Kay Kyser
A native of Rocky Mount, a
graduate of tin* University of
iN'ortli Carolina, the ••Professor’*
lias elinihed steadily the ladder
which leads to musical fame.
Ry HOYT
KAY KYSEll. NBC’s genial maes¬
tro with the soft drawl, is n prod¬
uct of Rocky Mount. North Car-
olina. 1 1 is birth date:
Липе
18. 1U06.
Serious of Iiiannor and s|M*eeli. olT the
stage and away from the microphone.
Hard-working. Simple in his habit*,
likes, und taste*. Democratic. Clean¬
living. Refreshing. Folksy. Faintly
shy. Devoid of all pretense. And he’s
stockier of build than his pictures re-
Veal him.
"Here I am. folks! Kay Kyser of
North Carolina. I hope that you en¬
joy my music and like me." That
seems to be hi* spirit. And on the
strength of it, he has reached a tall
crest of popularity and success. Few
orchestra leaders in America rake in
larger tinancial returns than Kyser.
Yet he. a clear-eved, realistic person,
realizes that tides of public fancy-
shift from one idol to another all too
often. And lie’s preparing for that
rainy day. When it arrives and he
tumbles down from tho heights, he
will concentrate his talents on radio-
producing and musical comedies. Still,
it may safely be predicted that, based
on his large volume of fan mail, re¬
sponses to his broadcasts, and the en¬
thusiastic receptions accorded him on
his tours of America, he will remain
at the top of the heap for many a
day to come.
During his recent appearance at
the 1'nramount Theatre in Los An¬
geles, I trailed Kyser to his backstage
dressing-room and chatted with him
for a while. He was scraping away a
light growth of lieard when Hernie
Milligan, his Los Angeles publicity
man, introduced us. “Come in," Kay
greeted cordially, extending his hand,
"I'll be glad to talk with you.” . . .
“To unswor your questions.” . . .
“Shoot.” . . .
No Formality
And our little session was oiT to a
cheery and informal start. It could not
have been otherwise. Kay is much too
McAFEE
democratic to stand on formality. He
makes you feel that you're an old
friend: that you've known him a
lifetime.
Kay told me that he rested and re¬
laxed from the rush and grind of his
chore- by riding horseback, swim¬
ming. listening to Negro bands and
symphony concerts, and by attending
movies. Hut lie speaks with warmest
relish about another pastime of his:
That <>f riding roller-coasters.
That pursuit provides him with a
full taste of fun. merriment, and ex¬
citement. lie asserts. “I was late for
the second-half of a performance
once." he laughs, "because I found a
roller-coaster near the dance hall
where my band was playing. I
chanced upon it while wandering
around during intermission. 1 had to
take a ride before 1 could go back to
work.”
An Ardent Reader
Kay reads extensively. He keeps
sharply abreast of current topics of
the day. His mind is keen; it thirsts
for information and knowledge. lie
has filed away in the recesses of his
memory a rich store of facts about
|н*г-
sonnlities. songs, radio, movies, poli¬
ties, and history. Rarely does lie play
a game of solitaire without gaining
fresh ideas for his “College Quiz”
feature.
While lie was sprawled out on a cot
receiving a rub-down. Kvser explained
his objection to musicians wearing
mustaches. He won't permit
шеш1м‘Г.ч
of his baud to sprout them. Thinks
they're not in keeping with good
taste. That they smack of the slieik-
ish. He feels that it’s more important
for his boys to entertain and charm
audiences with music than to impress
with their looks.
In 1924 he entered the University
of North ( 'arolinn. A cheer lender,
coach of a dnnor football team, and
editor of the school annual— that's a
resume of Kay Kvser's undergraduate
activity. Enrolled as a law student, ho
Kay and Miss Virginia Simms. The
young lady is his vocalist and she
and the orchestra leader are said to
be deeply interested in each other.
forsook that study to organize and
lead a band. At the outset it consisted
of six members: four additional ones
were added later.
Kyser and hi* Ih.vs scored triumphs
at college balls, hops, proms, and at
other engagements, lie had shown
shrewd ability as nil organizer: and
his outfit won success in its e Torts.
Thus sprang into being his rest» re to
weld hi* band into a
|м<гшпис
t or¬
ganization. Sully Mason, a Di •ham
boy, has been with Kyser froi i the
beginning. Ueorgc Diming shines ns
the expert arranger of hi* present
troupe.
College days became history. Kvser
and his aspiring band launched an
ambitious lour. Leading American
cities were played. Then came a chance
( Continued on
1>чцг
twenty)
3
