Radio doings (Dec 1930-Jun1932)

Eehind The Mike Angeles. He says he has been busy trying to collect the rents for the past two years. Clyde Jewett, master of more than twenty instruments, who played the mandoline-guitar in the quartet, is now teaching in his home. This quartet undoubtedly rivaled any Hawaiian quartet on the Pacific Coast in popularity in the early days of radio. • BY the way, somebody asked me the other day if I really thought that Amos V Andy assumed all the characters in their nightly skit over KFI. I had the privilege of being in the studio where the broadcast takes place in Chicago and I'll swear you cannot prove it by me whether they do or don't. The orchestra now playing the theme number, the "Perfect Song," then consisted of three members. I believe they now have seven pieces. Bill Hay can be seen announcing from his booth — the orchestra being the only part of the cast in the main studio. Continued from Page 21 Amos V Andy are concealed in a private booth and nobody can even get a peek at 'em. From the visitors' gallery one can see Bill Hay and the orchestra only; the private broadcasting booth of the stars is not even visible. Assuming several voices is not a difficult task, however, as Charlie Lung capably demonstrates nightly. • SOME radio fans do not like organ music over the air but I truly believe their opinions could be changed if they would but tune in Chester Markert some night at 10:30 over KGFJ — or on a Sunday afternoon from 3 to 4 p. m. He is recognized by master organists throughout the country as a composer of note. While staff organist at KMOX, St. Louis, he was frequently heard over the Columbia chain. Although only 25 years old, Markert has gained a reputation that would make a veteran jealous. He was formerly at the console of the organ in the famous St. Louis Cathedral, and also played for quite a while at the Ambassador in that city. He made a reputation in the big theatres in Chicago. When I asked him for proof of this only modesty prevented him from showing me his bullet wounds. Two of his latest songs are soon to be published, "You're Just a Sweet Memory" and "Spanish Love Song." • BOB and Jimmy Palmer, "The Utah Trail Boys," are really brothers. They are exclusive artists at KTM and started their harmony work when they were kids. Bob went off to war while Jimmy finished his schooling, though the later finally got into army clothes, too. Bob had to spend quite some time in a hospital following the war and that delayed the teaming up of the two brothers. These boys have probably introduced more harmony hits over the air than any other team in the (Turn to Page 39) Cheerio! by Lord Bilgewater KFRC Happy Go Lucky Hour CHEERIO, old moth balls! Last month I promised to give you the answer to the riddle about the pigs. If it takes a small pig half an hour to walk all day how long does it take a sow to walk a week. The answer is, "two pigs." Clever, isn't it? This month I'm going to dash off a bit of criticism, (constructive of course), of programs over the Don Lee Broadcasting Sys— I beg your pardon, network. Can't have you cutting out on me. After all, too many riddles about pigs make one feel sort of — all unbuttoned. Don't you know? For example, a pig is the only animal that is killed first and cured after. It's also very confusing to the pig. Puts him in hot water, so to speak. By the way, have you heard of the new cravats for fat men? Pig's ties. Fairly clever. Once I visited a gentleman farmer who was also a magician. Every day he turned his pigs into a meadow. But about that criticism. It's a splendid idea to introduce a great deal of variety into a program. If you don't know what is coming next you have no good excuse for tuning out until it is all over. And by that time it is too late. Like a game. Sometimes the Don Lee programs are played too fast for me and my radio is one of the old style kind and I can't slow them down. If I tune out I keep getting some other station. Beastly an noying. Last evening I put my head out the window and got Argentina! Ha, ha,! Clever! One of your Americans told it to me. Quite recently I was listening to the cigar program that gives away certified cream for your automobile if you guess to which station you are listening in twenty-five words. It's all very amusing. Just the very moment the announcer ceases bellowing, — bing like a cross-bow goes the vocalist into a very pretty little ditty about love after dark and how much more fun love is if you're in the proper state. There are 48 states, by the way, and the territory of Hawaii, T. H. T. H. means too hot; I've been there. A program is nothing without an announcer, I've noticed, and I wonder they don't gather up a dozen or so announcers and turn them loose on a single program. It would eliminate their being interrupted by the music, as they are at present, and I'm sure they could keep things popping with their merriment. Such witty remarks about mattresses, motor-cars, tinned food, tooth paste and all that sort of thing. But my favorite program is Ye Olde Happy .Go Fortunate. I can't listen to it half an hour but I must be up there to join in the fun. Al and Cal, Pedro, Norman, Tommy, "Mac," Walter and the girls keep me all agog with their jolly old tish-tosh. Page Twenty-two RADIO DOINGS