I was fortunate enough to have inherited a love for the classic radio shows from my father.
My father loved old-time radio and we’d often listen to old shows on tape when he was driving us anywhere. He liked comedies like Fibber McGee and Molly, Amos and Andy, or Fred Allen. He also listened to some dramas and I liked those the best
With a perfectly timed half-hour commute, I like to listen to the RadioClassics channel on SiriusXM.
Today’s commute I listened to “The Chase: Easy Riches, Sudden Death.” Suspenseful narrative, masterful precision, I was hooked. I did have to sit in the parking lot for a few minutes to listen to the end. I don’t just enjoy the stories, I like listening to the sound effects to try to guess how they were made.
Beyond mere entertainment, these radio classics serve as a poignant reminder of familial bonds and shared memories. It is something I shared with my father and whenever I listen to one of those shows I think fondly of him. It makes me wonder what my kids will take from me. It also makes me think about that and make sure they take something good.
I also enjoy the break from reality that the old shows provide. I don’t listen to the news. I don’t listen to some political/economic They have their place, but I find I’m in a better mood to start my day when I listen to a radio play instead of news.