Radio Announcer, Reporter, and Historian. He was born "Asahel Vance Graham", but later changed his name legally to "Vance Graham". He was born in Denver, Colorado to a leading obstetrician, Dr. Emmit Vance Graham (who was from a Virginia family), and his mother, the former Pearl Johnson (who was born in Ohio). They lived at 2660 Bellaire Street in Denver, Colorado.
He was an only child and his parents lavished attention on their son. He got high marks at East High School in Denver. After high school, he attended the University of Virginia and was a member of the Jefferson Society. After college, he went to work for the radio station KOA and learned the basics of radio broadcasting there. He went on to attend the University of Denver, where he won the Cranston prize in a debate in April 1925.
On November 1926, at age 20 he was awarded first place in the annual oratorical contest for the Jefferson Literary Society at the University of Virginia and received a scholarship from the United Daughters of the Confederacy to attend that university where he went on to study journalism.
Graham was blessed with a deep, clear, and resonant voice, coupled with perfect diction and enunciation. In about 1928, he went to work for Denver radio station KOA on East Colfax Avenue. He started a late-night show called "Midnight Chimes," which was an immediate hit. Beginning in 1930 the show was taped at the new Paramount Theater in downtown Denver, which opened that same year. Graham, speaking in the empty theater, would share stories and musical selections, performed by Erminie Delaverne, playing the mighty Wurlitzer organ.
In about 1932 he moved west to Los Angeles, where he went to work at radio station KMPC in Hollywood as an announcer, reporter, and newscaster.
On July 4, 1933, Graham gave a live interview with Amelia Earhart just prior to her Independence Day airplane flight from "View Park Airport" (which was near Baldwin Hills) in Los Angeles. A photo shows Graham giving his interview actually standing on the airplane wing with her in the cockpit.
In the mid-1930s, he was the producer of Bing Crosby's popular radio shows "One Man's Family" and "Bing Crosby's Music Hall" for NBC.
By 1939 Vance married his first wife, Mildred Jackson, who was a dramatic radio actress and they had a daughter Nancy.
Early in World War II, Vance worked as "Assistant News Editor" at KMPC and because he was bi-lingual, speaking both English and Spanish, he recorded Latin American music shows for the Armed Forces Radio Network. Later in the war, he worked for the U.S. government on a diplomatic mission to South America. From 1944 to 1947, Vance was the Editor-Supervisor and Lead Newscaster for KMPC. After this, he went on the lecture circuit speaking about Latin American affairs and did live reports for the station in Los Angeles and "on the scene" in San Francisco.
Mildred divorced Vance in November 1947. Because both were radio personalities, the divorce was announced in all the newspapers. Mildred spoke to the press and admitted she still loved Vance, but added: "He's a wonderful guy in many respects, but he is a temperamental artist living in a dream world." Mildred admitted that until he found a new place to live, she would still "cook his meals for him."
Though mainly of Scottish descent and raised in Colorado, Vance took an interest in Latin American culture. He learned to speak Spanish fluently and took a huge interest in Latin music. At that time there was a huge surge in the popularity of "Pan-American" music with the "cha cha cha". "tango", and "bolero" becoming dance crazes. He developed a radio show called "Bolero Time" for radio station KMPC. The program was heard every Sunday morning. He soon developed a large fan base and the show enjoyed great popularity. His fans affectionately began calling him "The Tortilla Kid."
In 1952 he met Lita Santos, a Latin beauty with 2 small children from a former marriage. She recently completed radio school in Hollywood. She would became his co-announcer and would comment on the music, as well as perform the live commercials disguised as impromptu conversations. Their sponsors were "Puritan Bakery", "The Smiling Irishman Auto Dealership", "La Goldendrina Restaurant", and "George Allen Motors" in South Gate.
In 1954, Vance married Lita. In public, Vance sported his trademark bow tie and neatly trimmed mustache. With his dashing good looks, strong, compassionate voice, and broad smile, Vance soon attracted a large female fan base. He was often photographed with starlets in publicity photos and they surrounded him when he made public appearances, which he enjoyed. This led to Estrellita divorcing Vance in 1959. But he continued "Bolero Time" by himself for the next several years.
