Radio Pioneer
As a song plugger for Ted Browne Music, Art Gillham traveled around the United States. (multiple contemporary newspapers) When radio began he would stop at radio stations in his travels to promote the music by Browne and other music publishers. In 1923 Gillham was dared to sing over the radio, and the response encouraged him to continue. He sang in a soft crooning voice, and in February, 1924, while appearing on WSB (AM) in Atlanta, he was dubbed "The Whispering Pianist" by the station's general manager, Lambdin Kay. (Atlanta Journal, February 24, 1924)
On November 4, 1924 he appeared with Will Rogers, Wendell Hall and Carson Robison during the Presidential Election Night broadcast of The Eveready Hour over WEAF and an 18-station hook-up. Before networks were formed Gillham appeared on over 300 radio stations. (numerous contemporary newspapers) Sometimes he broadcast from airfields with a portable keyboard on the field. (photos from his scrapbook) In 1930 he had two CBS programs: "Breakfast With Art" and "Syncopated Pessimism". (Newspaper articles and radio schedules) He ended his radio programs with the question "Have you got a cup of coffee in your pocket?"
From 1937 through 1954 Art appeared on radio in Atlanta, Georgia. In December 1939 he was featured in the first demonstration of television in the South at Atlanta's Rich's Department Store. World War II delayed the commercial introduction of television in Atlanta until 1949. Gillham appeared frequently as a guest on WAGA-TV. From 1937 he had regular radio programs on Atlanta's WSB (AM), WGST and WQXI. (newspaper articles and broadcast listings) He concluded his career in radio at WQXI after two heart attacks damaged his coordination in 1954.
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