33 Facts About Martin Block

When his career had stalled in Los Angeles, Martin Block moved his family to New York; he was only there for a week before he got an announcing job.

In 1934, Martin Block went to work for WNEW at a salary of $20 per week.

In 1935, while listeners to New York's WNEW in New York were awaiting developments in the Lindbergh kidnapping, Martin Block built his audience by playing records between the Lindbergh news bulletins.

Martin Block bought some records from a local music shop for the program as the radio station had none.

Martin Block purchased five Clyde McCoy records, selecting his "Sugar Blues" for the radio show's initial theme song.

Martin Block lined up a producer of reducing pills called "Retardo".

When one of Martin Block's sponsors offered a sale on refrigerators during a New York snowstorm, 109 people braved the elements for the bargain Martin Block advertised; by 1941 potential sponsors for his show had to be put on a waiting list for availabilities.

Martin Block's alibi was that he was home at the time, listening to the show, describing how Guy Lombardo, who was to appear on Make Believe Ballroom, was unable to keep the engagement and sent a telegram, which was read on the air.

Martin Block's story was verified and all charges were dropped.

That same year, Martin Block hosted what was billed as a "$20,000 Jam Session" on the show, featuring artists including both Dorsey brothers, Count Basie, Harry James, and Gene Krupa.

Martin Block and Make Believe Ballroom made the cover of Billboard magazine in April, 1942.

Jones telephoned Martin Block, who went on the air with the news.

The illusion was shattered by a 1948 musical short in which Martin Block talked about the show while sitting in front of his extensive record library.

Martin Block did a weekly international version of Make Believe Ballroom for Voice of America beginning in 1949.

When Martin Block heard that Voice of America would begin broadcasting a popular music program, he volunteered to host the show without pay.

Martin Block was the announcer for The Chesterfield Supper Club; some of his other announcing assignments were on Pepper Young's Family, Kay Kyser's radio show and the CBS Hit Parade.

In 1945, a busy Martin Block was doing the Supper Club announcing for the first broadcast, going to WNEW for his own Make Believe Ballroom, working on a CBS radio show called Johnnie Johnston three days a week via telephone from WNEW, then returning to Chesterfield Supper Club for the later broadcast for the West Coast.

Martin Block hosted a music show, Columbia Record Shop, for CBS beginning in 1946.

Martin Block began a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for a series of short musical films, under the umbrella title, Martin Block Presents, in 1947.

Martin Block began doing a program for the network called Block Party with bandleader Ray Block earlier in 1947.

Martin Block was able to continue with Chesterfield Supper Club while in California as the announcer for the Tuesday and Thursday broadcasts from Hollywood with Jo Stafford after she moved there.

On returning from the West Coast, Martin Block continued as the New York announcer for the "Supper Club".

Martin Block went on to do the announcing for the television version of the program when it began in December, 1948.

Martin Block co-wrote the Glenn Miller hit of 1941, "I Guess I'll Have to Dream the Rest".

Miller recorded a version of the Make Believe Ballroom theme, titled "Make Believe Ballroom Time", for which Martin Block wrote the lyrics.

Martin Block had his own music publishing companies, Martin Block Music and Embee Music.

Martin Block declared Dinah Shore had won the spot on his radio show.

Block left Make Believe Ballroom in 1954 to host The Martin Block Show for ABC Radio, originating from the network's New York flagship WABC.

On February 3,1955, Martin Block was the host of a special program to mark the 20th anniversary of Make Believe Ballroom.

In 1962 Martin Block went on to host a weekly fifteen minute radio show called Guard Session.

Martin Block died at an Englewood, New Jersey, hospital September 18,1967.

Martin Block was survived by his wife, Joyce, and seven children; six of the children were from previous marriages.

In 1988, Martin Block was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.