During the mid-1970's Chicago radio station WXFM Stereo 96 had a three-
hour daily program called "The Sounds of the 1920's".  This show was
hosted by Dick Lawrence, a consummate historian, who had an extensive
vintage recording collection including radio transcription discs.
I always put this show on as background music while I was restoring
one of my music machines.  Through Mr. Lawrence's show I learned about
the music of the 1920's and early 1930's.

One day Dick Lawrence played radio transcription discs of a 1937 show
called Chevrolet's Musical Moments.  The show advertised the latest
Chevrolet motor cars as well as their "O.K." used cars.  The show was
"high class" and featured famous vocalists of the day, such as Helen
Morgan and opera singer Jan Pierce, singing along with a very large
studio orchestra of about 30 pieces.  The sax section was especially
lush and full.

The superb orchestra was led by non other than Victor Arden.  It is
hard to put into words just how great the Victor Arden orchestra was!
Over the years I have tried to find recordings of Victor Arden's
orchestra from this period but have had no luck.

After Dick Lawrence passed away I called his daughter to try to find
the transcription discs.  She informed me that the family was in the
process of throwing out "all that stuff"!  I immediately asked if
I could come down.  She said yes.

Needless to say I left with a Chevy Suburban full of great books and
78s, but I was too late for the transcriptions!  If any MMD'er has any
recordings of the Chevrolet Musical Moments radio show featuring Victor
Arden's orchestra, please let me know!

By the way, Dick Lawrence had a later show, called the "Dick Lawrence
Review", that featured vintage music and which is still being replayed
every Saturday night in the Chicago area from 8:00 PM until 9:00 PM on
radio station WNIB 97 FM.

Tim Trager