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!

Jubilee - 1942

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Jim Ameche - 1965

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

Jim Ameche - 1965

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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.

Spectrum USA - 1971

More recruiting programs

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.

Negro College Fund

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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.

Sound Off - Xavier Cugat

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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".

AFN - Rik Delisle - 1977

More Rik Delisle

Independent Radio Station - 1951

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

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.    

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.

Country Style USA -1961

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...

Breakfast Club - 1961

AFN Mike Pervel 1980

Mike Pervel has your favorite summer sounds.

AFN Mike Pervel 1980