Nonessential Band Leader

The draft board of Rocky Mount, N.C. (pop. 14,919) last week had apparently succeeded in drafting the town's No. 1 citizen, Band Leader Kay Kyser ("the old Professor of Musical Knowledge").

Kay Kyser, aged 37 3/4, had never appealed for deferment. But Elmer Davis' OWI had. Reason: Kyser and his band outperform all other entertainers of the troops (1,100 appearances in 300 camps). In addition, he has sold $95 millions of war bonds.

In spite of this showing, the Presidential Appeal Board last week backed Rocky Mount's draft board in its effort to put a uniform on Kay Kyser. Drawled the Professor (who is nearly blind without glasses, stumbles from a trick knee): "This puts me on a real spot. If ah pass the physical and they give me a band job, people will all say ah've got a soft touch. If ah don't, they'll swear it was a put-up job. Ah hope they give me a job fighting."

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