Fred Waring's America

Rare footage from Waring Archives used in Les Paul documentary

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

The producers of a 90-minute documentary on the life and work of the Les Paul, are using several excerpts from a historical film owned by the Fred Waring Collection, known as Fred Waring's America. The film about Paul, known as the "godfather of the electric guitar" and inventor of multi-track recording, will premiere nationally July 11 on PBS's "American Masters." "Les Paul: Chasing Sound" will air at 9 p.m. July 11 on the local public television station WPSU.

The producers of the documentary, Paulson Productions, are using several excerpts from "Chesterfield Pleasure Time," a short promotional film made in 1940 highlighting one of the most popular daily radio programs of the time.

The excerpts from "Chesterfield Pleasure Time" being used by the filmmakers feature the Les Paul Trio, who were hired by Waring to perform on his popular radio program. The producers of the documentary contacted the Waring collection looking for photographs, recordings and film footage that documented the time the Les Paul Trio worked for Waring. After viewing the film made about the Chesterfield show, producer Jim Arntz said, "The film is so charming. Wish we could just run the whole thing."

Famous bandleader, choral conductor and showman, Waring was a megastar throughout the '30s and '40s who had produced dozens of Top 10 hits with his orchestra and hosted a series of nationally broadcast radio shows. His group was considered the premiere radio band of the day. Waring and his group the Pennsylvanians made their debut on radio in 1933 with a weekly CBS show. Starting in June 1939 they went on the air with the "Chesterfield Pleasure Time Show" five nights a week, for the next six years.

Paul, a country musician from Waukesha, Wis., and his bandmates Ernie Newton and Jimmy Atkins were hired by Waring in 1939 as featured performers for the "Chesterfield Pleasure Time Radio Show. "Very few people had heard the sound of an electric guitar in those days, and combined with the smooth, low voice of Atkins and unique brush-bass playing of Newton, the Les Paul Trio had a unique sound.