We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
The vocalists on KDKA's Memory Time. In the foreground: Elaine Beverley, Buzz Aston, Ev iNeill (at the piano), Florence Berg and announcer Bill Sutherland. In the back row, the quartet, Dick Fisher, Bob Hughes, Bernie Markwell and Ray Griffin.
As Musical Director of Memory Time, Al's on an endless search for those half-remembered songs which are so often requested under wrong titles.
R
M
16
BUILDING any kind of a radio show is no easy job, but when it comes to preparing a show like KDKA's Memory Time, half hour musical which features the tunes of other years every Thursday night on the Pittsburgh station, there's a real task involved.
Don't take anybody's word for it. Just ask Al Marsico, famed Pittsburgh musician who is the musical director of the production. He says he doesn't even take time out to say hello when he meets his friends. Invariably it's: "Say, tell me where I can get the words and music of. . . ."
Currently he's looking for a copy of "She Sleeps in the Valley by Request." If you can help him out, he'll certainly appreciate it.
Al started out as a violinist in Millvale High School and began his career as a member of Ralph Harrison's orchestra. He bought his own baton in 1928 when he went to Pittsburgh's Enright Theater as musical director. One of his first duties was to teach a young singer, Dick Powell, how to m.c. a show. Marsico made a lot of other famous friends at the Enright, folks like the Ritz Brothers, Tom Mix, Burns and Allen, Olive Borden and Joe Penner.
Al began a round of night club work in 1932 when he played the old Plaza Restaurant. In 1937, he went to the Show Boat and in 1939 he became the musical director at Pittsburgh's famous Nixon Restaurant. And he's still there.
He was selected to take over the musical chores on Memory Time in 1943. He's been at it ever since, working in close harmony with the producer, Ronnie Taylor, writer Les Stern and arranger, Chauncey Lively. With its 18-piece orchestra and singing stars, Memory Time has given Pittsburgh a show of network quality.
Between his work at the Nixon and at KDKA, Al figures he devotes 60 hours a week to music.
He worked overtime just recently during construction of his cottage at Ligonier, western Pennsylvania mountain resort. Marsico and seven other musicians bought a 35-acre tract there, complete with well-stocked lake and swimming pool. Al's cottage is a 34x34 stone and timber structure overlooking the lake.