Popular MusicPopular Music of the Nineteenth and Early of the Nineteenth and Early

Twentieth CenturiesTwentieth Centuries

Minstrelsy and Minstrelsy and

Stephen FosterStephen Foster

MinstrelsyMinstrelsy

The Minstrel ShowThe Minstrel Show– Featured mainly Featured mainly whitewhite performersperformers who who

artificially blackened their skin and artificially blackened their skin and carried out parodies of African American carried out parodies of African American music, dance, dress, and dialectmusic, dance, dress, and dialect

George Washington Dixon George Washington Dixon

The first white performer to establish The first white performer to establish a wide reputation as a a wide reputation as a “blackface” “blackface” entertainerentertainer

Made his New York debut in Made his New York debut in 18281828 His act featured two of the earliest His act featured two of the earliest

“Ethiopian” “Ethiopian” songs, songs, “Long Tail Blue” “Long Tail Blue” and and ““Coal Black Rose.”

Thomas Dartmouth Rice Thomas Dartmouth Rice (1808–60)(1808–60)

White actor born into a White actor born into a poor family poor family in in New York’s Seventh WardNew York’s Seventh Ward

Demonstrated the potential Demonstrated the potential popularity popularity and profitability and profitability of minstrelsy with the of minstrelsy with the song song “Jim Crow” “Jim Crow” (1829)(1829)

““Daddy” Rice’s Jim Crow character Daddy” Rice’s Jim Crow character – Spoke and sang Spoke and sang in a dialect that was based in a dialect that was based

partly on partly on preexisting white rural characterspreexisting white rural characters

““Zip Coon”Zip Coon”

Shortly after Rice's “Shortly after Rice's “Jim CrowJim Crow” ” became famous, George Washington became famous, George Washington Dixon performed as “Dixon performed as “Zip CoonZip Coon.” .”

““Jim Crow” was supposed to be a Jim Crow” was supposed to be a southern slavesouthern slave, dressed in rags; , dressed in rags; “Zip” (derived from the name Scipio) “Zip” (derived from the name Scipio) was supposed to be a was supposed to be a northern, northern, urban, dandified black. urban, dandified black.

““Zip Coon”Zip Coon”

““Ethiopian” song hit Ethiopian” song hit Published in Published in New York in 1834New York in 1834 Verse-chorus Verse-chorus ballad formballad form Verses contain images Verses contain images of banjo of banjo

playing, wild dancing, and barnyard playing, wild dancing, and barnyard animalsanimals..– “ “Zip a duden duden duden zip a duden Zip a duden duden duden zip a duden

day” (direct ancestor of the song “day” (direct ancestor of the song “Zip a Zip a Dee Doo DahDee Doo Dah,” featured in Walt Disney’s ,” featured in Walt Disney’s 1947 cartoon 1947 cartoon Song of the SouthSong of the South) )

The Virginia Minstrels The Virginia Minstrels (1843)(1843)

Led by Led by white banjo virtuoso white banjo virtuoso Dan Emmett Dan Emmett (1815-1904), created a lengthy stage (1815-1904), created a lengthy stage performance that featured a standardized performance that featured a standardized group of performers:group of performers:– Mr. InterlocuterMr. Interlocuter—lead performer who sang and —lead performer who sang and

provided patter between actsprovided patter between acts– Mr. Bones and Mr. TamboMr. Bones and Mr. Tambo—sat at either end of —sat at either end of

the line of performers. the line of performers. Dan Emmett claimed to have writtenDan Emmett claimed to have written

Dixie’s Land.

MinstrelsyMinstrelsy

From the From the 1840s through the 1880s1840s through the 1880s, , the predominant genre in the United the predominant genre in the United States States

An important influence on the An important influence on the mainstream of American popular songmainstream of American popular song

Minstrel troupes toured the United Minstrel troupes toured the United States constantly, helping create an States constantly, helping create an embryonic national popular culture.embryonic national popular culture.

The The minstrel show minstrel show is the direct is the direct ancestor of ancestor of vaudevillevaudeville..

