Evening star., 1937-06-20

CdlllC dIOuAlA lSll1llk "a
the National Oratorical Contest Of
1929, Butsch decided to enter. Vic
torious in the initial test to determine
the schools standard bearer, he went
ON to best the pride Of all other local
secondary institutions and clinch the
regional title to become The Stars
finalist. A four-month visit to South
America was his prize.
Upon returning from the lands Of
the neighbor continent, Butsch entered
the University Of Florida, and, in 1898,
joined the stan Of WRUF, which is
located on the campus. It was but a
short time until he was appointed head
announcer, but, looking to higher
places in his chosen field, he went to
WLW. His voice Is heard in Washing
ton from time to time when N. B. C.'s
red network takes the Vocal Varieties
program from its Cincinnati affiliate.
ERANC1A WHITES radio experience
dates back to the age of l3, when,
as q pig-tailed little girl IL. short
skirts. she sang over Station KIN In
Los Angeles. Born in Greenville, Tex,
whic halso was John Boles' home
town, she and the movie actor were
childhood playmates FranciaS mother,
Phoebe Ara White. noted vocal coach,
started giving her lessons when the
child was 7. After attending Covina
High School and Occidental College,
Francia entered vaudeville. She also
was starred by Max Reinhardt in his
musical spectacle, Midsummer Nights
Dream" at the Hollywood Bowl. Com
ing to New York. she was featured in
two coast-to-coast shows, then Nelson
Eddy signed her for the open house
series and. last season, she joined
Fred Astaire's stellar troupe. Francia
Is 5 feet ga inches tall. weighs 1l0
pounds, has black hair and dark
brown eyes. She plays base ball. is an
expert swimmer and an excellent
horsewoman.
John NESBITT, commentator OF
the Passing Parade" series, is the
son Of Unitarian minister and the
grandson Of Edwin Booth. the famou,
actor. Educated 1T St. Mary's College
and the University Of California, HI
had stage and newspaper experience
before entering radio as junior an.
nouncer Of . local station in Spokane
Wash, four years ago. His current
series, originating from San Fran.
cisco, became coast-to-coast feature
last March. Nesbitt treasures q COL
lection Of Edwin Booths prompt-book.
and likes to cook, hopes to retire SONS
day and become country squire who
will ride horses. read. visit the grand
children and write letters to the edi-
torial columns of newspapers"
HOLLACE SHAW'S success is really
the story OF a song Columbia
red-headed coloratura soprano, just
approaching her 23d birthday ami.
versary, began her professional singing
career with the success Of one song
and every important point in hel
progress 50 far has been ASSOCIATED
intimately with the same music. It L
Norwegian folk song, Seventeen,
once the favorite Of the immorta
Jenny Lind. Today. it is Hollac<
shaw's theme song for her broadcasts
Not quite two years ago Hollac'
made her debut as q professional con
cert singer at her senior recital upor
graduating from Pomona College II
Claremont. Calf. Patterning her Sc
lections on the music Jenny Line
made famous, because Of the similarit.
in the range OF their voices, Hollac'
studied carefully the song. Seven.
teen" After the recital critics ii
that section OF California acclaimet
her voice and her singing Of Seven
teen" A year Of concert work fol.
lowed, and over and over again Mis-.
shaw delighted audiences in the nvt
States adjoining her native Californi,
with the Jenny Lind program ane
Seventeen"
Then came her chance to enter 9
local radio contest. and. because
another coloratura was scheduled te
sing the Bell Song" Hollace had te
content herself with Seventeen" fo1
her first broadcast. She won that
competition, the semi finals and the
all-California finals, $500. and. on
every broadcast, sang Seventeen