Al Jolson - John Wehrman Shows

|The Man|Jolson's Legacy|Tribute Programs|John Wehrman

Familiar with the audio and video materials of the Society both from his tenure as IAJS president and from managing the multimedia Jolson materials, the late John Wehrman combined these activities with his broadcast background to produce several Jolson tributes. We can see the love of Jolson in this series of programs that he produced, and a few words from the man, himself, about his passion for Al Jolson.

Program 1 Part 1	This is the first half of the opening program of John's series, produced to be broadcast over the Yesterday USA Internet Station. It includes excerpts from the early Kraft Music Hall, Shell Chateau, Lifebuoy, and Colgate programs, along with an interview of IAJS founder Dolores Kontowicz.

Program 1 Part 2	This is the second half of the opening program of John's series, produced to be broadcast over the Yesterday USA Internet Station. It includes comments from IAJS President Jan Hernstat, excerpts from the Kraft Music Hall, guest appearance with Bing Crosby, and a closing tribute and songs.

Program 2	This is the second program in John Wehrman's series, produced to be broadcast over the Yesterday USA Internet Station. It includes comments from IAJS President Jan Hernstat, excerpts from the Kraft Music Hall, guest appearance with the Andrews Sisters, Mills Brothers, Joan Davis, Peggy Lee, Jimmy Durante, Doris Day, Bing Crosby, and Eddie Cantor; and a closing tribute and song by Al Jolson.

Program 3	This is the third program in John Wehrman's series, produced to be broadcast over the Yesterday USA Internet Station. It includes comments from IAJS President Jan Hernstat, along with the Lifebuoy Program of 27 Dec 1938 with Peter Lorre, and a great assortment of Jolson song hits through the ages.

Program 4	This is the fourth program in John Wehrman's series, produced to be broadcast over the Yesterday USA Internet Station. This unique program with a Christmas theme begins with a crafted Kraft Christmas program that never was, along with several Christmas skits, Jolson's Yiddish number "A Chazan af'n Shabbos," and, of course, "White Christmas." While Jolson never recorded an album of Christmas songs, this is about as close as it comes.

Program 5	This is the fifth program in John Wehrman's series, produced to be broadcast over the Yesterday USA Internet Station. Starting with an "Al and Bing" theme, this program includes the Kraft Music Hall of 16 Oct 1947, with guest star Bing Crosby, as well as a variety of Jolson movie hits.

Program 6	This is the sixth program in John Wehrman's series, produced to be broadcast over the Yesterday USA Internet Station. This show centers on Al Jolson's efforts during World War II and the Korean War, and includes the Colgate Show of 19 Jan 1943, along with a variety of unique audio clips of Al Jolson during these momentous years.

Program 7	This is the seventh program in John Wehrman's series, produced to be broadcast over the Yesterday USA Internet Station. This show includes the Kraft Music Hall program from September 30, 1948, with guest star Judy Garland, and some great and classic Jolson singles. There is something for everyone in this hour long program.


John Wehrman, himself	Debbie Eifler interviewed John Wehrman for the first episode of an Internet radio show that was online for several years. In this interview from October, 2013, which runs just under eight minutes, John told Debbie of his introduction to Al Jolson, the Society, and his views about the future. John passed away in November, 2020, and his presence is missed by all who knew him. Enjoy listening to the man behind these, and many other, productions.

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