Art Ford took over the “Make Believe Ballroom” in January, 1957 when Jerry Marshall, who had succeeded the show’s originator, Martin Block,(1935-1954) departed WNEW for WMGM. Before the “Ballroom,” Ford hosted “Ford at Four,” (1954-1957) and “The Milkman’s Matinee.” (1942-1954) Fired in April 1958 in a dispute centered around Ford’s preference for jazz and European recordings, Ford said: “I am happiest when the garde is avant, and the garde is no longer avant at WNEW.” Ford joined WNTA, Newark, where he hosted popular jazz programs on both radio and TV.

