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| Tom Tingle/The Arizona Republic |
If you listened to FM and AM radio in Denver (Colorado) the name may sound familiar. In the late Seventies Larry Cox and his dog Wilbur hosted a nostalgic radio show on KCFR. It was called The National Recovery Act, a name borrowed from the New Deal agency established by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. For a few hours Larry conjured an atmosphere of the era with news reels, commercials, automobiles and ballrooms filled with Big Band music from the 1930s and 1940s.
By the mid-Eighties Larry had moved over to KOA at 850 AM. A certain topic was announced and people from all over North America, picking up the KOA signal at night, would call in with their memories of the '30s and '40s. The programme would always end with the song "And So To Bed". In December 1987, Cox began a new radio programme, No Place Like Home, broadcast from his home on Chicago Creek. Listeners would often hear the fireplace crackling and dog Wilbur.
I too had made a career move to Houston, Texas. And yet, fortunately for me, a bit of Denver was still within earshot. I was able to hear Larry and Wilbur’s weekly make-believe era over 50,000 watt, clear-channel KOA in the late evening. A truly unique show! Great memories!
Larry lives in Arizona now. He writes articles on antiques and collectibles for The Arizona Republic. His articles may be found HERE.
By the mid-Eighties Larry had moved over to KOA at 850 AM. A certain topic was announced and people from all over North America, picking up the KOA signal at night, would call in with their memories of the '30s and '40s. The programme would always end with the song "And So To Bed". In December 1987, Cox began a new radio programme, No Place Like Home, broadcast from his home on Chicago Creek. Listeners would often hear the fireplace crackling and dog Wilbur.
I too had made a career move to Houston, Texas. And yet, fortunately for me, a bit of Denver was still within earshot. I was able to hear Larry and Wilbur’s weekly make-believe era over 50,000 watt, clear-channel KOA in the late evening. A truly unique show! Great memories!
Larry lives in Arizona now. He writes articles on antiques and collectibles for The Arizona Republic. His articles may be found HERE.
Loved Larry and Wilbur. Listened to the show in Saskatchewan Canada. Met Larry on a trip to Denver in about 1984. Wilbur wasn't with him in the shop that day because it was too hot. I clicked on the Arizona Republic link and only see posts to 2015. Hope Larry is okay.
ReplyDeleteI loved his show in the 1980’s I had a graveyard shift job in Gallup NM and listened to the show every chance I got loved it. I hope Larry’s well. I was in my 20’s then and some thought me strange enjoy it so, except a 70 year old man I worked with. He worked in radio in the 1940’s as an ad man. His name was Monty Mills KYVA Gallup.
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