Comments on: First Commercial Broadcast “Voice of Firestone” aired on 3-22-1928 http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/ Free Streaming Old Time Radio Shows Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:49:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kristen Esbensen http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-2219 Kristen Esbensen Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:49:24 +0000 http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/#comment-2219 Oh, thank you! This is something I remember listening to with my father, who also sang on the radio. He exposed me to Richard Crooks. My mother had just died, and it was only my father and me. The existence of this gives me such pleasure and peace. Thank you again. And if these is more, please tell me where to find it. Oh, thank you! This is something I remember listening to with my father, who also sang on the radio. He exposed me to Richard Crooks. My mother had just died, and it was only my father and me. The existence of this gives me such pleasure and peace.

Thank you again. And if these is more, please tell me where to find it.

]]> By: Jim Wright http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-1339 Jim Wright Thu, 28 Apr 2011 03:35:15 +0000 http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/#comment-1339 In 1951 I was a 17 year old high school student working evenings full time as an announcer at NBC affiliate WISE Asheville, NC. Late afternoons as the soaps wound down, locally we became busy with some record shows, news & sports. But at 7:30 activity for me settled down and I was able to work on my school homework between station breaks as the station went into the NBC evening lineup. Monday night was my favorite. The Railroad Hour, the Telephone Hour, and my favorite of the shows...The Voice of Firestone. The evening ended with the NBC Symphony Orchestra. Hearing announcer Hugh James' opening and Idabelle Firestone's "If I could tell you" theme brings back a lot of great memories. After passing through another half dozen radio and two TV stations I changed careers to an Air Force and airline pilot. But I still do air work for an non-commercial Connecticut classically formatted FM network. Sometimes I play a recording I have of "If I could tell you." It never fails in response to bring phone calls from people who either remember it or want to know what it is. In 1951 I was a 17 year old high school student working evenings full time as an announcer at NBC affiliate WISE Asheville, NC. Late afternoons as the soaps wound down, locally we became busy with some record shows, news & sports. But at 7:30 activity for me settled down and I was able to work on my school homework between station breaks as the station went into the NBC evening lineup. Monday night was my favorite. The Railroad Hour, the Telephone Hour, and my favorite of the shows…The Voice of Firestone. The evening ended with the NBC Symphony Orchestra.
Hearing announcer Hugh James’ opening and Idabelle Firestone’s “If I could tell you” theme brings back a lot of great memories. After passing through another half dozen radio and two TV stations I changed careers to an Air Force and airline pilot. But I still do air work for an non-commercial Connecticut classically formatted FM network. Sometimes I play a recording I have of “If I could tell you.” It never fails in response to bring phone calls from people who either remember it or want to know what it is.

]]> By: John Mitchell http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-1311 John Mitchell Mon, 04 Apr 2011 04:03:00 +0000 http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/#comment-1311 I was 14 just out of an orphanage in 1950, living with my grandmother, when I discovered the Voice of Firestone on TV. I fell in love with it -- especially the opening and closing themes -- right away. If memory serves me -- and it often doesn't -- it was not heavy with opera (thank heaven) but also offered music from operettas and an occasional song from the Broadway stage. I have a VHS that I treasure featuring Jeannette MacDonald and a clip from the ARTS Channel that features Jane Froman. Wonderful music. I feel that MTV should stuff a little bit of this down the throats of its viewers just to show them what it was like. Maybe 30 minutes once a week. I'll bet some of the kids will fall in love with it, especially those opening and closing numbers by Mrs. Firestone. Thanks for preserving these treasures. I was 14 just out of an orphanage in 1950, living with my grandmother, when I discovered the Voice of Firestone on TV. I fell in love with it — especially the opening and closing themes — right away. If memory serves me — and it often doesn’t — it was not heavy with opera (thank heaven) but also offered music from operettas and an occasional song from the Broadway stage.
I have a VHS that I treasure featuring Jeannette MacDonald and a clip from the ARTS Channel that features Jane Froman.
Wonderful music. I feel that MTV should stuff a little bit of this down the throats of its viewers just to show them what it was like. Maybe 30 minutes once a week. I’ll bet some of the kids will fall in love with it, especially those opening and closing numbers by Mrs. Firestone. Thanks for preserving these treasures.

