Radio today (Apr-Dec 1939)

fatkeRemd Children's dept. to boost record sales Taking a tip from the cereal manufacturers who have boosted sales byappealing to parents through their children, The Boston Store, Milwaukee, has established a record department solely for children. Naming it "The Little Record Shop," Mrs. Lela Hansen, who is in charge, has worked out a program to amuse as well as musically educate children from two to ten years. Starting with musical nursery rhymes and progressing to semi-classics and children's operas, Mrs. Hansen has built up an excellent repeat business. The newspaper list of births and a scrapbook signed by all the little visitors are used for direct mail promotion. This is supplemented by an advertisement in the Sunday edition of the leading newspaper. Hundreds of records have been sold after only three months of operation. Hotel man records voices of his noted guests Manager Bud Morriss of Los Angeles' Clark Hotel uses a portable recording machine from Universal Microphone Co. to build up a library of remarks and speeches by his notable guests. In years to come, he believes, historians can turn to the guest register for famous signatures, then go through his collection of disks and hear actual voices. Bluebird in first swing album; Shaw shines There'll be no pshaws for Artie Shaw's rendition of ten standard swing classics in the newly-famous young maestro's matchless style. Due to swingsters' increasing demand for Shaw records, BCA-Victor has combined the favorites Carioca, Bill, The Donkey Serenade, My Heart Stood Still, Lover Come Back to Me, Bosalie, Zigeuner, Supper Time, the Man I Love and Vilia, into the first swing album. The five-record Bluebird set sells for $2.25. For the record Three news notes of interest to record sellers come from the up and coming CBS affiliate, American Becord Corp., makers of Columbia, Brunswick and Vocalion discs. Vocalion will re-issue "hot" records that were favorites years ago. First of them is "Dinah" and "Indiana" as played by Bed Nichols and his Five Bennies. That was when the Pennies included Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa and Jackson Teagarden, all well-known band leaders today and favorites of the jitterbugs. Second, John Henry Hammond, noted but youthful authority on "le jazz hot" has been named talent scout Kiddies wait in line to hear favorite selections at Milwaukee Boston Store's Little Record Shop. and associate recording director. Third, Jimmy Lunceford's ace 15piece band has been signed, and his first recording " 'Taint What You Do But the Way that You Do It" has just been released. Wax worth watching EDDIE DELANGE and his orchestra playing Simple Simon, with VR by Elisse Cooper, and Ad-De-Dey, with VR by Miss Cooper and chorus— Bluebird 10163. RICHARD HIMBER and his Rhythmic Pyramids playing I Promise You and Blame It on My Last Affair with VR by Stuart Allen— Victor 26177. JIMMY DORSEY and his orchestra playing Thrs Is It with VC by Bob Eberly and chorus, and It's All Yours with VC by Helen O'Connell and chorus — Decca 2332. COUNT BASIE at the piano playing Boogie Woogie and How Long How Long Blues, with guitar, bass and drums — Decca 2355. DICK ROBERTSON Serenade and I Promi Robertson — Decca 2354. NANO R0DRIG0 and his Havana-Madrid orchestra playing Begin the Beguine and Oye Tu, with VR by Arturo Cortes— Victor 26203. HAL KEMP and his orchestra playing Three Little Fishes, with VR by "Saxie" Dowell, and The Chestnut Tree, with VR by The Smoothies— Victor 26204. Attractive record department and Victrola display of the Homer L. Kitt Co., Washington, D. C. Firm handles entire Victor record catalog and album sets. Leonard Joy, conductor-arranger, is new RCA Victor Artist Mgr. Albert Bates brings 20 years of record experience to his new job as N. Y. Mgr. with American Record Corp. Ansley Radio Corp., 4377 Bronx Blvd., New York City— 19 models are listed in 24-page illustrated brochure. Radios and combinations in console and table sets are shown in period and modern styles. 34 RADIO TODAY