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

WHAT'S ON THE AIR Page 5 variety than last year's programs by this corking band. WBAP again, galloping in with Arco Birthday Party. Benvenuto Cellini reincarnated. Seems sort of taking an unfair advantage. Ought to be "by special permission" of his heirs, or something like that anyway. Good love songs, though. "The Bedouin" for one. Not heard so much lately. WBAP broke in on it to announce call letters. Only wish more stations would remember the fifteen-minute rule once in awhile. That pesky interference again. To WKRC and Columbia Detective Story Hour; something you can't tune out once it starts. Just about the smoothest drama job on the air. That "Shadow" boy knows his goose flesh too. This time a story showing the better side of gangdom; plenty of action and suspenders, and a clinch at the finish. WEAF etherizing the RCA Hour. Brilliant overture by Nat Shilkret's orchestra. Not that it matters to Nat. Jazz or symphony, he takes it in his stride. Radio's most versatile conductor by several lengths. Curses on that interference anyway. Down to the high kilocycle end of the dial, where it shouldn't be so bad. Found WCKY airing the Cincinnati Christian Glee Club. Negro spirituals, with the swing and flavor they ought to have, but often don't. Close harmony, besides. Over to WLAC, kilocycling the Vagabonds, a lively dance outfit. "Here comes the sun," they say. A little premature; it's not quite half -past ten yet. On through the jungle of howls in the high K. C. belt. The better the night the louder the squeals are. Doesn't seem right, but it's so. WOAI worming in with another snatch of RCA Hour. Looks like the South and Southwest are getting all the breaks. No Western or Northern stations yet. Seems to be working out that way quite a lot lately. Ought to have Congress fix it. Can't stand for sectional favoritism. WOWO fading in with more of this question and-answer racket. Can horses sleep standing up? Bet a lot of these Sunday drivers drew a blank on that one. Followed up with anti-chainstore meeting. Probably interesting and important, but can hear enough of that from K¥KH. KTRH. This is a Southwest night sure enough. Telling the open-eared world that four rooms can be furnished for $249.50, $12.50 down, the balance if, as and when. Well! Well! Public interest, convenience and necessity, eh? Also, offering $5 prize in announcement-writing contest. Really, $5 is too much, kind sir. Away from temptation to KVOO, airing a mighty good instrumental trio in varied numbers. Of course one of them was a Herbert. The night wouldn't be complete without that. A flip of the dial and the South again, this time WSB. Black-face vaudeville team from an Atlanta theatre. Diverting too. Lamden Kay announcing. He's one of the best. WJR dispensing the Slumber Hour, which NBC decided nobody wanted. They found out different. Tschaikowsky. Real music. And Ludwig Laurier knows how to play it. Reluctantly to WMC as Detroit begins fading. Dance music from a supper club. Snappy enough, but not so satisfying after Tschaikowsky. More of the same from three or four other stations without stopping to identify. WFAA halting the dial with a woman's quartet. Good voices that really blend, believe it or not. American numbers; plantation songs, in rich, full arrangements. Breaking in on WHAS in the middle of a corking number by a top-notch concert orchestra. Ought to know its title. It's been a favorite for a long time. But can't remember. Old Sandman must be working. WENR scattering dance paraphrase of "In a Persian Market." Good enough, but the original's better. Hard to improve on Kettelby. And so to bed. Good-night thought: It takes all kinds of programs to make radio.