Graham was a strong strong supporter of Mexican-American causes and frequently sponsored events for Latino youths to be sworn in as U.S. citizens, dances, and other events, particularly in East Los Angeles. He was also a frequent visitor to Mexico where he was lauded as a "Goodwill Ambassador." He wrote liner notes on several record albums, notably for musician Johnny Costanzo. He was asked to be the "master of ceremonies" and hosted numerous events in Hollywood, Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, and East Los Angeles.
By the late 1960s, he was arranging "luxury vacation tours" to Mexico, Hawaii, Canada, and Europe. On his own, since the early 1970s he had 2 more Latin American shows on KMPC, KFI, and KTYM. With his good looks fading, Graham hosted shows entitled "Latino" and "Viva" disguised as a new alter-ego character he created called "Victor", since he no longer sought the public eye in his later years. By the late 1970s, he quietly retired.
Sadly, he lived his final few years in obscurity. Vance was a freemason but had been inactive for some time. He died alone, so the exact day of his death remains unknown.
He was an only child and his parents lavished attention on their son. He got high marks at East High School in Denver. After high school, he attended the University of Virginia and was a member of the Jefferson Society. After college, he went to work for the radio station KOA and learned the basics of radio broadcasting there. He went on to attend the University of Denver, where he won the Cranston prize in a debate in April 1925.
On November 1926, at age 20 he was awarded first place in the annual oratorical contest for the Jefferson Literary Society at the University of Virginia and received a scholarship from the United Daughters of the Confederacy to attend that university where he went on to study journalism.
Graham was blessed with a deep, clear, and resonant voice, coupled with perfect diction and enunciation. In about 1928, he went to work for Denver radio station KOA on East Colfax Avenue. He started a late-night show called "Midnight Chimes," which was an immediate hit. Beginning in 1930 the show was taped at the new Paramount Theater in downtown Denver, which opened that same year. Graham, speaking in the empty theater, would share stories and musical selections, performed by Erminie Delaverne, playing the mighty Wurlitzer organ.
In about 1932 he moved west to Los Angeles, where he went to work at radio station KMPC in Hollywood as an announcer, reporter, and newscaster.
On July 4, 1933, Graham gave a live interview with Amelia Earhart just prior to her Independence Day airplane flight from "View Park Airport" (which was near Baldwin Hills) in Los Angeles. A photo shows Graham giving his interview actually standing on the airplane wing with her in the cockpit.
In the mid-1930s, he was the producer of Bing Crosby's popular radio shows "One Man's Family" and "Bing Crosby's Music Hall" for NBC.
By 1939 Vance married his first wife, Mildred Jackson, who was a dramatic radio actress and they had a daughter Nancy.
Early in World War II, Vance worked as "Assistant News Editor" at KMPC and because he was bi-lingual, speaking both English and Spanish, he recorded Latin American music shows for the Armed Forces Radio Network. Later in the war, he worked for the U.S. government on a diplomatic mission to South America. From 1944 to 1947, Vance was the Editor-Supervisor and Lead Newscaster for KMPC. After this, he went on the lecture circuit speaking about Latin American affairs and did live reports for the station in Los Angeles and "on the scene" in San Francisco.
Mildred divorced Vance in November 1947. Because both were radio personalities, the divorce was announced in all the newspapers. Mildred spoke to the press and admitted she still loved Vance, but added: "He's a wonderful guy in many respects, but he is a temperamental artist living in a dream world." Mildred admitted that until he found a new place to live, she would still "cook his meals for him."
Though mainly of Scottish descent and raised in Colorado, Vance took an interest in Latin American culture. He learned to speak Spanish fluently and took a huge interest in Latin music. At that time there was a huge surge in the popularity of "Pan-American" music with the "cha cha cha". "tango", and "bolero" becoming dance crazes. He developed a radio show called "Bolero Time" for radio station KMPC. The program was heard every Sunday morning. He soon developed a large fan base and the show enjoyed great popularity. His fans affectionately began calling him "The Tortilla Kid."
