Old-Time Radio Reimagined
Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge
26 episodes · 1941–1947 · NBC · Variety & Music
Play Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge on Radio Days
Bandleader Kay Kyser, "the Ol' Perfessor," mixed a quiz with his music ("That's right, you're wrong!") and the show rose in the ratings and spawned many imitators. It was on Mutual in 1938 and NBC from 1939 to 1949, with singer Harry Babbitt, cornetist and comic Ish Kabibble, Sully Mason, and from 1943 "Gorgeous" Georgia Carroll. Many of the broadcasts here come from military camps and bases during the war.
Sources: Wikipedia: Kay Kyser; RadioGOLDINdex
Episodes
Tap a title to play it on Radio Days.
1941
- Class Night at the Kollege
Kay Kyser quizzes nervous contestants, with Harry Babbitt, Sully Mason, Ish Kabibble and auctioneer F. E. Boone; "Hallelujah" opens. Pacific news breaks in near the end.
1943
- Remote from Catalina Island
- Shipyard Shenanigans in Los Angeles
From the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles for California Shipbuilding workers: Kay Kyser, Ish Kabibble and Sully Mason open with "Coming In on a Wing and a Prayer." - Constitution Hall, Washington, D.C.
Kay Kyser and His Orchestra broadcast from Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., with Georgia Carroll, Harry Babbitt and Ish Kabibble. - Sharpshooters at Yuma Army Air Field
1944
- Camp Haan Anti-Aircraft Salute
At Camp Haan, Kay Kyser pits sergeants against privates in the musical quiz, with Georgia Carroll and Ish Kabibble. - Remote from Los Alamitos Naval Air Station
From Los Alamitos Naval Air Station: Kay Kyser opens with "St. James Infirmary," Georgia Carroll sings, and Ish Kabibble runs through a day of radio programs. - The Flying Marines at El Toro
- Long Beach Coast Guard Revue
- Naval Operating Base at San Pedro
Kay Kyser and His Orchestra, with Sully Mason, start the show with "San Fernando Valley." - Remote from Lindbergh Field
- Phil Harris Entertains Camp Elliott
Phil Harris fills in for newlywed Kay Kyser, who had married singer Georgia Carroll, with Ish Kabibble, Sully Mason and the King Sisters. - Marine Corps Air Depot, Miramar, California
From the Marine Corps Air Depot at Miramar, California: Phil Harris sits in for Kay Kyser, with Sully Mason and the King Sisters, opening with "I'll Get By." - Together
- Swinging on a Star & Musical Knowledge Quiz
From the Lindbergh Field Coast Guard Base in San Diego: Phil Harris hosts while Kay Kyser is newly married, with Sully Mason and the King Sisters, opening with "Swingin' on a Star." - Host Phil Harris
Phil Harris's last week sitting in for the honeymooning Kay Kyser, from Kallin, California; he sings "That's What I Like About the South," with Ish Kabibble, Sully Mason and the King Sisters. - From a Hangar in Alameda
From the Alameda Naval Air Station in California: Kay Kyser, Georgia Carroll, Ish Kabibble and the Town Criers start with "Don't Sweetheart Me." - Straighten Up and Fly Right
- From Constitution Hall
- Remote from Camp Pendleton
From Camp Pendleton: Kay Kyser and His Orchestra, with Ish Kabibble, open with "How Many Hearts Have You Broken?" - Remote from Fort Ord
From Fort Ord, California: Kay Kyser and His Orchestra, with Georgia Carroll and Ish Kabibble, start with "You're Driving Me Crazy." - Remote from Tonopah
1945
- The Cotton Queen of the Valley
An hour-long show from Mentor Field Army Air Force Base: Kay Kyser and His Orchestra, with Ish Kabibble; the first song heard is "Her Tears Flowed Like Wine." - Remote from Camp Shelby
From Camp Shelby, Mississippi: Kay Kyser and His Orchestra, with Dolly Mitchell and Ish Kabibble, open with "Sweet Georgia Brown." - From the Hollywood Canteen
From the Hollywood Canteen: Phil Harris stands in for Kay Kyser, with Georgia Carroll, Dolly Mitchell, Shirley Mitchell and the Town Criers, opening with "From Out of Nowhere."