Music
Here you will find hundreds of old time radio programs to stream for free!
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This collection of otr radio programs is constantly growing. Check back frequently for updates!
Les Paul & Mary Ford Show
Les Paul had hosted a 15-minute radio program, The Les Paul Show, on NBC in 1950, featuring his trio (himself, Ford, and rhythm player Eddie Stapleton) and his electronics, recorded from their home and with gentle humour between Paul and Ford bridging musical selections, some of which had already been successful on records, some of which anticipated the couple's recordings, and many of which presented dazzling re-interpretations of such jazz and pop selections as "In the Mood," "Little Rock Getaway," "Brazil," and "Tiger Rag." Several recordings of these shows survive among old-time radio collectors today.
The show also appeared on television a few years later with the same format, but excluding the trio and retitled The Les Paul & Mary Ford Show (aka Les Paul & Mary Ford At Home) with "Vaya Con Dios" as a theme song. Sponsored by Warner Lambert's Listerine, it was widely syndicated during 1954-55 and was only five minutes (one or two songs) long on film and therefore used as a brief interlude or fill-in on programming schedules. Since Les created the entire show himself, including audio and video, he maintained the original recordings and was in the process of restoring them to up-to-date quality at the time of his death.
1950
Glen Miller & His Orchestra
Glenn Miller, a musician born on March 1, 1904 in Clarinda, Iowa, was a very well-known freelance trombonist and a member of several bands. In 1938, Glenn Miller and his Orchestra became famous for their hit songs like "Pennsylvania 65000" and "In the Mood". The band also had a movie, "Sun Valley Serenade" in 1941. As the war progressed, their music became famous and served as a companion for America's youth.
In 1942, Glenn Miller was also able to work in an army band that help soldiers boost their morale. This lead to the formation of the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. A year later, in 1943, they were sent to England and did 800 performances. Another year later, the band was to be sent on a tour in Europe. However, Miller decided to go earlier to prepare for the arrival of the other group members. On December 15, 1944, Glenn Miller disappeared while boarding a transport plane to Paris.
1938-1942
Command Performance
Command Performance was a radio program that lightened the hearts of everyone touched by the ravages of World War II. This series of old radio shows began airing in March of 1942 and lasted for two years until 1946. Each episode consisted of 30-minutes of non-stop action and entertainment, featuring the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood.
Command Performance was produced by the War Department to be broadcast to the troops the show was described as "so important and expensive that only Uncle Sam is big enough to sponsor it." Despite the fact that this particular old time radio show was expensive to produce, there was never a lack of sponsors as even civilians across America helped contribute to this war effort. The likes of CBS and NBC donated free studio use to the program and big name stars from across America provided their talents on the air.
1942-1946
Jubilee
The Jubilee Program was created specifically for for black soldiers that furthered segregation among the soldiers for they had suffered from the lowest of morale. The show 30 minutes long and was directed by black soldiers wanting to create a high quality jazz program that was. It was initially hosted by Dooley Wilson, or as most know him as Sam from Casablanca, and then Ernie Witman took the show over until 1953 when the show had ended. This program specifically had introduced jazz and made it popular in other countries as great performers such as Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Nat King Cole, as well as many others were broadcasted on the show.
1942-1952
Life on Red Hourse Ranch
"Red Horse Ranch" was a fun early syndicated show distributed by World Broadcasters. A continuing serial about a group of cowboys, the show was a mix of adventure, romance and great cowboy songs.
The cast members of "Red Horse Ranch" were Gomer Cool, Doie Henlasey (Tex) Owen, Duane Swalley, Edward Cronenbold, Roderick May, Robert Crawford, Ruth Barth, John Preston, Paul Sells, Herbert Kratoska, Eddie Edwards, and Marion Folville.
1942-1952
Bing Crosby & Rosemary Clooney
In 1960, Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney teamed together in The Bing Crosby - Rosemary Clooney Show on CBS. This was a 20 minute show aimed at female listeners and was broadcast at 11:40 a.m. daily. Bing and Rosie would tape the dialogue weeks in advance and songs would be interpolated.
The songs would usually feature Bing and Rosie singing solos and often a duet. Songs were repeated on many occasions. Murdo MacKenzie was again the producer. The shows commenced on February 29, 1960 and continued without a break until November 2, 1962 when Bing's long association with radio in the USA effectively ended.
1960-1962
