Audio Antiques
by Classic radio shows from the K-Rob Collection
Welcome to amazing podcasts from Hall of Fame broadcaster and journalist Ken Robinson in this series of classic programs from the 1920s through the 1990s. The collection is not your usual "cops & comedians" old time radio podcast. Special attention given to the contributions of African-Americans and other minorities, who were largely excluded from the broadcasting industry, but still managed to make their mark in history. You will hear notable news events, and social issues in revealed great detail along with big budget entertainment.For details visit www.krobcollection.com
Episodes
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Henry Armstrong, Three Time Champ
Many experts believe he was the greatest boxer of all time. Henry Armstrong, famously nicknamed "Hurricane Hank, achieved a monumental feat that remains unmatched in boxing history. Armstrong held three simultaneous world championships, in three different weight classes—Featherweight…
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A Radio Horror & Fantasy Festival
Horror and fantasy shows appeared on radio nearly from the very start. The first horror drama during radio's golden age was The Witch's Tale, which was aired from 1931 to 1938. It featured Old Nancy, the Witch of Salem, who introduced a different terror tale each week. You'll hear an episode from...
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Dan Bankhead - First Black Starting Pitcher
Daniel Robert Bankhead was the first African American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. He had played for the Negro leagues starting in 1940, where is was also a powerful hitter. Bankhead served in the Marine Corps Reserve during World War Two, and achieved the rank of sergeant. He was...
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8 Decades of Radio News
From it's early days in the 1920's news was an important part of radio. The first newscasts were little more than announcers reading press releases and police reports. In the 1930s and 40s, network newscasts evolved into audio versions of newspaper columns. During the World War Two and into the...
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Marion Anderson presents Black classical music stars
From 1955 it's the NBC Radio show Best of All. This episode featuring a salute to the National Association of Negro Musicians. Honoring African-Americans involved in classical music. The program is hosted by Marian Anderson, the famous contralto, who performed a wide range of music, from opera to...
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The Radio Randolphs
The Great Gildersleeve was a radio situation comedy broadcast from 1941 to 1957. The series was built around the character of Throckmorton Gildersleeve, a small town water commissioner and his family. One of the co-stars was Lillian Randolph, an African-American actress and singer. However, later...
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Roscoe Dunjee, The Ghost Editor
Destination Freedom - A Chicago based series from radio's classic era. This episode is entitled, Ghost Editor. It's the story of Oklahoma newspaper publisher Roscoe Dunjee. He founded the Black Dispatch in 1915, the first African-American newspaper in Oklahoma City. Dunjee used it as a platform…
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Eddie Green, Influencial Black Radio Artist
From the 1940's, it's the bar-room situation comedy series Duffy's Tavern, starring Ed Gardner as Archie the manager of the tavern. Co-starring on the show was Eddie Green, an actor, film director, and composer, who was one of the most influential African-American artists on radio during the…
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A rare surviving Wings Over Jordan episode
From the 1940s, this is the popular and influential Wings Over Jordan program. It was a Sunday morning show, named for the prominent African American choir that performed on it during the 1930s and 1940s. The choir was founded in 1935 by Rev. Glen Settle pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church in...
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Groundbreaking Actress Ruby Dandridge on the Judy Canova Show
This is one of the few classic radio programs hosted by a female. From the 1940s, The Judy Canova Show centered on the life of an entertainer from the country, who becomes a hit in the big city. The show co-stars Ruby Dandridge as Judy's sidekick Geranium. The African-American actress had a…
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Duke Ellington & Ethel Waters
Its time for Jubilee, a radio program that featured African American musicians and singers. This 1942 episode features composer, pianist, and orchestra leader Duke Ellington, Ethel Waters a singer and actress who in 1939 was the first African-American to appear in her own TV show, and Eddie...
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Walter White, NAACP Legendary Leader
From 1948, this is an NBC Radio interview show called Author Meets the Critics. The special Guest is Walter White, who led the NAACP from 1929 to 1955. He joined the organization in 1918 investigating race riots and lynchings. White developed legal challenges to fight segregation and voting...
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Jazz Legends Lionel Hampton & Dinah Washington
Jubilee, a radio program that featured African American musicians and singers, hosted by Ernie "Bubbles" Whitman. Most of the shows were staged in Los Angeles and broadcast to U.S. Troops around the world. This 1944 episode features jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, and bandleader Lionel...
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Butterfly McQueen: Comedy Co-Star
One of the wackiest programs during the golden age of radio was the Danny Kaye Show. The actor, singer, dancer, comedian, musician, and philanthropist, had one of the highest rated shows in 1946, and his co-star was Butterfly McQueen. The African-American actress was best known for her appearance...
