The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

The Talking Machine World, New York, February, 1928 1 ) Maria Kurenko and Toscha Seidel on Columbia Hour Russian Coloratura Soprano and World-Famous Violinist, Exclusive Columbia Recording Artists, Heard in Company's Celebrity Hour Maria Kurenko, the "Russian Nightingale," coloratura soprano, and Toscha Seidel, Russian-born violinist, both exclusive Columbia record artists, were the soloists in the Colum Maria Kurenko bia Phonograph Co.'s Celebrity Hour on February 1 which was broadcast over the network of the Columbia Broadcasting System. Mme. Kurenko, born at Omsk, Siberia, has been prima donna at the Moscow and Chicago operas, and is atpresent a favorite with a large following among concert-goers and is accepted Toscha Seidel as one of the leading sopranos before the American public to-day. Toscha Seidel, world-famous violinist, was born at Odessa twenty-seven years ago and was brought to the United States by his teacher, Uncelebrated Auer. He achieved instant success and has since ranked as one of the foremost violinists on the concert platform. Mr. Seidel is now an American citizen. The Russian artist hour was in line with the policy of the Columbia Phonograph Co. to maintain a cosmopolitan interest in its programs and to offer a diversity of entertainment to the army of listeners-in. Music Store Has Advantages as Radio Outlet, Says Survey Lawrence, Kan., February 7. — The Bureau of Business Research of the University of Kansas in its recent study of radio credit sales in Kansas summarizes the arguments favoring music and furniture stores as the main types of outlets for radio sets and accessories, saying: "The receiving set is a drawing-room fixture and the expert advice of the furniture or music dealer as to the external appearance and models is necessary. "The musical instrument dealers have shown success in handling high-priced quality products and have been trained by the manufacturers for the greatest efficiency in demonstrations." Open Chicago Studio The Chicago studios of the National Broadcasting Co. were opened recently as a pick-up point for the Blue Network of which WJZ, New York, is the kev station. Engineering difficulties delayed the opening of this studio since last November, according to M. H. Aylesworth, president of N. B. C. The formal opening of the studios will mark the first utilization of the company's entire Blue Network facilities with a studio program originating in Chicago. The program will be sponsored by Montgomery Ward & Co., of Chicago. Cashing in on St. Patrick's Day by Staging a TieUp It goes without saying that music should be featured on St. Patrick's Day, or rather a week in advance, and an excellent sale of records for the phonograph can be achieved if appropriate selections are featured. A good example of publicity along this line was the two-column ad ox the Southern California Music Co., Los Angeles. It showed at the top a cut of an Irishman and his donkey, and also that o. a Victrola. The ad was captioned: Old Irish Melodies. Songs that never grow old — -Hear them now on your Victrola. Then followed a list from which to make selections; the name, the composer, price and record number all being given: "Old Irish Mother of Mine," "Just Like a Gipsy," "My Wild Irish Rose," "In the Garden of My Heart," "Where the River Shannon Flows," "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen," "Killarney," "Kathleen Mavourneen," "Mother Machree," "A Little Bit of Heaven," "Macushla," "Come Back to Erin," "The Low Back Car," and "Wearing o' the Green." An Irish harp was the valued possession of an Irish colleen of the city, and she brought it to the store and gave two concerts on the Saturday preceding St. Patricks Day. All of the selections rendered by her could be had in lecord form, and copies of same were hung on racks in the concert room for the inspection of all wishing to procure Irish music. The concert called anew attention to the haunting melodies, and many sales resulted therefrom. Pay Tribute to Berlin On January 18, the Columbia Phonograph Co. during its Radio Hour paid tribute to Irving Berlin. A brief sketch of the composer started the presentation and was followed by the playing and singing of famous Berlin numbers from "Alexander's Ragtime Band" up to the present song success, "The Song Is Ended." Husk O'Hare to Record for the Vocalion Catalog Jack Kapp, in Charge of Vocalion Division of Brunswick Co., Announces That Popular Leader Has Recorded "Hot" Numbers Chicago, III., February 7.— Jack Kapp, in charge of the Vocalion department of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., recently an Husk O'Hare nounced that Husk O'Hare and His Stage Band, now playing at the Capitol Theatre in this city, have just recorded a number of "hot" records for early release on Vocalion records. Husk O'Hare has been a popular favorite for the past eight years for his introduction of excellent music of the "hot" type, and the announcement of his engagement as a Vocalion artist is being well received by Vocalion jobbers and dealers throughout the country who anticipate a good demand for his records. Engineers Visit Fada Plant Members of the Institute of Radio Engineers, attending the third annual convention in New York, recently were guests of F. A. D. Andrea, Inc., at the Fada Radio plant in Long Island City. The visiting engineers were conducted through the factory in groups, and were interested in the evolution of Fada Radio from the raw material to the finished product.