1948 NATIONAL FAIR – RADIO COMPETITION
Jack Harrison’s band competed through in the “National Fair”, a radio competition which enabled West Australian talent to be heard in the Eastern States. The format was any Australian state issuing a “challenge” to the rest of Australia to find the best entertainer in a certain area.
“National Fair” a new, weekly, national wide radio competition talent show in which each State of the Commonwealth puts up an “exhibit” which they claim to be the best of its kind in Australia. This “exhibit” which takes the form of a challenge to the other states, can be anything from a singing parrot, to a dance band, or a pearl diver to a pianist – and so on. So far neither of the challenges issued by the Harrison family has been taken up by any of the other states of the Commonwealth. The A.B.C. have engaged these clever young musicians and they will soon be heard on their own half programme one a week on the State networks. Music Maker Australia’s Oldest and Greatest Music Magazine February 1948
“National Fair” – Sixteen Year Old Boy a “Veteran” Entertainer – Western Australia’s second challenge to the rest of Australia in the new 6IX-WB-MD feature “National Fair” will be issued but the versatile musician Jack Harrison, of Nedlands, on Wednesday night at 8 o’clock. Jack is sixteen years of age, but is already a “veteran” entertainer. He will be heard playing the saxophone and clarinet. Jack Harrison was eight years old when he first burst into the musical field as a harmonica player. In 1938 he won the “P. and A. Parade” conducted over 6ML and the following year at the age of nine his father took him to the Eastern States to compete in the “Amateur Hour”. He topped the poll. Then followed professional engagements in Sydney radio, picture theatre bookings and a contract to appear with the Sydney Trocadero Orchestra. He was also guest artist on several occasions in the Sydney broadcast programme, the “Youth Show”. Since his return to W.A., Jack has been busy with local radio engagements, professional bookings and a season at the Tivoli. He has now developed into an extremely competent musician, handling clarinet, saxophone and harmonica with a maturity beyond his years. In “National Fair” he will be accompanied by his sister Jill, his 18 year old brother Ray and his father. On his behalf, Western Australia will challenge the rest of Australia to find a better and more versatile musician. The Broadcaster Saturday January 10 1948 Vol 14, No 719.
NATIONAL FAIR – Harrison family Again – Sixteen-year-old Musician to give further broadcast – Western Australia was represented last week in “National Fair” from 6IX-WB-MD by twins, Jack and Jill Harrison and elder brother Ray. The Harrison family was put up as the best musical family in Australia. Jack Harrison, the 16 year old lad who played both the saxophone and clarinet, was such a success that the producers asked him to put up another challenge, so he is again appearing in the programme next Wednesday as the best clarinettist in Australia. Jack will again be accompanied by his twin Jill on the piano, and his brother Ray on the drums. This time Jack will be playing the clarinet only. His item will be “Special Delivery Stomp” one of Artie Shaw’s favourites. So far this is the first time two challenges have been put up by the same person. The West Australian selectors hope that this challenge is unbeatable, but listeners can decide that for themselves when they hear what the other States can produce to take up this challenge. The other five states also will be presenting their “exhibits” on Wednesday night at 8 o’clock, some again challenging and others answering challenges previously set. If anyone who knows of anything or anybody who could possibly be used as an “exhibit” in “National Fair”, he or she is asked to communicate with W.A. Broadcasters Ltd., Lyric House, Perth. The Broadcaster Saturday January 17 1948 Vol. 14, No. 720
On the Dial – The success of the Harrison Family (Jack, Jill and Ray) in the 6IX-WB-MD session “National Fair”, was demonstrated by the fact that they were engaged by the sponsors for a repeat performance the following week. When they were heard in the session for the first time Jack, who is 16 years of age, was nominated as the best clarinettist in Australia. So far no one has disputed the claim. There are no cash prizes for “National Fair”, but the session enables West Australian talent to be heard in the Eastern states. The programme is broadcast each Wednesday night at 8 o’clock. The Broadcaster Saturday February 14 1948
Harrisons Hit Jackpot in “National Fair” – Although “National Fair” (2UW Wednesday Night) has only been on the air a few weeks, already one of the “exhibits” has received an offer to appear on the A.B.C. This offer was made to the Western Australian Harrison family who appeared twice on “National Fair”, once as the “most musical family” in Australia and the second time Jack Harrison, accompanied by his twin sister Jill and elder brother Ray, appeared as the “best clarinettist”. “National Fair” is a new nation-wide radio competition in which each State of the Commonwealth puts up an “exhibit” which they claim to be the best of its kind in Australia. This “exhibit” which takes the form of a challenge to the other States, can be anything from a singing parrot to a dance band, or a pearl diver to a pianist – and so on. So far neither of the challenges issued by the Harrison family has been taken up by any of the other states in the commonwealth. The A.B.C. has engaged these clever, young musicians and they will soon be heard on their own half hour programme once a week on the State network. The producers of “National Fair” hope that this programme will bring to light many more talented people. Interesting entries continue to come in from all the States, some fantastic, amazing, others like the Harrison family, representing their State with their musical talent. Music Maker February 20 1948
In March 1948, Jack was nominated again as a challenger on “National Fair” responding to Victoria’s nomination to find a better harmonica player than Bruce Skurry.
On the Dial – Jack Harrison will enter the “National Fair” arena once again on Wednesday night. The 16 year old Perth musicians will take up a challenge from Victoria to find a better harmonica player than Brucy Skurry. Jack’s harmonica solo in this 6IX-WB-MD session will be “Smoke Gets in your eyes”. He appeared in two early “National Fair” programmes with his brother Ray and twin sister Jill. They were nominated in the first instance as the best juvenile music-makers. Jack was nominated as the best clarinettist in Australia. To date, no other State has accepted either of the challenges from this versatile family. The Broadcaster Saturday March 13 1948