This page contains material related to my book Stepping Out in Cincinnati. Here you will find pictures representative of what is found in the book including some that did not make it in the final book. Also, to supplement the radio/TV chapter are some audio clips from radio stations in the 1940s.
What was radio like in the 1930s and 1940s? In the early years stations had in-house orchestras and employed singers and other vocal performers. Talented local singers like Rosemary Clooney got their start on stations like WLW.
The original WLW building contained five studios that accommodated both small and full-size orchestras. Everything was live including music performances and dramatic performances.
Stations also broadcast live orchestras from hotel nightclubs and ballrooms in cities all over the country. Radio networks enabled a band playing in a nightclub in New York City to be heard in Cincinnati and vice versa. Not only did this make for entertaining radio, but also influenced listeners to visit the clubs to join the fun.
By the 1940s “platter shows” using 78RPM records were popular, and live orchestras disappeared from the airwaves in the 1950s.
Faithful listeners at home recorded bits of their favorite music programs on “Recordio” machines, which used thin, plastic or cardboard records spinning at 78RPM. Many one-of-a-kind recordings have been found on Recordio discs, some of which can be heard below.
These recordings offer rare examples of exactly how a radio announcer sounded sixty years ago. Radio has come a long way technologically, but even modern rock stations still offer the same things heard so long ago: music, information and entertainment.
The clips
1940s Radio Announcer (:38) two stopsets, introduces How About You, then Blues in the Night by Bonnie Stuart.
Clock Song Intro, from grey Recordio disc, circa 1949. (:25) A smooth-sounding Cincinnati radio announcer introduces “The Clock Song.” From WLW, WCKY, or WKRC.
Gardnerbenedictradio (:13) WLW announcer at the Hotel Netherland Plaza in Downtown Cincinnati introduces the piano artistry of Gardner Benedict. From WMKV interview with Gardner Benedict
Hotelgibson (4:11) Song plays live from the Rathskeller Hotel Gibson in Downtown Cincinnati, ends with announcer introducing Music by Billy Snyder and his Kentucky Colonels, “Why Cry Baby,” Bill Kempel sings. Recordio disc, circa 1949
Hotelgibson Anncr same as above, but announcer only, no music.
Kate Smith 1 Kate Smith is performing at Quantico. Marching band song ends, Kate Smith talks about Marines, talks with someone onstage about Marine corps. Introduces marching band. Recordio disc, circa 1949
Kate Smith 2 at Quantico, Kate Smith sings most of “I Don’t Wanna Walk Without You, Baby,” thunderous cheers and applause, stage announcer introduces Marine band.
The following files have been cut from part 18 of “Complete Broadcast Day” found on http://www.radiolovers.com/pages/completebroadcastday.htm from 1939, WJSV in Washington.
CBS Announcer 1 (:26) from 1939 “South of the Border” ends, announcer comes on “From Mother Kelley’s Miami Room on 58 th Street East of Park Avenue in New York City” with the music of Jerry Livingstone. Music and crowd talking
CBS Announcer 2 (:24) Announcer, “Teddy Powell and his Orchestra” from the “Jive Live, the Famous Door on 52 nd Street in New York City”
CBS Announcer 2 with music ( 1:20) Same as above, with long music and applause introduction to announcer. Good “live” feeling.
CBS Announcer 3 (:06) Great little clip of announcer between two songs: “. . . strictly on the jive side. Pussy in the Corner.
CBS Announcer 4 () From Famous Door on 52 nd Street in New York City, introduces I’ve Found a New Baby by “ America’s Newest Dance Sensation” Teddy Powell and his Orchestra
Pictures from the book are forthcoming.