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The Great Hazel Scott
From 1944, it's the program New World A Coming. This episode is called the Negro in Entertainment, and features 24 year old Hazel Scott. A prominent movie actress, dazzling pianist, jazz singer, and civil rights activist throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Scott is in the history books as the…
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Eddie "Rochester" Anderson - Wealthy Comedian
The Jack Benny Program was one of the most popular shows during radio's classic era. And one of the most popular characters on that program was Benny's trusty valet Rochester, as played by Eddie Anderson. He was the first African American to have a regular role on a network show, and became one…
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Mutual's Scout About Town
From the Mutual Broadcasting System this is one of the lesser known entertainment shows from radio's golden age. Scout About Town. This 1947 episode features an African-American trio called the 3 Flames. Singer Lily Ann Carole, and Comedian Morey Amsterdam before he made it big in television. The...
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Audio Antiques - Dick Gregory, Activist Comedian
Dick Gregory (October 12, 1932 – August 19, 2017) was an American comedian, civil rights activist, and author whose pioneering stand-up routines broke through racial barriers in the 1960s, making him a prominent voice in both entertainment and social justice. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Gregory...
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Congress Declares War
You're going to experience what it was like to hear history unfold on December 7th, 1941 when Japan attacked the United States. This is radio coverage of that fateful Sunday, as well as that Monday when Congress declared a state of war. More at http://krobcollection.com
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Crispus Attucks, American freedom fighter
From the classic radio drama Destination Freedom, you're going to learn the story of The Knock-Kneed Man. Crispus Attucks, was a stevedore of African and Native American descent, and is widely regarded as the first person killed in the Boston Massacre, and thus the first American killed in the...
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Life with Luigi, as he takes a stand for diversity
Life with Luigi is an radio situation comedy series which began in the 1940s. The action centered on Luigi Basco and his experiences as a newly arrived Italian immigrant in Chicago, and his interactions with other refugees from different countries. In this episode Luigi writes a play to celebrate...
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Baseball Legend Jackie Robinson
Our focus is on the great Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play Major League Baseball. Robinson broke the color barrier when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. We'll hear his story as told by legendary sports reporter Bill Stern. Then two episodes...
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Luke Slaughter, last of the radio cowboys
A lesser known adult western series from 1958, Luke Slaughter Of Tombstone. Sam Buffington stars as Luke Slaughter, a Civil War cavalryman who turned to cattle ranching in post war Arizona territory. More at http://krobcollection.com
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Audio Antiques - Joe Louis vs Max Baer
The radio broadcast of Joe Louis battling Max Baer at Yankee Stadium on September 24th, 1935. It was Louis' 10th fight that year, after defeating 9 other opponents. Joe Louis reigned as boxing's World Heavyweight Champion from 1937 to 1949. The Brown bomber won 26 world heavyweight title fights,...
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Jack Paar, radio refugee becomes TV superstar
On this edition we spotlight Jack Paar. The author, comedian, and actor is best known as one of the most successful hosts of NBC's Tonight Show. The Canton Ohio native began his career working in radio, despite growing up with a stutter. Paar was a humorous DJ at radio stations in Detroit,...
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Meet the Robesons! Mr Paul & Dr. Eslanda
Before Martin Luther King Jr, there was Paul Robeson, who became an international activist for human rights and racial justice just as radio was beginning to become popular. Robeson used his fame as a star football player, and a popular singer and actor to fight for equality, not only in the…
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The Beulah Show
The Beulah Show, a situation comedy about a happy house maid, who was always hoping her boyfriend would propose. It was one of the few top starring roles for an African-American during network radio's golden age. Academy award winner Hattie McDaniel got the job in 1947, at what was then a…
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Audio Antiques - Blacks and Politics in the 1940s
The Negro - Fascism and Democracy, from the radio show "New World A Coming". A World War Two examination of which political system African-Americans should side with. The program aired in 1944. Details at http://krobcollection.com
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Superman vs the Klan
This is a feature length presentation of the Adventures of Superman serial on the Mutual Radio Network in 1946. It's called Superman Fights the Clan of the Fiery Cross. After World War Two, the Klu Klux Klan became very popular in the United States. To fight the terrorist group, the producers of...
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The Negro & Democracy
From 1942, The Negro & Democracy is an episode from the classic radio series Freedom's People. The show was created by NBC to highlight the struggles and triumphs of African-Americans throughout the history of the United States. More at http://krobcollection.com
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Mildred Bailey, Native-American Hitmaker
During radio's classic era it was very rare for artists of color to have the opportunity to host or headline a drama, comedy, or variety shows. But there were a few performers that defied the odds. One was Mildred Bailey, a Native-American jazz singer who was raised on an Indian reservation in...
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The Fight Against American Slavery
In this podcast series we've focused on wars, music, movies, sporting events, and the Depression, but this time we examine Slavery in America. Occasionally the subject would be presented on radio during the golden age. We start with the 1957 CBS radio Workshop dramatization of Denmark Vesey, the...
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The World Is Yours
One of the most popular shows during radio's classic era was not a drama, comedy, or musical variety show, it was an educational program called The World Is Yours. The weekly 30 minute show began in 1936 and ran until 1942. It was one of the first public radio projects, and was produced by the...
