Sunday, October 24, 2004
The greatest brother in the world
From the Norwich (CT) Bulletin
Once upon a time, I had the most wonderful brother in the whole wide world.
Jimmy and I grew up as close as any two brothers could be. In fact, during the Korean War, when I was about to enlist in the Marine Corps, Jimmy said, "Wait for me."
He was a senior at Norwich Free Academy, and after his graduation, we joined the Marine Corps together and went through the tortures of boot camp at Parris Island, S.C.
We were later both stationed at Parris Island until Jim was ordered to Korea.
For four years, we woke up Eastern Connecticut with "The Bill and Jim Show." I was the straight man, and Jim was the comedian.
He was funny beyond words. So good, in fact, our program was overheard one day by an executive from WNEW in New York.
Several months later, we got a call from a man named Allen Ludden who, later on television, ran a quiz show called "Password" and married Betty White of "Mary Tyler Moore" and "The Golden Girls." Ludden was then program director for WCBS radio in New York.
He said he had learned from WNEW that we might be the answer to his problem for a drive-time afternoon radio show.
We first went for an interview at CBS. That led to an audition. Before leaving.
Allen Ludden suggested we have lunch. Sitting alone, at a table for four, was the great country singer, Eddie Arnold.
Wow!
Ludden introduced us, and then he asked, "Do you mind if we join you, Eddie?"
Read the article
Norwich Bulletin
Once upon a time, I had the most wonderful brother in the whole wide world.
Jimmy and I grew up as close as any two brothers could be. In fact, during the Korean War, when I was about to enlist in the Marine Corps, Jimmy said, "Wait for me."
He was a senior at Norwich Free Academy, and after his graduation, we joined the Marine Corps together and went through the tortures of boot camp at Parris Island, S.C.
We were later both stationed at Parris Island until Jim was ordered to Korea.
For four years, we woke up Eastern Connecticut with "The Bill and Jim Show." I was the straight man, and Jim was the comedian.
He was funny beyond words. So good, in fact, our program was overheard one day by an executive from WNEW in New York.
Several months later, we got a call from a man named Allen Ludden who, later on television, ran a quiz show called "Password" and married Betty White of "Mary Tyler Moore" and "The Golden Girls." Ludden was then program director for WCBS radio in New York.
He said he had learned from WNEW that we might be the answer to his problem for a drive-time afternoon radio show.
We first went for an interview at CBS. That led to an audition. Before leaving.
Allen Ludden suggested we have lunch. Sitting alone, at a table for four, was the great country singer, Eddie Arnold.
Wow!
Ludden introduced us, and then he asked, "Do you mind if we join you, Eddie?"
Read the article
Norwich Bulletin
# posted by Dave Sichak @ 8:02 AM 
