Radio Digest (June 1932-Mar 1933)

Don 'Bestor CLICKS in the EAST By Gene Gaudette << < T HE LEXINGTON', why tha 'the'? Isn't Lexington some place in Kentucky?" That was Don Bestor's first question when his manager informed him he had been booked for The Lexington. Of course if the manager had said "The Lexington" in Chicago it would have been different. Don would have packed up and headed for a hotel on the South Side in his old home town. But it did not take him long to learn that "The Lexington" toward which he was turned with his band was "The Lexington Hotel" of New York — one of smart hostelries of Manhattan. Don makes himself at home anywhere. He has been playing at the very luxurious William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, and that last night of his engagement was one long to be remembered. Distinguished guests came from East and West in his honor to make it a very gala gala affair. A flock of aviators flew into the town to help Don celebrate a very successful season. And now he is doing it all over again in the very nerve center of the broadcasting networks of the country. He is writing new music, and giving the NBC listeners thrills right from the Lexington dance floor. He has Art Jarrett with him. Art is the youngster who had to go West from his native town of Brooklyn to find fame in Kansas City, Chicago and Cleveland. Two important sponsors have already sought the Bestor orchestra but nothing can be done about it until the Midwestern boys have been in New York for six months in a row when they will be eligible to membership in the local musicians' union. "Why can't you use the local musicians until your own men are eligible?" asked one of the advertising representatives. "What? I should say not!" exclaimed the young maestro. "We stick together whatever comes or doesn't come." There is a deep burr in Bestor's voice and if he hadn't turned out to be a top grade hand conductor he might have qualified at the microphone as the world's finest announcer. Don Bestor Incidentally it is an interesting fact to remember that Don Bestor was sharing Chicago honors with Isham Jones in much the same manner as Paul Whiteman was winning his first popularity in New York. Bestor orchestras were in demand in all the Midwestern cities in a new wildfire vogue for smart dance orchestras. And it is said that Whiteman and Bestor were the first two orchestra leaders ever to receive radio fan mail. Don went into records for the Victor company. Last Spring he decided to head for New York and was booked at the Hotel New Yorker. He was only supposed to stay two weeks but he stayed all Summer. His departure for the Pittsburgh engagement disrupted his continuous engagement in New York and prevented him taking the commercial programs that were offered. Now he has made up his mind to stick. He is on the air over an NBCWEAF hook-up four nights a week and it is possible before this comes into print he will have a Sunday night program over WJZ. He is recording again. And you'll remember this old song he created some years ago, "Down by the Winegar Woiks." His latest hit is "Contented" just released a few weeks ago. N. OW let's turn to the other member of the new air combination, Arthur Jarrett. Three years ago he was the featured vocalist in a dance band. Then he became one of Chicago's most popular air vocalists. And today, he stands among the leaders of his profession with national fame. Young, clever and retiring, he could easily pose for a collar advertisement. Or one of those artist's conceptions of a collegiate. Several years ago, while listening to a band in the Muelebach Grill, Kansas City, he fervently exclaimed, "Some day I'll have an orchestra like that accompanying me during my broadcasts. That orchestra was Don Bestor's and today Art Jarrett has his wish. NBC wanted to give the public something new in sustaining programs and combined the two stars. The singer's father is Arthur Jarrett, Sr., the actor. His uncle is Dan Jarrett, the playwright and director. Dan Jarrett goes out to Hollywood to direct for Fox Films next month so Art will lose one of his best pals. Art attended Fordham and sang in a New York orchestra to earn his own spending money. Left education for music when he quit Fordham to join Ted Weems. Stayed with Weems for four years and was a sensation. Had them standing in the aisles in Chicago. When Weems left Chicago, Art remained with three good radio contracts. His fan mail was most satisfactory during that period. Then he joined Earl Burtnett and played into Chicago theatres.