A country can't become awash in television -- and TV commercials -- all of a sudden. You have to start somewhere.
Somewhere was New York City exactly 75 years ago. On July 1, 1941, Newton Minow's "vast wasteland" of commercial television consisted of Channel 1, Channel 2 and Channel 4. But Channel 4 was still "experimental" and couldn't run ads, so that leaves us with Channels 1 and 2 -- WNBT (NBC) and WCBW (CBS) -- on that august prewar day in July.
Yes, Virginia, there was a Channel 1 until 1946.
On that July day three-quarters of a century ago, NBC was the first to "go to commercial." Before the start of a Brooklyn Dodgers baseball game, a WNBT camera focused on a test pattern, and in that test pattern was a clock -- a Bulova clock. And that was the first television ad.
The things have been with us since . . . annoying us, amusing us and giving us time to make a trip down the hall. I guess that's worth taking note of on this week's edition of 3 Chords & the Truth.
IN OTHER WORDS, get yourself ready for an entire set of songs devoted to the boob tube. With a little luck, video won't kill the Internet radio star.
Also get yourself ready for a jazz set, a sweet set and a hot one, too. Variety, as they say, is the spice of life.
Or so we've been told. I guess that's why this little program from Omaha, by God, Nebraska is so dad-blasted eclectic.
You are listening to 3C&T, Omaha. Bulova watch time is . . . time to turn on the Big Show and listen to the music.
It's 3 Chords & the Truth, y'all. Be there. Aloha.