1 MUSIC ANQ, MAQNJESS^
On Wednesday, 22 March, the island of Adak had xhe extreme pleasure of view
ing the greatest array of talent to hit tne Aleutian Islands* SurpiSj.ngly en
ough the talent was not imported but discovered among our .midst, f .. Theientoie
production went as smooth as silk but there is more to that than meets the eye#*
Many long & hard hours were contributed by the wonderful people who had offered
their services to Fred Bershara Jr. (SK2) and Walter Jefferson (SN), otherwise
known to their many radio fans as 11 Freddie Jr11 and “Big Jeff**, who initiated the
original idea of a talent show made up of the local amateurs. A stack of fliero
were distributed throughout the island and then the calls started to pour in
from all of the people who wanted to offer their services. After many rehearsed #
sessions the acts were screened and the two DJ*s were a step closer to the fin
ished product. The date for the show was set for 22 March, in hopes of raising
funds for the Red Cross Drive that wa.s due to take place during the entire month
of March. Only one week prior to show time “Big Jeff11 came down with. a. serious
case of pneumonia and was restricted to the station ward for an indefinite len
gth of time. The show was immediately cancelled but after some serious thought
was again scheduled for the original date set. LaVerne Sipe, J. J. Jowers, and
Penny Garden all stepped in to give “Pi*eddie Junior'* a much appreciated helping
hand during Jeffs* illness. But, fortunately, arrangements were made to getwBigA
Jeff'* out of the ward for the tine of the show to enable him to participate.
After much last minute confusion the curtain opened promptly at 8:00 PM. At
this tine there were, still sone doubts in the minds of the participants as
just how entertaining this show would really turn out to be* That doubt was an
swered when Master of Ceremonies “J” “J” lowers took his first confident step
out of the wings onto the stage to get the proceedings under way. The many tal
ented acts, such as The Unknowns, Glenda Sipe, The Three Lollypops, the Moonglo s
The Lancers, Mike Sipe, Kathy Monteforte, the Bellbottoms, The Adak Quintet, Her
man Gerald, Jr*, Tanmie Hodgson, Mathis as the features star in the opening numb
er “Witchcraft”, and Peter Wolf playing a medly of polka tunes, and J. J. lowers
with a few standards all helped to make the gala show a huge success* A special
note of thanks is due to Captain-SHELTON, our Commanding Officer and Chaplain
Stenberg for the parts they played in helping the show on the road to “Hitsville
After finishing his little speech, which was well received, the Chaplain intro —
duced the writers, producers and directors of “Music and Madness11, “Freddie Jr*
and “Big Jeff”• The audience (obviously ardent listeners to the 2 “master minds
of modern musical melody” during their broadcasting over AFR.S radio,)i literally
went wild with enthusiasm. The .talented pair offered a swing rendition of the ,
old standard “Pennies From Heaven” and toes tapping, hancis clapping, ana people
singing along were in evidence throughout the entire theatre,•.which seats 517
persons and for this show standing room only was available to latecomers due to
the tremendous turnout, Jeff and Freddie closed out the snow along with the cast
with “Thanks for the Memories”* At the close of the show donations were taken at
the exits and they totaled $153*50* A very substantial figure to be raised by a
amateur talent show. The two DJ!s have a deep feeling of satisfaction over the
success of the show and feel true appreciation to everyone in the star—stucded——
cast and to the people backstage that did their part in helping make it o..hit,**
They would also like to know the general opinion you night have aoout having an
other show along th& sane lines,****so they ask that you call in.to the .. ..radio
station (125 or 025) and tell the person who answers that you enjoyed 1 Music and
Madness” and that you would like to see another just like it in the near future.
On the basis of last weeks show there should be no doubt in the minds of anyone
that the majority of the people who viewed it will undoubtedly take drastic.mea
sures to have their two favorite radio and television personalities, “Freddie Jr
and “Big Jeff“, put another such extravaganza together,
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