Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

Martin Sperzel A I Teeter Jack Smith WHEN the Rhythm Boys, those popular triplets of jazz, broke up and disappeared from the Ambassador Hotel Cocoanut Grove, many lovers of hot music shook their heads sadly and proclaimed, "Well, the Grove is all washed up! They'll never find anything to take the place of the Rhythm Boys. Too bad!" A few weeks later these prophetic brethren began to prick up their ears. What was this? "The Three Ambassadors"— where did they come from? Say! They're hot! Probably some famous trio from Broadway — funny we never heard them before . Sperzel, Teeter and Smith walked into a tough spot to fill when they stepped before the KFWB mike at the Cocoanut Grove one summer night. And they knew it. Moreover, they weren't from Broadway, and had no brilliant record behind them to fall back on until they could prove themselves. They were just three young home town boys before an ultra-critical crowd of their own townsmen, with only pure talent and personality to rely upon. The hometowners listened, look them over — and gave them a big hand of acceptance. "Those Three Ambassadors" were seniors in Hollywood High School a few months ago. Just three average school boys, to whom "Broadway" was merely a principal street in Los Angeles. All three tried out for the school glee club during their first year, and it was while rehearsing a few songs Three Ambassadors— for the annual operetta after school one night that the idea occurred to them to form a trio. Their voices blended nicely, each had a delightful voice in his own range, and they loved to sing. They began harmonizing on popular songs in their spare time, arranged a few numbers for three-part harmony, and at their first appearance before school friends, got so many encores that they ran out of arranged songs and had to do one or two that they'd never rehearsed. But the rest of the kids were wild about them, and so the boys got busy and arranged a repertoire large enough to take care of all the encores they were likely to receive, and then some. And in the months that followed, they needed them! In June they graduated. A few days later one of Martin Sperzel's pals called him up. "Say, Mart, I just heard that they are putting in a new trio at the Grove, and they're having try-outs tomorrow. Why don't you get Jack and Al and go down? I'll bet you could get it!" Mart snickered. "Aw, heck, they'd throw us out. Why there'll be all kinds of darn good professionals there, and we won't have a chance! Thanks, anyhow, Joe. for telling me." But after he left the telephone, Mart began to think it over. After all, they had nothing to lose; it would be a lot of fun to say they tried out — and besides, maybe they weren't so rotten at that. He rushed to the phone again; called Al and Jack. "C'mon over, fellows! I've got some big news for you!" A few minutes later, the boys were gushing with enthusiasm. They called up the school orchestra accompanist, dug out their best tunes, and spent the whole afternoon rehearsing and rearranging some numbers for the try-out. The next day, they picked up the girl accompanist, and the four trooped into the Cocoanut Grove for a try-out. A little scared, but still determined, they went through their numbers, with scores of others, and awaited the verdict. After considering all of the contestants for talent, personality and appearance, the Grove officials went into a huddle. Al Teeter was already reaching for his hat when the bombshell burst. "Boys," they were told, "you can report here Wednesday morning for rehearsal." Well, there they were. And there they are. Their chief attraction, aside from their singing ability, the critics will Page Sixteen RADIO DOINGS