CRUDALE

Alfred Crudale knew Rhode Island had strong Italian roots and produced several Italian newspapers throughout the state. However, he did not realize that number exceeded his expectations until he started conducting extensive research at the Rhode Island Historical Library in Providence for his book “The Voices of Italy: Italian Newspapers and Radio Programs in Rhode Island.” An Italian teacher of 37 years, Crudale is enthusiastic about preserving a small portion of Italian-American culture in the Ocean State.

The adventure of publishing a book began during the 2017 “Listening to the Soundscapes of Italianita,” conference at the John D. Calandra Institute in New York City when Crudale presented a paper on this topic, which was well received. One individual suggested Crudale turn the paper into a book to which, at the time, Crudale said he did not think he had enough material. As he thought more about the idea, he realized his paper could be expanded.

Crudale started his research in 2018 and was surprised at the number of Rhode Island’s Italian newspapers – there were eight in total. Prior to this discovery, Crudale only knew of three: The Italian echo, Federal Hill Gazette and Italia/USA.

When it came to newspapers, one story that stood out to Crudale during his research was Marco Russo’s L’alba publication that started in Providence and eventually moved to Newport. Toward the paper’s end, Russo found himself in a dispute with the mayor of Newport (which became an obsession) and individuals could see the paper slowly declining over time.

“The Voices of Italy: Italian Newspapers and Radio Programs in Rhode Island” begins with talking about Italian immigration and Italian population, leading into the focus on newspapers and radio programs. Being about Rhode Island, he said there are many names that people may know. Crudale refers to Antonio Pace, Claudio Campellone and Rolando Petrella as the three pioneers of radio programming because they were instrumental in bringing Italian programming to the state.

“I always felt that these three radio announcers should have a place in history where people can read about them,” said Crudale.

Pace started the first Italian radio program in Rhode Island in 1936 while Campellone was an extremely popular radio program; Petrella had the longest running Italian program in the state. Crudale reached out to the radio programmers’ existing family members (two of whom reside in Rhode Island and the other in New Hampshire) and they turned out to be a great source of information for the book.

“The nice part was I got to become friends with these people,” said Crudale.

Crudale also has a personal connection to these three programmers, remembering how his grandparents talked about Pace’s program and listened to Italian radio stations on Sunday mornings. As Crduale grew older, he too tuned into Italian programming. This passion for radio followed Crudale as he went on to teach Italian at Cranston west and he hosted an Italian radio program during the high school’s activity period. Crudale got Campellone to come on the school’s radio program and, shortly after, Campellone invited Crudale onto his program.

In addition to talking with the families, the Rhode Island Historical Library proved to be the greatest source of information for Crudale since it housed thousands of editions of Italian and newspapers on microfilm beginning in the 1800s.

Once the book was complete, Crudale approached Bordighera Press – a small New York City press that focuses on Italian-American publications. Crudale said they were happy to receive the manuscript and contacted him to say they were interested in publishing his work. After three different edits and navigating covid, the book was finally published in December 2021.

Growing up in Knightsville, Crudale attended West View Elementary School, Woodridge Elementary School, Hugh B. Bain Middle School and Cranston High School West where he graduated in 1981. Crudale graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Ph.D. in Italian literature and worked as an Italian and Spanish teacher in Warwick, serving as the Department chair at the Warwick Veterans Memorial Middle School. Retiring in 2015, Crudale now teaches Italian at the University of Rhode Island and Bridgewater State University.

“The Voices of Italy: Italian Newspapers and Radio Programs in Rhode Island” is 116 pages and will be available in independent bookstores including Books on the Square in Providence, Savoy Bookshop and Cafe in Westerly and Wakefield Books in South Kingstown. The book can also be found on Amazon and the Barnes and Noble website. Additionally, Crudale will have an hour-long book launch at Central Library (140 Sockanosset Cross Road) on Feb. 19 starting at 2:30 p.m. He will give a short presentation and read from several chapters. Books will be for sale, followed by a book signing. Attendees must register at https://events.cranstonlibrary.org/event/8561618.

ALFRED CRUDALE: Crudale grew up in Knightsville, Cranston, and now teaches Italian at the University of Rhode Island and Bridewater State University.

HIGHLIGHTING LOCAL HISTORY: Alfred Crudale, the author of “The Voices of Italy: Italian Newspapers and Radio Programs in Rhode Island,” will talk more about his work at his book launch at Central Library on Feb. 19.