In 1952 he met Lita Santos, a Latin beauty with 2 small children from a former marriage. She recently completed radio school in Hollywood. She would became his co-announcer and would comment on the music, as well as perform the live commercials disguised as impromptu conversations. Their sponsors were "Puritan Bakery", "The Smiling Irishman Auto Dealership", "La Goldendrina Restaurant", and "George Allen Motors" in South Gate.
In 1954, Vance married Lita. In public, Vance sported his trademark bow tie and neatly trimmed mustache. With his dashing good looks, strong, compassionate voice, and broad smile, Vance soon attracted a large female fan base. He was often photographed with starlets in publicity photos and they surrounded him when he made public appearances, which he enjoyed. This led to Estrellita divorcing Vance in 1959. But he continued "Bolero Time" by himself for the next several years.
Graham was a strong strong supporter of Mexican-American causes and frequently sponsored events for Latino youths to be sworn in as U.S. citizens, dances, and other events, particularly in East Los Angeles. He was also a frequent visitor to Mexico where he was lauded as a "Goodwill Ambassador." He wrote liner notes on several record albums, notably for musician Johnny Costanzo. He was asked to be the "master of ceremonies" and hosted numerous events in Hollywood, Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, and East Los Angeles.
By the late 1960s, he was arranging "luxury vacation tours" to Mexico, Hawaii, Canada, and Europe. On his own, since the early 1970s he had 2 more Latin American shows on KMPC, KFI, and KTYM. With his good looks fading, Graham hosted shows entitled "Latino" and "Viva" disguised as a new alter-ego character he created called "Victor", since he no longer sought the public eye in his later years. By the late 1970s, he quietly retired.
Sadly, he lived his final few years in obscurity. Vance was a freemason but had been inactive for some time. He died alone, so the exact day of his death remains unknown.
Radio Announcer, Reporter, and Historian. He was born "Asahel Vance Graham", but later changed his name legally to "Vance Graham". He was born in Denver, Colorado to a leading obstetrician, Dr. Emmit Vance Graham (who was from a Virginia family), and his mother, the former Pearl Johnson (who was born in Ohio). They lived at 2660 Bellaire Street in Denver, Colorado.
He was an only child and his parents lavished attention on their son. He got high marks at East High School in Denver. After high school, he attended the University of Virginia and was a member of the Jefferson Society. After college, he went to work for the radio station KOA and learned the basics of radio broadcasting there. He went on to attend the University of Denver, where he won the Cranston prize in a debate in April 1925.
On November 1926, at age 20 he was awarded first place in the annual oratorical contest for the Jefferson Literary Society at the University of Virginia and received a scholarship from the United Daughters of the Confederacy to attend that university where he went on to study journalism.
Graham was blessed with a deep, clear, and resonant voice, coupled with perfect diction and enunciation. In about 1928, he went to work for Denver radio station KOA on East Colfax Avenue. He started a late-night show called "Midnight Chimes," which was an immediate hit. Beginning in 1930 the show was taped at the new Paramount Theater in downtown Denver, which opened that same year. Graham, speaking in the empty theater, would share stories and musical selections, performed by Erminie Delaverne, playing the mighty Wurlitzer organ.
In about 1932 he moved west to Los Angeles, where he went to work at radio station KMPC in Hollywood as an announcer, reporter, and newscaster.
On July 4, 1933, Graham gave a live interview with Amelia Earhart just prior to her Independence Day airplane flight from "View Park Airport" (which was near Baldwin Hills) in Los Angeles. A photo shows Graham giving his interview actually standing on the airplane wing with her in the cockpit.
In the mid-1930s, he was the producer of Bing Crosby's popular radio shows "One Man's Family" and "Bing Crosby's Music Hall" for NBC.
By 1939 Vance married his first wife, Mildred Jackson, who was a dramatic radio actress and they had a daughter Nancy.
