Only a few months into its operation, the Vancouver Sun was referring to its radio station as the “Sprott-Shaw Radio Company station.” From the paper’s newspaper stories, it’s unclear who held the license. In Los Angeles at this period, electrical companies were hired to operate stations for newspapers or department stores, most of which got out of the business after the novelty wore off and expenses mounted.
The Sun station seems to have been the only one in Vancouver at this time to broadcast something other than records.
A letter was received by the station by Vincent Kraft in Seattle. He was the founder of KJR; it was originally his amateur station, 7XC. The Rhodes Department Store station was KDZE, licensed in May 1922. You probably know it better as KOL.
The city directory reveals a Jim Davison working for Kelly-Douglas. Jack Slater was employed by a clothing wholesaler and Stuart Kyle sold ad space for the Sun.
Apologies for any uncorrected OCR errors.
Thursday, June 1, 1922
Sun Radio to Feature Programme at Opening
A SPECIALLY selected miscellaneous programme of music has been arranged for the official opening today of the Manufacturers’ Permanent Exhibition in the new home at 927 Granville Street, by The Sun Radio, and visitors to the building will listen to one of the best concerts yet produced over the radio.
The receiving set and loud talker will be set up on the main floor and the thousands of visitors who are expected to be given an exceptional opportunity to hear the music. Immediately after His Honour Lieutenant Governor Walter C. Nichol has declared the exhibition officially opened the visitors will be at liberty to examine the hundred and one interesting exhibits already in the place.
It is rare, indeed, that such a combination of industry, art and music can be found as will be discovered in the Manufacturers’ Building today. On the top floor, the B.C. Art League has a collection of pictures, some of which have been loaned by the National Gallery at Ottawa, and the whole of which forms an exhibition the like of which has never been seen before in this province.
With the presence of an orchestra, at least two soloists and a programme of music over the radio, the occasion promises to be one long to be remembered. In the afternoon the performance will be given between 3:30 and 5 o’clock, and in the evening between 8 and 10 o’clock.
Those attending in the afternoon are invited guests, but in the evening the building will be thrown open to the public from 6 o’clock until 10 o’clock.
Friday, June 2, 1922
Thousands Entertained by Radio Music Programme
The high-power Sprott Shaw Radio Co. station was put into operation again yesterday afternoon. In the evening, a specially selected programme of music and song entertained thousands at the official opening of the Manufacturers Permanent Exhibition in its new home at 927 Granville Street.
A radiophone receiver and loud talker was installed in the auditorium at the exhibition rooms and hundreds who loitered near the apparatus wondered at this new and great invention of the day. So sensitive is the apparatus used that radio waves so minute and electric current too weak to be able to light a flashlight globe may be amplified in such an extent so as to be audible at a distance of 200 feet or more from the outfit.
From Centralia comes the report that The Sun Radio programme is the best on the coast. The modulation is better and the speech is louder than any of the others, states V. I. Kraft.
The wireless operator on the “Venture” has copied the noonday broadcast from The Sun station at Alert Bay. This is an exceptional record, as the atmospheric conditions during the day do not permit the transmission of radiophone broadcasts over any great distances.
The Vancouver Sun and The Pacific Radio Supplies have arranged to feature the V. O. N. open-air fete at Brockton Point, today and Saturday, with four radiophone concerts. There will be two each day, one in the afternoon and one during the evening The Pacific Radio Supplies is installing a super sensitive receiver with a loud talker attachment and The Vancouver Sun has arranged for several excellent programmes to be broadcasted for the occasion. Many are expected to attend the fete and hear the radio concerts as well as the many other features.
Programme For Today
THE SUN Radio Programme to be broadcast by The Sprott-Shaw Radio Company on a 420-metre wave length today and tonight, is as follows:
12:30 p.m.—Latest news, market reports and concert numbers.
1:30 p.m.—Final news reports from all parts of the world.
3:30 p.m.—News digest and musical programme.
4:30 p.m.—Concert numbers.
5:00 p.m.—Final news flashes and market returns.
8:00 p.m.—Musical selections.
8:30 p.m.—Baseball results.
9:30 p.m.—Concert numbers.
10:00 p.m.—Final news flashes.
Musical selections are played on a Classic phonograph, and the records used are Columbia and Apex, by courtesy of local music houses.
Gerard Heintzman piano by courtesy of Fletcher Bros. Limited.
Saturday, June 3, 1922
Famous Zig-Zag Orchestra To Play on Radio Tonight
RADIO fans will hear the famous Zig Zag orchestra over the radiophone tonight.
They are from England and have toured the south of England as the Zig-Zag concert party.
As an opener they will play their favorite march, “Repaz,” followed by “Montana,” “Smilin’,” “The Old Swimming Hole,” “Wabash Blues” and “Granny.”
Jim Davison, a well-known local veteran, is a talented entertainer at the piano and will sing two of his old-time favorites, “Fritz,” and “Sing Us An Old Country Song.” The Benton Brothers, George Parker and C. Hinton for the rest of the orchestra which will please the radio fans tonight.
