Chis Noel 1967

"Chris Noel was and is a hero ... supporting the troops with dedication and integrity even while we were treated like lepers at 'home.' She continues to support veterans, especially those of us who are homeless or suffer with PTSD. She came under fire in Nam more than once and suffered her own nightmarish events in her life. This is a beautiful person, both inside and out." Mike Blackford

Chris Noel was the voice of home to thousands of Vietnam era troops.  This is the Friday show from her first week on the air over AFRTS.  The program evolved over the years, better and better.

Chris Noel - 1967

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AFN Munich 1973

In 1973 the "Free Radio Campaign" visited AFN and spoke with engineer Air Force Tech Sgt Bob Strite and morning jock Mark Abbott. The picture is Jim Sampson at AFN Munich.


AFN Munich 1973
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Roger Carroll 1969

There was a Happy Hour in 1969?  Every day when Roger Carroll is at the mic.

Roger Carroll - 1969

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Jim Pewter 1976

A Friday, a new year and Jim Pewter.  Jim celebrated this music every day.  Writing, performing, playing the songs on the radio and being a record dealer.  He loves and shares this music.

Jim Pewter 1976

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Jim

Mail Call 1944

Mail Call. May 24, 1944. Program #93. The program is dedicated to the state of Kentucky. Borah Minevich and His Harmonica Rascals do a spectacular arrangement of, "Brazil." Mortimer Snerd tells Paulette Goddard about his first date. Charlie McCarthy tries to apologize to W. C. Fields for setting a skunk trap in Fields' garden. This is a well-known routine, using the same script as in, "The "Chase and Sanborn Program" recording from September 21, 1941. This time, W. C. loses his place in the script and mis-reads several lines. The date above is the recording date. The program was released June, 1944.

Early AFRS and WC Fields, total win.

Mail Call 1944

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LaRita Shelby 1994

LaRita Shelby saved some of her favorite shows and is making them available to us. Today a visit with Blair Underwood. Thank you Jazzy! Visit her website, A Date With A Song is great music

LaRita Shelby 1994

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Chris Noel 1969

The weekend is almost here.  Chris Noel has memories of 1969

Chris Noel - 1969

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Bedside Network

Many troops were first exposed to military "radio" via closed circuit stations in US hospitals. After the war, the stars toured the VA hospitals. This program would have been heard on the "Bedpan Network".  Here's a 1954 magazine story about The Bedside Radio Network

USO On With The Show

  From 1955, Rand's OTR is featuring a Hospital Radio show   Hospital Radio Christmas Show 1955

More jingles!

Several years ago Dyo sent a jingle reel that he had.  Several of these I had heard.  Which packages are these from?

AFRTS jingles

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Command Performance 1946

Command Performance was the BIG variety show that went into production almost at the birth of the network.

(from radiogoldindex)  March 14, 1946. Program #215. AFRS origination. June's first tune is, "Give Me The Simple Life." Larry Storch imitates Frank Morgan (without receiving credit). He then imitates Ed Gardner, Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre. Desi Arnaz sings, "Cuban Pete" and an extended arrangement of, "Ba-Balu." Red Skelton appears in, "Never Again" as "Junior, The Mean Widdle Kid." Verna Felton blows a line and stops the show. The recording date above is subject to correction. June Haver (m. c.), Ken Carpenter (announcer), Larry Storch, Desi Arnaz and His Orchestra, Red Skelton, Pat McGeehan, Verna Felton.

Command Performance 1946

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Jim Pewter 1968

I miss these songs.  Most markets had the Oldies Guys that new everything and Jim sure was of those. Charlie Gracie, the Coasters.  It's always a great listen.

Jim Pewter - 1968

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LaRita Shelby 1994

I was so happy to find this.  Last year LaRita sent several of her AFRTS shows and somehow this one wasn't posted then.  Here's LaRita Shelby with guest Paul Hardcastle.

LaRita Shelby with Paul Hardcastle

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Chris Noel 1967

To find out the history of Chris Noel, her biography at IMDB is a great place to start Click here

Chris sent the radio shows she did for AFRTS to us to hear again.  I'm grateful.

She still does the GIs proud.  Please consider making a generous donation to Chris's Vetsville Ceasefire House.

Date With Chris - 1967

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Arthur Godfrey Xmas 1964

Arthur Godfrey was broadcasting, from his mournful coverage of the funeral of President Roosevelt to the franchise he had built in the 1950s, to his CBS radio show which was the last bigtime network entertainment show, he was America with a genius in giving America what they wanted.  The Christmas 1964 show (recorded Christmas 1963).

Arthur Godfrey Christmas 1964

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Roger Carroll Christmas 1973

I really wish I had audio of one of Roger's Christmas shows, with that familiar open... (Do you have one??)  But this is very nice, in 1973 he did an Air Force recruiting show with Ray Conniff.  Great radio!  Have a Happy Holiday!

Roger Carroll - Christmas 1973

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!

This Is Your FBI - Christmas

Stacy Harris

In 1976 we were still airing Old Time Radio like "This Is Your FBI", starring Stacy Harris, who you may remember from Dragnet.  Here's the Christmas show..

The system cue at the end of the show sure sounds like George Fenneman..

This Is Your FBI - The Return Of St Nick.

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Chris Noel 1970

Chris Noel brought America to thousands of Vietnam era troops on a Date With Chris.  By the 1970s it rocked.

Chris Noel - 1970

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Chris Noel 1969

These are great, Chris Noel playing a mix of music that I never would have though would work.  They'd tell us at the DINFOS about the "Mixed Music Format" Hard C&W, R&B and rock all mixed together and everyone would like it.  Chris made it work.

Date With Chris - 1969

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Know Your Ally - China 1943

Here's an early 1943 production "Know Your Allies" about China.  At the time we even had stations there.  Those would be stories I'd love to hear. Times sure have changed.  No credits on the production but it sounds a lot like a young Marvin Miller

Know Your Allies - China

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Roger Carroll 1980

So if it weren't broadcasting, probably baseball?  Coulda been a contender!  Roger's back with an update of "The Best Sounds in Town"

Roger Carroll - 1980

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French Radio Tribute to AFN 1947

French radio 1947 Tribute to AFN

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Chris Noel 1969

Chris had a documentary a few years ago, a DVD called "Blonde Bombshell".  If you can find a copy it's very interesting and worthwhile.  I pulled out my copy again this week.  Thanks Chris.

Chris Noel - 1969

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