Radio Digest (July 1924-Apr 1925)

16 RADIO DIGES T— Illustrated April 4, 1925 Radio Digest ^S7 ^ ^ ve^j «* ■===" Published by the Badio Digest Publishing: Compaay, Inc. 510 North Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois Telephones: State 4372, 4373, 4374, 4375 E. C. RAYNER, Publisher Eastern Office, Park-Lexington Building, 247 Park Ave. New York. Telephones: Ashland 8144, 8145, 8146 Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations 241 PUBLISHED WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION RATES Yearly Id U. S. and Posietilons and Canada, $5.00 Foreign poatage. $1.00 additional Single eoplei. 10 eenta. Vol. XII Saturday, April 4, 1925 No. 13 Automatons for Announcers? SHORTLY after the inauguration ceremonies, some twenty-minute, cold-storage "egg" wrote to one of the newspapers severely criticizing Graham McN'auiec who did the announcing from Washington. This person indicated that his ideal of announcers would be one with about as much expression in his . as ou old-fashioned, phonograph record. He criticized the announcer's pronunciation, his comment on the proceedings, and his conduct in general. In the following issue of the paper, which was the Buffalo Evening News, there was a splendid editorial on the subject of announcers. Whether it was deigned as an answer to the correspondent does not appear and really docs not matter. Anyhow it should effectively answer him and other persons whose ideal in announcers is the machine type. It is called "Robots for Announcers." It may be significant to .i!d that Marc A. Rose, the managing editor of the Buffalo Evening News, is a confirmed Radiophan. The editorial follows : "It was perhaps inevitable that a movement would l>c put under way to standardize the Radio announcer, the distant voice that presides as chairman, or toastmaster, over our broadcastings — which is to say, bur aerial entertainment. This is the day of the standardized product, the day of the dead level. So certain persons in the Radio industry come forward with plans and specifications for the announcer. To begin with, he must have a voice of 'low middle range' and be of 'formal but friendly' manner. "Radiophans would hardly endorse the idea of making automatons of these rulers of the air. The listener in likes in announcers a spice of personality, both of voice and manner. Granted they make themselves easily understood, the fan does not care whether they do their announcing in treble, tenor, baritone or bass. As to the manner of the announcer, let it be what it will, so long as there is individuality to it. A certain few of these who furnish prologue, interlude and epilogue for Radio programs have this quality in marked degree. One looks eagerly to hearing them because they add zest to the entertainment. The fans would keenly resent any attempt to reduce these friends of theirs to a dead level — they would not tolerate robots as announcers." So ends the dissertation of the editorial writer in the Buffalo newspaper. He is entirely right and has the endorsement of Radio Digest. That is why this publication last year inaugurated its annual Gold Cup Award contest, wherein the people's choice for most popular announcer is awarded a priceless solid gold cup. The Gold Cup Award is for the building of Radio personality and individuality in announcers. Register your vote for the man possessing the qualities which please you the most and you will find him far from a lifeless automaton. Scientifically you can specify exactly what might be considered a "perfect" announcer — but you can't make the Radiophans like the product answering such specifications. People are peculiar — especially Americans— in this regard. They know what they like, but more than likely cannot, or will not, say why or give the reasons. And you cannot "Bertillon" personality. At any rate the second annual Radio Digest Gold Cup Award, which was launched last issue, will afford listeners in an excellent opportunity of telling the world what they like, and. incidentally, squelching the announcer standardization movement. Luxury for Everybody "1X7" HEN the automobile business started the price '" of a car was far beyond the reach of the average person. Radio is much different for if you do not have the price of a manufactured set you can build one • your needs and funds available. Radio has ' at the other end of the scale. It began as average boy's toy and is ending up as a rich luxury a* well a. a poor man's delight. Consternation Reigns in Walla Walla Eagle's-Eye View of Walla Walla — If They Had Any Eagles "WALLA WALLA (Special via Radio). — Mike and Izzy, the two trained chimpanzee antenna raisers, have been kidnapped. A rumor has been circulated around that they have been bribed to work for another station being erected by a hostile tribe living on the same island. Both these boys are great favorites with the natives of the island and are very intelligent. In fact, they were fired from the Bronx zoo on the same day, less than three feet apart — (we don't know what this proves, but it is a fact nevertheless). Always willing to work and oblige a person (if you stood over them with a club), they will be sadly missed. Indi claims that he won't miss them with his 30-30 if he sees them first. The crowd wouldn't mind it so very much, but it happened at a time when the station was about to begin operation. Now we will have to wait until next week for the opening. However, here's a