Kenny Baker

[Yhtapmys]

The L.A. Times of Dec. 8, 1935 had a little profile of Kenny, thus:

The frustrate character that Harry Conn has created for Kenny Baker on the Jack Benny shows is at variance the personality the tenor displays in answering a flood of questions put to him by the NBC press department. He gives the impression of being sincere, sentimental and religious. And let’s not forget the sense of humor which crops out unexpectedly.
Ken says of his first audition: “On Paul Whiteman’s Pontiac program I sang the first two bars of ‘Lonesome Road’ and was and was politely asked to go find it” . . . Worker on Jennie’s Hour in 1931 “free of charge” and the following year appeared with the Novis Singers on KNX, through which he got an Easter service in Monrovia (his home town) . . . “Two services, $10,” says Ken, “and I cracked on the high notes at both services”. . . Talked Ted Bliss (then with KFOX) into giving him a quarter hour, twice a week, just for experience. . . Lasted six months . . . Declares he obtained his first radio contract by winning an audition and being willing to rehearse a month with a guarantee of one week.
Attended Poly High and Junior College in Long Beach, where he began his singing career as a soloist in the choir of the Brethren Church, which is a far cry from his present role in the forthcoming Fox-Twentieth Century production, “King of Burlesque”. . . Studied dramatics in junior college and received his musical education from Edward Novis, his musical adviser for the last three years . . . Considers his winning of the local “Radio Open,” over 600 contestants, the most dramatic moment in his radio career, and his present engagement with Benny his outstanding achievement.
Curly-haired Kenny is 23 years of age, stands six feet tall and is married to his high school sweetheart . . . Pet aversions are women with Pekingese dogs and people who think he’s “a Mrs. Baker” on the phone . . . Tries out his voice upon awakening each morn “to see if it still works,” and never sings in public without praying before-hand.

Just a note that this contained the third reference to Harry Conn that I could find in a bunch of newspapers for Dec. 1935.

Yhtapmys

[scottp]

The L.A. Times of Dec. 8, 1935 had a little profile of Kenny, thus:

Ken says of his first audition: “On Paul Whiteman’s Pontiac program I sang the first two bars of ‘Lonesome Road’ and was and was politely asked to go find it” . . .

Yhtapmys

Comparable to what someone said about another singer,
"When he sings 'Home' many in the audience have an urge to go there."