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SOMETHING like twenty years ago there existed in the city of San Jose, California, an institution owned and operated by two brothers in their early teens which might be described as the "Pearce Brothers Milk Distributing System." The two brothers were Al and Cal Pearce, now associated with KFRC and the Don Lee broadcasting system.
But wait a minute — there was a Happy-Go-Lucky element tied in with that earlier system. The boys were on their way through the local grammar and high schools and they built up a milk route working before and after school. There wasn't a great deal of time for sleep and meals. Al didn't fully realize that. He carried a banjo with him and many is the time Cal had to go out and remind him that business came first. He would be found entertaining a crowd some place with songs and banjo selections while frantic customers telephoned in demanding their milk. That was really the beginning of the Happy Go Lucky Hour over KFRC and the Don Lee Coast Network.
When Al was ten and Cal a couple of years older the boys put on act act at the old Redman Theatre in San Jose, doing harmony numbers. That was their first public appearance with the commercial element involved. A very small amount of money changed hands, however — perhaps it shouldn't have been mentioned.
In high school, theatricals intrigued the hard-working, melody-loving brothers and they sang in the "Mikado." Al was Nanki-poo. The parents of the students taking part agreed that it was
BROTHERS under the GRIN
Al and Cal Pearce Used To Deliver Milk — Now They're Bringing Music and Laughs To Thousands of Customers
Two of the most popular brothers on the air — A I on the left and Cal on the right.
the greatest production of the Mikado ever presented.
They sang in a church choir and were one-half of the San Jose High School quartet which was awarded a national prize at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, and doubtless would have won the international prize had there been one in stock. Since then they have sung with the San Francisco Real Estate Glee Club and the Olympic Glee Club.
They started in radio back in 1912 when they sang "Hello, Hawaii," for one of the first radio broadcasting stations in America, an old arc experimental set in San Jose owned by E. A. Portal. The song was heard 300 miles out at sea, which was considered quite a record in those days. Before going in whole-heartedly for radio, however, they passed through a stage selling real estate.
Al is very fond of swimming and wooing the beneficent rays of old man sunshine. Cal's favorite sport is golf, and a row of cups at home testify to his skill.
by Betty Sheldon
Page Twenty-four
RADIO DOINGS