What's on the air (Mar-June 1931)

Page 12 WHAT'S ON THE AIR April, 1931 KedfoneJ Views and Kevfews, CHICAGO AREA By Joseph Ator THE acquisition of WENR at Chicago by the National Broadcasting Company, announced recently, is a matter of importance to radio listeners for two reasons. One of them is immediate and local; the other, farreaching and affecting, eventually, the whole fabric of network broadcasting. The immediate local effect is to give NBC an outlet in the country's second largest city, under its own control. True, the chain already had four associated stations at Chicago in WGN, WIBO, KYW and WCFL. But the first three are either owned or tied closely to powerful newspapers, and the last is controlled by the labor people, all of which meant that, because of the volume of local programs, Chicago listeners were denied a number of the chain's best programs through lack of a station to handle them at the hour offered. WENR now takes those programs, although, in addition, it retains the local features which made it popular. The station owner, the Great Lakes Broadcasting Company, is controlled by the Insull utility interests. While the agreement with NBC was announced as a lease and operating agreement, it is understood that the chain will buy the station outright at the end of three years. So much for the local angle of the deal. Of still more significance is the fact that in WENR the National Broadcasting Company now has a powerful Midwestern station available for the day when it finds it feasible to start synchronized broadcasting. Synchronization, in case you have not delved into the mechanical intricacies of radio, is the broadcasting of the same program by two or more stations, all operating on the same wavelength. That last is important. In a network program to-day, the same broadcast may be going out from twenty stations, but operating nearly the same number of wavelengths. With the present overcrowding of radio channels, it is plain to see what a boon synchronization would be, in the way of cleared channels. Were it feasible in all its aspects, technical and commercial, it would be possible, for instance, for the chain to operate not two, but six or even a dozen networks. At present NBC is synchronizing programs from WEAF in New York, its key station, with WTIC in Hartford, Conn., and those from WJZ, New York, with WBAL, Baltimore. But this is more important. With the acquisition of WENR, the NBC now controls, through ownership or operating agreements, eight stations from coast to coast, all available for a synchronized hook-up the moment that becomes desirable. The other stations are WEAF and WJZ in New York; WHAM in Rochester; WTAM in Cleveland; KOA, Denver; KGO, San Francisco, and WRC, Washington. In addition, the General Electric Company, one of the three corporations which own NBC, has WGY at Schenectady, and the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, another of the owner corporations, has four others — KWY, Chicago; KDKA, Pittsburgh, and WBZ and WBZA, at Springfield and Boston. A month ago the National Broadcasting Company made the formal announcement that thereafter it would stage more than fifty of its programs, previously created in New York, from its new Chicago headquarters and studios. The programs are all on the Blue network, of which WJZ in New York has been the key station. Chicago, rapidly fulfilling the prediction of President Aylesworth that it was destined to be the radio center of the country, is how the point of origin for more than two hundred NBC programs. Now, if your memory is good, you will recollect that the transfer of a majority of the Blue network activities from New York to Chicago was predicted by What's on Tin; Am 'way last December. .President Hoover, who is reported to have cherished a secret desire to throw things at Senators for some time, will have his wish gratified in a small way this month. It is almost as much a tradition that the Presi dent should take uncertain aim and toss the first ball when the Senators open the bigleague ball season in Washington as it is that he should issue a Thanksgiving proclamation. In addition, the present occupant of the White House is a real baseball fan. However, he would probably put a little more steam on the ball were some of his critics in the Upper House on the receiving end, rather than Walter Johnson's hustling young fellows. The NBC will divide its efforts on chain broadcasts of the opening games on April 14. Western fans, most of whom were pulling for either the Cubs or the Cardinals last season, will be offered a National League opener. In the East, Connie Mack's champion Athletics will be the opening-day attraction. Columbia is undecided, at this writing, on the question of a chain broadcast. Its stations will handle the local games in their cities, however. Opening-day past, Chicago baseball fans will, as in past years, get the best radio baseball coverage in the country. WGN, WMAQ and WCFL have indicated that they