An Early Pop Songwriter:An Early Pop Songwriter:Stephen Collins Foster (1826–Stephen Collins Foster (1826–

64)64) The The most influential songwriter most influential songwriter of of

American popular song during the American popular song during the nineteenth centurynineteenth century

Composed around Composed around two hundred two hundred songs during the 1840s, 1850s, and songs during the 1840s, 1850s, and early 1860searly 1860s

Foster was probably the Foster was probably the first person first person in the United States to make his in the United States to make his living as a living as a full-time professional full-time professional songwritersongwriter..

Foster’s SongsFoster’s Songs

“Oh! Susanna” ““Old Folks at Home” Old Folks at Home” ““My Old Kentucky Home, Good My Old Kentucky Home, Good

Night”Night” “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair” “Beautiful Dreamer”

Stephen Collins Foster (1826–Stephen Collins Foster (1826–64)64)

His earliest musical experiences were His earliest musical experiences were dominated by the dominated by the sentimental song sentimental song tradition. tradition.

Foster knew and incorporated into Foster knew and incorporated into his work the his work the various song styles various song styles popular in mid-century America. popular in mid-century America.

Listening: “Jeanie with the Listening: “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair”Light Brown Hair”

An example of Foster’s sentimental “Irish” An example of Foster’s sentimental “Irish” style, style, strongly reminiscent strongly reminiscent of the songs of of the songs of Thomas MooreThomas Moore

An example of a form that would become An example of a form that would become increasingly common in American popular increasingly common in American popular musicmusic– Four-section song Four-section song with an with an AABAAABA melodic structure melodic structure– The A sections begin The A sections begin identically,identically, but their endings but their endings

vary slightly.vary slightly.– The B section introduces a new melody and The B section introduces a new melody and

chords and acts as a musical chords and acts as a musical “bridge” “bridge” that leads that leads us to the final A section.us to the final A section.

Listening: “Jeanie with the Listening: “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair”Light Brown Hair”

A1: A1: I Dream of Jeanie with the I Dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair...light brown hair...

A2:A2: I see her tripping where the I see her tripping where the bright streams play…bright streams play…

B: B: Many were the wild notes her Many were the wild notes her merry voice would pour…merry voice would pour…

A3: A3: I dream of Jeanie with the I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair …light brown hair …

Stephen Collins Foster (1826–Stephen Collins Foster (1826–64)64)

Foster’s success was supported by a Foster’s success was supported by a number of number of social and technological factorssocial and technological factors::– Minstrel troupes Minstrel troupes performed his songs on their performed his songs on their

tours.tours.– Sheet music Sheet music – Rapid growth of Rapid growth of public music education public music education – Expanded domestic production of Expanded domestic production of cheap pianoscheap pianos– The The parlor parlor

Stephen Collins Foster (1826–Stephen Collins Foster (1826–64)64)

Foster died in Foster died in obscurity and poverty obscurity and poverty at the age of thirty-seven.at the age of thirty-seven.– Copyright enforcement Copyright enforcement in the mid-in the mid-

nineteenth century did not favor nineteenth century did not favor songwriters. songwriters.

– Foster’s first success, the plantation Foster’s first success, the plantation song “song “Oh! SusannaOh! Susanna” (1847), was sold ” (1847), was sold outright to a music publisher for outright to a music publisher for one one hundred dollarshundred dollars..

Popular MusicPopular Music of the Nineteenth and of the Nineteenth and

Early Twentieth CenturiesEarly Twentieth Centuries

Dance Music, Brass Bands, Dance Music, Brass Bands, and Tin Pan Alley and Tin Pan Alley

Dance MusicDance Music

American popular music has been American popular music has been closely bound up with closely bound up with dancedance and with and with the various the various social functions social functions of of dancing.dancing.

The earliest examples of published The earliest examples of published dance music in the United States dance music in the United States were modeled on were modeled on styles popular in styles popular in EnglandEngland..

Contradance Contradance or Country Dance Traditionor Country Dance Tradition

Until the early twentieth century, Until the early twentieth century, social dancing among white social dancing among white Americans was dominated by Americans was dominated by offshoots of the offshoots of the contradancecontradance or or country dancecountry dance tradition. tradition.

