 Novis was also highly active as a singer with big bands and as a radio entertainer in the 1930s, including having his own program on NBC beginning on 15 June 1932.He performed frequently with Anson Weeks and his band and was often heard on the radio programme "Fibber McGee and Molly".He also played Matt Mulligan in the old-time radio adaptation of "Jumbo" (1935-1936) on NBC.