Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Jubilee - 1942


Here's the first Jubilee show.  I've never heard one of these that didn't have amazing music.

Rex Ingram is the host.  The program was recorded at a small studio in Hollywood in October 1942 with Duke Ellington, Ethyl Waters and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson
Ethyl Waters and Duke Ellington with Vicente Minnelli during the filming of Cabin In The Sky.  Thank you Kurt!



Monday, December 29, 2014

Jim Ameche - 1965





Jim Ameche has another hour of the most beautiful music of the best orchestras from around the world.


Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Bob Kingsley - 1978


In 1978 AFRS Iceland vet Bob Kingley took over American Country Countdown from Don Bowman and made a monster show.  This is Bob's first show and it jumps..



Sunday, December 21, 2014

Wake Island - 1953




Hours after Pearl Harbor was attacked, Wake Island was also assaulted.  In 1953 the bodies were re-interred in Hawaii at the National Cemetery at Punchbowl.  Lt Edward Fernandez explains. 



The families were sent a recording of the ceremony.  This is from one of those sets.

Wake Island ceremony - 1953

Bonnie Gilbert has been researching Wake Island civilian contractors and Marines Click Here

Spectrum USA - 1971



Dick Stark was a child actor in silent movies.  He worked in radio from the 1930s-60s.  He was on active duty in the Pacific during WWII and went back on active duty to Vietnam in 1966, later running the NY PAO shop for the Marines until retiring in 1973.

In 1971 LTC Stark was producing a show for Marine reserve recruiting.  It's pretty good.


Negro College Fund - 1961

In the 50s and 60s the United Negro College Fund presented a series of choirs from member universities of the fund.  This time, the choir of St. Augustine's College. The series was run on the ABC radio network, hosted by Metropolitan Opera host Milton Cross.  AFRTS picked up the series and ran it worldwide.



Thursday, December 18, 2014

Spread the word

If you like what you see, I'm pretty sure you have a friend that would like this website.  An email, Facebook share, Twitter link they all help.

If you haven't already, you should be on the mailing list.  About once a week get updates of what has been added. afrts@live.com

There were a lot of us at the stations, listening in the barracks or people that lived in the host countries.  We shared this then.

Tell a friend,

Other ways to help

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Downbeat 1943


In 1943 the military hadn't totally decided how to do broadcasting but there were a lot of entertainers that would perform for the troops.  Initially boxes of 12" were sent out.  One of the most popular programs was "Sound Off".  Here's bandleader Xavier Cugat.



Thursday, December 11, 2014

AFN - Rik Delisle - 1977

Another great memory from Hans Knot, here's Rik Delisle with "Old Gold Retold".  Rik had done AFRTS hitches with Thailand and Portugal. By 1977 it was AFN Berlin.  By 1984 he was at RIAS and made a lot of great radio.



 "I'm Air Force Sergeant Rik de Lisle - reminding you, did Rock'n Roll is just a state of mind".


Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Independent Radio Station - 1951

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So how did they show the overseas troops what radio can do?  Films like this. A behind the scenes look at WMCA, New York.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Carl Reese Obituary - 2014


Carl Reese was a 1940s AFN talent that went on to be a legend in Cleveland

Carl Reese - obituary

Brian Hartzell: I think I met Carl Reese back in the late-60s.  Living in Cleveland at the time.  I was looking for advice on a broadcast career just prior to heading off to DINFOS.    

Christmas in Vietnam - Bruce Blackburn AFVN 1971



I couldn't find a biography for Bruce, he may have went to KLAW after his hitch.  But it's early morning Christmas 1971, recorded in DaNang and time for the Orient Express.


Thursday, December 4, 2014

Country Style USA -1961

Pee Wee King

In 1961, we were (largely) between wars but the Army recruiting command was doing it's job.  Country Style USA had new recordings of top country talent.  Sergeant Tom Shaw was our host.  The program went to hundreds of US stations and AFRTS.  Here's a visit with Pee Wee King and Del Woods.



Breakfast Club - 1961

Don McNeil was a Chicago tradition with the "Breakfast Club".  The show went on in 1933 and ran until 1968.  AFRTS ran it most years from WWII until the end.

Don McNeil with comedian Sam Cowling


All around the table, it's 1961...

Wednesday, December 3, 2014