Radio Digest (May 1931-May 1932)

Station Parade 55 Here is WTAM'S lovely leading lady in its highly efficient and extremely popular dramatic presentations. Her name? Rae Wright — a case of genuine syllabic alliteration! KQV -Pittsburgh Personalities FLOYD DONBAR, KQV transmitter operator, who incidentally is champion fat man of Pittsburgh radio, with a net weight of 230, reminds us of the mailman who takes a walk on his day off — when Floyd finishes up at KQV he goes home — and operates his own amateur stations. He has three, W8BTA, W8PA, and W8WU. His station W8PA is recognized as one of the finest 20 meter amateurs in the country. * * * Ted Kaye, KQV announcer, has a novel manner of protecting himself from the jokes of the KQV staff — evcrytime someone makes him the butt of a joke, he threatens to bring his saxophone to the studio. Ted says he plays it for his own "amazement." * * * The height of something or other is achieved by David S. Patterson, who mingles philosophy and humor in a fifteen minute broadcast under the title of "The Park Bench Philosopher" on KQV every Saturday evening at 7:45. Just before he opens up with his own patter, Patterson describes what each of the other Pittsburgh stations is broadcasting at that time — advising them to tune him out if they prefer the others. Then he says "now I have my own audience." * * * Many and varied have been the reasons advanced by followers of the stage for their withdrawal from trouping and their entry into radio, but this is a new one. Jack Ostfeld, KQV popular tenor, once played the part of Huckleberry Finn on the stage, but after several months of embarrassment and discomfort for himself, and hilarity for his fellow actors he withdrew. Jack says his mates preceding him on the stage dropped beans on the floor, which were anything but pleasant to walk upon, especially in one's bare feet, as he had to do while playing the character of "Huck" Finn. Washington, D. C. Television BILL NOONAN is young. Everybody knows that, but nobody knows just how young. He won't tell. However, what he lacks in years, he makes up in ability. For he is an announcer at W3XK in Silver Springs, Maryland — He owns and directs the Capitol Collegians, a fine dance orchestra, in Washington, D. C. — He is a television operator at W2XAP in Washington — He is an expert make-up artist, and did all the make-up work on Kate Smith during her recent local appearances in a Washington theatre. If we learn any more facts about his unusual accomplishments before the May issue goes to press, we'll tell you about them. WSIX-Sp i -i tig fie Id, Te n n. Has a Birthday RADIO station WSIX in Springfield, Term., home of the world's finest dark fired tobacco, celebrated its fifth anniversary with thirty hours of continuous broadcasting, twenty-five hours of which was from their own studios. The programs offered ran the entire gamut of radio entertainment and provided listeners in with some exceptional entertainment. The station is owned and operated by Jack and Louis Draughon. Congratulations, boys, and more power to you. WTJS -Jackson, Tenn. -ressive Station Prog) THE eyes of West Tennessee and the ears, too, have turned to Radio Station WTJS, owned and operated by The Jackson Sun. WTJS has just secured the services of Mr. Parker Smith as manager, who came to the station after serving Radio Station WSM for the past two years. Immediately upon Mr. Smith's arrival the station took on new life and quickly lost its name as the community victrola. In the short space of approximately one month, it has become the civic, religious, educational and entertainment center of Jackson and West Tennessee. One of the new features inaugurated is a Saturday night hay loft frolic, comparable to any barn dance programs presented by some of the largest stations. WTJS, operating on a schedule of twelve hours per day, devotes less than two hours daily to the playing of phonograph records, and if you don't believe that WTJS is popular, jiist ask any radio fan in West Tennessee. They operate on a frequency of 1310 kilocycles, and quite frequently present mid-night dance programs for the approval of DX listeners. Every radio station needs improvement. At lo.ist. so thinks Vi'ISN. the News, .it Mil« .uikee. They ran a contest offering a free trip to New York for the host suggestions OB "How to Improve WISN." Here's Alice Ryndcrs with .1 portion of the mail response every letter containing valuable hints.