The Grand BallThe Grand Ball

Originally modeled on the Originally modeled on the aristocratic aristocratic occasions of European royaltyoccasions of European royalty

Provided an important Provided an important public venue public venue for Americans hoping to demonstrate for Americans hoping to demonstrate their their refinementrefinement and knowledge of and knowledge of high culture high culture

Brass BandsBrass Bands

Military bands made up of brass Military bands made up of brass instruments (e.g., trumpets, cornets, instruments (e.g., trumpets, cornets, trombones, and tubas) spread rapidly trombones, and tubas) spread rapidly during and after the during and after the Civil WarCivil War..

Drew energy from the interaction of Drew energy from the interaction of patriotism and popular culturepatriotism and popular culture

John Philip Sousa (1854–John Philip Sousa (1854–1932)1932)

America’s “America’s “March KingMarch King” ” The most popular bandleader of the The most popular bandleader of the

late nineteenth and early twentieth late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries centuries

John Philip Sousa (1854––1932)1932)

The son of a The son of a trombonist trombonist in the U.S. Marine in the U.S. Marine Band. Band.

He eventually became the He eventually became the Marine Band’s Marine Band’s conductorconductor and later formed a successful and later formed a successful “commercial” concert band touring the “commercial” concert band touring the U.S. and Europe, giving over U.S. and Europe, giving over 10,000 10,000 concertsconcerts..

The band performed a mixture of The band performed a mixture of marchesmarches, , original works original works for band, and for band, and popular music popular music of the day. of the day.

““Business Bands”Business Bands”

Touring bands Touring bands not connected not connected to to government institutions—were an government institutions—were an important part of the American music important part of the American music business. business.

Italian concert bandsItalian concert bands A A national phenomenon national phenomenon and a and a powerful powerful

shaper shaper of musical taste during the late of musical taste during the late nineteenth century nineteenth century

Contributed to later developments in Contributed to later developments in popular music and jazzpopular music and jazz

The Birth of Tin Pan AlleyThe Birth of Tin Pan Alley

By the end of the nineteenth century, By the end of the nineteenth century, the American music publishing business the American music publishing business had become centered in had become centered in New York CityNew York City..

After 1885, the established publishers After 1885, the established publishers were being were being challengedchallenged by smaller by smaller companies specializing in the more companies specializing in the more exciting exciting popular songs popular songs performed in performed in dance halls, beer gardens, and dance halls, beer gardens, and theaters.theaters.

The Birth of Tin Pan AlleyThe Birth of Tin Pan Alley

These new publishing firms—many of them These new publishing firms—many of them founded by founded by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Jewish immigrants from Eastern EuropeEurope—had offices in a section of lower —had offices in a section of lower Manhattan, a dense hive of Manhattan, a dense hive of small rooms with small rooms with pianos pianos where composers and “song pluggers” where composers and “song pluggers” produced and promoted popular songs.produced and promoted popular songs.

This stretch of This stretch of 28th Street 28th Street became known as became known as Tin Pan AlleyTin Pan Alley,, a term that evoked the a term that evoked the clanging clanging sound sound of many pianos simultaneously playing of many pianos simultaneously playing songs in a variety of keys and tempos.songs in a variety of keys and tempos.

The Birth of Tin Pan AlleyThe Birth of Tin Pan Alley

The 1890s saw the rise of the The 1890s saw the rise of the modern American music business.modern American music business.

Sheet music sold for between Sheet music sold for between twenty-five and sixty cents.twenty-five and sixty cents.

The wholesale value of printed music The wholesale value of printed music in the United States in the United States more than more than tripled tripled between 1890 and 1909. between 1890 and 1909.

Vaudeville Vaudeville

Theatrical form descended from Theatrical form descended from music music hall shows and minstrelsy hall shows and minstrelsy

By the turn of the century, it had By the turn of the century, it had become the become the most important medium most important medium for popularizing Tin Pan Alley songs. for popularizing Tin Pan Alley songs.

Vaudeville shows typically consisted Vaudeville shows typically consisted of a of a series of performancesseries of performances presented presented one after the other one after the other without any without any overarching narrative theme.overarching narrative theme.

