Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-26
"Grahan

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IN OASTFUL vaudevillians are all
- ways talking about how they
knocked 'em out of their seats"
IL in Keokuk, but Arthur Pryor,
one Of the great bandmasters
who has gone radio, boasts that he
once emptied the house in Kansas City.
It happened when he was travelling
with Sousas Band as assistant conduc-
tor and trombone soloiSt. Since Pryor
was a native Of st. Joseph. Mo. there
was a large group of friends from his
home town in the audience at Kansas
City that night.
Since they had made the trip espe-
cially to hear Pryor play, they awaited
his appearance rather anxiouSly. But
piece after piece went by and there
was no Pryor. They could see him sit
ting in the orchestra, but he hadn't had
even O solo bit.
At last there were only two numbers
to be played before the end of the
concert, and Pryor's friends became
fretful. One Of the st. Joseph con-
tingent could stand 1t no longer. Sud-
denly he arose in his seat and shouted
at the top of his lungs, 'Pryorl Pryor!
Pryor!"
But Kansas City, 1t seemed, had
never heard Of the young cornetist.
With one accord the greater part Of
the audience climbed from their seats
and stampeded for the doors. They
thought the enthusiastic son of st. Joe
had been shouting "Firel"
Fortunately, no one was hurt in the
rush, and in o few minutes the STAN
peders were persuaded there was no
danger Of being caught in a flaming
building. Some minutes later the con-
cert was resumed, with Pryor undoubt-
eddy the soloist of the evening.
And nowhere since, declares the vet
eran bandmaster, has his appearance
created so much excitement.
Appearance Bellies Voice.
I SUPPOSE no mans appearance more
completely bellies his voice than does
that of David Ross, the announcer,
whose admirers usually seem to picture
him as tall, strong and vibrant with the
first flash Of youth.
There's every bit Of that In his voice,
but in truth he Is away below average
height, slight Of build and past 40 years
old. His wavy hair used to be chest
nut, I think, but 1t Is well streaked with
gray To-Day.
Usually, you know. middle age mill
tates against an announcer's success.
He Is likely to become q little Stolid.
When the world Is a little dull 1t is
likely to be reflected in his voice. And
it's rare man, who, approaching mid
die age, still has that flashing resource
fulneSs which enables him to carry of
sudden studio emergency with aplomb.
Most people who meet Ross think he
must have lived for years on the con-
tinent. AS matter Of fact he was
born in New York City and for 10 years
or so was a newsboy in the citys streets.
lege Of the City Of New York and later
tried agriculture in a New Jersey col
lege, but that was no go. A SYM
pathetic doctor introduced him to lit
erature and music and somehow or
other he ended up on the stage. He
still has a streak Of the actor in him.
Poetry is his hobby. He made his
microphone debut reading some dra-
matte verse about four years ago, he
her-and still keeps 1t up-and his own
poems have appeared In several maya
zines that are rather choosey about
what they print in that line.
Perhaps 1t Is because he Is so small,
but he takes an intense delight in the
| more boisterous sports, with foot ball
his favorite.
And might add he has a very
continental love Of garlic. But he is
decent enough to restrain himself until
he leaves the studios for the day.
Chimes Cause Trouble.
THOSE chimes you hear between sta
- Re IN
| programs contracted a sort Of jinx of
their own few days ago. Every time
| an announcer had to sound them he
would nearly have heart failure won
dering what would happen next.
The chimes, which indicate to local
stations that there will be q break In
the program so they may announce
their call letters, are struck with q
small mallet. Ted Jewett seemed to
start all the trouble one day when the
head came of the mallet after the flrst
crack and he had to f1nish with just
the handle. It was pretty bad. AL you
could hear was a tinkle.
The next day Neel Enslen was the
goat. It was at the end of a program,
and he had already sounded the chimes
just IS minutes previously. The NAL
let had been there and he had put 1t
carefully back in its place when he had
unlSne0. But ne feaIlzeo suddenly u
was nowhere In sight.
Through the window of the control
booth he noticed the control engineer
had an unlighted pipe between his
teeth. In q trice Enslen had dashed
into the booth, jerked the pipe from the
engineers mouth and was back at his
place, using the pipe right merrily as a
mallet. The disappearance of the origi-
nal is still mystery.
JEFF Sparks rounded 1t all of a
couple of days later. He was seated in
chair in studio, listening to the
Parnassus Trio. He had forgotten to
pay attention to the time and suddenly
he realized that break for station an
nouncements must be due.
Turning sharply TO glance at the cleo
trio clock In the studio, he caught one
leg In the chair in which he had been
sitting. At the same moment the trio
finished its selection. Within q frac-
ton Of second Sparks hand, In which
he was carrying q pencil, cracked down
on the first note Of the chimes. With q
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