]]> By: Dr. Elliot Puritz http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-60 Dr. Elliot Puritz Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:08:06 +0000 http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/#comment-60 I was looking for a rendition of, "If I Could Tell You" for some time. If I recall correctly, the theme was occasionally sung by Lauritz Melchior. I was just a young boy when I first heard these programs just after WWII, and some-how the content still occasionally comes back to my mind more than 60 years later. The times were slower, and families more settled. My family would listen to these programs together, and then watch them on TV when such device came on the scene. I'm not sure exactly why the Firstone Hour made such a positive impact upon me, but I have enjoyed reliving a bit of my youth again while remembering sitting before the radio with my parents and brother. Thanks. I was looking for a rendition of, “If I Could Tell You” for some time. If I recall correctly, the theme was occasionally sung by Lauritz Melchior. I was just a young boy when I first heard these programs just after WWII, and some-how the content still occasionally comes back to my mind more than 60 years later. The times were slower, and families more settled. My family would listen to these programs together, and then watch them on TV when such device came on the scene. I’m not sure exactly why the Firstone Hour made such a positive impact upon me, but I have enjoyed reliving a bit of my youth again while remembering sitting before the radio with my parents and brother. Thanks.

]]> By: Donald M. Ely [eel-lee] http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-59 Donald M. Ely [eel-lee] Mon, 04 May 2009 03:48:06 +0000 http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/#comment-59 I to am an 81 year young VOF lover. Remember listening on my Dad's Atwater Kent console radio with an electromagnet speaker that weighed a ton, and my what sweet tones and lovely voices. My favorite among so many is Richard Crooks. His beautiful tenor was beyond description and I have a CD of many of his songs and arias. How does one adequately say 'thank you' for an experience so thrilling that stays with you for a lifetime of memories and soothes the soul? I send my love and blessings to everyone that made the Voice of Firestone a Historical reality in our civilization and lifetime, especially to our creator GOD from whom all belssings flow. I to am an 81 year young VOF lover. Remember listening on my Dad’s
Atwater Kent console radio with an electromagnet speaker that weighed a ton, and my what sweet tones and lovely voices. My favorite among so many is Richard Crooks. His beautiful tenor was beyond description and I have a CD of many of his songs and arias. How does one adequately say ‘thank you’ for an experience so thrilling that stays with you for a lifetime of memories and soothes the soul? I send my love and blessings to everyone that made the Voice of Firestone a Historical reality in our civilization and lifetime, especially to our creator GOD from whom all belssings flow.

]]> By: george beres http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-58 george beres Sun, 03 May 2009 05:03:52 +0000 http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/#comment-58 The sound of the Firestone Hour on radio is one of the abiding ones of my youth. Matron of the family, Idabelle Firestone, wrote the memorable theme song, and she deserves attention on her own as a musician. This program was the peak of the Monday evening listening experience in the pre-FM years, sharing broadcast attention with the Telephone Hour and the Railroad Hour. I write on these subjects from the past, and welcome hearing from any who wish to share their memories with me. The sound of the Firestone Hour on radio is one of the abiding ones of my youth. Matron of the family, Idabelle Firestone, wrote the memorable theme song, and she deserves attention on her own as a musician. This program was the peak of the Monday evening listening experience in the pre-FM years, sharing broadcast attention with the Telephone Hour and the Railroad Hour. I write on these subjects from the past, and welcome hearing from any who wish to share their memories with me.