Paul Dresser (1857–1906)Paul Dresser (1857–1906)

One of the most One of the most popular composers popular composers of the early Tin Pan Alley period of the early Tin Pan Alley period

Wrote a series of sentimental and Wrote a series of sentimental and nostalgic songs, including “nostalgic songs, including “The Letter The Letter That Never CameThat Never Came” (1885) and ” (1885) and On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away (1899; later adopted as the official (1899; later adopted as the official state song of Indiana)state song of Indiana)

Harry von Tilzer (1872–Harry von Tilzer (1872–1946)1946)

Sometimes referred to as the “Sometimes referred to as the “Daddy of Popular Daddy of Popular SongSong” ”

Successful turn-of-the-century songwriterSuccessful turn-of-the-century songwriter His big hits included “His big hits included “A Bird in a Gilded CageA Bird in a Gilded Cage” ”

(1900) and “(1900) and “I Want a Girl I Want a Girl (Just Like the Girl That (Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad)” (1911). Married Dear Old Dad)” (1911).

Von Tilzer was a calculating composer: one of his Von Tilzer was a calculating composer: one of his hints for aspiring songwriters was to hints for aspiring songwriters was to keep the keep the tunes to a limited range tunes to a limited range so that even a baby so that even a baby could hum themcould hum them. .

The songs of Dresser and von Tilzer represent the The songs of Dresser and von Tilzer represent the commercial peak commercial peak of the nineteenth-century parlor of the nineteenth-century parlor song.song.

James A. Bland (1854–1911)James A. Bland (1854–1911) One of the best-known and most successful One of the best-known and most successful

composers of composers of plantation songsplantation songs The first The first successful black songwriter successful black songwriter An An ex-minstrel show performer ex-minstrel show performer from a from a

middle-class backgroundmiddle-class background Wrote some seven hundred songs, includingWrote some seven hundred songs, including

– “ “Carry Me Back to Old VirginnyCarry Me Back to Old Virginny” (published in ” (published in 1878, for a long time the official state song of 1878, for a long time the official state song of Virginia) andVirginia) and

– ““Oh, Dem Golden SlippersOh, Dem Golden Slippers” (published 1879).” (published 1879). Became popular in Became popular in EuropeEurope, where he , where he

performed concerts for large fees performed concerts for large fees

Charles K. Harris (1867–Charles K. Harris (1867–1930)1930)

Self-taught Self-taught banjo player banjo player from from Wisconsin Wisconsin

Could not write down musicCould not write down music Dictated his songs to a Dictated his songs to a professional professional

musicianmusician Published “Published “After the BallAfter the Ball” in 1892” in 1892

– First “mega-hit” pop songFirst “mega-hit” pop song– Eventually sold over Eventually sold over five million copies five million copies

in sheet musicin sheet music

““After the Ball”After the Ball” Harris paid a Harris paid a well known singer well known singer in a traveling in a traveling

theater production to incorporate “After the Ball” theater production to incorporate “After the Ball” into his performance. into his performance.

It soon became the It soon became the most popular part of the playmost popular part of the play, , and audiences requested that it be repeated and audiences requested that it be repeated several times several times during each performance. during each performance.

Harris published the song himself and was soon Harris published the song himself and was soon clearing around clearing around twenty-five thousand dollars a twenty-five thousand dollars a monthmonth. .

““After the Ball” was performed by John Philip After the Ball” was performed by John Philip Sousa’s band at the Sousa’s band at the World’s Columbian Exposition World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in Chicago (1893).(1893).

““After the Ball”After the Ball”

Tells Tells a tragic story a tragic story of lost love in the of lost love in the ballad traditionballad tradition

Waltz time, ¾ meter Waltz time, ¾ meter The form is strophic (The form is strophic (verse-chorusverse-chorus)) Each verse of “After the Ball” is Each verse of “After the Ball” is

followed by a chorus, a contrasting followed by a chorus, a contrasting section consisting of a fixed melody section consisting of a fixed melody and lyrics. and lyrics.

Three main sections or strophes, each Three main sections or strophes, each made up of a verse and a chorus. made up of a verse and a chorus.

Popular MusicPopular Music of the Nineteenth and Early of the Nineteenth and Early

Twentieth CenturiesTwentieth Centuries

The Ragtime Craze: 1896–The Ragtime Craze: 1896–19181918

Ragtime Music Ragtime Music

Emerged in the Emerged in the 1880s1880s Its popularity peaked in the Its popularity peaked in the decade decade

after after the turn of the century.the turn of the century. Ragtime initially was a Ragtime initially was a piano music piano music

but gradually came to identify but gradually came to identify any any syncopated music. syncopated music.