Early in World War II, Vance worked as "Assistant News Editor" at KMPC and because he was bi-lingual, speaking both English and Spanish, he recorded Latin American music shows for the Armed Forces Radio Network. Later in the war, he worked for the U.S. government on a diplomatic mission to South America. From 1944 to 1947, Vance was the Editor-Supervisor and Lead Newscaster for KMPC. After this, he went on the lecture circuit speaking about Latin American affairs and did live reports for the station in Los Angeles and "on the scene" in San Francisco.
Mildred divorced Vance in November 1947. Because both were radio personalities, the divorce was announced in all the newspapers. Mildred spoke to the press and admitted she still loved Vance, but added: "He's a wonderful guy in many respects, but he is a temperamental artist living in a dream world." Mildred admitted that until he found a new place to live, she would still "cook his meals for him."
Though mainly of Scottish descent and raised in Colorado, Vance took an interest in Latin American culture. He learned to speak Spanish fluently and took a huge interest in Latin music. At that time there was a huge surge in the popularity of "Pan-American" music with the "cha cha cha". "tango", and "bolero" becoming dance crazes. He developed a radio show called "Bolero Time" for radio station KMPC. The program was heard every Sunday morning. He soon developed a large fan base and the show enjoyed great popularity. His fans affectionately began calling him "The Tortilla Kid."
In 1952 he met Lita Santos, a Latin beauty with 2 small children from a former marriage. She recently completed radio school in Hollywood. She would became his co-announcer and would comment on the music, as well as perform the live commercials disguised as impromptu conversations. Their sponsors were "Puritan Bakery", "The Smiling Irishman Auto Dealership", "La Goldendrina Restaurant", and "George Allen Motors" in South Gate.
In 1954, Vance married Lita. In public, Vance sported his trademark bow tie and neatly trimmed mustache. With his dashing good looks, strong, compassionate voice, and broad smile, Vance soon attracted a large female fan base. He was often photographed with starlets in publicity photos and they surrounded him when he made public appearances, which he enjoyed. This led to Estrellita divorcing Vance in 1959. But he continued "Bolero Time" by himself for the next several years.
Graham was a strong strong supporter of Mexican-American causes and frequently sponsored events for Latino youths to be sworn in as U.S. citizens, dances, and other events, particularly in East Los Angeles. He was also a frequent visitor to Mexico where he was lauded as a "Goodwill Ambassador." He wrote liner notes on several record albums, notably for musician Johnny Costanzo. He was asked to be the "master of ceremonies" and hosted numerous events in Hollywood, Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, and East Los Angeles.
By the late 1960s, he was arranging "luxury vacation tours" to Mexico, Hawaii, Canada, and Europe. On his own, since the early 1970s he had 2 more Latin American shows on KMPC, KFI, and KTYM. With his good looks fading, Graham hosted shows entitled "Latino" and "Viva" disguised as a new alter-ego character he created called "Victor", since he no longer sought the public eye in his later years. By the late 1970s, he quietly retired.
Sadly, he lived his final few years in obscurity. Vance was a freemason but had been inactive for some time. He died alone, so the exact day of his death remains unknown.
He was an only child and his parents lavished attention on their son. He got high marks at East High School in Denver. After high school, he attended the University of Virginia and was a member of the Jefferson Society. After college, he went to work for the radio station KOA and learned the basics of radio broadcasting there. He went on to attend the University of Denver, where he won the Cranston prize in a debate in April 1925.
On November 1926, at age 20 he was awarded first place in the annual oratorical contest for the Jefferson Literary Society at the University of Virginia and received a scholarship from the United Daughters of the Confederacy to attend that university where he went on to study journalism.
Graham was blessed with a deep, clear, and resonant voice, coupled with perfect diction and enunciation. In about 1928, he went to work for Denver radio station KOA on East Colfax Avenue. He started a late-night show called "Midnight Chimes," which was an immediate hit. Beginning in 1930 the show was taped at the new Paramount Theater in downtown Denver, which opened that same year. Graham, speaking in the empty theater, would share stories and musical selections, performed by Erminie Delaverne, playing the mighty Wurlitzer organ.
