A legend surrounds the gentleman who originally built the giant castle today used as the Round the World headquarters. He was supposedly an old bootlegger from the 1920s, and customers often paid the old patriarch with food and other goods. He was also paid in precious gems, gold and silver. The family legend was that he hid the treasure somewhere on the premises but no one knew where. Was it under the enchanted gnarled oak tree, or inside the walls of the castle? We’ve assembled an expert committee and brainstormed a number of possible treasure hiding places, which hypotheses we will be testing. We are also calling in a couple dozen gemnologists to extol the various types of luchre we hope to be awash in.

Round the World with Cracklin’ Jane has decided to look into the state of race relations as they were in the 78 RPM era. Many artists of African descent, who we take for granted as towering figures in the world of music and theater, were, in fact, treated as second class American citizens. Some of the same artists found that when they toured Europe they were hailed as geniuses and revered icons. Naturally, they wanted to live where they were appreciated. So, this week we examine the careers of those who voted with their feet and pursued their callings abroad: Josephine Baker, Paul Robeson, The Delta Rhythm Boys, Memphis Slim, and Sidney Bechet. Please join us for this fascinating topic.

Announcing the arrival of the Round the World Bookmobile. You were probably wondering why there’s an old converted bus sitting in the middle of your living room, spewing out diesel fumes. You’ll be fascinated to discover that while we have here a bookmobile which came out of the radio and fits inside your home, when you open the door and climb inside, there is room for thousands of volumes arranged by the Dewey Decimal system, a magazine rack, a children’s corner, and a card catalog. Allow us to take you on a tour and help you check out a few books to aid and abet your escape from forced pandemic isolation.

We are pleased to announce that Round the World has successfully completed a reputable mail-order barber course, just in time to help out those of you who are sheltering in place and can’t go to the hair salon.

Now, you’ll have to get in line. Place your forehead against the radio, and wait for your turn.

25 historical 78 recordings featuring the Color Blue, including the ground-breaking acoustic Paul Whiteman version of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, with the composer at the piano.

We have a fantastic show for you this week, and the word of the day is Vagabond. Yes, we are going to study the Great American Hobo, and we have a great line-up of actual hobos, bums and vagrants, who will be explaining the life of someone who roams the country looking for work, or avoiding work, or just looking for adventure. The origins of the American hobo go back to the late 1860s, a time of upheaval in the United States. In the aftermath of the American Civil War, the country was laid to waste, had ripped apart families and destroyed towns. After the war, soldiers on both sides often discovered they had no home to return to, and no job. And because they were used to the nomadic lifestyle of the military, they ended up wandering the country looking for work. These migratory casual workers were referred to as “hoboes”, and they were instrumental in rebuilding the infrastructure of the nation.

Since for the last several weeks, none of us has been able to partake of the fine dining experiences we normally enjoy in the gourmet restaurants in our area, Round the World is excited to bring you, right in your living room, front seat of your car, or wherever your radio happens to reside, a Tasting Menu, which we will present in 15 distinct courses.

This week, Round the World is honoring the People Who Keep Us From Starving: the grocery store workers. And we don’t just mean the cashiers, but also the people who stock the shelves and mop up spills and keep everything clean, with honorable mention going to the truck drivers who bring food in to our little remote corner of paradise. Join us as we go down our shopping list at the same time that we elucidate today’s Proper Grocery Store Etiquette.

The research department here at Round the World is excited to bring you a fantastic show devoted to Sister Acts. We put on our sparkling white lab coats, masks and gloves and fanned out to unearth 78 RPM recordings featuring 20 different sets of sisters who have put their vocal chords together during the thirty year period ranging from 1918 to 1948.

For the very first time in the history of this dimension of the known universe, we bring you: Theseus, a sci-fi opera in three acts. Set in the year 2525, the thrilling tale of the hero Theseus, who roams the stars and planets conquering monsters, saving innocents, and going head-to-head with sturdy Amazons.