Radio Digest (June 1932-Mar 1933)

44 Clair Shadwell. JVBT— Charlotte, N. C. YOUV'E heard of "Jack of all trades," and are probably equally familiar with the rest of it, "Master of none." But Clair Shadwell, affectionately known as "Shad," is a brilliant exception to the latter. Reared in a small Ohio town, he started studying medicine, but the family met with financial reverses and so he became in turn a vaudeville performer, trumpet player, master of ceremonies in a famous Chautauqua, soldier in the World War, farmer, school teacher, baritone soloist and what else have you ? Just as water finally finds its own level, Shad, veteran of every State in the Union, has found the place best suited for him in radio at WBT, North Carolina's 25,000 watt station. Here he has an opportunity to use his originality, dynamic personality and diversified talents to the best advantage in the brilliant and everchanging panorama of radio programs. Among other things, he is an A-l announcer, interlocutor and co-producer of WBT's "Dixie Mammoth Minstrel," director of the staff male quartet, dramatist in "Original Sketches" and last — but far from least, he is the proud father of two attractive young sons, Hal and Cal. AAA KFRC — San Francisco EARLE TOWNER, composer of note and skilled musician, has been appointed organist at KFRC, after five years on the staff in various capacities — vocal director, orchestra conductor, singer, etc. Although a veteran master of the organ, he has previously played KQW Quarter Century Old Grand-Daddy of Radio Stations Celebrates Anniversary With Big Broadcast RADIO STATION KOW, San Jose, California, the pioneer . broadcasting station of the world, it is claimed, celebrated its twenty-fifth birthday and its seventh anniversary as the voice of rural California, on January 16, with a program featuring over 300 artists. Radio Station KQW has been in existence since the year 1908, and began broadcasting musical programs in the year 1909. In 1912, two-way voice communication was established between San Jose and San Francisco and in the same year, the station established in San Jose the first radio receiving studio in the world. In 1915, the station broadcast, daily, musical programs from a studio located in the Garden City Bank Building, San Jose. These programs were received 50 miles away in a special booth at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. Many people from all parts of the world, who visited the Exposition listened to these broadcasts. In January , 1926, the management of radio Station KQW was taken over by Fred J. Hart, the present owner, to be operated as the Voice of Rural California. Under his management, the station has continued to pioneer in radio broadcasting as to both equipment and programs. The management of KQW believes that a radio station, in reality, belongs to the people, and therefore that its the KFRC instrument as a substitute. Many of Towners' compositions have been played by the Boston, Minneapolis and San Francisco Symphony orchestras. He wrote the music for two of the Saratoga Blossom Festivals and many of his male choruses have been sung all over the country. first duty is to the listener and his country and that the future well-being of our country depends upon the proper use of radio and therefore the ownership of a radio station carries with it a responsibility that should place dividends as the last consideration. The carrying out of this policy has caused KQW listeners to actually look upon the station as their own, so much so, that many of them, when writing, address their communications to "Our Station KQW, San Jose, California" and many of them contribute to the work of the station by belonging to the KQW Radio Club, the membership of which is $2.00 per year. For the past seven years the management of KQW has endeavored to so arrange its programs and service as to lead the people to look upon Station KQW as a big friend to whom they can turn for advice and help on any subject — when in need of such a friend. That this policy has accomplished its purpose is evidenced by the fact that in one year, 20,000 people wrote the station for advice and help, the subject matter of these requests ranging from "What is wrong with my hog?" to "How shall I invest my money?" It is also a part of the policy of this station to present its programs and features in a regular order at the same time of day and at the same day of the week, year in and year out. For example : Weather reports and farm market reports for the past seven years have been given daily and at the same minute of the day. Each type of program is always scheduled for the same time of day and the same days of the week, etc. Adherence to this policy has built for Station KQW what is claimed as the largest regular audience in northern California. Irma Glenn is visited by her oldest and youngest fans as she puts the mighty Wurlitzer through its paces at WENR, Chicago.