An interview, and a luncheon

This coming Tuesday (February 5), at 12:15 p.m., I’ll be interviewed on the radio talk show Speak Your Piece, on station WBCB-AM, in Bucks County, PA, just outside of Philadelphia. The host of the show is Pat Wandling, a former reporter for The Bucks County Courier Times. She's been the host of Speak Your Piece for many years.

As it happens, I’m quite familiar with WBCB—having been the host of “Speak Your Piece” between 1991 and 1995. I once interviewed Pat on the program, when she was reporting for the Courier Times.

WBCB’s Vice President and General Manager, by the way, is Merrill Reese, the longtime play-by-play announcer for The Philadelphia Eagles. His autobiography, It’s Gooooood!, was brought out in 1998, by the publishing house Sports Publishing Inc. The book was written with sportswriter Mark Eckel.

In 2005, Merrill--widely popular and much-honored--was named “Broadcaster of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters. The same year, he was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia’s Hall of Fame.

Also: at noontime, on Thursday (February 7), I’ll be speaking about The Lucky Strike Papers at the Butler/Tri-Boro Rotary Club luncheon, in Bloomingdale, New Jersey. The luncheon will take place at Bella Sera restaurant, on Main Street in Bloomingdale.

A Photograph, 1951

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a 1951 photograph (not included in my book), of Snooky Lanson, and my mother, Sue Bennett, singing the song "Because of You," on NBC's Your Hit Parade.

Last episode, 1951-1952

An item in Philadelphia's TV Digest magazine, for the week of June 28, 1952: it noted that the last episode of NBC's Your Hit Parade, for the 1951-1952 TV season, would be originating, on June 28th, from the new luxury ocean liner, the S.S. United States. The ships's maiden voyage--from New York, to England--was five days away.

Kay Kyser, 1950

 

Seen here: Kay Kyser, star of the NBC television program Kay Kyser's College of Musical Knowledge, with daughters Kimberly and Carroll, on the cover of the June 17, 1950 issue of Philadelphia's TV Digest magazine.

Kyser had just been named "Television Father of the Year" by the "National Father's Day Committee."

A detailed portrait of Kay Kyser's 1949-1950 TV show, and a portrait of Kyser himself, make up a significant part of The Lucky Strike Papers.

Another view, the S.S. United States

Here is another view of the S.S. United States, photographed on the Philadelphia waterfront, Jan. 20, 2008.

Photo copyright Jenny Lynn.

cashboxmagazine.com

I'm delighted by a review on cashboxmagazine.com, posted 1/15/08, which gives The Lucky Strike Papers five stars.

Says the review: "The Lucky Strike Papers is a must read for anyone wanting...insights [into] early American television."

Talk San Antonio, with Ron Aaron

Today I was interviewed about "The Lucky Strike Papers" by San Antonio radio talk show host Ron Aaron, for his weekly half-hour program "Talk San Antonio." The show will air at various times this weekend on San Antonio's six Clear Channel stations--such as KQXT-FM (also known as Q101.9). The show airs Sunday on KQXT from 7:30-8:00 a.m. (Central Time).

Ron, an old friend, is a sensational radio host; he was previously the host of daily talk shows on stations in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and San Antonio. His primary work, today, is as Executive Director of San Antonio's Animal Defense League; he joined the group in August of 2007. The group's web site is: http://www.adltexas.org/.

Ron was previously the head of San Antonio's Rape Crisis Center, and the San Antonio chapter of Jewish Family & Children’s Service.