Item AAAB5842 - Jack Short interview

CALL NUMBER: T4158:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Jack Short RECORDED: Saanich (B.C.), 1984-08-08 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Jack recounts how he entered broadcasting. Hired as salesman for CKMO. Initially sold contra accounts before developed sales techniques. Spent cold evenings at CKMO where he learned about broadcasting. Jack's earlier vaudeville and entertaining experience. Initiates race announcements, later develops re-creations with sound effects. TRACK 2: Race broadcasts, first in Canada, a big hit. Expands race broadcasts and inaugurated first live race broadcasts. Broadcast Willows Park races for CFCT Victoria. Jack's popularity helps to sell advertising. Developed other programs including boxing, basketball, emcee'd dances. Did skits on CKMO's "Skyrakers" amateur variety show. Jack owes his success to his "gift of the gab". Recollections of talented broadcasters: Leo Nicholson, Dick Diespecker, Don Forbes, Gerry Wilmot, Alan Young. Jack also did TV programs. Always on commission, was financially successful. Long term clients. Ray Mackness. CKMO operated on 50 watts to save money, yet sometimes picked up over seas. CALL NUMBER: T4158:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Jack Short RECORDED: Saanich (B.C.), 1984-08-08 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: CKMO competitive due to people like Billy Browne, an "air salesman", who had a popular program of music and poetry. CKMO a "front" for Sprott school. Other radio talents: Ray Peters, Fred Bass. Home Oil Sunday Night Concert with "Kelvin Winter and His Orchestra". Uncle Billy Hassell a showman. Earle Kelly has most intensely listened to newscast. CKMO transmitter on top floor of Bekin building, requiring operator to climb stairs on weekends when elevators not working. Reflections on 1930s Depression. Race audiences a cross section. Reasons why Jack changed to CJOR. TRACK 2: On commission with CJOR. CKMO had no recording equipment during '30s. Wire recording of Jack receiving honorary chieftain-ship from Squamish chiefs, ca. 1955. CJOR put in disc cutter, ca. 1940. Races recorded live for later broadcasting. Jack had thousands of discs of race broadcasts but given to junk man. Replayed race broadcasts later with betting contest. CJOR use of Dominion network programs led to demise of local talent and feel. Some present day local talent. Recalls CJOR's Radio Theatre across street from studio (Howe St). Further recollections of Earle Kelly. Jack's experience in vaudeville and with dance band taught him showmanship which was useful for radio career. Did many types of programming: Jack Short Quiz Show from Orpheum, plus others, including benefit shows.