When Radio Was
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When Radio Was is a syndicated radio program that re-airs old-time radio programs.
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[edit] History
The series began as a local program in Chicago, hosted by Carl Amari, who was the founder of Radio Spirits, Inc., which sells tapes and CDs of old time radio programs. Former CBS Radio executive Dick Brescia heard an in-flight version of the program, and soon mounted a nationally syndicated version of the show (through Dick Brescia Associates), beginning in 1990 and hosted by Art Fleming (Amari continued to do the local Chicago version until shortly after selling Radio Spirits to MediaBay).
The show was first syndicated by Dick Brescia Associates (1990 - 2003), and later by Wilbur Entertainment (2003 - 2006). Beginning with Schaden's first episode (10/9/06), the distributor is MatrixMedia, Inc., of Chicago. As of 2007, When Radio Was appears on over 200 stations in the U.S., as well as one Canadian station, CHPQ-FM in Parksville, British Columbia, and on the internet at radiospirits.com.
The "When Radio Was" theme is titled "Swing and Sway."
[edit] Hosts
Fleming continued to host until shortly before his death from cancer in 1995. Satirist Stan Freberg, then writing and hosting "Stan Freberg Here", a syndicated daily commentary for Brescia, replaced Fleming. Freberg continued in the emcee role through the first week of October, 2006. For a brief period during the early Freberg years, the show's announcer was the legendary Fred Foy (of "The Lone Ranger" fame, who would introduce Stan with "Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, on 'When Radio Was,' with your host, Radio Hall-of-Famer Stan Freberg!")
Veteran Chicago radio personality Chuck Schaden became the latest host beginning with the October 9, 2006 episode, "A Salute to Stan Freberg."
In addition to opening and closing the show, the host introduces the radio programs, usually mentioning such facts as their original airdates (when available) and incidental trivia.
[edit] Typical programs
When Radio Was re-airs a wide variety of old time radio shows, typically pairing a drama and comedy, but the most frequent programs are noted below:
- Westerns: Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, Tales of the Texas Rangers, The Lone Ranger.
- Crime Dramas: Dragnet, Gangbusters.
- Comedies: Our Miss Brooks, The Great Gildersleeve, Jack Benny, Fibber McGee & Molly, The George Burns & Gracie Allen show.
- Dramas: Lux Radio Theatre
- Private Eyes & Detectives: Sam Spade, Sherlock Holmes, Phillip Marlow.
[edit] See also
[edit] External Links
- "When Radio Was" official website. (A part of the Radio Spirits website).
