Johnny Grant - Small World 1967

 

Somehow I've never gotten around to Johnny Grant.  "The Mayor of Hollywood" hosted many shows for the network during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  He made 15 trips to Korea and 14 to Vietnam.

He was another KMPC guy and made some great radio.  In 1967 Johnny hosted Small World.  That program had been around for years as sort of a clone of NBCs Monitor.  Johnny added a lot of personality.  We lost Mr. Grant in 2008.

On this broadcast, a report from Vietnam.

AFRTS Johnny Grant 1967

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Johnny Grant - Small World 1967

Small World was a lot like Monitor, light music, interesting features tied together with talent.  George Church was the first host (discovering Chris Noel).  After George was Johnny Grant.  Johnny did a lot of programs for AFRTS.

Defense Secretary William S. Cohen greets Johnny Grant, Hollywood's ceremonial mayor and a veteran of 54 USO tours, during a military concert in Beverly Hills, Calif. Grant was the master of ceremonies of the Nov. 30 concert, hosted by DoD and the USO to honor the Hollywood film industry

Johnny Grant joined the Army Air Corps during World War II, hosting a daily radio show in New York City for servicemen and women. During this time, he interviewed many entertainment stars who were in the city. After his discharge, he stayed in New York, working as a reporter for station WINS.

Having moved to California, Grant appeared as a disc jockey on Los Angeles area radio stations KGIL (1949–50) and KMPC (1951–59)

Johnny Grant - Small World - 1967