Inspiring Story: John Nicholson Revitalizes Old-Time Radio

John Nicholson (77) is on a mission to preserve the art of old-time radio shows. By creating an archive of old shows and presenting them to new audiences via Zoom, John hopes to inspire new audiences, reignite their imagination and preserve this unique art form. 

We caught up with the US Air Force veteran, retired Professor of Information and Technology and author of 15 books on emerging software to talk about how he is advocating for this often overlooked type of entertainment. 

Where does your passion for old-time radio shows come from?
I stumbled onto old-time radio (OTR) in 1975. One day, I turned on the radio expecting music. Instead, Martians were invading New Jersey―a rebroadcast of the famous War of the Worlds! I was smitten, and soon helped found The Radio Historical Association of Colorado (RHAC) to preserve this unique art form. It is always exciting when new shows or lost episodes appear.

What technology are you using to create your archive of radio shows?
Originally, reel-to-reel tapes, which degraded and were bulky and temperamental. Now, most shows are digitized, preserving quality but creating large files. I use very large local drives and the Cloud to store programs. 

As librarian for an OTR group, up- and downloads of massive file groups justify my high-speed Fiber Internet connection. I have software specifically for cleaning audio, managing audio playback, renaming and finding duplicates, and file compression when needed. I use Excel to track and catalog programs. 

How are you sharing these radio shows with others?
I primarily share through Zoom, although I do some in-person sessions.  The shows include; The Shadow, The Lone Ranger, Fibber McGee and Molly, Superman and others.  

Here’s a clip of one of the most famous bits from Fibber McGee and Molly.

What is the value of preserving old-time radio shows?
Old-time radio shows are a treasure, with skilled voice actors creating “theater of the mind.” My goal is to provide this free, high-quality audio for future generations to enjoy. While some libraries or museums hold collections, access is often limited. I want to make great content accessible and inspire imagination over watching screens. 

How can people tune in to your work?
You can find 50,000 plus episodes of OTR at Reps Online.The shows can be listened to online or downloaded.

Additionally, groups can email me at wryterjccc@gmail.com for a session. A typical one-hour session includes 15 minutes of background, a 30-minute episode, and time for questions. Longer sessions are also offered. Longer and periodic sessions available. Everything is free.

How has Senior Planet helped you in this mission?
Senior Planet provides great overviews on topics I want to explore. It’s an excellent resource for broadening my knowledge. 

What does Aging with Attitude mean to you?
To me, aging with attitude means ignoring aches, staying active, and doing what I love—within reason. I still pursue activities that keep me engaged, such as Scuba diving. It’s all about attitude, not limitations. 

Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager. Based in Brooklyn, she is a contributing writer for this site.