R.I.P. Ed Walker

When I heard that Ed Walker had been diagnosed with cancer and was stepping down from hosting The Big Broadcast, I sent him an email to wish him well. What I hadn't realized is that he was almost certainly hospitalized at the time and very likely didn't get the note. I suspect quite a few other people would have liked to wish him well before his passing yesterday. It's both fitting and sad that he died just a few hours after the airing of his final show, recorded from the hospital. I'm sure people who knew him better will have much more eloquent summations of Ed and his legacy than I could offer, but it occurs to me that during his life he made an awful lot of people happy and that's no small thing.  That final show is currently available to stream via the Big Broadcast's page on WAMU's site, and it seems fitting that the best tribute to Ed Walker ultimately comes from the man himself.

The Ed Walker Matter

Veteran broadcaster and host of WAMU-FM's long-running old-time radio showcase The Big Broadcast was the second interview I shot for this project. I'll always be grateful to Walker not just for the time he gave me in 2013 but also the many years he hosted The Big Broadcast. Earlier this week, it was announced that Walker would be stepping down as the host of The Big Broadcast to focus on some health concerns. Needless to say, I wish him and his family all the best. During the interview, Walker also talked about his life and career in broadcasting. In this clip, he discusses the waning days of radio's golden age.

The Many Voices Matter

If you ever have trouble remembering the names of all the actors who played Johnny Dollar, this will help you. I still need to add some cutaway images, but overall not too shabby.

The Connecticut Connection Matter

Among the cool moments from my conversation with broadcaster Dick Bertel a couple weeks back was this reminiscence of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar and the particular connection he felt with the show.

A Matter of Gratitude

Many thanks to veteran broadcaster Dick Bertel for taking the time to sit down for an interview. In addition to his first-hand account of the waning days of radio in the 50s and 60s, Dick had great stories about his long career in radio including his encounter with the legendary Vincent Price (who guest-starred as himself in an episode of a Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar).

The Next Interview Matter

I just printed out my list of questions for Tuesday's interview with veteran broadcaster Dick Bertel. As one of the hosts of Golden Age of Radio in the 1970s, Bertel was instrumental in giving many of radio's finest actors, writers and producers a showcase to tell their own stories about the period. The shows are available online and are an invaluable resource for fans of radio drama.

Expense Account Item Number One

In some ways, I've tried to approach this documentary the way the show's title character would approach a case. In general, this meant far less punching, shooting of a different sort and a budget lower than some of Johnny's expense accounts. One bit of detective work I'm very happy with was a 1970s radio interview with Mandel Kramer - recorded for a radio station in Hartford of all places - in which he gives a concise summary of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. Using this as the first "expense account item" might seem a bit obvious, but obvious isn't necessarily the enemy of right and proper. You be the judge.