WWNC
hosted Brevard’s first night on the air on Thursday, May 19, 1927 in their Asheville
radio studio.  The hour long program
sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce was comprised of local musical
talent and two addresses about Transylvania County.

Misses
Adelaide and Dorothy Silversteen, accompanied by Miss Marguerite Robertson on
the piano, led off the program with a duet of Frederic Knight Logan’s
“Hush-A-Bye, Ma Baby.”  Calls immediately
came into the station requesting they sing again, which they did later in the
evening.

Adelaide Sivlersteen

Dorothy Silversteen

They
were followed by a violin solo, “A Hungarian Dance” composed and played by Mr.
A.B. Carter, a noted musician who resided in Brevard for many years.  Miss Elizabeth Hanaman also played a violin
solo.  A duet by the two violinists was
on the program as well.

Former
Brevard Mayor, William E. Breese urged listeners to visit Transylvania County
and enjoy its wondrous beauty.  Letters
from as far away as Florida stated, “The program was distinct in their cities
and people were keenly interested in the things he (Breese) said about Brevard,
the Beautiful.”

The
second address was presented by Brevard News editor, James F. Barrett on a
vital piece of attracting tourists to the county, “Good Roads in Transylvania.”

Additional
musical numbers were presented by Mrs. Mary Jane Walker and by both men’s and
ladies’ quartets.  Mrs. Walker sang,
“Can’t You Hear Me Calling, Carolina” composed by Caro Roma with lyrics by
William Henry Gardner.  She was
accompanied by pianist, Miss Marguerite Robertson.  Ray Lyon, Walter Duckworth, Dr. Carl Hardin,
J.O. Barrett made up the men’s quartet.  The
ladies’ quartet, consisting of Miss Helen James, Mrs. Mollie Allison, Mrs. Dorothy
Kizer and Mrs. Elsie King, shared “Medley From the South” by H.H. Pike.

Telephone
calls and telegraph messages from local folks and people throughout the listening
area from Nashville, Tennessee to South Carolina poured into the station with
praise for all.  The ladies’ quartet in
particular received a large amount of flattering feedback from listeners and
were asked for an encore.

Brevard
musicians were featured on WWNC again on February 16, 1928.

Photographs
and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina
Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library
hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional
photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at [email protected]
or 828-884-1820.