Radio digest (1922)

62 Ralph Elvin Disclaims All Special Talent IT IS too bad Diogenes is dead. That wise old Greek philosopher, who used to travel up and down waving his red lantern and broadcasting his quest for an honest man. should be alive today. Because if "old Diog" were among those present, he could end his search. He would need only to knock on the door of Radio station WKBF. in Indianapolis, and ask for Ralph Elvin. Radio announcers are supposed to be a temperamental lot, especially those who are addicted to sport broadcasting. "Tis said they love to tell, in interviews, about how hard they worked to develop their "technique." of the fierce struggles they endured while climbing to recognition, and how they "love their art." But when the interviewer leaves an opening of that kind for Ralph Elvin, of WKBF, all the reporter hears is a jolly "horselaugh." "O, ye-e-ah." says Elvin. "Well, as for ine, that stuff is the bunk. I got into Radio announcing by accident. I haven't any special 'technique' — wouldn't even recognize a good one if I met it on the street. And while I 'love my art,' it is the nice fat little checks that keep the love-fires burning. "Luck, that's all. My first appearance was by accident. It took place about three years ago when a banker friend met me on the street and asked me if I would go to a fight that night and read an announcement for him over the Radio concerning the R. O. T. C. I said I would. The sport announcer for the station broadcasting the fights let me do it, then remarked that I had a good Radio voice, one of those harsh ones, I guess, that the microphone picks up easily. He asked if I knew anything about boxing. I confessed that I did. and enjoyed fights. He said he hated them, and would I like to come down the next week and assist him. I 'lowed' I would. During a preliminary scrap, as I was sitting there listening to him. he got called away suddenly from the ring. He said: 'Here, take this and go on.' Just like that, with no warning. There was nothing for me to do but start talking. For He claims he got his Radio start by accident, does Ralph Elvin, expert sports announcer for WKBF, pictured above. tunately, I didn't get scared until later, when it was over. But some people listening, liked my line and wrote to that effect. Since that night I have sat at a ringside, somewhere, at least once a week. "So it was all luck, as you see. First, reading that announcement: next, having a voice that carried, and third, being lucky enough to have people like my stuff. The last part still is the big mystery to me. "My football announcing started the same way. "So there you are. Luck, first, last and all the time." * * * Mart Hays of Portage, Wisconsin is a proud man — proud because one of the country's greatest men has recognized his, Mart's, pride and joy and the^ means of his livelihood, his fiddling. You see. Mart and his wife are a famous fiddling team, known in those parts as Si and Mirandy. Mart has played in 44 fiddlers contests and has defeated over 000 artists with the bow and resin. "Now d o a n ' you spill dat gingah ale !" admonishes J. G. Patterson to Billy Banks in their weekly skit over WHK, Cleveland. To the Radio audiences these two blackface performers are Pop and Fizz. WTMJ's Shopping Guid Aid to Purchasers WHEN Miss Milwaukee and h( mother plan a shopping tour the tune in first on the WTMJ Radio shoi per, on the air from 9 to 9 :30 each mon ing. for advance tips on where to r Busy housewives and frivolous daugl ters cannot be expected to spend an ei tire day hunting the marts of trade f< bargains. Instead the wise ones tune i on the Radio Shopper and learn ju where things may be obtained at moi erate prices. With pencil and pad the fair sex huf the Radio, prepared to jot down the d sirable bargains and places where the are to be had. Perhaps daughter nee<|j a new permanent. The Radio Shopp. mentions several shops where she is suL the work is excellent and the rates re| sonable. Maybe mother is in search a new frock or a winter coat for whi<l she has just a certain amount to pa!j After listening to the WTMJ Radl Shopper she sallies forth to get what si wants. The Radio Shopper even offers invaj uable aid in meal planning. Moth' tunes in on the bargains in fresh veil etables, fruits and rare fowls. Slf steps to the telephone, takes the Sho per's suggestions and the articles delivered. . Hundreds of letters are received tfl WTMJ's Radio Shopper each wei|| from women who tell her how mucj she has helped them with their shoj ping problems. Listeners over The M l waukee Journal station who do not li'|( in Milwaukee are privileged to call <(» write the Shopper and she will do it. their purchasing for them. In her daily rounds of Milwaukee smartest shops, the shopping reporter h an opportunity to observe and foreca newest fashions. She predicts that wi the new feminine styles and sweepii skirts, short hair is really doomed, few smart young things may cling their shorn locks but they will soon won over to lengthy tresses, she sa for the bobbed head is slightly inco gruous with the fitted, formal froc which spell 1930 chic. The keynote of all her findings is I it's smart to be feminine. Women once more reverting to laces and linger touches, ruffles, flares and flounces. T styles have more individuality today th ever before, for each woman express her own personality in her apparel. For evening WTMJ's Radio Shopp predicts a gorgeous formal winter rich, costly apparel and stunning je^ els. Evening gowns will be decided decolette and hems will sweep the flo all around. Gloves, an indispensable a cessory of the new mode, are smartt when they match the evening gow Richly trimmed wraps, or wraps costly fur will be seen at all smart gat e«ngs. . .... "Be ornate, be feminine, be individti and you will be chic and charming 1930" is the advice of the Radio Sho per. * * * The Radio Joy Boy who announo for WIL some time ago is aga scheduled on programs at that statio Billy Lang is well known in theatric and vaudeville circles and worked f' several years in the team of Lang ai Ray. * * * Episodes of Winnie and Bert, hea from WHK Saturday evenings, tell story of two young people which men ures up admirably to the drama everyday life. These numbers are wr ten and directed by Gordon Higham. I J