This is the hardback version. Kansas City's KMBC was home to many country and western artists during radio's golden age but few could match the popularity and longevity of the Texas Rangers. Debuting in 1932, the Texas Rangers entertained America by radio, records, tours, motion pictures and television before finally disbanding in the 1950s. With few commercially released singles, the Texas Rangers were soon forgotten after their heyday except by the most devoted fans of the genre. Now, nearly six decades after the end of their performing years, The Texas Rangers: Two Decades on Radio, Film, Television, and State offers an in-depth history of the Texas Rangers. This book provides a rare look into the personalities and business dealings that kept the group performing before the public for more than twenty years.

This volume profiles about 300 African American (and a few white) performers, organizations and series broadcast during radio's "Golden Age"--the years 1921 through 1955. Many of these personalities and programs are chronicled in more depth here than in any previous publication, while several are covered here for the first time. The entries reveal the rich diversity in radio programming created by black talent and intended for black audiences during a time that has often been portrayed as nearly devoid of a black presence. There are two appendices: a chronology of debuts and notable events, and a week-by-week episode guide of both the pioneering African American radio series The Negro Achievement Hour and The Negro Art Group Hour, both of which debuted in 1928. There is a bibliography and a comprehensive index.

More than 700 uncredited scriptwriters who created the memorable characters and thrilling stories of radio's Golden Age receive due recognition in this encyclopedia. For some, radio was a stepping stone on the way to greater achievements in film or television, on the stage or in literature. For others, it was the culmination of a life spent writing newspaper copy. Established authors dabbled in radio as a new medium, while working writers saw it as another opportunity to earn a paycheck. When these men and women came to broadcasting, they crafted a body of work still appreciated by modern listeners.

Kansas City's KMBC was home to many country and western artists during radio's golden age but few could match the popularity and longevity of the Texas Rangers. Debuting in 1932, the Texas Rangers entertained America by radio, records, tours, motion pictures and television before finally disbanding in the 1950s. With few commercially released singles, the Texas Rangers were soon forgotten after their heyday except by the most devoted fans of the genre. Now, nearly six decades after the end of their performing years, The Texas Rangers: Two Decades on Radio, Film, Television, and State offers an in-depth history of the Texas Rangers. This book provides a rare look into the personalities and business dealings that kept the group performing before the public for more than twenty years.