Trivia

Organized his first band at the University of North Carolina in the mid-1920's. However, he came down with severe stage fright on his opening night, so that a friend, songwriter Johnny Mercer, had to front the orchestra for the occasion.

His mother was the first registered pharmacist in North Carolina.

His birthplace, Rocky Mount, North Carolina, is also the birthplace of modern jazz musician Thelonious Monk.

Bandleader and radio personality memorable for his "Kollege of Musical Knowledge". Often sporting his trademark mortarboard and gown, he appeared with his band in a few World War II-era movies.

1990: Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.

A devout Christian Scientist, he spent his last years appearing as a motivational speaker.

Suffered from arthritis beginning in his forties.

He had three daughters: Kimberly Kyser (Kimberly Ann Kyser) was born in June, 1946; Carroll Amanda was born in 1948; Amanda Kay was born in November, 1952.

He was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1708 Vine Street and for Radio at 1601 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.

Was a bandleader/radio/film personality.

He portrayed fictionalized versions of himself in most of his movies i.e. a bandleader named Kay Kyser who would be involved in situations that the real Kyser would not be.