Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-25

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In addition, there will be the
usual assortment Of special broad
casts in connection with current
events and important sports de-
scriptions. Particular attention is
to be given athletic contests to
take the place of the political pro-
grams from Washington.
GRADUATION exercises Of the
- United States Naval Academy
at Annapolis, June S, will be
broadcast for the first time by a
network Of c. B. S. stations. The
program will start at 10:45 o'clock
and continue to IL noon. ...
Secretary of the Navy Adams
will present the diplomas. He also
will speak, as will Rear Admiral
S. S. Robson, superintendent of
the Naval Academy. The Naval
Academy Band will provide the
musical program.
X*
RUDY vALLEE has decided to
donate to the University Of
Maine all profits accruing to him
from 1.-THE Stein Song" which he
lifted from the musical morgue
to become the musical hit Of
America.
Rudy made the decision at a
recent testimonial dinner given
him by the alumni club of the
university. The institution will
use the money to erect a new
gymnasium on the campus. ~
GOOD diction and q pleasing
voice are not the only qualifl-
cations for radio announcers. Jack
Kicker, director Of production and
studios for C. B. s., demands a
liberal education and at least fair
microphone technique. A college
education is desirable, but not al
ways necessary.
Microphone technique is abil-
ity to get the voice into the micro
phone with steady flow and
Judge its proper volume.
Quality Of voice Is one Of the
most important requisites. One
may have perfect diction and
pronunciation, but possess voice
that would repel radio listeners.
Announcer test cards are
printed with the following points
listed: Proper diction, proper
pronunciation, quality of voice,
microphone technique, appear
ance, education.
X x !: :;
Howard WHITE, pianist and
accompanist for the Landt
Trio, can't read a note and
plays entirely from memory
He picked up his piano playing
''by ear" after a few instructions
from q colored pianist who played
in a roadhouse near Scranton, Pa,
White never bothered to study
the technique Of the piano, and
today plays his accompaniment to
J the Landt Trio's songs almost en-
tirely in the minor keys. His
method of playing popular hits
produces an unusual instrumental
effect which the Landt brothers
claim is best adapted to their
voices.
The Crockett Mountaineers, who
made their radio debut last week
over G.. B. s., are as unusual q
family as has ever gone on the
air. They hail from Sharpsburg,
KY, a mountain village to which
only the shreds Of modern civil
ization have penetrated. Though
native Americans, the Crocketts
until a year ago knew virtually
! nothing of American history, bust
ness, science, invention or society.
Ingrown was their social life and
backwoods culture; their talents
were the natural outcome Of their
social needs.
When John FOX, jr., wrote 1.-THE
Trail Of the Lonesome Pine" the
American public was generally un-
conscious Of the fact that men,
women and children like the
Crocketts were growing up in the
mountains and creating laws and
customs applicable only to them
selves. Lulu Vollmer, the play
wright, was another writer to
bring the problem Of the noun
taineer to the public attention in
her memorable story "Sun-up,"
which showed a representative
mountaineer group so ignorant
that they thought going to war
with Germany meant travelling a
distance Of 20 or 80 miles and
fighting an unknown race called
the "boche."
@ From such naivete an elemental
beauty must necessarily issue, az
the art of the Crockett Mountain
GERS attests. UnSpoiled and untu-
tored, they offer the spontaneous
expression of their souls-bright
flddling, quaint folk songs and an
homogeneous musical ensemble
that puts to shame the sophistica-
ton Of modern jazz.
\ II +
THE radio public's favorite
Shakespearean plays are "The
Tanning of the Shrew," Romeo
and Juliet" Macbeth" and "As
You Like It" In that order, judged