The V. O. N. Open Air Fete, which opened today at Brockton Point, was featured with two radio concerts, one in the afternoon and the other during the evening. The Canadian Radio Service Co. installed the radiophone receiver and a special programme was broadcasted by The Sun.
Sunday, June 4, 1922
Thousands of Fans Hear Zig-Zags on Radiophone
The original orchestra from the famous Zig-Zag Concert Party, a company of soldiers who during the war were famous for their playing in the south of England, last night gave to the radio fans a number of the latest selections of dance music.
Jim Davison, a well-known veteran who is a talented entertainer at the piano, rendered two of his old-time favorites, "Fritz" and "Sing Us an Old Country Song."
If any returned men were listening in last evening they will remember Jim Davidson's songs as the two which made the Zig Zag Concert Party famous.
Sunset Gables, near Bridal Veil, Oregon, on the Columbia River Highway, reports that The Sun Radio Programme is exceptionally good and that every evening at that point it has no trouble in tuning in The Sun. The broadcast is strong and clear and the programmes are well selected.
Today there will be no Sun Radio Programme. Monday night The Sun will have some special feature numbers included in the broadcast. Every night following for the remainder of the week during the evening broadcast there will be a special feature so radio fans nbe sure to be on the air. There have been some good numbers lined up.
Monday, June 5, 1922
Sun Radio Programme Heard Distinctly 700 Miles Away
Special orchestra selections will feature The Vancouver Sun radio programme tonight. Arrangements have been made with the Lee Deither dance orchestra to provide the radio fans with a number of the latest fox-trot and waltz hits of the season.
As part of the evening’s entertainment West Gilland, well-known for his ability on the saxophone, will provide some incidental jazz selections. Alex Denaghy (banjo), Percy Lee (piano), Rolland Tibb (mute trumpet), and Yank Deither (traps), complete the orchestra, which has delighted thousands during the past winter. Tonight they will have the syncopated strains from their orchestra broadcast to all within a thousand-mile radius.
Jack K. Maynard, a prominent radio amateur at Morse, Sask., reports to The Vancouver Sun that on the evening of May 30 he was able to hear The Vancouver Sun radio programme without a break. It was loud enough to hear all over the room, he states. Morse, Sask., is situated in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, a distance of 700 miles from Vancouver. The reception of The Vancouver Sun radio programme by Jack Maynard constitutes one of the best records ever made by The Sprott-Shaw Radio Company radiophone.
Tuesday, June 6, 1922
Soprano From Pantages Will Sing on Sun’s Radio Tonight
From Saskatchewan to the coast and from Prince Rupert to San Francisco, Miss Nada Norraine’s voice will be heard in the air tonight.
Nada Norraine, the talented soprano who is delighting thousands at the Pantages Theatre this week, has consented to sing over the radiophone tonight. At eight p.m., she will commence the feature of tonight’s Sun Radio programme with “O Sol Mio,” following which she will sing to music lovers who are on the air the well-known song, “Sleep, Baby, Sleep.” Miss Norraine will also sing, “Leave Me With a Smile.”
The Radio fans were treated to some of the best jazz music last night that has ever been heard over the radiophone. The Lee Deither Dance Orchestra rendered to the thousands of radio fans which have recently come into existence since The Sun opened the first broadcast station in Canada a number of the latest popular dance selections.
Those who contemplate the installation of a radio receiver with which to hear The Sun Radio programmes must first secure a licence to operate such a radio outfit. It may now be obtained at Wicket No. 6, Post office Building, upon payment of one dollar.
Programme For Today
THE SUN Radio Programme to be broadcast by The Sprot-Shaw [sic] Radio Company on a 420-metre wave length today and tonight, is as follows:
12:30 p.m.—Latest news, market reports and concert numbers.
1:30 p.m.—Final news reports from all parts of the world.
3:30 p.m.—News digest and musical programme.
4:30 p.m.—Concert numbers.
5:00 p.m.—Final news flashes and market returns.
8:00 p.m.—Selections by Miss Nada Norraine.
9:30 p.m.—Concert numbers.
10:00 p.m.—Final news flashes.
Musical selections are played on a Classic phonograph, and the records used are Columbia and Apex, by courtesy of local music houses.
Gerard Heintzman piano by courtesy of Fletcher Bros. Limited.
Wednesday, June 7, 1922
Monologues by Will Morris Features Sun’s Radio Tonight
Will Morris of the Pantages circuit, who is playing at the local theatre this week, will be the head-liner in The Sun radio programme tonight. Mr. Morris has been delighting thousands at the theatre with a number of good monologues and has consented to render several of them over the radiophone.
Jack Slater, talented local baritone, will sing to the thousands of radio fans tonight, “Madalay,” and several other baritone numbers. Mr. Stater will be accompanied by Miss E. Bryant at the piano.