In about 1932 he moved west to Los Angeles, where he went to work at radio station KMPC in Hollywood as an announcer, reporter, and newscaster.
On July 4, 1933, Graham gave a live interview with Amelia Earhart just prior to her Independence Day airplane flight from "View Park Airport" (which was near Baldwin Hills) in Los Angeles. A photo shows Graham giving his interview actually standing on the airplane wing with her in the cockpit.
In the mid-1930s, he was the producer of Bing Crosby's popular radio shows "One Man's Family" and "Bing Crosby's Music Hall" for NBC.
By 1939 Vance married his first wife, Mildred Jackson, who was a dramatic radio actress and they had a daughter Nancy.
Early in World War II, Vance worked as "Assistant News Editor" at KMPC and because he was bi-lingual, speaking both English and Spanish, he recorded Latin American music shows for the Armed Forces Radio Network. Later in the war, he worked for the U.S. government on a diplomatic mission to South America. From 1944 to 1947, Vance was the Editor-Supervisor and Lead Newscaster for KMPC. After this, he went on the lecture circuit speaking about Latin American affairs and did live reports for the station in Los Angeles and "on the scene" in San Francisco.
Mildred divorced Vance in November 1947. Because both were radio personalities, the divorce was announced in all the newspapers. Mildred spoke to the press and admitted she still loved Vance, but added: "He's a wonderful guy in many respects, but he is a temperamental artist living in a dream world." Mildred admitted that until he found a new place to live, she would still "cook his meals for him."
Though mainly of Scottish descent and raised in Colorado, Vance took an interest in Latin American culture. He learned to speak Spanish fluently and took a huge interest in Latin music. At that time there was a huge surge in the popularity of "Pan-American" music with the "cha cha cha". "tango", and "bolero" becoming dance crazes. He developed a radio show called "Bolero Time" for radio station KMPC. The program was heard every Sunday morning. He soon developed a large fan base and the show enjoyed great popularity. His fans affectionately began calling him "The Tortilla Kid."
In 1952 he met Lita Santos, a Latin beauty with 2 small children from a former marriage. She recently completed radio school in Hollywood. She would became his co-announcer and would comment on the music, as well as perform the live commercials disguised as impromptu conversations. Their sponsors were "Puritan Bakery", "The Smiling Irishman Auto Dealership", "La Goldendrina Restaurant", and "George Allen Motors" in South Gate.
In 1954, Vance married Lita. In public, Vance sported his trademark bow tie and neatly trimmed mustache. With his dashing good looks, strong, compassionate voice, and broad smile, Vance soon attracted a large female fan base. He was often photographed with starlets in publicity photos and they surrounded him when he made public appearances, which he enjoyed. This led to Estrellita divorcing Vance in 1959. But he continued "Bolero Time" by himself for the next several years.
Graham was a strong strong supporter of Mexican-American causes and frequently sponsored events for Latino youths to be sworn in as U.S. citizens, dances, and other events, particularly in East Los Angeles. He was also a frequent visitor to Mexico where he was lauded as a "Goodwill Ambassador." He wrote liner notes on several record albums, notably for musician Johnny Costanzo. He was asked to be the "master of ceremonies" and hosted numerous events in Hollywood, Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, and East Los Angeles.
By the late 1960s, he was arranging "luxury vacation tours" to Mexico, Hawaii, Canada, and Europe. On his own, since the early 1970s he had 2 more Latin American shows on KMPC, KFI, and KTYM. With his good looks fading, Graham hosted shows entitled "Latino" and "Viva" disguised as a new alter-ego character he created called "Victor", since he no longer sought the public eye in his later years. By the late 1970s, he quietly retired.
Sadly, he lived his final few years in obscurity. Vance was a freemason but had been inactive for some time. He died alone, so the exact day of his death remains unknown.
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