News from the Army's
First TV Station

With newswire copy supplied through the cooperation of one of the receiving sites, a nightly radio-TV newscast was begun in the autumn of 1957. Sam Hale, who had two years of commercial broadcast experience before entering the Army, and then graduated from the Army Information School, did the first newscast. He later alternated with the late Bob Renick

When Hale returned to the states, Jim Kornecki alternated with Renick. When Sputnik I was launched in October 1957, Hale, with the able assistance of Bill Nance, an MIT graduate who worked at one of the sites, presented a special feature describing the physics of this monumental event. 1st Lt. Frank R. Griffiths was the producer/director for all the live shows that originated in the KANU-TV studios during this period. While several other staff members remain to be identified, it is known that M/Sgt. Seth Ely was the NCOIC and William Sanford and Spec. Franklin were on the engineering staff.

We have learned that scattered throughout the history of WOG/AFSA/AFRS/KANU/ AFRTS radio, there have been numerous instances where non-staff personnel hosted record shows. A regular mid-afternoon Italian music program featured a gentleman from Asmara. Service personnel with special music knowledge/interests were frequently selected for these programs. In addition to the contribution of Joe Nix (above), other examples of non-staff air personalities conducting special record shows in the late-fifties/early-sixties are Rice Hershey and Sonny Lewis. Rice was assigned to the "chief honcho's offices" at USAMESCA and volunteered as host of "Afternoon with the Classics". The program's popularity resulted in its being expanded to a two-hour segment. Sonny's contribution is noted later in a "Kagnew Gazelle" story.

"Kagnew Kapers" was among the most popular locally produced shows during this era. It featured live music performed by service personnel and occasionally included talent from the local populace. Fran Mullins' combo, "The Esquires" provided the accompaniment. Country and Western signer/guitarist Maynard Dahl was a regularly featured performer as were Hale and Renick who alternated as hosts and vocalists. Jim Kornecki was a frequent host beginning in 1958 following Hale's return stateside. Mega Sponsor Jack Hill joined the Mullins' combo as drummer in 1959. We have received reviews of "Kagnew Kapers" that appeared in the local Italian newspapers that are to be added.

In a letter to the Commanding Officer, Kagnew Station, dated 28 January 1958, Lt Griffiths wrote of several problems in the production of Kagnew Kapers, including: Inability to schedule bands from Asmara because KANU could not pay for their services; forced to borrow a piano from the service club when we hold rehearsals or produce a show, etc. Frank added, "It is felt that if the show is worth doing, it is worth doing as well as we can and that a poor production breeds poor public relations for the command and for the station." His letter must have resulted in some help as he was later awarded "A Pat on the Back" certificate signed by the Commander, "In Recognition of the excellent job done in connection with the "Kagnew Kapers" show.

Lt. Griffiths also produced a live country/western show, "K-Bar-S" with the Peckingpaughs, Tex Maynard, Maynard Dahl and others.

1st Lt. Frank R. Griffiths became OIC of radio/TV, in addition to the officer's club, on November 20, 1956 and served until September 12, 1958. Upon completion of this appointment he was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Service. "Lt. Griffiths' efficiency and devotion to duty resulted in many improvements at the Station including additional programs of local interest and a system of transportation which insured continuous programming throughout the year. On many occasions he substituted for regular staff announcers to keep programs on the air. Lt. Griffiths' attitude and contribution to the Troop Information Program has been outstanding and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army." Signed by Lt. Col. Boyce V. Hawkins, Commanding.

From the "Kagnew Gazelle"

Jack Hill has provided several "Kagnew Gazelle" articles pertaining to radio-TV. From the November 25, 1958 edition, there is a front page article announcing …

1/Lt Bue- New Radio - TV Director

1/LT Paul A. J. Bue arrived from the Army Pictorial Center on Long Island, New York on 3 October 1958. He joins Kagnew Station as Director of KANU Radio and TV.

A native of Lowell, Massachusetts, Lt. Bue graduated from Boston University doing undergraduate and graduate work. He holds a B. S. Degree in Communications Arts and has 33 hours toward his Masters Degree.

From the October 1960 "Kagnew Gazelle" provided by Jack…

Sight and Sound by Mike Meader

A study in construction material, a scramble of rough timber, bricks, and mortar, gradually taking the shape of walls, windows and doorways, is still all that predicts the completion of the modernized KANU Radio and TV studios. Mean while, the Skyline Radio Station continues broadcasting from its temporary site in the Service Club game room, and the men of the TV section are busily preparing to resume broadcasting from another temporary location. When the new studios are completed, however, TV will have to leave the air again in order for the facilities of that section to be set up at the permanent site.

Has Hollywood come to Kagnew Station? Afraid not. The motion picture crew which you've probably noticed busily at work around Post consists of KANUers Sergeant Lyden, Jimmy Rogers, and Bill Pyne. They're shooting a film entitled "Kagnew Station" to be presented as a briefing film for General Breckenridge on his forth coming visit. It was a difficult job and the crew appreciates the cooperation they received from the many people involved.

KANU Radio is currently bringing us stateside football games by direct relay from AFRS in New York. A schedule of the games for October follows, but is should be noted that where two games are scheduled on the same date, only one will be broadcast and then only when atmospheric conditions are favorable.

KANU is happy to welcome a new member, Pvt. Rob Webb, to its broadcasting staff. Rob majored in radio and TV at Ohio State University and has considerable professional experience too; in Columbus, Ohio, he was a director for WTVN-TV and WOSU-TV, and a newsman for WCOL Radio.

KANU congratulations go to broadcaster and newsman Don Kirkpatrick on being selected Post SOM for the month of September.

In closing we wish a speedy recovery to Nitewatchman Sunny Lewis who's back in the hospital in Tripoli due to a sinus condition."

Jack also provided the February 1960 "Kagnew Gazelle". It features a front page story - "D. J. Show Service First"

Thinking of a unique way to usher in the new year for Radio Station KANU, Disc Jockey Bill Altman, the teenager with the grown up ideas, hit upon a spectacular type show featuring the hit tunes of the past ten years. With the consent of 1st Lt. Paul Bue, Office in Charge of KANU Radio and TV, he sent a letter to Armed Forces Radio and Television Headquarters in Los Angeles requesting the top tunes of the past ten years, KANU received the following note.

"A request was received for lists of the hit tunes in the past few years. Since the research was accomplished, perhaps the efforts could benefit all stations as material for program ideas, especially around the New Year. With this thought in mind, the lists follow of hit tunes for years 1950 through 1958."

The list contained 301 hit tunes and the product of Bill's imagination, "A Decade of Hits", was aired over KANU Radio from 1300 31 Dec 1959 to 0600 1 Jan 1960. In addition to being the longest single D. J. show ever presented by KANU, the idea of a show featuring the top of the crop for a past decade was an Armed Forces First.

For 17 hours KANU listeners heard Bill Altman spin approximately 300 records, the best that the past years had to offer. In his Herculean effort he received production assistance from part time announcer Sonny Lewis, a Military Policeman who devotes his off-duty time to the station. From 1300 to midnight he played the hits from 1950 to 1958. After the big hour Bill and Sonny started the New Year rolling with the big songs of 1959 taken monthly.