Owner of one of the world's largest and best collection of rare records and high-quality radio shows from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, John Tefteller, discussed the rich history of recorded entertainment in the United States. A number of excerpts from classic old radio shows were played during the program including a Groucho Marx and Fanny Brice comedy bit from The Big Show, an Inner Sanctum that featured Boris Karloff in a version of "The Telltale Heart," and two episodes from Suspense--"The Hitchhiker" starring Orson Welles, and "Sorry Wrong Number," with Agnes Moorehead. The radio plays were originally performed live, along with a live orchestra, and sound effects, and had huge ratings-- much bigger than TV shows of today, he detailed.

Alas, only about 10% of all the live radio shows still exist as recordings today, Tefteller lamented, as many of the original live shows were either never recorded, or the 16-inch platters called "electrical transcriptions" were trashed or recycled. While some of the old radio shows heard today sound dated or corny, many remain compelling, and "had the power to unleash people's imagination in ways that television and film could not do," he remarked.

Tefteller also talked about his rare record collection, and his various methods for tracking items. He paid $37,000 for a 78rpm by Delta blues singer Tommy Johnson from the 1920s-- only one other copy of the record is known to exist. He plans to re-master and re-release the recording. Records of rare blues music from the 1920s & 30s can be quite valuable, he noted. The blues are looked at as the beginnings of rock 'n' roll, and of particular interest to some music aficionados, he added.

Alternatives to Antibiotics

First hour guest, Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby talked about how antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria, such as MRSA, have become much more common, and cited a number of natural alternatives to combat them. One is called Quinton Marine Plasma, a nutrient-dense solution harvested from the ocean that "works as a brilliant antibiotic," he opined. Another choice is white tea extract, which is reportedly more powerful than vancomycin, he continued. Scott-Mumby has made available to Coast listeners a free download of his e-book How To Survive In A World Without Antibiotics.

News segment guests: John McAfee, James McCanney