Radio: Poor Man’s Philharmonic

A pair of salvage-pile symphonists took time out recently to display their devotion to one of the oldest, most discordant traditions in U.S. show business: the One-Man Band. Their meeting for the “world championship” occurred on the Blue Network’s Breakfast Club (8 a.m., C.W.T.).

Archie Sweet, janitor of the Blue’s Chicago studios, led off with an infuriating rendition of Mairzy Doats on his washboard, casserole cover, alarm clock, etc. But the title was tucked away by redheaded James Howard Nash, alias Panhandle Pete (see cut), ex-North Carolina hillbilly of Grand Island, Neb., Station KMMJ, who detonated his Wabash Cannon Ball on an automobile exhaust whistle, cowbell, six feet of garden hose and 14 other gadgets. Said his opponent: “I know when I’m licked.”