Harold's Old Time Radio: WSM Collection 1955-02-03 Push Button One

Release Date: May 19, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported back to February 3, 1955, through the WSM Collection's "Push Button One" broadcast. Hosted by Dave Overton and featuring contributions from Bill Williams and the vocal talents of Dorothy Collins, the show offers a nostalgic glimpse into the Golden Age of Radio. This summary delves into the episode's key segments, including music selections, news updates, traffic safety tips, and engaging interactions between the hosts.

Music Programming

The heart of the show lies in its carefully curated music selections, featuring popular artists of the time:

• Dorothy Collins opens the show with her rendition of "Tweedly Tweedle," a lively and catchy tune that sets a cheerful tone for the morning.

  [01:14] Dorothy Collins: "Tweedly tweedle tweedledee I let's have the F and D... Tweedly tweedly tweetly dum."

• Henry Renee's Orchestra and Chorus perform "Paris Loves Lovers," a Victor record that Dave defends passionately against listener feedback.

  [07:05] Bill Williams: "You who picks up the records for this so-called show."

  [07:09] Dave Overton: "I thought that was a fine number. A lot of people do, as a matter of fact."

• Joe Stafford follows with "Suddenly," a romantic ballad that captivates the audience.

  [08:00] Dorothy Collins: "Suddenly the night was very still... suddenly, suddenly, suddenly."

• Perry Como's "Kokomo" and Rosemary Clooney with Paul Weston's Orchestra delivering "The Song from Moulin Rouge" add diversity to the playlist.

  [16:37] Dorothy Collins: "Don't have no fear don't you know I love you so..."

  [28:03] Bill Williams: "Got to meet her at Steph. Got a date with an angel..."

• The episode concludes with Percy Faith and His Orchestra performing "The Song from Moulin Rouge."

  [55:43] Dorothy Collins: "Little love that slowly grows and grows..."

WSM Newsroom

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the latest news, delivered by Bill Williams from the WSM newsroom:

International Affairs

• Formosa Crisis: The broadcast delves into the escalating tensions in the Far East, emphasizing Red China's rejection of ceasefire talks with Nationalist China.

  [10:41] Bill Williams: "He would send a representative only to discuss the Soviet charges that the United States is guilty of aggression..."

• Soviet Military Budget: Russia announces a 12% increase in its defense spending, amounting to an additional 3 billion dollars.

  [12:00] Bill Williams: "Russia today announced its 1955 military budget... an increase of 12 billion rubles."

• Czechoslovakia: Marks the end of a state of war with Germany, following similar moves by Russia and Poland.

  [12:15] Bill Williams: "Czechoslovakia today ended a state of war with Germany..."

Government and Intelligence

• CIA Oversight: Senator Richard Russell reveals that the Senate Armed Services Committee has been closely monitoring the CIA's operations.

  [12:50] Bill Williams: "A three-man subcommittee has been named to continue this work."

Archaeological Discoveries

• Lake Titicaca: A deep-sea diver uncovers ruins of a submerged city, potentially the cradle of the Inca civilization.

  [14:40] Bill Williams: "A Chicago deep-sea diver says he's discovered the ruins of a submerged city in Lake Titicaca..."

Traffic and Weather Updates

Emphasizing public safety, the hosts provide regular updates:

• Weather: Consistently reporting a chilly 36 degrees Fahrenheit in Nashville with northeast winds at 10 mph.

  [03:52] Dave Overton: "It's 36 degrees outside here in Nashville, Tennessee now."

• Traffic Safety Tips: Highlighting the high risk of accidents between 5:00 and 6:00 PM, urging listeners to drive carefully.

  [58:10] Bill Williams: "Three out of every four accidents occur on dry roads and in clear weather."

  [58:14] Dave Overton: "It's the person behind the wheel using your common sense and obeying the traffic laws."

Local Events and Community News

The show keeps listeners informed about happenings in Nashville:

• Miss Nashville High Contest: Details about the upcoming beauty pageant, featuring contestants from various high schools and a floor show during the event.

  [23:10] Dave Overton: "12 girls represented 12 different high schools in Nashville... Saturday night at the Lytton high school gymnasium."

• Vanderbilt Theater Event: Invitation to witness the filming of the "Grand Ole Opry," highlighting the intersection of local culture and entertainment.

  [38:11] Dave Overton: "Round up a bunch of the neighbors and head for the Vanderbilt Theater... That's the Vanderbilt Theater on Garland avenue beginning at 12:30 tomorrow."

Engaging Host Interactions

The dynamic between Dave Overton and Bill Williams adds a personable and humorous layer to the broadcast:

• Debates on Music Choices: Dave defends the selection of "Paris Loves Lovers," while Bill suggests a shift to classics like Eddie Duchin or Glenn Miller.

  [07:05] Bill Williams: "You who picks up the records for this so-called show."

  [07:09] Dave Overton: "I thought that was a fine number... He wants us to go back to Eddie Duchin..."

• Humorous Banter: Instances of playful exchanges, such as Dave's struggle to get back on track after Bill's interruptions.

  [51:00] Bill Williams: "Come on now, sugar bugger, Sing the song."

  [51:38] Dave Overton: "Hey, hey, hey... This is not time for jokes. It's time for news."

• Technical Glitches: A brief interruption caused by a "bell on the wire," leading to discussions about radio transmission issues.

  [34:42] Dave Overton: "What is all that noise back there? It sounds like Santa Claus."

  [35:00] Bill Williams: "That's what called the wire running open whenever there's some trouble on the wire..."

Social and Commercial Segments

While the primary focus remains on content, snippets of contemporary advertisements and social trends are interspersed:

• Chumba Casino Advertisements: Promoted multiple times by Ryan Seacrest, encouraging listeners to engage with online casino games.

  [13:54] Ryan Seacrest: "Chumba Casino has over 100 online casino style games... grab your free welcome bonus now@chumbacasino.com."

• Wild Root Cream Oil Commercial: A humorous spot targeting "Charlie" for hair tonic products.

  [42:00] Bill Williams: "You'll find that you will have a tough time, Charlie, keeping all those gals away."

• Social Security Law Announcement: Informative segment about new provisions to aid the disabled in preserving their Social Security records.

  [29:33] Dave Overton: "A provision in the new Social Security Law recently enacted by Congress will help preserve the old age and survivors insurance rights..."

Conclusion

The WSM Collection's Push Button One episode from February 3, 1955, masterfully blends engaging musical performances with timely news updates and community-focused segments. The chemistry between hosts Dave Overton and Bill Williams adds a layer of authenticity and relatability, making the broadcast both informative and entertaining. Through its seamless integration of music, news, safety tips, and local events, the show captures the essence of 1950s radio, offering listeners a comprehensive and nostalgic auditory experience.

Notable Quotes:

• "[06:06] Dave Overton: 'It's your team's job to put it all together. That's why it's good to have Grainger on your side.'"

• "[58:10] Bill Williams: 'Three out of every four accidents occur on dry roads and in clear weather.'"

• "[51:07] Bill Williams: 'Yes, you're so right. Your youngster coming in with his Howdy Doody time reminded me...'"

These quotes highlight the blend of advertising, safety messages, and light-hearted interactions that characterize the episode.