Harry Risney 78 RPM Record Conversions
78 RPM Recordings converted to Digital 1941 - 1954
These records were in our basement for years. The represented many hours of "recordings' the we're put on records. Reel to reel tape recording technology was not yet available. The bulk were recordings Dad did in his broadcast studio on Kwajalein Island during WWII. But there are others of interest. Some are simply recordings he made of his favorite singers.
Special Thanks!!
Special Thanks to Butch and Jill Reel, our lifelong friends, for making this happen!
PDF List of all Files:
This is a downlodable PDF file with a complete list and links to everything.
Harry Risney 78 RPM Record Conversions
During the War….Dad on Kwajalein Island 1945-46
Dad was the station manager of WXLG an Armed Forces Radio Broadcasting Station in the Pacific on Kwajalein Island in the Marshal Islands group. While he was responsible for everything in the station, he also liked to do some of the programs from time to time and his favorite was “Thoughts at Twilight” always on Sunday nights at 9:45 where he did poetry and requests sent in from the men and women stationed on the island. Dad was quite industrious and put together the “Kwaj Lounge” within the confines of the Quonset huts that were the station. It was a very popular meeting place for officers and nurses and Dad even finagled a popcorn and ice cream machine somehow. They also had cold beer by being friends with the Naval Hospital and using some of the refrigeration available. Another trick Dad said was they would put all the beer inside a 55 gallon drum of high octane aviation fuel, and then spray compressed air on it until the gas evaporated cooling the beer. He said his best friends on the island were the Navy SeaBees who built whatever he wanted for cold beer, popcorn and ice cream. My Mom always said Dad was in a “different war.”
Thoughts At Twilight Sept 16, 1945 Side 1
Dad radio show on Kwajalein Island WXLG Sept 16, 1945.
Thoughts At Twilight Sept 16, 1945 Side 2
Dad radio show on Kwajalein Island WXLG Sept 16, 1945.
Thoughts At Twilight Sept 30, 1945 Side 1
Dad radio show on Kwajalein Island WXLG Sept 30, 1945.
Thoughts At Twilight Sept 30, 1945 Side 2
Dad radio show on Kwajalein Island WXLG Sept 30, 1945.
Thoughts At Twilight Oct 27, 1945 Side 1
Dad radio show on Kwajalein Island WXLG Oct 27, 1945.
Thoughts At Twilight Oct 27, 1945 Side 2
Dad radio show on Kwajalein Island WXLG Oct 27, 1945.
Thoughts At Twilight Nov 4, 1945 Side 1
Dad radio show on Kwajalein Island WXLG Nov 4, 1945
Thoughts At Twilight Nov 4, 1945 Side 2
Dad radio show on Kwajalein Island WXLG Nov 4, 1945
Salute To Kwajalein Nov 24, 1945
(One side only to this record) Dad radio show on Kwajalein Island WXLG Nov 24, 1945.
Poems a bit on the Risqué side July 1945
(One side only to this record) Dad radio show on Kwajalein Island WXLG July 1945. Also with the voice of a fellow broadcaster Jack Berry.
Poems Feb 14, 1946 Side 1
Dad Reciting Poetry Kwajalein Island WXLG Feb 14, 1946 Funny…he made this recording for a “friend” name Lucille
Poems Feb 14, 1946 Side 2
Dad Reciting Poetry Kwajalein Island WXLG Feb 14, 1946 Funny…he made this recording for a “friend” name Lucille
Rock Happy Rodger Side 1
Not Dad’s voice, Kwajalein Island WXLG. No date, but is listed as “last broadcast” so I would guess late 1945 or early 1946. Dad left the island in February 1946 and all of the broadcasting equipment was removed under his charge.
Rock Happy Rodger Side 2
Dad’s voice doing a bunch of announcements for the American Red Cross, Kwajalein Island WXLG.No date, but is listed as “last broadcast” so I would guess late 1945 or early 1946. Dad left the island in February 1946 and all of the broadcasting equipment was removed under his charge.
Harry Risney 78 RPM Record Conversions
After the War….Dad in Missouri Valley 1948-1954
Air Check Mo Valley Hour Apr 23, 1948 Side 1
Dad broadcast from Firestone store “Mo. Valley Hour” April 23, 1948.
Air Check Mo Valley Hour Apr 23, 1948 Side 2
Dad broadcast from Firestone store “Mo. Valley Hour” April 23, 1948.
Personal Recording Sept 15,1954 Side 1
Dad sending record recording to Bob and Barbara Rohwer with Mom, Grandpa and Grandma Rohwer, Sept, 15, 1954.
Personal Recording Sept 15,1954 Side 2
Dad sending record recording to Bob and Barbara Rohwer with Mom, Grandpa and Grandma Rohwer, Sept, 15, 1954.
Harry Risney 78 RPM Record Conversions
Dad’s last job in Hollywood before the War 1941
Dad was part of a broadcast team KFVD in Hollywood California before the war. He always said it was his “favorite job” and we have many pictures of him with various movie stars of the time.
I Poems Nov 5, 1941 Side 1
Dad reciting two of his favorite poems, November 5, 1941, Music City Studio, KFVD, Sunset and Vine, Hollywood, CA…was dedicated to a girl named Glennis Wallachs
I Poems Nov 5, 1941 Side 2
Dad reciting two of his favorite poems, November 5, 1941, Music City Studio, KFVD, Sunset and Vine, Hollywood, CA…was dedicated to a girl named Glennis Wallachs
Harry Risney 78 RPM Record Conversions
Undated Recordings
These are recordings of music, opera singers, tenors and baritones that were Dad‘s favorites. There is no date listed, and he may have prepared these mixes for his broadcast studio on Kwajalein, or even earlier at his Music City Studio in California before the war. He introduces the songs in a couple of the recordings, but it is mostly music and singing. Even though the recordings are very old, some of the voices are remarkable and I remember Dad sitting in the basement listening to these records for his “quiet time.”
Ezio Pinza Side 1
Famous opera singer with no date or context. I cannot tell if this was done as a mix during his time on Kwajalein Island or before the war or later.
Ezio Pinza Side 2
Famous opera singer with no date or context. I cannot tell if this was done as a mix during his time on Kwajalein Island or before the war or later.
Thomas L Thomas Side 1
Dad's favorite baritone with no date or context. I cannot tell if this was done as a mix during his time on Kwajalein Island or before the war or later.
Thomas L Thomas Side 2
Dad's favorite baritone with no date or context. I cannot tell if this was done as a mix during his time on Kwajalein Island or before the war or later.
Part 1 La Danza-Jan Peerce
Famous opera singer with no date or context. I cannot tell if this was done as a mix during his time on Kwajalein Island or before the war or later.
Part 2 Mattinata-Jan Peerce
More famous opera singers including Alexander Kipnis with no date or context. I cannot tell if this was done as a mix during his time on Kwajalein Island or before the war or later.