaiian, he knew no Russian. It being love at first sight — a little thing like conversation :ould not halt romance. They were married. Then came London. Strumming the strings of his ukulele, Keech won his way into the hearts of Britishers. He played over station 2LO of the British Broadcasting Company. He also won the distinction of being probably the only radio artist to have Royalty as a student. The student was none other than the Prince of Wales. In 1928 Keech, with his young bride, returned to the United States. He participated in several radio programs and obtained an audition with NBC. Before the microphone he suffered a violent attack of “mike” fright, despite his long broadcasting experience. A second audition, weeks later, however, won him a place on NBC’s staff of announcers. “I’ve discussed everything from ladies’ underwear to steam radiators and breakfast food — and love it,” Keech said. Motoring is his chief diversion. Tennis and golf come next in favor.
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