]]> By: Jerry Murphy http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-55 Jerry Murphy Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:23:37 +0000 http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/#comment-55 Beginning in the late 1930s, The Voice Of Firestone brought the best of music into our home via small, AM radios with very little audio fidelity. By the end of WW II, I had listened to many many of the weekly live radio broadcasts of VOF and The Metropolitan Opera. I never saw Robert Rounseville, Richard Crooks, Rise Stevens, Richard Tauber, Howard Barlow, Eleanor Steber, Thomas L. Thomas nor any of the many wonderful and gifted musicians. During the '40s, '50s and '60s I was occupied by other educational and career pursuits. However, around the mid '70s I began collecting "Vintage Phonograph records" (Only the 78 RPM pressings to play back on hand-crank Victrtolas.) My earlier interests in the old radio music broadcasts/artists were rekindled. Although my hearing has deteriorated, I enjoy all except the higher notes. For seventy years the theme song from VOF, "If I Could Tell You", written by Idabelle Firestone, has been in my head. I set about searching the web for everything I could find regarding VOF and performances of that theme. Tonight I found YOUR recording of the 25th anniversary broadcast. Such a wonderful discovery and it plays well through my audio enhanced computer. I fully agree with Richard Mullaney who wrote a note of HIS appreciation in May of last year. Thank you for bringing back those "Good old days" and sounds. Beginning in the late 1930s, The Voice Of Firestone brought the best of music into our home via small, AM radios with very little audio fidelity. By the end of WW II, I had listened to many many of the weekly live radio broadcasts of VOF and The Metropolitan Opera. I never saw Robert Rounseville, Richard Crooks, Rise Stevens, Richard Tauber, Howard Barlow, Eleanor Steber, Thomas L. Thomas nor any of the many wonderful and gifted musicians. During the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s I was occupied by other educational and career pursuits. However, around the mid ’70s I began collecting “Vintage Phonograph records” (Only the 78 RPM pressings to play back on hand-crank Victrtolas.) My earlier interests in the old radio music broadcasts/artists were rekindled. Although my hearing has deteriorated, I enjoy all except the higher notes. For seventy years the theme song from VOF, “If I Could Tell You”, written by Idabelle Firestone, has been in my head. I set about searching the web for everything I could find regarding VOF and performances of that theme.

Tonight I found YOUR recording of the 25th anniversary broadcast. Such a wonderful discovery and it plays well through my audio enhanced computer. I fully agree with Richard Mullaney who wrote a note of HIS appreciation in May of last year. Thank you for bringing back those “Good old days” and sounds.

]]> By: Jerry Murphy http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-54 Jerry Murphy Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:09:59 +0000 http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/#comment-54 Beginning in the late 1930s The Voice of Firestone brought the best of music into our home via small, AM radios Beginning in the late 1930s The Voice of Firestone brought the best of music into our home via small, AM radios

]]> By: Tim http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-48 Tim Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:56:04 +0000 http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/#comment-48 I wrote the blog below about this Firestone jingle-record I found. Do have any info on the origins of this recording? Thanks, Tim http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=13441065&blogID=365318243&Mytoken=3B1EBF48-5F4D-4A85-82E9B4E843BA22D370880403 http://www.imeem.com/synapsetrap/music/kccm6iuw/synapse_trapunknown_firestone_have_a_happy_time/ I wrote the blog below about this Firestone jingle-record I found. Do have any info on the origins of this recording?

Thanks,
Tim

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=13441065&blogID=365318243&Mytoken=3B1EBF48-5F4D-4A85-82E9B4E843BA22D370880403

http://www.imeem.com/synapsetrap/music/kccm6iuw/synapse_trapunknown_firestone_have_a_happy_time/

]]> By: Richard Mullany http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/comment-page-1/#comment-41 Richard Mullany Thu, 15 May 2008 09:33:09 +0000 http://oldradioshows.org/03/22/first-commercial-broadcast-voice-of-firestone-aired-on-3-22-1928/#comment-41 I am 81 years old and it was with much feeling that I listened to this program in the Voice of Firestone. It seems incredible that there was a time when good music on the radio or tv was a given, not much but there was something to counter the inane trash that even then was making such inroads iinto our musical lives. Now, garbage is passed off as art, celebrity has replaced artistry and uniformity has replaced individuality. I won't be purchasing this material I am sorry to say but I do not have acess to the equipment neccessary and I no longer collect anything. I appreciate, more than I can say, the chance to hear this old piece of history, even the sound system on this computer is sub par I can use my imagination to fil in any gaps and it comes out very lovely. Thank you again for this chance to remember something good from long ago. I am 81 years old and it was with much feeling that I listened to this program in the Voice of Firestone. It seems incredible that there was a time when good music on the radio or tv was a given, not much but there was something to counter the inane trash that even then was making such inroads iinto our musical lives. Now, garbage is passed off as art, celebrity has replaced artistry and uniformity has replaced individuality.
I won’t be purchasing this material I am sorry to say but I do not have acess to the equipment neccessary and I no longer collect anything.
I appreciate, more than I can say, the chance to hear this old piece of history, even the sound system on this computer is sub par I can use my imagination to fil in any gaps and it comes out very lovely. Thank you again for this chance to remember something good from long ago.

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