little info that may come in handy to anyone trying to tune to this famous station — BLAH. The wave length will be 365 2/3 meters (a meter a day — gas or electric, we don't care. The extra twothirds is for commission). You can only receive this station if you use DUD tubes. Now, we could tell you where to get these tubes, but just to prove that we know the readers of this paper have initiative of their own, we are going to let them figure out for themselves where they can be obtained. ('At's us, big hearted alia time.) Shaka Little, the chief's daughter, will be one of the headliners. She will oscillate at a very high frequency; this was proven during a test. Tf your tubes aren't Duds, they will be when you get through receiving this program. He Makes 'Em to Order A piece of board — some copper wire — A twisting dial — an old, worn tire — And I can make you-all a set That will get Mars — or you can get Your friends in Heaven — Yes, or Hell — And sit and hear those old friends tell How cool it is — or just how hot! And what they drink there for a "shot"! Ninety dollars gets a set That reaches 'em — and you can bet That most of those that I now sell Are made to reach (not Heaven) but Hell! Send your order and your check And I will make her up, by heck! GEO. A. WRIGHT. Here's the Words, Get the Air Outside Dear Indi: An announcer heard the other evening from a small station in Iowa: "The next thing on the program will be a fiddling trio, well it isn't exactly a fiddling trio, it's a fiddle, a banjo and a piano." Also: "We got the words for that song, but we ain't got the music." ADELE B. My Radio, 'Tis of Thee My Radio 'tis of thee Music of air so free, Of thee I sing. The trusts for long hath tried To harness thee, my pride. Hark! Hear from every side, Let freedom ring. My Radio 'tis by thee Great things to come I see Thy name I love. I love thy shocks and thrills Although it runs up bills; My wanderings it stills, Thou art a dove. Thy music swells the breeze, It girdles land and seas With free air song. Let every fan awake And of the fight partake, The trusts designs to break, Forever on. Of old our fathers fought, Liberty was dearly bought; Lest we forget. Quit you like men, be strong, Buckle your armour on. What if the fight be long, We'll bust 'em yet. JAMES E. PEPPERALL. Put Lard in Your Set and You'll Get Greece Q: I get England, Germany and Prance, could you please tell me why I can't get Italy. A. Put a little spaghetti on your lead-in, and I think you'll get it. N. O. A. LOT. News Events of the Week Condensed By DIELECTRIC WMH, in Cincinnati, should be listed among those stations exercising care in the choice of program features. The Habanera song was spiritedly sung from this station and on the same program appeared a very competent stringed quartet. We are coming back for more. WEAF is not to blame for the unpopular "popular" Victor concert, of course, and it is not to them that these remarks are directed. The Victor company is justly looked to for superior musical performances of a high order, not presenting artists whose work could be surpassed with ease by a dozen or more contemporaries. Radio audiences expect to learn of classical music and concert artists comparatively unheard. One of the most grandiose musical compositions on record is the triumphal march music in the opera of Aida. Always interesting, always inspiring, this number seemed to take an new life the evening I listened to the Little Symphony orchestra of KDKA, Pittsburgh, play it. That orchestra is maintaining its high standards, fortunately. Most folks listening to dance music have some preference as to numbers, even though so much of the modern syncopation is distinguishable merely in name. To any of you entertaining a special liking for "That's My Girl," I would commend KFI, for nowhere else is it played as in the Pacific coast city of Los Angeles — at least for Radio listeners. During a short visit to Jefferson City, Missouri, WOS had the adventures of "Hugo" presented to us and it's a pathetic story. One of those multitudious "request" numbers followed. Mr. Chappel sang "Because" in French. If you don't know why in English, try this ! One of the surprise programs run across once in a while came through Station WHAZ, Troy, N. Y. There we heard the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute glee club and orchestra in an excellent program of choice selections. Here was a perfectly enjoyable concert from beginning to end, and one not anticipated that evening. Tune to them. Miami Beach, Station WMBF, hasn't disappointed us as yet with the features presented or manner of announcing. They are fortunate to have the Rosebrook Serenaders on the list of performers. It's a good aggregation and possesses a skilled saxophonist. Listen for him. From the studio of WEBH, Chicago, there came the pleasing violin concert rendered by Victor Young, a member of the Oriole orchestra. Everybody knows a violin can make dangerous the most placid listener, or quite a nervous dyspeptic — all in the manner of playing, so I hasten to add that Mr. Young must have brought delight to all listeners. Regardless to what orchestra or band you may listen there never will be an exact duplicate of the United States Marine band. Once in a while the selections chosen are without special interest to you, but surely no one fails to find enjoyment in the Marine band selection, "The Walls of Montezuma." WCAP, Washington, deserves thanks, •