The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here's an ad taken from the December 14, 1935 edition of Radio Guide. This was the thirties version of TV Guide, a listing of the week's programmes with articles about the artists and programmes. Henry Burr was a star on National Barn Dance this as you can see from the next ad, was the 30's version of Hee Haw, an amalgamation of skits , music and cornball humour. It was extraordinarily popular and it seems to have flown completely under the radar of most histories of broadcasting which give the impression that 30's radio consisted entirely of big band remotes,soap operas and sitcoms like Fibber McGee and Molly. What we hear on those " Golden Age of Radio" broadcasts is actually 40's radio because of the transcriptions made for rebroadcast to the American troops overseas.

Jim

Jim:
As always, thanks for your interesting scan. I'm glad you take the time to do these so well, along with the information that goes with them!
I've come to appreciate Henry Burr much more over the years. Aside from the fact that so many of his recorded ballads were entirely forgettable, he displayed a constant high level of musicianship, and his long performing career was a tribute to his well-grounded technique. I think he adapted to electrical recording better than most.
Bob

barnettrp21122 wrote:Jim:
As always, thanks for your interesting scan. I'm glad you take the time to do these so well, along with the information that goes with them!
I've come to appreciate Henry Burr much more over the years. Aside from the fact that so many of his recorded ballads were entirely forgettable, he displayed a constant high level of musicianship, and his long performing career was a tribute to his well-grounded technique. I think he adapted to electrical recording better than most.
Bob

Ditto Franklyn Baur, another great singer! Burr and Baur were the first popular singers I can remember hearing.