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Radio Networks Fight Racism
During World War Two there were several efforts to stem the tide of rising racial violence, as African-Americans became more vocal about bias and discrimination at home while Black soldiers were fighting against fascism overseas. The federal government was concerned that white attacks against...
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An All-Star Tribute to Pioneering Actor Canada Lee
All-Star Tribute to Canada Lee, as aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1941. Canada Lee pioneered acting roles for African Americans, starring on radio, stage and screen. He's best known for the films Native Son, and Lifeboat. Lee was also a champion of civil rights in the 1930s and 1940s,...
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Cleveland Indians vs Washington Senators 1939
Rare audio of a 1939 contest between the Cleveland Indians and the Washington Senators. The Major League Baseball teams battle in the last game of the season. For more info visit http://krobcollection.com
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Dr. George Washington Carver speaks!
This is a tribute to one of America's greatest inventors. From 1939 we have an episode from the radio reality show, Strange As It Seems. The installment highlights Dr. George Washington Carver, an amazing agricultural scientist who promoted alternative crops to cotton, and methods to prevent soil...
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Major Bowes Original Amateur Hour
From the 1930s, the very popular Major Bowes Original Amateur Hour. With the Harlem Roustabouts Jazz Group, Blues singer Martha Booker, and other amazing performers, with a salute to Mansfield, Ohio. More at http://krobcollection.com
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Jack Benny legendary radio comedian
From 1932, it's the very first Jack Benny radio show, which led to the popular comedian having a career spanning 4 decades, on not only radio, but film and television. Also included are episodes from 1946 and 1954. The show also launched the career of Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, who became the...
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Black Singer Actress Meredith Howard
This podcast features the radio show Pete Kelly's Blues, it was a tribute to age of dixieland jazz in the 1920s. It starred Jack Webb who would go on to become a big star on the crime drama Dragnet. However, "Blues" also featured blues singer Meredith Howard, one of the very few African-Americans...
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Black Baseball Legend Satchel Paige
The radio show Destination Freedom tells the story of Satchel Paige, one of the greatest baseball pitchers of all time. Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige played in Negro League Baseball and Major League Baseball. He Joined the Cleveland Indians in 1948 at the age of 42, signing a $40,000 contract for...
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Dooley Wilson, African-American Singer & Actor
Get ready for Jubilee, a radio program that featured African American musicians and singers. This 1942 episode is hosted by actor, singer and musician Dooley Wilson who is best remembered for his performance in the classic film Casablanca. Wilson's guests are legendary singer and actress Lena...
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Audio Antiques - The Negro Reporter
From 1945, an installment from the classic radio show New World A Coming. This episode is called the Negro Reporter, staring Canada Lee. It's an examination of early African-American journalism. More in at http://krobcollection.com
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The Eternal Light
During radio's classic era race, and ethnicity were rarely talked about or featured on the air, but there were a few exceptions. One was The Eternal Light. An NBC Radio show that began in 1944, and ran for 45 years. It was produced in conjunction with the Jewish Theological Seminary, and featured...
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Trailblazing Actor Canada Lee
Before there was Sidney Poitier and Harry Bellafonte, there was Canada Lee...who along with Paul Robeson was among the very few black actors to scratch out a dignified living in Hollywood movies during the 1930s and 40s. Lee was born in New York City on March 3rd, 1907. He studied music as a…
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The International Sweethearts of Rhythm
The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was the first integrated all-women's band in the United States. The Sweethearts were formed at Piney Woods Country Life School in Mississippi in 1938, to help raise funds for the facility which served poor, orphaned, and African American children. By 1941,...
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John & Robert Kennedy
The life and times of John Fitzgerald Kennedy have been the subject of many history books. The public got to see him up close and personal after Senator Kennedy announced his campaign for president in 1960. The Democrat appeared on Meet The Press, which aired on NBC radio and television. We have...
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History of the American Ghetto
Ghetto is a word that dates back to 1516. It's an Italian word that was used describe part of a city where Jewish people were restricted to live. Since the 20th century ghetto is used in the United States to describe impoverished African-Americans are segregated away from the general population....
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Black Baseball Milestones
In April 1947, modern day baseball changed forever. That's when Jackie Robinson played his first major league game as a Brooklyn Dodger. After that day, there were a string of African-American firsts in baseball. Four months later, Dan Bankhead of the Dodgers became the first black pitcher to…
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The Golden Gate Quartet
The Golden Gate Quartet is an African-American vocal group, that was founded in 1934 by four students at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia. Willie Johnson, William Langford, Henry Owens, and Orlandus Wilson started singing gospel and folks songs in churches and then at radio...
About this show
Welcome to amazing podcasts from Hall of Fame broadcaster and journalist Ken Robinson in this series of classic programs from the 1920s through the 1990s. The collection is not your usual "cops & comedians" old time radio podcast. Special attention given to the contributions of African-Americans and other minorities, who were largely excluded from the broadcasting industry, but still managed to make their mark in history. You will hear notable news events, and social issues in revealed great detail along with big budget entertainment.For details visit www.krobcollection.com
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Classic radio shows from the K-Rob Collection
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