What exactly was I listening to? Given the current wave of popularity for nostalgia, perhaps the station was simply playing reruns from the 1940s, similar to how PBS stations are bringing back popular singing groups from decades ago.
Next came the “Ozzie and Harriet Show”, a comedy depicting the idealised real life of the Nelson family with their two sons, David and Ricky, who encountered problems that were always solved within its 30-minute framework. Today, the issues they dealt with would only be minor irritants. Even that might be too strong a description. Nonetheless, I listened to the whole program and enjoyed it!
The ads on this program, were also familiar and I found myself singing along with the jingle for Ajax soap. Astonishing how it had become imprinted on me.
“Ajax, the foaming cleanser,
Bum, bum, bum, bum.
Cleans pots and pans,
Just like a whisk.”
This was followed by an ad for Brylcream for which I could also recall the lyrics.
“Brylcream,
A little dab will do you,
Brylcream,
You look so debonaire“.
Next came “The Great Gildersleeve”, a situation comedy about a pompous, bumbling Morton P Gildersleeve, and his adventures when he’s left with the responsibility of raising his orphan niece and nephew. The lead character had a distinct, high-pitched, whiny voice, which at the time I found grating. I still did.
Before I realised it, several hours had passed and I was still sitting on the floor in front of the radio, transfixed by both the programs and the commercials, and no sign they were going to end. The radio had become a memory machine, and the voices were like old friends to me. I decided to try and find a reason for all this, so first thing Monday morning, I contacted the CRTC and inquired about CFCF on the 600 frequency and what type of programming it offered. A very polite, young man replied it was now a fully automated news/music station and suggested I call the station operator for more information.
When I spoke with him, he told me in a patronising and abrupt manner that he had no idea what I was talking about. His station only played modern music along with an hourly news cast from a sister station in Ontario. Nothing more. He suggested I may have either erred in the setting the frequency, or in a bizarre twist somehow have become linked to a satellite! Sure, I thought, there’s a satellite out there circling the earth and playing ’40’s music! I thanked him and told him he should consider having additional training in client services.
That evening, I went downstairs and again turned on the radio. After the usual squeals and even more static than the previous day, back I was to the 1940s and a program called “The Big Bands Era“ featuring Benny Goodman. It began with his theme song “Let’s Dance“ followed by “Sweet Georgia Brown“.
Benny Goodman was the very first musician to perform jazz with an integrated band in no less a setting than Carnegie Hall. He was a trailblazer, forcing other bands of the day to integrate as well. He was aptly called the “King of Swing“.
