Mr. Confidential is the story of the magazine that started a juicy gossip revolution in the media in the U.S.  Confidential Magazine was one of the most popular -- and most feared -- publications in the country during the 1950's and 60's.  Now, a new musical based on the precursor to TMZ is making its world premiere at the Studio Theatre in Carmel on May 5th.  With me on Morning Edition is the playwright, Samuel Garza Bernstein, and Don Farrell, the artistic director for the Actor's Theatre of Indiana.

Mr. Confidential, the musical: The World Premiere

May 8, 2023 is the 78th anniversary of VE Day, the end of the long war in Europe (WWII fighting would continue in the Pacific).  My friend Jimmy McDowell, longtime Indianapolis broadcaster, was a medic stationed in Europe During the War.  He happened to be in London's Piccadilly Circus when news of VE Day broke, so he and his friends joined in the celebration...and it included a very unexpected sight.  My favorite part of a conversation we had in 2015.  Mr. McDowell died in October 2021 at the age of 99.

Happy VE Day! Jimmy Mack Looks Back

A festival on the east side of Indianapolis puts the spotlight on Black-owned businesses, and yet the gathering is about much more than merch.  As heard on WFYI in Indy, Dominic Dorsey explains ahead of the annual Melanin In May festival.

Melanin In May; celebrating 'unapologetic Blackness'

It's not every day you get to speak to an absolute legend, but this was one of those days for me.  George Wallace has been one of the funniest people on the planet for decades, and he isn't stopping any time soon.  George is appearing at Helium in Indianapolis June 23 and 24.

George Wallace - And Whatnot! Growing up, and "clean" comedy

I have been friends with Time For Three for a decade now.  Love these guys like brothers, and am thrilled to get to call them Grammy winners.  Here is our full WFYI interview on them winning a Grammy, and coming back home to play with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra - they were artists in residence with the ISO from 2009-2019. Enjoy!

Time For Three: Grammy winners, and coming home to Indy

Briah Golder is still very much an active performer, but she spends a lot of her time in Indy young people showcase their own talents through her BRAVE foundation.  Listen to learn more about her background, BRAVE and how she is performing at Daptoberfest in Indy on Saturday, October 14.

Briah Golder, AKA BreezGoldz

Courtesy of the BBC archive - with audio restored (!), the most scandalous story from the Royal Family in the 20th century, IMO.  Edward VIII abdicates the British throne so that he can marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.  Notice the door closing at the beginning after the announcer who introduces Edward leaves, and the clear nervousness of Edward.

It Happened Today: Dec. 11, 1936: Edward VIII Abdicates The Throne

Mae West was one of the biggest stars in the world by the time she appeared on the Chase & Sanborn Hour, hosted by Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy - the top rated radio show in the U.S. at the time.  She made two appearances - one as Eve in a creatively written Adam and Eve sketch, and this one - that was too scandalous for young ears, or so the Catholic Church and others said the next day.

It Happened Today: December 12, 1937; 4 Minutes that got Mae West Banned from NBC

The Shadow Intro

75 years ago, CBS Radio presented a special edition of its "I Was There" anthology on the death of the best war correspondent there was at the time, Ernie Pyle.

WWII Archive

The Story of Ernie Pyle: CBS Radio's "I Was There", April 29, 1945

Just months from disbanding his civilian band, Glenn's band is in Hollywood while they shoot the movie "Orchestra Wives", and your announcer is the quite famous Don Wilson (crossing networks, since he was an NBC guy on the Jack Benny program, and Miller aired on CBS). Glenn kicks this one off with one of his best... String of Pearls.

Glenn Miller Orchestra - Hollywood, California

Glenn Miller's 'Moonight Serenade', May 5, 1942

After covering so many bombings of the city over the previous six years, Edward R. Murrow of CBS Radio was on hand for the celebration that the War was finally over...May 8, 1945.

London Picadilly Circus Celebration after VE Day: World War II

Longtime media pro in Indianapolis. Currently the executive producer of Daybreak, the morning news program on WISH-TV. Hometown is Trenton, Georgia - and though I now live in the IndyCar capital city, pro wrestling, old jazz, science and baseball are my things.

Ray Steele

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