The term “The term “ragtimeragtime” was used to ” was used to describe any music that describe any music that contained contained syncopationsyncopation. .

Ragtime MusicRagtime Music The word derives from the African American The word derives from the African American

term “term “to ragto rag,” meaning to enliven a piece of ,” meaning to enliven a piece of music by music by shifting melodic accents onto the shifting melodic accents onto the offbeatsoffbeats (a technique known as (a technique known as syncopation).syncopation).

It began as an It began as an obscure folk-dance music obscure folk-dance music played up and down the Mississippi valley played up and down the Mississippi valley during last quarter of the nineteenth during last quarter of the nineteenth century. century.

Ragtime energized popular music in America Ragtime energized popular music in America by adding by adding rhythmic vitality rhythmic vitality (syncopation) to (syncopation) to the music. the music.

The BanjoThe Banjo

A stringed instrument developed by A stringed instrument developed by slave musicians from African slave musicians from African prototypesprototypes during the early colonial during the early colonial period.period.

The The basic patterns basic patterns of ragtime music of ragtime music were were transferred from the banjotransferred from the banjo..

RagtimeRagtime

Also influenced by Also influenced by Latin American Latin American rhythms rhythms such as the such as the Cuban habanera Cuban habanera

Marching band music Marching band music contributed the contributed the regular “regular “oom-pahoom-pah” bass common in ” bass common in ragtime pieces. ragtime pieces.

Ragtime SongsRagtime Songs

Coon songCoon song– Popular among Popular among white audiences white audiences from from

the 1890s until World War Ithe 1890s until World War I– Usually accompanied by a Usually accompanied by a simplified simplified

version of the syncopated rhythmsversion of the syncopated rhythms of of ragtime piano musicragtime piano music

““All Coons Look Alike to Me”All Coons Look Alike to Me”

The first piece of sheet music to bear The first piece of sheet music to bear the term “the term “ragrag””

Composed by the African American Composed by the African American songwriter songwriter Ernest HoganErnest Hogan

Published (complete with racist Published (complete with racist caricatures on the cover) in caricatures on the cover) in 1896 1896

March SongsMarch Songs

Ragtime-influenced songs that were Ragtime-influenced songs that were less derogatory in content than less derogatory in content than coon songs coon songs

Owed less to the style developed by Owed less to the style developed by Joplin and other black pianistsJoplin and other black pianists

George M. Cohan George M. Cohan (1878–1942), (1878–1942), author of “author of “You’re a Grand Old FlagYou’re a Grand Old Flag” ” (1907)(1907)

Ragtime SongsRagtime Songs

The growing market for ragtime The growing market for ragtime songs at the turn of the century songs at the turn of the century suggests a continuation of the suggests a continuation of the white white fascination with African American fascination with African American musicmusic first evinced in minstrelsy. first evinced in minstrelsy.

Most popular ragtime songs were Most popular ragtime songs were vigorous march-style songs vigorous march-style songs with a with a few “few “irregularirregular” rhythms added for ” rhythms added for effect.effect.

Scott Joplin (1868–1917)Scott Joplin (1868–1917)

The most The most famous ragtime composer famous ragtime composer of the of the eraera

Best known for his Best known for his piano ragspiano rags Born in Born in TexasTexas Began to play piano around the town of Began to play piano around the town of

TexarkanaTexarkana during his teens and received during his teens and received instruction in instruction in classical music theory classical music theory from a from a German teacher German teacher

His first regular job as a pianist was in His first regular job as a pianist was in a a cafe in St. Louis. cafe in St. Louis.

Scott Joplin (1868–1917)Scott Joplin (1868–1917)

Developed a “ragging” piano style, Developed a “ragging” piano style, improvising improvising around the around the themes of themes of popular songs and marchespopular songs and marches in a in a syncopated stylesyncopated style

Between 1895 and 1915, Joplin Between 1895 and 1915, Joplin composed many of the composed many of the classics of the classics of the ragtime repertoireragtime repertoire

Helped popularize the style through Helped popularize the style through his his piano arrangementspiano arrangements, published as , published as sheet music sheet music

Scott Joplin (1868–1917)Scott Joplin (1868–1917)

Joplin’s rags were also widely heard Joplin’s rags were also widely heard on on player pianosplayer pianos. .