will resume their daily broadcasts of the Cubs and White Sox, whichever team plays at home. WBBM follows the Cubs exclusively, with Pat Flanagan, a pioneer and past master at that ,art, interpreting telegraphic reports when the team plays on the road. KMOX and KWK broadcast the Cardinals' games at St. Louis. Phil Ball, owner of the Browns, is "agin" broadcasting. WTAM is reported this year to have obtained the exclusive privilege of broadcasting the Cleveland Indians' games. WJR, Detroit, follows the Tigers. WNAC and WEAN — the latter at Provi dence, R.I. — make public the shame of Boston's lowly entries. WLW at Cincinnati broadcasts some of the Reds' home games, and WCAU at Philadelphia has made tri-weekly broadcasts of the Phillies' games in the past. The Athletics bar broadcasting except on their opening-day. Both New York teams and the Pittsburgh Pirates are also against broadcasting, fearing that it hurts their gate receipts. Pat Flanagan, of WBBM, should receive a vote of thanks from Chicago mothers for the stocking-darning he saved them, if a recent series of programs which he announced had the desired effect. Pat gave the younger generation a three weeks' course in roller-skating technique over the air. Track fans will get the best broadcasts of the year on April 17, when the Drake relays are scheduled at Des Moines and the classic Penn races at Philadelphia. Both are chain broadcasting possibilities, but announcements of a definite nature are not available at presstime. N. Y. C. NEWS By Chas. S. Strong WHAT'S in a name? Everything should be clean coming through WASH in Grand Rapids. It is all clear sailing to WALK in Willow Grove, Pa. "WBAA" is not the answer usually given the Lafayette station's pro Ramblin' Roun' Radiolan' With the Red-headed Music Maker HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas, March 25th, 1931 — Hello, Folks! How are you all this evenin'? Yes, Suh! Down here soakin' up the sunshine and the radio waters just 'cause old man Flu caught up with me again this year. Got acquainted with him in the service in France in 1918, and he's been followin' me around ever since. Well, anyway, since arrivin' here I've quit sayin', "I's a whole lot worser 'n' I is better." You know, at home on the first of the month I'm always in hot water. Came down here to get away from it and been in hot water ever since. Goin' out to-morrow and miss eighteen holes in one — there's one consolation, tho', I'm missin' closer every day. My close pals tell me I've got it all over Bobby Jones at spankin' a Uke. Just can't seem to get away from radio — the mineral waters are radio active, and even at golf you're within shoutin' distance of the microphones ■ — the massive KTHS towers are right alongside the first tee out at the Hot Springs Golf Club. Came down here for a little rest and recreation, but like the mailman who takes a walk on his vacation, and the sailor who takes a little rowboat ride on his, here's one radio man that did a little serious broadcastin' on my vacation. With thanks to our mighty good mutual friend and regular fellow Campbell Arnoux, director-manager, chief cook and bottle-washer of Kum To Hot Springs, "The Red-headed Music Maker" put on a little impromptu get-together last month just for old times' sake. We labeled it an Endurance Contest. Started at eleven p. m. and kept goin' till after midnight just fiddlin' 'round for my own amazement — my little 3 -piece Orch. (my chair, my uke 'n' me). Beg pardon — correction — Took a long horseback ride day before, so had to work standin' up, therefore couldn't use my 3-piece Orch., and standin' up that long was where the endurance came in. Anyway, we had a lot of fun and a regular old-fashioned show, just foolin' 'round, singin' a bit, ch.ittin' chummy-like just for no reason at all, and gettin' telegrams from all over the country. Takin' your time, puttin' all you got into a number, instead of iacin' the clock to get thro' ex.ictlv on the second. That kind o' fiddle-foolin' is fun, and the telegrams we got showed yon folks joined right in and had as much fun as we did. With the modern radio artist to-d.i\ — it's all work, and you know "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Let's start a movement for more extemporaneous, impromptu programs. Do I hear a motion? Had a bet up with Arnoux, whom I've known most happily thro' a good many radio years, that there would be just as much radio interest to-day in an Endurance Contest of this kind as there was in the early days. Appeared first for Campbell Arnoux and KTHS on my original Eveready Tour back in 1925 — ■ then came back for another appearance in 1929, just before going with Majestic. In our '2 9 Endurance Contest we heard from every State in the Union except three — my bet this time was that we'd hear from every State! How are you bettin'? Just heard that a duck in Chicago wrote a new Spring Song — "Oh, April Showers Come What May, or June, dear, don't July to me" — Pat Barnes, for years one