Radio: A Reference Guide (American Popular Culture)

The purpose of this work is to provide scholars and students of popular culture with an evaluative survey of research materials about radio. . . . An interesting introduction provides an overview of radio's history in the U.S. The bibliographic essays throughout the work will hold the attention of readers and cover topics such as networks and station histories, radio drama, news, music, comedy and variety, and sports. All users will discover important sources of information and will appreciate the well-written bibliographic essays. Booklist Following a brief historical overview on radio and its role in American life, chapters offer informative and, within the confines of the format, lively and enjoyable bibliographic essays on individual facets of radio as an entertainment and information medium. . . . Highly recommended. Choice

Intended to be an evaluative survey of bibliographical material on the history and development of radio and radio programming in America, this guide identifies and discusses more than 500 written sources relating to radio music, drama, comedy and variety, news, sports and more. An introductory chapter thoroughly analyzes the historical development of the medium--from its inception during the pioneer era, to the network era (radio's Golden Age), to the decline of radio in the 1950s, and finally to the radio renaissance--based largely, on narrowcasting--that began in the 1960s and continues to the present. Greenfield also examines the formation of the FCC, focuses on radio's losing battle with television--the main reason for its decline beginning in 1949--and provides a cogent analysis of the creative thinking underlying not only the concept of today's narrowcasting, but of the current ascendency of the local station as well. Also addresses are the Press/Radio war of the 1930s, the rise of radio drama, and the enormous influence of rock and roll music on the evolution of radio programming after World War II. A chapter is devoted to networks and station histories and another to issues such as women in radio, advertising, religious broadcasting, and armed forces radio. A list of selected archival collections, radio organizations and associations, and an index complete the volume.

Primarily designed for students, scholars, and researchers in the fields of broadcasting and popular culture, this reference deserves a place in university libraries but also has a wealth of information of interest to radio and television professionals. And, because its resources include popular and fan materials as well as standard academic and professional publications, Radio: A Reference Guide provides an insightful overview for any informed generalist with an interest in this important facet of American popular culture.

Thomas Allen Greenfield is Professor of English and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Bellarmine College. He is a member of the national board of the Federation of State Humanities Councils. Greenfield's first book Work and the Work Ethic in American Drama, 1920-1970 was published in 1982.