Player pianos were elaborate Player pianos were elaborate mechanical devices activated by mechanical devices activated by piano rollspiano rolls—spools of paper with —spools of paper with punched holespunched holes that controlled the that controlled the movement of the piano’s keys.movement of the piano’s keys.

““Maple Leaf Rag” (1898)Maple Leaf Rag” (1898)

Scott Joplin’s Scott Joplin’s first successful piecefirst successful piece Named after the Named after the Maple Leaf social club Maple Leaf social club

in Sedalia, where he often playedin Sedalia, where he often played The piece was published in 1899 and The piece was published in 1899 and

became a huge hit, spreading Joplin’s became a huge hit, spreading Joplin’s fame to fame to Europe and beyond. Europe and beyond.

““Maple Leaf” started a Maple Leaf” started a nationwide nationwide craze craze for syncopated music. for syncopated music.

Listening: “Maple Leaf Rag”Listening: “Maple Leaf Rag”

The form and style are typical of The form and style are typical of “classic” ragtime“classic” ragtime. . ““Maple Leaf” consists of a succession of four Maple Leaf” consists of a succession of four

distinct themes:distinct themes:– AABBACCDDAABBACCDD– This type of form is This type of form is common in marches. common in marches.

Right hand (melody) plays Right hand (melody) plays syncopatedsyncopated (“offbeat” (“offbeat” or “staggered”) rhythms and riff-based melodies, or “staggered”) rhythms and riff-based melodies, usually built on three-note patterns.usually built on three-note patterns.

Left hand (accompaniment) plays Left hand (accompaniment) plays regular bass regular bass partpart; march-like, two-beat patterns.; march-like, two-beat patterns.

The rhythmic interest comes from the The rhythmic interest comes from the interplay of interplay of the two hands. the two hands.

Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton Morton

New Orleans New Orleans jazz pianist jazz pianist Took Joplin’s composition and treated Took Joplin’s composition and treated

it as the basis for it as the basis for extended, extended, rhythmically complex improvisationsrhythmically complex improvisations

Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton’s Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton’s version of “Maple Leaf Rag” can be version of “Maple Leaf Rag” can be heard in heard in The Smithsonian Collection The Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazzof Classic Jazz

The Rise of the PhonographThe Rise of the Phonograph

Invented in 1877 by Invented in 1877 by Thomas Alva Thomas Alva Edison Edison and, at around the same time, and, at around the same time, by a French inventor named by a French inventor named Charles Charles CrosCros

The energy from sound waves was The energy from sound waves was transferred to a transferred to a foil or wax cylinderfoil or wax cylinder, , which could then be used to which could then be used to reproduce the reproduce the original soundsoriginal sounds. .

Phonograph DiscsPhonograph Discs

Two companies dominated the Two companies dominated the American market in phonograph American market in phonograph discs at the turn of the century:discs at the turn of the century:– Columbia Records Columbia Records (formed in 1887) (formed in 1887) – Victor Talking Machine Company Victor Talking Machine Company (1901)(1901)

Phonograph DiscsPhonograph Discs

1890s: The first 1890s: The first nickelodeonsnickelodeons——machines that played music hits for a machines that played music hits for a nickel—were set up in public places.nickel—were set up in public places.

1902: Enrico Caruso recorded a series 1902: Enrico Caruso recorded a series of of Opera arias Opera arias in London. Victor sold in London. Victor sold over two million dollars’ worth of discs over two million dollars’ worth of discs after his death in 1921. after his death in 1921.

1902: 1902: Twelve-inch shellac discs Twelve-inch shellac discs were were introduced. introduced.

RadioRadio

1920: The first three commercial radio 1920: The first three commercial radio stations in the U.S. were established stations in the U.S. were established ((KDKA in Pittsburgh, WWJ in Detroit, KDKA in Pittsburgh, WWJ in Detroit, and WJZ in Newarkand WJZ in Newark). ).

1926: The first nationwide commercial 1926: The first nationwide commercial radio network was established radio network was established ((National Broadcasting Company National Broadcasting Company [NBC][NBC]).).

1927: There were over 1927: There were over 1,000 radio 1,000 radio stationsstations in the United States. in the United States.