of the greatest showmen in radio, has a very fast line — it's got to be fast now, for he's slingin' it for Swift & Co., over WGN. Richie Craig, Jr., in Blue Malt's "Jest for Fun," brings pioneer Jack Nelson to the front with him over Columbia — Jack's radio experience should help this stage personality. There's a kick in it! — Clara, Lu 'n' Em, three radio newcomers, graduated from WGN and are now sellin' soap over NBC. Gals will be gals! — The Boswell Sisters from the Coast bowled lil old New York over like she never got bowled on Camel Hour. Boy! what a gal trio! — Helen Kane, who rode to fame on a "boop-boop-a-doop," insists the correct spelling of her trick phrase should be "poop-poopa-doop." Oh, well, what's a couple o' boops between friends! — The guy I'd like to locate is the bird who found the "Ga-Ga" in all agog) or the professor who revived backgammon — Ed McConnell, at WLW. folks tell me, sounds a bit like "little I'm" on the air — shucks, that ain't nuthin' — a hombre registers in at the Arlington to-day with my name — it was Wendell V. Hall, of Fisher Bodies in Detroit. When they page us in the lobby, I say, "Aw, blaaaa ■ — I'm too tired — let the other guy get up." Well, I gotta ramhlc;. got places to go and things to do in this glorious land of sunshine — but I'll be seein' you, so be aroun'! So until then see you pretty soon, pretty soooon, pretty soooooon — nite owl. Sincerely, WKNnrn Hall. grams. WEAN, at Providence, R. I., thinks itself quite grown-up, and WEAR, at Cleveland, doesn't mean a thing, even if it does have a feminine sound. WEW might be a sign of relief after clearing a "tight" place, but it broadcasts from St. Louis, Mo., which is no "tight" place. WHAM, in Rochester, N. Y., hits a good batting average. The station at Omaha, Neb., is a WOW. Fort Wayne, Ind., liked Omaha?i choice, but they stuttered and brought forth WOWO. A KICK comes from Red Oak, la. KOB is all there is for you at State College, N. M., but that's all right. Council Bluffs has us in its KOIL, and as for KOIN, at Sylvan, Ore. — oh, what's in a name? Radio fans who got a big thrill out of Writing to their favorite stars and having an autographed picture of their "ideal" sent by a bored secretary have now gone one better. This has been developed by the organization of almost a score of "Fan Clubs" in and about the Eastern big cities. Your chronicler has the "dope" on five of these; namely, the "Bert Lowndes Club," the "Guy Lombardo Club," the "J. Fred Cootes Club," the "Rudy Vallee Club" and the "Uncle Nick Kenny Club." The clubs number about 2 50 members each, and hold regular meetings each four or six weeks, with a luncheon and impromptu entertainment. The club's namesake is present in person and a good time is had by all. Now that WMCA and WPCH, New York, are playing with that television apparatus and are opening the "Television Theatre," Nalda Nardi, the enterprising program director of the stations, will have to give her artists screen tests as well as auditions. Walter Dreher, well-known linguist and member of the cast of "Once Upon a Time," who appears occasionally over WPCH, New York, with the John O. Hewitt Players, says that foreign languages have been the key to his success on the radio and the stage. Walter speaks four languages — Spanish, English, German and French. Professor La Vergne, instructor of French at the Y. M. C. A. at Twenty-third Street, New York, receives a rousing recognition over WPCH with his "Traveler's French" on Saturday mornings at 11:15 o'clock. Professor La Vergne offers to improve your French from the "putt-putt of a two-cylinder engine to the patois of Paris." Standing outside of the studio, listening to a broadcast of "Romeo and Juliet," I was surprised at the number of people that seemed to have been jammed into the room at WGBS, New York. There were Italians, Spaniards, Chinese, Viennese, Venetian dukes, Roman knights and all the rest. Invited to enter, I at first reneged because of the crowded condition of the room, only to be informed that it was Don Trent giving the entire presentation and taking twenty-three distinct parts. Don is on every Thursday at 4 P. M. An interested audience is expressing its enjoyment with the offerings of WQAO, the Calvary Baptist Church's station in New York. The broadcasts on Sundays from 11 A. M. to 12:30 p. M., Sunday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30, and the Wednesday services from 7:30 to 8:30 r. M., attract a wealth of fan mail. Old Bill Mullaney, the control operator , at WGBS, New York, had a new experience in broadcasting a remote from a restaurant in New York the other evening. Bill was quitesurprised to hear the Morse Code comihg over his telephone equipment, but finally discovered that the telephone transmitter had gone "blooey" at the restaurant, and "Boy Scout" Jack Reid was doing his good turn with the old International. It worked. "Tony" Stanford has left WGBS to join the production staff of the National Broadcasting Company.