Encyclopedia of Black Radio in the United States, 1921–1955

This volume profiles about 300 African American (and a few white) performers, organizations and series broadcast during radio’s “Golden Age”—the years 1921 through 1955. Many of these personalities and programs are chronicled in more depth here than in any previous publication, while several are covered here for the first time. The entries reveal the rich diversity in radio programming created by black talent and intended for black audiences during a time that has often been portrayed as nearly devoid of a black presence.
There are two appendices: a chronology of debuts and notable events, and a week-by-week episode guide of both the pioneering African American radio series The Negro Achievement Hour and The Negro Art Group Hour, both of which debuted in 1928. There is a bibliography and a comprehensive index.

A public school teacher, Ryan Ellett is the founder and editor of the online publication The Old Radio Times. In 2008 he received the Stone/Waterman Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Preservation of Old Time Radio.

Ryan Ellett
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 216
Bibliographic Info: appendices, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2023 [2012]
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9339-2
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments vi
Preface      1
Introduction: The Beginning of Radio      3
Station List      9

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA      11

Appendix 1: Debuts and Notable Events      169
Appendix 2: Episode Guides to Two Early Series      173
Bibliography      183
Index      189

• “Recommended”—Choice

• “Thoroughly researched, lively volume…useful…valuable”—Booklist

• “Ellett has produced perhaps the most comprehensive and valuable single volume reference work encompassing the role of African Americans in every phase of the broadcasting business”—Radio Recall

• “Fills some pretty big gaps that have languished for years in the annals of radio history on the topic of African Pamercian participation in aural broadcasting”—The Chattanooga Airwaves

• “[Ellett] has produced perhaps the most comprehensive and valuable single volume reference work encompassing the role of African Americans in every phase of the broadcasting business”—Metropolitan Washington Old Time Radio Club

• “There is much about the author’s writing style that is refreshing and appealing. His work adds extensively to an understanding of early radio”—Radiogram

• “Valuable”—Blackgrooves.org

• “Painstakingly researched and full of germane facts, the entries are written in an accessible, reader-friendly style that both researchers and aficionados will appreciate…one of those works that enlivens as well as informs…an obvious labor of love”—Against the Grain

• “For Old-time Radio fans who appreciate a good reference Encyclopedia of Black Radio in the United States, 1921–1955 is one of the best I’ve seen. Never mind radio, it puts most reference books on the performing arts to shame. The real value of the book is in its informative listings for short-lived programs and prominent performers who were not necessarily household names”—Examiner.com

• “Recommend…well-researched and well-written”—Reference Reviews