For over 50 years, the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety and Comedy (SPERDVAC) has worked to ensure that classic radio programs from the 1930’s – 1960’s are protected and accessible for generations to come. The current library of over 100,000 programs includes many rare programs and full-seasons of shows from radio icons such as Fred Allen, Bob Hope, Red Skelton.
Founded in 1974, as an all-volunteer organization, SPERDVAC works on multiple tracks.
SPERDVAC has also preserved audio and video recordings of its annual conventions, featuring actors, writers and directors of classic radio programs.
SPERDVAC is a tax-exempt, 501-c-3 organization incorporated in California. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. An 11-member Board of Directors manages the organization.
HISTORY
The Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy (SPERDVAC) traces its beginnings back to May of 1974, when Kevin Stern’s show debuted on KCSN-FM ,Cal State Northridge, California. Initially, Kevin played LP comedy cuts on his three-hour Thursday night program entitled “Canyons of the Mind.” Getting permission from the program manager, he began airing tapes of classic radio shows supplied to him by collector Jerry Haendiges.
A listener, Gene Ward, suggested a new title for the show and “Don’t Touch That Dial” was born. Another listener, Jim Coontz, contacted Kevin with the idea of forming a group consisting of enthusiasts & collectors, in which they could share their passion for classic radio. The first membership meeting (with about 12 people attending) was held in November of 1974 and it was here that SPERDVAC was born. Jim Coontz was chosen to be the first President, a charter was drawn up with 7 goals and a California non-profit corporation status was applied for and granted. Over the years succeeding presidents have been Joe Crawford, Bobb Lynes, Larry Gassman, Don McCroskey, Bob Steinmetz, Tim Knofler and Corey Harker.
Throughout its history, many generous collectors, including legendary Hollywood producer Cecil B. DeMille, Alice Faye, and screen star Dorothy Lamour have gifted their private collections to SPERDVAC. Thanks to financial donations, SPERDVAC has purchased programs through auctions and direct sales. The current SPERDVAC library features over 100,000 programs, 20,000 of which have been digitized and restored and made available on its website.
With Jerry Haendiges donating some of his classic radio shows to start a lending library, other members and sources added more to the collection of reel-to-reel tapes. Soon after, there were hundreds of shows in the library which could be borrowed by mail by members all across the USA.
One of the seven original goals was to honor those pioneers who had contributed so much to make radio the memorable medium it was during those “Golden Years.” The first guest speaker at a meeting was Stan Freberg, who became SPERDVAC Honorary Member #1. Every time afterward, when a person (who worked in radio during the golden age) spoke at a meeting or performed at a later convention, they would become an Honorary Member. “Younger” people were given a Friend of SPERDVAC award. The Honorary Member list grew to more than 400 people.
The first SPERDVAC convention was held in November 1984, and has been held almost every year since then. At those conventions and meetings and dinners, SPERDVAC has been treated to the talents of such OTR giants as Les Tremayne, Carleton Morse, Marvin Miller, Rudy Vallee, Arch Oboler, Norman Corwin, Jim (Fibber McGee) Jordan, June Foray, Himan Brown, Steve Allen, George Ansbro, Fletcher Markle and Ezra Stone, just to name a few.
SPERDVAC was chosen to be the repository for the Cecil B. DeMille Lux Radio Theater discs and scripts, and many others have lent or given their discs to the collection including Dorothy Lamour, and a vast depository of Lone Ranger and Sergeant Preston recordings. The lending libraries (with thousands of shows) continue to grow as newly-discovered material is found, and SPERDVAC has archived (audio and video) most of its meetings and conventions over the years. These audio files as well as hundreds of scripts, are available for members to enjoy.
From 1980 to 1982, the club had three dinners as the famous Brown Derby (Frank Nelson, Lurene Tuttle and Bea Wain spoke at those dinners). Jim Jordan was among the special guests. In 1987, Leonard Maltin taped a segment of SPERDVAC for Entertainment Tonight.
In 1982, six members of the CBS stock company from the 1950s were seated together for a reunion panel during one of the meetings. Norman Corwin spoke at SPERDVAC for the first time in 1978 and would return numerous times.
Leadership
President – Corey Harker
Vice President – Zach Eastman
Treasurer – Alexander (Xan) Chamberlain
Secretary – Scott Mahan
Membership Chair – Sean Dougherty
Other Directors
Carl Amari – Board Member
Constance Campanella – Board Member
Larry Gassman – Board Member
Doug Hopkinson – Board Member
Walden Hughes – Board Member
Sammy Jones – Board Member
Phil Oldham – Board Member
James Scully – Board Member
Non-Profit Disclaimer & Initiatives
SPERDVAC is a 501c Non-Profit Educational Public Benefit Corporation with Six Goals