Aged 9, Jack’s Harrison‘s first big break was winning the radio competition “Search for Talent”.
The names of 52 heat winners were published in The Broadcaster late September 1940. There were 20 heats, four semi-finals and one grand final. Jack won 18 out of the 24 amateur trials (he was second in six others). Wireless Weekly Sydney February 22, 1941
Jack was the winner of the 18th heat of the Western Australian radio competition 6ML “Search for Talent” at the Grand Theatre on Friday August 21 1940 performing “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”. The first person in each heat received a guinea and qualified to compete for the 100 pound prize money offered to the three finalists.
PEOPLE YOU LISTEN TO – Money talks in any language but a hundred crisp Australian pound notes simply yells…and that’s the sum 6ML is offering the first three in the grand final of the search for talent at the Grand Theatre this Friday. Throughout the semi-finals and the 20 heats the station has paid something like £50. So total money spent in the trials will be 150 pounds, which is the biggest sum in the history of radio in this state. Competitors still in the running for the main event are:- Miss E. Nadin (vocalist), Miss B. Potter (accordion), Miss G. Tearle (vocalist), Swan Quartet (H. Griffiths, G. Griffiths, B. Davies and J. Edwards), Jack Harrison (mouth organ), R.G. Edwards (vocalist), Miss Edith Carr (vocalist), Keith Watts (vocalist). Chris Wilson is announcing on the A.B.C. wavelength.
In October 1940, Jack won first prize (£75) in “Search for Talent” on the mouth organ accompanied by his father on piano, competing against largely adults and professional players. The prize was presented to him by Bryn Samuel, Manager of W.A. Broadcasters Ltd at the Grand Theatre.
The Broadcaster October 26 – Nov 2 1940
JACK HARRISON Winner of the 6ML Search for Talent – Plays an Harmonica from Nicholsons. We’re happy to pay tribute to Jack Harrison for his magnificent performance in winning first prize in the State-wide “Search for Talent” conducted by Station 6ML. Jack has only been playing the Mouthorgan for a little over two years and the instrument he uses is an ordinary stock model from NICHOLSON’S. Why not let your small son start learning this fascinating instrument right away? Who knows that he might not be a second Jack Harrison. Mirror Saturday Night October 19, 1940
1940 – People You Listen To – Winner of the 6ML Search for Talent grand final at the Grand Theatre last Friday was Jack Louis Harrison, nine year old exponent of the mouth organ. As a result, when it comes to the presentation of prizes this Friday at the theatre, Jack will receive £75. Second prize of £15 will be handed to competitor No. 3 Eunice Nadin who sang “My Hero” from “The Chocolate Soldier”. Edith Carr, competitor No. 5, who sang “A Dream of Delight” will receive £10 as third prize. Jack Harrison turned 9 on August 12th and already has decorated the dining room with eight silver cups – trophies won at various competitions in this state. At the Nedlands State School he’s in second standard. His time at home is taken up with an hour’s practice on the mouth organ and in playing with his twin sister and two brothers. He had always wanted a play-house erected in the backyard and his mother tells me that his victory has now made that possible. The Broadcaster October 19-24 1940
PEOPLE YOU LISTEN TO – In the front row of the Grand Theatre sat a number of newspaper boys. They had left their stands on the street corners to witness the presentation of prizes at the 6ML Search for Talent. The boys waited rather impatiently until proceedings began. At last the nine-year-old winner walked out to receive his prize of 75 pounds. However, he hadn’t gone very far when one of the smallest of the newsboys with all the assurance in the world yelled “I’ll see you later!”. The next successful competitor to walk on stage was a rather attractive girl. The small newsboy’s voice piped up again: “and I’ll see you later, too!” The Broadcaster November 2-9 1940
YOUTHFUL WINNER
Congratulations to young Jack Harrison. This lad, as I have already mentioned, is only eight years of age, but, despite his youth, put up a splendid performance to win the final of the 6ML £75 Amateur Trials. It is the more remarkable when one considers that this was an open event and, believe me, it was won entirely on his brilliant playing. He played the mouth-organ like an artist. Music Maker Sydney November 30th 1940 Vol. 36. No. 4