Radio Digest (May 1931-May 1932)

37 married — and his wife is charming. Favorite sport prior to his illness was tennis and football. Considerably interested in New York University's team. Gets an immense kick out of listening to his four year old daughter, Lorraine, try to imitate Rudy singing Vagabond Lover. His tribute to Vallee : "That Rudy is one of the finest and squarest men in the music game, especially in the generous way he has treated us boys. All he asks in return is fair play and in this way we boys try to show our appreciation by always giving him our best efforts and loyalty." Of the boys he says : "They are the most regular bunch of fellows I've ever known or worked with. There isn't one in the band who can be called 'high hat.' " Suppose we make it a hundred cheers for Thelma — how about it, Toddles, old deah ? D, 'AVE BERNIE, one Lof Ben Bernie's many brothers is catering to an audience at the Coral Dave Bernie Grill which opened its doors on Broadway the middle of February. There's a family resemblance, isn't there? Broadcasts over WHAP, New York, Wednesdays and Fridays at 11 p. m. * * * G, TENERAL Items: Julia Jacques will find feature story of Col. Stoopnagle and Budd in the Summer Issue of Radio Digest. A paragraph or two about Eddie and Jimmie in October issue, Mrs. Adams. Those interested in Anthony Wons will find something in this column soon. We had his picture and a short sketch about him over a year ago. No, not one of the Landt Trio and White group is married. Dan is 30, Karl 22, Jack 19 and Howard twenty-nine. We'll have something about Gene Hamilton, Janet for the benefit of your fan club. * * * Vv I7 HAD a paragraph about Paul Small in the January issue — but so many requests came in for his picture that I sent out Toddles to Paul's home to get a photograph and a short interview. Here are both. Started radio in 1924 over WON in Chicago. Joined Little Jack Little in 1925. Toured country in radio programs under name of "Little and Small." Joined Paul Ash at McVicker's Theatre, Chicago. Remained three years in one place with him. Came to Paramount, with him and did first N. Y. broadcast on Paramount-Publix program over WABC. Did vocal choruses with Guy Lombardo's band when he Paul Small Paul Carson first went on with his cigar program. Witli Jesse Crawford for two seasons on Royal Typewriter hour. Listeners heard him also on the following programs: Luden's, Life Saver, Davega, and Woman's Radio Review. Has been with Vincent Lopez for the past year. Paul made his debut in the theatre at the tender age of six with his mother as accompanist. P* * * AUL CARSON, NBC organist on the Pacific Coast, has appreciative audiences everywhere. Paul was born in Bridgeport, 111., and at the early age of five and a half his mother taught him to play the organ. His repertoire consisted of two hymns, Nearer My God to Thee and Jesus Lover of My Soul. This repertoire, limited as it was, saved the day for his father one Sunday when the regular organist had not arrived in time for the service. Paul (only six at the time) obeyed the beckoning motion of his father to take his place at the organ. The father announced to the congregation, that they sing Nearer My God To Thee. When they were ready to sing the second hymn, the clergyman turned over the pages of the hymnal as if in search of another selection. He then paused and announced, "We shall now sing Jesus Lover of My Soul. This young Paul executed with the same skill as the first. But his suspense can just about be imagined when the time approached for the third hymn — and still the regular organist had not put in an appearance. The youngster had exhausted his complete repertoire of two songs — and there was another to come. The father, never at a loss to meet any emergency opened the hymnal and declared that the last hymn was so beautiful that it was worthy to be repeated. Before the World War Paul attended Northwestern University. His part in the War was driving an ambulance and carrying stretchers. After the Armistice, he was transferred to the overseas entertainment committee and put on shows for the Americans who were still stationed in France and Germany. Paul's father and grandfather were both clergymen. His grandfather was associated with the Wesleys in Ireland. His is an intensely artistic nature— lining beauty wherever he finds it. He possesses one of the largest libraries in San Francisco and one of the finest collection of Persian rugs and rare works of art. P* * * ROBAH1.Y the duly education in music Harry Frankel, (Singin' Sam) ever got was in a piano factory where he learned the trade of action finisher — and he never worked at it after he sot his PhD. And by the way. he's the Singirf Sam same Singin' Sam, the Lawn Mower Man w h o m you heard on WLW, and the same Singin' Sam, the Coffee Man who broadcast over WTAM. Two weeks after assuming the role of Singin' Sam the Barbasol Man over CBS, he received something like 25,000 letters. We hope, for the benefit of his sponsor, that some of these were from bearded ladies. Harry was born in Danville, Ky., January 27th, A. D. His father was a clothier and discouraged his young son's tendencies toward the stage. But these theatrical inclinations proved irresistible and Harry soon became affiliated with J. Coburn's Minstrel Show. Then came an engagement at the Bijou Theatre which billed artists now well-known on the radio including Frank Crumit. After two years at this theatre, Harry became a member of a quartet that stayed together for nine years — and during that time of steady traveling all over the United States — there was never a cross word or an argument among them. But although they were a very popular group and got a big hand — there was very little in it. So Harry thithered back to Richmond where he opened a camera store in partnership with a schoolboy who knew the photography business. But the popular germ, wanderlust, attacked him and again he joined a minstrel show. He stayed with it for three years — and just as it was about to close down — it was during the time when all road shows were on the decline, he was asked by Joe Dunlevy to join him in vaudeville. They toured the RKO circuit as Frankel and Dunlevy, the Two Blackbirds. But after a time it was discovered that vaudeville also was slipping, so Harry decided to try radio. And that's when he became Singin' Sam the Lawn Mower Man for the Great States Lawn Mower Company. He had a three-year contract with this concern, but the officials oi a coffee concern in some way came to terms with the G. S. L. M. Co. and Frankel became Singin' Sam. the O Man. The Barbasol Company is now the lucky concern for it holds the contract with Frankel, and he in turn holds the attention to the program. Harry is six feet one. weighs a hundred ninetyeight and iv unmarried. He has provided a very beautiful home for his parents whom he calls up regularly over long distance at least once a week. M. LORE Miscellaneous Items: Lew Conrad can be heard. Mrs. Gunther, Thursday evenings at 11:15 over (Cont';: