Sound Off Music For Veteran's Day 2006

Sound Off  - Music For Veteran's Day 2006

November 11th is Veteran's Day. It was originally known as Armistice Day and it was the day when we commemorated the end of World War I, but when it became Veterans Day's the scope was expanded to recognize the huge sacrifices made by those who fought all of our wars and defended our ideals worldwide. Too many have paid the ultimate price, and none should be forgotten.

One of the things about old time radio that I really enjoy is that it provides me with an audio gateway into the past. I can put on an old radio show and travel back in time. I can close my eyes and hear things exactly how someone listening half a century or more ago would have heard them. It's like having my very own audio-only time machine.

Did you know that it in an indirect way we have World War II to thank for many of the old time radio shows that are in existence today. Let me explain why.

It was during the Second World War that the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) a non-commercial network was set up by Roosevelt's government War Department to provide entertainment for the US military audiences overseas.

The programs were originally specially produced by AFRS but soon after a transcription unit was set up that recorded the most popular commercial programs and shipped them to military transmitters to be rebroadcast. Over 60,000 shows were shipped overseas and many of the old-time radio programs that are available today are from those transcriptions.

A surprising number of the AFRS shows were never heard on commercial stations in the United States. A great example of this is Command Performance. Thanks to the Armed Forces overseas there are now 160 episodes available to listen to today and I've put one up today for you to enjoy.

Another wonderful music show featuring all your old time favorites such as Tommy Dorsey and Glen Miller and also produced by AFRS was Sound Off. It ran from 1946 - 1948 and was sponsored by the US Army as part of its recruiting program. Unfortunately only a few of them are extant but they are remarkably good quality for 60-years-old! We have 10 episodes to add to RUSC for your enjoyment throughout the week.

I hope that you enjoy them as much as Joy and I have and that while you listen you spare a thought not only for the men and woman who have served in the conflicts of the past century, but also to the men and woman who are in our armed forces today.

Happy listening my friends,