What's on the air (Nov 1929-Feb 1931)

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WHAT'S OX THE AIR Page 23 NBC TUESDAY, 9:30 p. m., E. S < X LL the austere beauty and grim realism ' jLa. of California's ill-famed Death Valley are paraded before the microphone in "Death Valley Episodes," heard each Tuesday night through a National Broadcasting Company network. Builders of the program have delved deep into the history of the arid section to obtain authentic material for the manuscripts. In Virginia Gardiner, William Shelley and Jack V irpmio. diner Gja McBride they have a cast amply capable of portraying the incidents uncovered by the historians. Behind a curtain of music that was known in the days when Death Valley was' beim; conquered, the actors bring to life such famed individuals as Death Valley Scotty, Swamper Ike, Bill Corcoran and Johnny Mills. Although the program is little more than a month old, its authenticity is already receiving compliments from persons who knew Death Valley in the days when to venture into it was to invite disaster. The music in the programs is provided by an orchestra under the direction of Josef Bonime, known to radio listeners through his work in the Edison Hour and other NBC broadcasts. Every selection is carefully orchestrated for the radio orchestra, the arrangements being made under Bonime's personal direction. "TNUSUAL is the term most applicable to Miss Lillian BuckKJ nam, dramatic soprano of the Columbia Broadcasting System-— unusual in the possession of a soprano voice with a range of three octaves and of a merry personality which she substitutes for artistic temperament; unusual in her preferences, which are: life in the country, motoring (whether on land, water or air), golf and puppy dogs. Miss Bucknam has made her home in New Rochelle, N. Y., since babyhood. She showed marked musical ability at an early age, and her voice and stage presence were much in demand during her college days at New Rochelle. Her voice is undoubtedly a rich inheritance from both parents, as both father and mother were non-professional singers. Strangely coincidental with Lillian's birth was her mother's inability to sing another note. Just after her graduation, Miss Bucknam took a leading part in the "New Rochelle Nights" broadcast over WEBJ, and this led to a call from a large metropolitan station. A ONE of the most distinctive musical programs on the air is offered each week by Wayne King and his Pure Oil Orchestra playing from the Chicago NBC studios between 7:30 and 8 p. M., E. S. T., every Tuesday. Wayne King's unusual arrangements and fine interpretations of modern harmonies have won national recognition for himself and the orchestra he conducts. His ability comes as a result of many years' experience as a master of popular melodies. Each week he introduces the popular current airs, arranged especially for the Pure Oil series. Interspersing the program of orchestral numbers, the Pure Oil Service Men, a quartet composed of men who have become famous for their individual as well as quartet singing, produce inviting numbers for the radio audience. Cyril Pitts, first tenor of the quartet, has been soloist with the New York Philharmonic and other leading orchestras. Herman Larson, baritone, has achieved fame as choral director and concert artist throughout the East and middle West. Thomas Muir, second tenor, has appeared in principal roles with the Palmero Opera Company and with the Philadelphia Opera. Reinhold Schmidt, basso, has sung principal roles with the Philadelphia and the Grove Park Opera Companies. Songs by these entertainers are confined to numbers of a popular and semi-popular nature. "Ah! new car. How's the pickup?" "Haven't had much chance to try it yet. My wife rides with me most of the time." Howard Barlow is proud of his humble beginning as an organ pumper, when eight years of age. The church organ was propelled by motor, but often stopped, and the young man then had to reach in and pull out frogs, tadpoles, water-dogs and other musical inmates. Perhaps this early training helps him keep the frogs. etc., out of his orchestra's performances on the CBS Philco Hour. Ted Wecms, who directs his dance orchestra over the Columbia network from the Minneapolis studio, says: "Every one harbors a desire to lead an orchestra." Illustrating his point, he mentions his introduction to John Coolidge, son of the ex-President, several years ago. Weems and his men wen playing at a Yale dance. Young Coolidge was present with a ladv companion. Upon being introduced.. WeeniS proffered his baton to John Coolidge. who eagerly accepted, provided Weems would dance with the young lady. Some two hours later, when the dance ended, John Coolidge Bras -^ t ill directing the orchestra. JL m JLiA