The K-Rob Collection Ken Robinson

During the great depression of the 1930's, CBS Radio cooperated with the federal government to create the series Americans All, Immigrants All, to combat the rising tide of racism, and anti-antisemitism sweeping the nation at the time. Americans All highlighted the many hardships minorities suffered, and the numerous contributions they had made to society. It provided a counter balance to the views of popular radio preacher Father Charles Coughlin, a white nationalist, who promoted anti-minority conspiracy theories, and is considered to be the Rush Limbaugh of broadcasting's golden age. Coughlin also supported some of the fascist policies of Nazi Germany. So in 1938, the Americans All, Immigrants all series took to the airwaves for 26 weeks, promoting equality and inclusion. You will hear three episodes, the first highlighting African-Americans, the second featuring Hispanics, and the third focusing on Asian-Americans. 

More at http://krobcollection.com

Ken interviews renowned forensic pathologist and author Dr Cyril Wecht, about sloppy crime scene investigations, including the JFK Assassination the O.J. Simpson case, the Sam Sheppard murder, and others.  Plus, more police officers are dying from suicides than from attacks and incidents involving suspects.  Clifford Kime has organized a special unit to assist cops confronted by stress. 

More info at http:/krobcollection.com

In April 1947, modern day baseball changed forever. That's when Jackie Robinson played his first major league game as a Brooklyn Dodger. After that day, there were a string of African-American firsts in baseball.  Four months later, Dan Bankhead of the Dodgers became the first black pitcher to play in a major league game. In 1948, Roy Campanella became the first black catcher. Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians became the first Black player to hit a home run in a World Series. In 1949, there were three African-Americans playing in the World Series when just 3 years earlier Blacks were still excluded from Major League Baseball. All three were playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, and pitcher Don Newcombe. Robinson and Campanella would become Hall of Famers, and Newcombe would win both the Cy Young and National League Most Valuable Player awards during the same season. You'll hear all three playing in Game 4 of the 1949 World Series against the Yankees.  Newcombe took the mound with only 2 days rest, from striking out 11 Yankees in Game One, but the Yankees won 1-to-nothing and would go on to take the series.  

Get details at http://krobcollection.com

On this podcast, we honor the great Louis Armstrong, one of the most influential figures in jazz. Also called, "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", the African-American trumpeter and vocalist had a career that spanned five decades, starting in the early 20th century. In the 1920s, he was a driving force behind the Harlem Renaissance. In the 1930s Armstrong began appearing in movies, and became a regular fixture on radio. In 1937, Armstrong became the first African American to host a sponsored, national broadcast, the Fleischman's Yeast Show on the NBC Blue Network.

He received many accolades including the Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance for Hello, Dolly! in 1965, as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. We'll listen to Armstrong perform live on the wartime program Jubilee in 1943, on the Bing Crosby Show with Ella Fitzgerald in 1951, followed by the story of his early life on Destination Freedom.

More at KRobCollection.com

Tracy Plouck of Ohio University says their study shows that suicide is now a major public health threat. Michelle Star attempted suicide but now helps people deal with stressful conditions that could lead to tragedy. 

More at http://krobcollection.com

The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was the first integrated all-women's band in the United States. The Sweethearts were formed at Piney Woods Country Life School in Mississippi in 1938, to help raise funds for the facility which served poor, orphaned, and African American children. By 1941, the band was so successful they hit the road, playing swing and jazz across the nation including New York City, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Europe. In addition to black women, members of the band included Latina, Asian, Caucasian, Indian and Puerto Rican females, making touring the Jim Crow South very difficult. During the 1940s the band featured some of the best female musicians of the era. They made radio and movie appearances, but despite their success, the International Sweethearts of Rhythm disbanded in 1949, as members left to start their families, as big bands started to decline in popularity. You will hear two radio appearances by the Sweethearts on the show Jubilee in 1944, and 1945. 

More info at http://krobcollection.com