1938 HITS ARCHIVE: Love Walked In - Sammy Kaye (Tommy Ryan, vocal)

From the United Artists picture The Goldwyn Follies, it's time to Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye as the boys play "Love Walked In," penned by George and Ira Gershwin.

Tommy Ryan handles the vocal here.

Recorded in New York City on March 20, 1938 and released on Vocalion #4017.

1st RECORDING OF: Skokiaan - August Msarurgwa and The African Dance Band at the Cold Storage Commission of Southern Rhodesia (1950)

And now for something completely different!

From 1950, here's August Msarurgwa and the African Dance Band at the Cold Storage Commission of Southern Rhodesia with the original recording of the leader's self-penned "Skokiaan."

Recorded on April 30, 1950 and released on the South African-based Gallotone label (#1152).

The track was re-issued in 1954, but with the orchestra renamed The Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band; that year it was one of four competing versions of the song to reach the Billboard pop charts here in the states.

The Lawrence Welk Show #001

Here's another TV treat! It's the ABC Network premiere telecast of The Lawrence Welk Show from July 2, 1955.

Join Lawrence and his Champagne Music Makers along with Champagne Lady Alice Lon, singer Jimmy Roberts, accordionist Myron Floren, and singer-trumpeter Rocky Rockwell---amongst others.

Complete with commercials for the 1955 Dodge.

'Glenn Miller Time' Unknown episode 1961

Here's a rare TV treat!  This is a kinescope of a 1961 CBS Network telecast of Glenn Miller Time, featuring the Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Ray McKinley.

Also starring Johnny Desmond, Patty Clark, and Midge and Bill Haggett.

Complete with commercials.

"Talkin' To Myself" Orville Knapp and His Orchestra 1934

Time for music by Orville Knapp and His Orchestra, a little ditty from the Universal picture Gift Of Gab entitled "Talkin' To Myself."

Virginia Verrill handles the vocal here.

Recorded in Los Angeles on August 21, 1934 and released on Decca #224.

1930 HITS ARCHIVE: Why Was I Born? - Helen Morgan

From the musical comedy Sweet Adeline, here's Helen Morgan with "Why Was I Born?"

Orchestra conducted by Leonard Joy.

Recorded in New York City on October 16, 1929 and released on Victor #22199.

Henry King and his Orchestra - Make Believe - 1936

From the Universal picture Show Boat, we bring you Henry King and His Orchestra with "Make Believe" with vocal by Joseph Sudy.

Recorded on May 7, 1936 and released on Decca #801.

Pete Fountain, "Pete's Place", 1965, Universal Pictures short film

Here's a fun 1965 musical short as Universal Pictures present Pete Fountain starring in "Pete's Place," filmed in New Orleans.

Photographed by Willis Winford, produced by Norman E. Gluck, and directed by Arthur Cohen.

Here's a description:

Pete's sextet performs at his 800 Bourbon St. club, plus Mardi Gras with Half-Fast Walking Club. The French Quarter Inn. Phil Harris. Godfrey Hirsch: vibes, Earl Vuiovich: piano, Paul Guma: guitar, Oliver "Sticks" Felix: bass, Paul Edwards: drums. Film concludes with "When the Saints Go Marching In" shot at a make shift coffee shop; the dancers really capture that era.

Rodgers & Hart in MAKERS OF MELODY - 1929 Paramount Short

Here are legendary songwriters and composers Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart starring as themselves in the 1929 Paramount short subject "Makers of Melody."

This short was directed by S. Jay Kaufman.

1938 HITS ARCHIVE: Cathedral In The Pines - Shep Fields (Jerry Stewart, ...

Let's go to that "Cathedral In The Pines" with Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra.

Jerry Stewart handles the vocal here.

Recorded in New York City on April 20, 1938 and released on Bluebird #B-7553.

"Georgia On My Mind" Gene Kardos and his Orchestra

Time for music by Gene and His Glorians (in reality Gene Kardos and His Orchestra) as the boys play "Georgia on My Mind."

Albert Julian does the vocal here.

Recorded in New York City on June 10, 1931 and released on Timely Tunes #C-1581.

1st RECORDING OF: Walk Right In - Cannon’s Jug Stompers (1929)

Decades before the Rooftop Singers had a big hit with this song, here's Gustavo "Gus" Cannon and His Jug Stompers with "Walk Right In."

Recorded on October 1, 1929 and released on Victor #V-38611.

1937 HITS ARCHIVE: That Old Feeling - Shep Fields (Bob Goday, vocal)

From the United Artists film Walter Wanger's Vogues of 1938, here's Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra with "That Old Feeling."

Bob Goday handles the vocal on this Lew Brown-Sammy Fain composition.

Recorded on July 2, 1937 and released on Bluebird #B-7066.

Shep Fields and His New Music feat Ken Curtis - The Whistler's Mother-In...

Yes folks, Festus Sings!


Here's a 1942 Soundie with Shep Fields and His New Music performing "The Whistler's Mother-In-Law."


Vocal by Ken Curtis (yes, the same Ken Curtis best remembered for playing Festus on TV's Gunsmoke)!

The Lawrence Welk Show (ABC-January 7, 1956)

Here's a kinescope of the January 7, 1956 ABC Network telecast of The Lawrence Welk Show, originating from Houston, Texas.

Time for a full hour of music and fun with Lawrence and his Champagne Music Makers.

