The classic Fred Waring Television Show will air on WPSU-TV from 6 to 7 p.m. July 4. It will highlight Gus Kahn and Songwriter's Showcase. This show is part of a five episode series that is now available to PBS stations nationwide through the NETA (National Education Television Network). Waring Archives Coordinator Eileen Akin, of the Penn State University Special Collections Library, said the Pittsburgh PBS station WQED has already aired the series. Viewers can contact their local PBS affiliate or the programming director of WPSU-TV, Greg Petersen, for more information.
Fred Waring’s legendary show choir and orchestra, the Pennsylvanians, made their television debut in 1949 on "The Fred Waring Television Show," a weekly award winning "musical spectacular" that ran until 1954. The series that is currently airing features the music of some of the most famous songwriters of the 20th century-- Rodgers and Hart, Cole Porter, George M. Cohan, Hoagy Carmichael and Gus Kahn. Fred Waring had warm friendships with many of the great composers of this era, and at their request, introduced more new songs to the world than anyone. This special series is a showcase for the Pennsylvanians performing the timeless music of the great American songbook as well as a memorable representation of the golden age of early television.
The Fred Waring Collection, known as "Fred Waring’s America," is a unique part of the Special Collections Library at the University Libraries. For more information, contact Eileen Akin, by phone at (814) 863-2911 or by e-mail at esc3@psu.edu.