Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1945)

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NBC SHOW BIG EVENT IN 1926 Dawn of New Era Recounted by Bruce Barton In Old Issue of 'American' Magazine | OF THE MANY new eras that have dawned in radio's hectic history, one of the outstanding was recalled last week by M. H. (Deac) | Aylesworth, former president of j NBC, now a New York lawyer. Back on Nov. 15, 1926, the new | NBC took the air on a nationwide hookup heard by 10,000,000. Deeply moved was Bruce Barton, Show president of BBDO, New York, a friend of Mr. Aylesworth's. I His account in the August 1927 American follows: "On Nov. 15 of last year, I put on my stiff shirt and went down to the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel to attend the inaugural program of the National Broadcasting Company. There were perhaps five hundred other stiff-shirted gentlemen there, and as many ladies in evening dress. "Down in front was Walter Damrosch with his orchestra, playing the accompaniment for Titta Ruffo, Metropolitan Opera Star. Harold Bauer, the famous pianist, came in a few minutes later. His ship had been delayed, and a special tug had been sent down the harbor to hurry him to the dock, so that he might appear on this program at the exact minute announced. Following his performance was a second's pause, and then suddenly, as clear and strong as though the voice were there beside us, the announcer — 'Ladies and gentlemen: We are now in the Drake Hotel, Chicago, in the parlor of Miss Mary Garden. Miss Garden will sing.' "And Miss Garden did. "Another second's pause, and again a different announcer — 'Ladies and gentlemen: We are now in Independence, Kansas, in the dressing room of Mr. Will Rodgers. Mr. Rodgers will speak.' "And out of the air about us came the unmistakable tones of Will, who said he was traveling around the country as 'God's gift Ohio's Third Market at less cost— affiliate of the American Network. Ask HEADLEY-REED WFMJ YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO * Mr. Aylesworth to those who had failed to see Queen Marie.' "I was sitting in Mr. (Owen) Young's box, and while Will Rogers was still speaking, a messenger entered and passed us a photograph. A photograph of Mary Garden before the microphone in her parlor at the Drake Hotel; a photograph taken less than half an hour before and sent to us over the wire. I passed it back without any comment. What comment could one make that would not be inane? "'Where's Deac Aylesworth?' I asked. " 'Downstairs,' somebody a n swered. 'Weber and Fields are to wind up the program. They have never been in front of the microphone, and they're scared half to death for fear they won't remember their lines.' "I went downstairs. Behind a big screen in one of the dressing rooms I found the veteran comedians, studying bits of paper like schoolboys cramming for an examination. And with them Deac Aylesworth, holding their hands and telling them not to worry, because everything was going to be all right. "From a dusty room in a factory to the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf; from crude volunteer programs to programs that will cost this year (1927) more than two million dollars for talent alone; from broadcasting stations of limited radius to the NBC, which on Feb. 2 linked up with 43 stations and caused the voice of the President of the United States to be heard by more millions than had ever before heard a single human voice — this is the story of radio. "And the most important man in radio entertainment at the moment is Merlin H. Aylesworth, known to a lot of us affectionately as Deac." First News Clinic In Illinois Nov. 16 NAB Sponsoring Discussions On Newscast Improvement FIRST of a national series of radio news clinics designed to improve the standard of news broadcasts will be held Nov. 16, 10 a. m., at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel, Springfield, 111. All Illinois stations have been invited to attend. Under NAB auspices, the clinics were authorized by the NAB Board of Directors at its October meeting, following earlier recommendation by the Radio News Committee. In charge of the Illinois clinic will be E. R. Vadeboncoeur, vice-president of WSYR Syracuse, chairman of the committee, and Arthur Stringer, NAB director of circulation, secretary." Hosts to the opening clinic will be WCBS and WTAX Springfield. Twofold Objective Twofold purpose lies behind the clinics — ways stations may become recognized sources of important news in their area, which in turn will result in horizontal improvement in radio news throughout the country. Les Johnson, NAB 9th District director and manager of WHBF Rock Island, invited the committee to hold the first clinic. Along with Mr. Vadeboncoeur and Mr. Stringer he will participate in the session. Fred S. Seibert, director, U. of Illinois School of Journalism, will discuss libel. Special attention will be given the problems of small stations and operation of a one-man news department, with attention to effective procedure and commercial aspects. Mr. Carlos Franco Young & Rubicam. Inc. New York City Dear Carlos: some figures on the boss's i let him know I read his mail at night) that I tho' t you might like •V* primary coverage" whatever that means. Anyhow these figures show that ■more than half the people in W. Va. live in our "primary coverage", more than 2/Srds of the radio families in W. Va. live in our "primary coverage" and S/Uhs of the state's retail safes .fast year "were "made 'in:, our "primary Don't know what it means but this "prima r y coverage" must be somethin' good with all that dough flyin' around. Yrs., Algy WCHS Charleston, W. Va. BALTIMORE'S Two Are Promoted ARCH MacDONALD and George C. McNutt, members of the San Francisco office executive staff of Botsford, Constantine & Gardner, have been elected vice-presidents of the company. Before coming to San Francisco, MacDonald was with Leo Burnett Agency, Chicago. McNutt was advertising and public relations director of R. G. LeTourneau m Inc., Peoria, 111. Carruthers Moves JOHN CARRUTHERS, former Pacific theatre liaison officer of Honeywell Regulator Co., Minneapolis, has joined Don Lee Broadcasting System, Hollywood, engineering staff. Wally Caruthers, a brother, currently with U. S. Naval Radio & Sound Lab., San Diego, returns to network engineering department upon service discharge in January. Swift on WBBM SWIFT & Co., Chicago (Swift's Cleanser), begins sponsorship about Nov. 12 of 3 spots weekly on WBBM, Chicago; approximately 12 spots weekly on WTMJ Milwaukee; and participation on Freda Krieg shopping program, WEMP Milwaukee; June Baker show, WGN Chicago; June Merrill show, WJJD Chicago; Beulah Karney show, WENR Chicago. Contracts for 13 weeks were placed bjr Needham, Louis & Brorby, Chicago. Television Club Topic TELEVISION will be the principal topic at the Radio Executives Club luncheon held Nov. 15 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York. J. R. Poppele, president of Television Broadcasters Assn., will act as honorary chairman for the meeting. Guest speaker will be Dr. C. B. Joliffee, vice-president in charge of RCA Laboratories. Co-chairman of the committee on arrangements is Ralph B. Austrian, head of TBA program committee. c MUTUAL BROAUCASTING SYSTEM JOHN ELMER GEORGE H. ROEDER President General Manager FREE & PETERS, Inc. Exclusive National Representatives I BROADCASTING • Broadcast Advertising November 12, 1945 • Page .87