PERSONALITIES

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 34, 3 February 1939, Page 8

PERSONALITIES

ON THE AIR

LTHOUGH, historically, A the brass band movement may be said to have begun in Monmouthshire and South Wales, the soil most favourable to its development proved to be the industrial areas of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the North Hast of England. Under _ the shadows of grim satanic mills and giant pit-heads, there arose an enthusiasm for ‘‘banding’’ that has not only spread throughout the whole countryside but has also passed over the wide seas that separate it from the Dominions. But the roots are in the north, buried deep in the hearts of the working people. The brass bands contest vies with the football match in the affections of the working man. The star item of the contest is the ‘‘big blow’’ of the massed bands. 1VYA listeners will hear the Empire Massed Bands play "A Pageant of Empire" on Sunday, February 5.

TUNES FOR SIGNATURE

By their signature tunes you know your fayOourite bands. Jack Payne

started the fashion in England. He said on one occasion, "I wanted a musical trade mark, some tune that would be at once associated with ray band, and be a constant advertisement to the unseen radio audience." The choice of his now famous number, "Say It With Music," was not just chance. It had sound advertising psychology behind it. All signature tunes have. Thus, the tune must be outstanding and easily remembered, but not

one easily tired of. It has to be appropriate, and it has to have a link-up with the leader himself. "Say It With Music" has all these advantages. Title perfect, apt, short, modern and musical. Listeners will hear Jack Payne and his BBC Dance Orchestra in 8YA’s music, mirth and melody session on Monday, February 6.

CICERO HAD STICKY END

After the murder of Julius Ceasar, some violent speeches were delivered

by Cicero against Antony. In his "Paradoxes," Cicero had written apropos of Antony’s amorous subserviency to Cleopatra, "Can [I call @ man free whom 2 woman goyerns, to whom she gives laws, lays down directions, orders and forbids what to her seems ‘fit,’ while he can deny and dare refuse nothing that she commands? Does she ask? He must give. Does she call? He must come, Does she order him off? He must vanish. Does she threaten? He must tremble. For my part, I call such a fellow, though he may have been born in the noblest family, not only a slave, but a most abject slave." Naturally Antony grew more and

more furious and the inevitable happened. A Centurion named Herennius was employed to murder the 68-year-old Cicero, and by Antony’s express command to

secure Cicero’s head and hands which were set up over the rostrum or pulpit for orations. On Friday, February 10, at IVA, Professor C. G. Cooper will present readings from "CiceroOrator, Statesman and Man of Letters."

EXPERT ON THE DAMP PIANO

In his pierrot days Leonard Henry encountered all sorts and conditions

of pianos, but the one at Newton Abbott took the bun. The bailiffs came to collect this instrument just before they were due to open. The actors had a tarpaulin muster, paid something on account, and the pierrots breathed freely once more. Then a boy presented himself at the stage door and demanded sixpence as payment in advance for his job. "And what is your job?" asked Leonard Henry. "Tt sit under the piano and push the notes up," he explained. It was all too true that the wretched instrument was so damp that whenever a note was struck it stayed down. That boy. earned his tanner! * 4YA listeners will hear Leonard Henry, comedian, in the music, mirth and melody session on Tuesday, February 7,

CREATION OF "QUR BELL"

BBC announcer Frederick Grisewood, trained as a con-

cert singer under Victor Diegel, and sang in Paris and Munich. Then he went to London and sang the bass solo part in Sir George Henschel’s "Requiem" at Queen’s Hall, with Carrie Tubb. At the BBC, he created the turn of "Our Bill,’ which has made him yery popular in variety programmes. "Our Bill" is a shrewd Oxfordshire rustic-a Cotswold character, and he enjoys the distinction of having appeared in book form as "Our Bill-Guide, Philosopher, Friend." From the book, the rustic steps ‘out into

radio dramatic circles, and he is the star character in a play called "Slopton Races." "Our Bill" has one more step to take, that is, into the talkies-he is already on the records. On Tuesday, February 7, 2vA listeners will hear "Our Bill" in a sketch called "Village Cricket."

CALLANT WITH A STONE

The author of "Roderick Random," "Peregrine Pickle,"

etc., Was incorvigible as a boy. He was apprenticed to an eminent Glasgow surgeon and he was always in trouble. He was a "spirited urchin, never without some mischievous prank in his head, and a stone in his pocket ready to execute it." The neighbours of John Gordon with whom Tobias Smollett was articled, often boasted that their own pupils paid more attention to their learnings than Tobias. To which Gordon would reply. that he was convinced Smoilett would one day be an eminent man. "It may be true," he said, "that your boys are more decorous, but give me before them ali, my own bubbly-nosed callant, with the stone in his pouch." On Wednesday, February 8, SYA fisteners will hear Mr. O. L. Simmance in readings from "Peregrine Pickle,’ by ‘Tobias Smollett.

WARRIOR AT AGE OF TWELVE

Son of an old settler in the north and a Maori lady of high rank, Sir

James Carroll, throughout his life, was more imbued with the traditions of his mother’s race than of his father’s. As a boy of 12 at Gisborne, he marched with the

friendly Maoris against Te Kooti. His service as a boy attracted the attention of Sir Donald McLean, who put him into the Native Department, where he became a Native Land Court interpreter, This proving successful, at the early age of 22, he was made interpreter to the House of Representatives. Later, as a member, and ultimately a Minister of the Crown, he made a name for himself as one of New Zealand’s finest orators. 2VA listeners will hear a talk by Sir Thomas Wilford on Tuesday, February 7, the subject being: "A Famous Man # Knew" -Sir James Carroll."