Several piano solos are also to be given tonight to the vast number of listeners and Stuart Kyle has consented to play over the radio one or two classical selections, as [well] as several popular numbers.
All those who are not in possession of a radio receiver outfit will again have a chance to hear The Sun radio programme. Go to the Jericho Ten Gardens tonight. The Sun has arranged to have a radiophone receiver and loud talker installed there, and those who attend will have a chance to hear a well-selected and varied programme which will be broadcast from The Sprott Shaw high power radiophone station in the Tower Building. This is the station which is used by The Sun to transmit its programmes to the thousands who are within a thousand-mile radius.
Programme For Today
THE SUN Radio Programime be broadcast by The Sprot-Shaw Radio Company on a 420-metre wave length today and tonight, is as follows:
12:30 p.m.—Latest news, market reports and concert numbers.
1:30 p.m.—Final news reports from all parts of the world.
3:30 p.m.—News digest and musical programme.
4:30 p.m.—Concert numbers.
5:00 p.m.—Final news flashes and market returns.
8:00 p.m.—Selections by Will Morris.
8:30 p.m.—Songs by Jack Slater, accompanied by Miss E. Bryant.
9:30 p.m.—Concert numbers.
10:00 p.m.—Final news flashes.
Musical selections are played on a Classic phonograph, and the records used are Columbia and Apex, by courtesy of local music houses.
Gerard Heintzman piano by courtesy of Fletcher Bros. Limited.
Thursday, June 8, 1922
Gyro Orchestra to Be Heard On Sun Radiophone Tonight
Tonight the radio fans will be treated with some of the best local talent. The Gyro Orchestra will render a number of popular selections which have put them in demand in Vancouver of late. Included in their part of the programme will be “Tell Her at Twilight,” “Bow Wow Blues,” “Wabash Blues,” “On the Gin’ Gin’ Ginny Shore,” and other popular dance numbers.
Alex. Urquhart of the Gyro Club will give a short talk on the history of the potlatch in general and the Vancouver Tyee Potlatch in particular. All those who are listening in tonight will get their invitation to attend the Vancouver Tyee Potlatch.
Thousands were delighted at the programme which was broadcast from the Sun station last night, particularly with the baritone solos by Jack Slater, accompanied by Miss E. Bryant.
Hundreds attended The Sun Radio concert last night at the Jericho Tea Gardens. A special receive and loud talker was installed and all were able to hear.
Friday, June 9, 1922
Tenor Selections Will Be Heard on Sun Radio Tonight
F. Currie, well-known local tenor, will sing to those “listening in” tonight several selections as part of The Sun Radio Programme. His first number will be “The Magic of the Sunrise,” followed by “Smile Through Your Tears,” and “Vale.” Mr. Currie will be accompanied at the piano by Miss Ida Withers.
A very interesting address was given over the radiophone last night by Dr. R. C. Augustine, noted eye specialist, who is at present in Vancouver speaking on the care and conservation of the eyes. Alex. Urquhart, prominent Gyro Club member of this city, extended to all an invitation to visit Vancouver and the Tyee Potlatch. He outlined the history of the Potlatch in general and the Vancouver Tyee Potlatch in particular. Following this the well-known Gyro Club orchestra rendered several selections to the radio fans.
It has been estimated that there are nearly 2000 radio fans in and around Vancouver. Before radiophone broadcasting was introduced in the city by The Sun, three months ago, there were only about 300 amateur installations. So great was the rush on the sale of radios apparatus at first that the electrical dealers were unable to keep up with their orders.
The situation has been much improved lately and now there are many stores in the city which have at the disposal of radio fans a complete line of the best possible apparatus obtainable. The cost of a radio outfit with which to pick up The Sun broadcast is not prohibitive and you can buy raidio [sic] parts and get in on this great free service offered to the public by The Sun.
Saturday, June 10, 1922
Sun’s Radiophone Is Given Commendation
F.A. Dawley, Sequim, Washington, radio fan, has written to The Sun to say that for the past month he has been receiving without a break The Sun Radio Programme. He states that the broadcast comes in so strongly that it drowns out the Rhodes Department Store station at Seattle, although the distance from Sequim to Vancouver is twice as great.
The power of these two stations is the same, which is indication of the efficiency of The Sun station. This is not the only instance where reports have showed that The Sun station is stronger than any other on the coast. Port Angeles, Washington, and Glenwood, Oregon, have sent in similar reports.
The programme last evening proved very acceptable. F. Currie gave to the radio fans several tenor solos which seemed to please those listening in, judging from the reports received. He was accompanied by Miss Ida Withers at the piano. A special selection of records was broadcast last night. Many of these are not on sale yet, but by special arrangement with the dealers, they were allowed to be broadcast over the radiophone. Among them were several good fox trots and waltzes, which are sure to make a hit as soon as they come on sale.
“Leave Me With a Smile,” “Wabash Blues” and several other popular numbers were rendered last night by Miss Lillian Snider, saxophone, and Miss Nan Hadgkiss, piano.