NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 41, 5 April 1940, Page 46

NEWS FROM THE ZB STATIONS

to say nothing of the popularity of its Request Session, was revealed recently when two special sessions were. held, one for the South Island, and the other for listeners in the Far North. Requests were received from as far south as Invercargill, and up to Kaitaia in the north! idea of the coverage of 1ZB, "Songs at the Piano" A popular session is broadcast from 2ZB by Reg. Morgan every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at 3.30, and on Wednesday at 4.15, under the title of "Songs at the Piano." This singer is well-known for his artistry; and is also known throughout New Zealand as the composer of several songs frequently played during the "Man in the Street" session. What's in a Name? What’s in a name? To 4ZB listeners, a great deal. According to the requests sent in to the station, the name of Gracie Fields reigns supreme in popular fancy in Dunedin. A list of names of the most popular artists among 4ZB listeners was broadcast on a recent Thursday, and listeners were asked to give their ranking of the first 8. The erder of favouritism was as follows: Gracie Fields Bing Crosby Jack Daly Nelson Eddy Tex Morton George Formby Sandy Powell Richard Crooks Over 600 entries were received for the listeners’ rankings, and although no competitor was entirely correct, the winner was very close to the mark, having the first six in the correct order, but ranking Richard Crooks above Sandy Powell. "Spelling Jackpots " The Spelling Jackpots session which has been running from 1ZB for almost a year is as popular as ever, and the waiting list is so extensive that if all the mames were laid end to end they would reach from here to there, or almost. The session on Thursday, March 14, was a busy one for the cash register, three of the cash prizes won being £7/10/-, £1/15/- and £1/10/-. The

words which won these prizes were " Apheliotropically," " Cachinnator" and "Tpecacuanha." The original worth of these three words was 10/-, 5/- and 10/-. What it is to be intelligent at the right time! Let There Be Light It is reported that a famous pianist when preparing for a broadcast once said "Let there be light--soft lightamber and mauve, and moonlight blue, so I can catch the mood of my music." When this was referred to Thea, 1ZB’s

popular pianist, she explained that lighting could be quite a considerable aid in the rendering of some compositions, but it would be rather awkward for her if she were unable to play without such assistance, since her session includes everything from music by the masters to song hits of to-day; and a change of lighting effect from Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C Sharp Minor, to one suitable for "Sunrise Serenade," might present a certain amount of difficulty.

" Captain Speedee " Returns 4ZB listeners were pleased to hear Alec McDowell back on the air on Thursday, March 14, in the role of "Captain Speedee."’ Alec has been on vacation and is shortly going to camp with the Third Echelon. His cheery voice will be greatly missed from 4ZB, but in the meantime, he is making the most of his moments in front of. the mike. "Uncle Percy's Reminiscences " A novel and entertaining programme is broadcast by 4ZB every Monday and Wednesday afternoon at 3.30, when Percy James broadcasts his Recollections of the Stage. " Uncle Percy" was wellknown in vaudeville many years ago, and his ability to sing songs long out of print and not recorded invests these half-hours with unusual interest. Dunedin listeners have had the pleasure of hearing again the Percy James they knew in days gone by. First With the Latest Many Aucklanders are making 1ZB their station for listening to the latest recordings of the week in the world of music. The week’s new recordings are presented from 1ZB every Wednesday evening at ten o’clock under the title "Hit Tunes of the Moment." The recordings featured in this entertaining musical session are sometimes the pick of the modern tunes, and at other times semi-classical melodies are heard. International Affairs The last one hundred years in New Zealand have brought us four times into close contact with the realities of war; but whereas previously it was weeks and sometimes months before the public in this far-away part of the world heard any news, to-day, by the miracle of radio they know what is happening almost as soon as it happens. "European Background," broadcast from 1ZB from Monday to Saturday inclusive, at 8.45 p.m., is a spirited commentary of affairs on the European fronts; it deals not only with what is happening, but explains the circumstances leading up to each event, thus bringing to the listener the cause and effect, as well as giving him up-to-the-minute information. Filmland Session The popular Filmland Session from 1ZB, conducted by John Batten, has,

in response to numerous requests, been changed from 4.15 p.m. to 1 p.m. " Crossworditis " The brain of 1ZB is in a whirl; it has been smitten suddenly and unaccountably by that disease known the world over as "Crossworditis." From office boy to station director, the staff devotes its spare time cudgelling its brain for a word of four letters meaning " adiaphoresis." Expansion of Happiness Club A new branch of the 1ZB Happiness Club has been formed in New Plymouth. It was officially opened by Joan, and already has a membership of 135. Mrs, Martin, known to her innumerable friends as " Grannie," was elected President. Men and Motoring The session "Men and Motoring" conducted by Rod Talbot at 1ZB has been transferred from Friday night at 10 o’clock to the same time on Thursday night.