Radio age (Jan-Dec 1926)

RADIO AGE for June, 1926 The Magazine of the Hour 31 Radio Taste Seems to Vary With the Hour George Allen at WOK is Busy Catering to Long Distance Public With Dance Music WHAT'S "on the air" tonight? Can we get it clearly, is it worth listening to, and does the program run along smoothly without annoying disturbances? These thoughts are uppermost in our minds when we pull the filament switch of a modern radio receiver, and then tune in one of the really high class stations which provide the varied programs. We settle back in our easy chairs and prepare to enjoy ourselves. The one thing which impresses us (if we are of that nature) is the smoothness, and time-tablelike precision with which one feature after another is sent through "Mike." Let's take a little trip and see how they do it at WOK, the Neutrowound Station of Homewood, 111., operated by remote control from the Chicago Beach Hotel, Chicago. George W. Allen is director and Chief Announcer of WOK, and under his guidance this station is rapidly becoming one of the best liked stations in America. Operatic Student ABOUT a year ago, George _ was all set to leave for Italy to continue his studies for the operatic stage, but was drawn to radio by the unlimited future that its inevitable progress dictated, and took over the destinies of WOK which was to go on the air July 20, 1925. Station WOK was not long under way until his clear, cheery voice had earned for the station the name of a congenial newcomer and for himself the appellation of "The Announcer with the Smiling Voice." WOK was soon backing George with a Class "B" license, and government permission to operate on 5000 watts, so his cheery "W — OK" was soon flooding the country from coast to coast. Legitimacy was the watchword of this powerful GEORGE ALLEN newcomer, and everything that left its towers, no matter what the class of music, bore the stamp "well done." A large following soon began voicing their approval, by wire, by mail, and by 'phone. Being intensely interested in making WOK a station of real value to the American public, the young director made an analysis of programs that might serve the best interests and his views may best be summed up in the following paragraphs. Varies With Hour AMERICAN taste for music l. seems to vary with the hour of the day, according to Mr. Allen. During the day, it might be classified as a preference for ballads and music of a semi-classical nature, involving both vocal and instrumental offerings. But when night comes, and Dad is home ready for dinner, we find that music of a more classical nature is desired. Everybody is tired from a day's work, and while it is true people like music with their meals, most of them also enjoy their food and you cannot combine jazz music with mental and digestive processes and get away with it over a period of time. Steak and mashed potatoes taste far better with beautiful soothing stringed music than they do with hot dance numbers. A little later in the evening, after the dishes are done, and everybody is comfortably settled in the living room, there is a desire to be amused, to laugh and forget everything that's happened during the day. So at this time we find the air is full of diversified programs, each with its following of listeners. As the evening wears on, everybody has laughed and listened to his heart's content, and a little action is not amiss. The rugs are rolled up and sister Nellie demonstrates a few new "Charleston" steps, keeping time with the red hot dance music that's coming in. Or maybe there is a little party on, and everybody gets up and dances a little. In other words, there is a pleasant reaction to the stimulating programs of lighter nature and popular music now filling the air. SO far, so good. This outline could readily serve as a key to programs that would please the majority of listeners within a radius of a few hun