Complete with commercials for the 1956 Dodge, pardners.

1945 HITS ARCHIVE: Always - Sammy Kaye (Arthur Wright, vocal)

Time to Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye as the boys play Irving Berlin's "Always."

Arthur Wright provides the vocal here.

This 1945 hit was released on Victor #20-1610.

Abe Lyman and his California Orchestra "What have we got to do tonight" ...

Time for music by Abe Lyman and His California Orchestra, "What Have Go To Do Tonight But Dance" with vocal by Marvin Warner.

Recorded on March 3 1930 and released on Brunswich #6094.

The Lawrence Welk Show (ABC-February 17, 1962)

Here's a videotape of the February 17, 1962 ABC Telecast of The Lawrence Welk Show with a tribute to the 1890s.

Banjo virtuoso Eddie Peabody was a special guest that night.

Complete with commercials.

Black And Tan Duke Ellington Usa 1929

Here's a 1929 RKO  Radio Pictures short subject "Black and Tan," with Duke Ellington and His Orchestra and dancer Fredi Washington.

Supervised by Dick Currier, written and directed by Dudley Nichols.

Bob Chester Orchestra

Here's a 1941 Paramount Pictures musical short subject with Bob Chester and His Orchestra.

Bill Darnell and Betty Bradley are included here.

This is a TV syndication print via National Telefilm Associates.

1st RECORDING OF: Sixteen Tons - Merle Travis (1947)

Here's Merle Travis with his original 1947 recording of his self-penned "Sixteen Tons," eight years before Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded his chart-topping version.

Released as part of Capitol Americana album #AD-50 under #48001.

Rudy Vallee Fleischmann's 330216 174 Jay Flippin, Old Time Radio

Here's the February 16, 1933 NBC Red Network broadcast of The Fleischmann's Hour starring singer-bandleader Rudy Vallee.

Actor Jay C. Flippen joins Rudy for the fun and surprises on this installment of this pioneering network radio variety series.

1933 Sonny South & the Collegians - I Couldn’t Tell Them What To Do (Dic...

Here are Sonny South and The Collegians (a nom de plume for the Dick Robertson Orchestra) with "I Couldn't Tell Them What To Do."

Dick handles the vocal here.

Recorded in New York City on August 21, 1933 and released in the United States on Bluebird, Sunrise, and Electradisk labels.  This is Canadian Bluebird #B-5152.

1938 Mildred Bailey - Don’t Be That Way

Here's music by Mildred Bailey and Her Orchestra, "Don't Be That Way."

This was recorded only weeks after Benny Goodman's legendary instrumental version.

Mildred does the vocal here.

This might well be husband Red Norvo's band in disguise.

Recorded in New York City on March 14, 1938 and released on Vocalion #4016.

THE INGENUES "THE BAND BEAUTIFUL"

Time for a 1928 Vitaphone short featuring The Ingenues in "The Band Beautiful."

Released theatrically by Warner Brothers.

Blossom Seeley and Bennie Fields with The Music Boxes

Time for a Vitaphone short with Blossom Seeley and her husband Bennie Fields along with The Music Boxes (Charles Bourne and Phil Ellis).

This film was completed in May, 1927.

Vitaphone reel #548 was released theatrically by Warner Brothers.

1st RECORDING OF: Does Your Chewing Gum (aka ‘Spearmint’) Lose Its Flavo...

Here are Billy Jones and Ernest Hare, best remembered as radio's "Happiness Boys," with the first recording of "Does The Spearmint Lose It's Flavor On The Bedpost Overnight."

Recorded on February 11, 1924 and released on Cameo #504.

1st RECORDING OF: Dream A Little Dream Of Me - Ozzie Nelson (1931)

Here's the first recording of "Dream A Little Dream Of Me." with Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra.

Ozzie does the vocal here.

Recorded in New York City on February 16, 1931 and released on Brunswick #6060.

1932 HITS ARCHIVE: Home (When Shadows Fall) - Peter Van Steeden (Dick Ro...

Time for music by Peter Van Steeden and His Orchestra with a song he co-wrote "Home," with vocal by Dick Robertson.

Recorded in New York City on November 25, 1931 and released no Victor #22868.

Dick Jurgens - August 1950 Chicago, IL - Aragon Ballroom (audio)

From August of 1950, we present a WBBM (Chicago) radio remote from the Windy City's Aragon Ballroom with Dick Jurgens and His Orchestra.

So sit back and relax----and dance to----Dick and the boys.

Jan Garber - December 1950 - Chicago IL Melody Mill (audio)

From WGN Radio in Chicago in 1950, we present the Idol of the Air Lanes himself, Jan Garber and His Orchestra from Melody Hill in Chicago.

Vocalists include Roy Cordell, Gloria Allen, and Nick Brill.

Great music by Jan and the boys.

Enjoy!

Fats Domino - I'll Be Gone - June 1951

Here's more music by Fats Domino, "I'll Be Gone," a song that he co-wrote.

Recorded in New Orleans in July of 1951 and released on Imperial 78 RPM/45 RPM #5167 in January, 1952.

1945 HITS ARCHIVE: Laura - Freddy Martin (instrumental)

Here's Freddy Martin and His Orchestra with the title song from the 20th Century-Fox film Laura.

This 1945 release was issued on Victor #20-1655.