NBC Transmitter (Jan-Nov 1945)

10 NBC Transmitter A Transmitter Bio: “FROM KEYBOARDIST TO STATION HEAD”-STORY OF WSMB’S CHIEF H. M. W heelahan NEW ORLEANS.— Harold M. Vi heelahan’s introduction to broadcasting came in 1925 as a piano player. Today he is a member of the NBC stations planning and advisory committee, and a top executive of WSMB, NBC outlet in New Orleans, ample testimony to his ability, foresight and personality. A firm subscriber to the old adage “There’s no place like home,” Wheelahan’s activities have been confined to the city of New Orleans where he was born 49 years ago, one of a family of seven children. Piano lessons at the age of six, arranged for by musically-inclined parents, gave Wheelahan the knowledge that later was to serve him as stepping stone to a successful radio career. Wheelahan was 15 when his father died. Forced to seek employment, he studied stenography at night, eventually secured a position as a stenographer and then studied bookkeeping. This brought him a job with the Saenger theatres in 1917. Two years later he married a pretty blonde, Ruth Bostick. Following his marriage Wheelahan entered Tulane University, graduating in three years with a B.B.A. degree. “The babies that arrived, one each year,” Red Cross Award to KYW PHILADELPHIA. — The presentation of special awards to the Philadelphia Post Ofh ce, Bendix Aviation Corporation and Radio Station KYW for their outstanding contributions to the blood donor service was broadcast over the Westinghouse station January 26. Dr. George P. Rea, chairman of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross, made the presentations. General Manager Leslie W. Joy accepted for the radio station, which was cited for “its contribution of blood and for its assistance in the field of public relations.” Vi heelahan confesses, “kept me at home with my wife and helped me persevere in my studies.” Wheelahan’s advancement with the theatre chain was steady. He moved rapidly from bookkeeper to accountant to statistician to film buyer to assistant treasurer, and finally assistant to the general manager. In 1925, Saenger theatres, together with the Maison Blanche Company, erected radio station WSMB in the attic of the Maison Blanche store. Having kept up his music through the years Wheelahan was selected to open the station with a piano selection. He continued to play over WSMB until the station joined the NBC network two years later. “This move,” he says, “showed up my amateur talent, and I was sent to the radio showers.” In 1930 Wheelahan left the theatre chain for a full-time job with WSMB. Under his guidance the station, during ensuing years, developed from a one studio, part-time, non-commercial affair, to the modern, well-equipped, NBC affiliate it is today. Wheelahan is actively associated rvith the New Orleans Athletic Club, Rotary Club, and carnival organizations. Benny Boosts Blood Bank ST. JOSEPH, MO.-They not only love Jack Benny in St. Joe, but some 8.000 fans in this Missouri city like him so well they gave their blood to watch him and his troupe in action. En route back to Hollywood after heading up the March of Dimes campaign in the East, Benny and his troupe broadcast before an audience of 4.000 donors of blood to the Red Cross, February 18 in the Civic Auditorium here. A repeat nonbroadcast performance was held later in the evening for a second audience of 4,000 blood donors. Father and Daughter Handle Controls and Mike at CBC TORONTO, CANADA. At CBS’s Toronto Studios can be found a modern twist to the conventional “father and son” ' combination, with daughter Joan Annand j and father James, working side by side as radio operator and producer. Their combined efforts are responsible for the smooth presentation of the popular musical program “Intermezzo,” heard Wednesdays over CBC’s Trans-Canada network. They are shown below with Harold Sumberg, conductor and violinist, as he rehearses a selection for a coming broadcast. Always interested in dramatics, James Annand gained considerable experience in this field while acting with Sir George Alexander's Shakespearian Company in London. However, not content to confine his radio activities entirely to acting, he has also tried his hand at the executive end of radio as station manager, program producer and advertising head at Stations CFRC Kingston, and CKTB, St. Cath i arines. He joined the CBC in January. 1944. to take charge of the CBC Dramatic i Workshop and to do general radio production work. Born in England, and coming to Canada as a young girl, Joan has followed in her father’s footsteps to the extent of dramatic and vocal recitals over Stations CFRC and CKTB. with five years’ voice culture at the Toronto Conservatory of Music. Her experience in the technical part of radio was also acquired at these stations where she was employed as telephone operator, booth operator and announcer. ' FAMILY SPIRIT— James Annand, CBC pro J ducer, is seen in control room icindow with ! his daughter. Control Operator Joan Annand. i Harold Sumberg, CBC violinist and con ^ doctor, is at the mike. ,i