Deep in the Heart of Texas

Swing City RadioSaturday, September 28, 2019Artists and Recordings

In 1942, the BBC banned the song "Deep in the Heart of Texas" from the British airwaves during working hours on the grounds that its infectious melody might cause British wartime factory-hands to neglect their tools while they clapped in time with the song. "Wartime" meaning World War II of course.

But that's not the only amazing fact about the song...

Also in 1942, there were no fewer than five versions of the song in the Billboard charts on our side of the Atlantic Ocean. Alvino Rey and His Orchestra, Ted Weems and His Orchestra, The Merry Macs, Bing Crosby and Horace Heidt's Musical Knights all topped the charts that year with their own versions of the song.

You can hear "Deep in the Heart of Texas" by Alvino Rey and his Orchestra on Swing City Radio. (Nope, it hasn't been banned here!)

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Chick Webb

Swing City RadioFriday, September 20, 2019Artists and Recordings

Chick Webb (1905-1939) was a drummer and band leader is 1920's and 30's.

From childhood, he suffered from tuberculosis of the spine, leaving him with short stature and a badly deformed spine; which caused him to appear hunchbacked. At the age of 17 Webb moved to New York City and by 1926 was leading his own band in Harlem. Chick Webb became one of the best-regarded bandleaders and drummers of the new "swing" style that was developing throughout the 30's.

Chick Webb and His Orchestra performed at a very high level of energy and that can be heard in both their live and studio recordings.

In 1935, he began featuring a young Ella Fitzgerald (still a teenager) as a vocalist. Together Chick and Ella would electrify the Swing Era of jazz with hits such as "A-Tisket a Tasket" which you can hear on Swing City: After Dark and on The Sunday Morning Swing.

Listen to Chick Webb's music on Swing City Radio.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Programming Schedule

Swing City RadioWednesday, September 18, 2019Shows, Station News

Updated 02/16/20

Check out the Programming Schedule above for days and times of your favorite programs. (Click on image to enlarge.)

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today!

Broadcasting Online to a National Audience from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania via Internet Radio.

Ina Ray Hutton

Swing City RadioMonday, September 16, 2019Artists and Recordings

Ina Ray Hutton was born as Odessa Cowen in March of 1916. As a child she was very talented performer and even performed on Broadway before she was 18.

In 1934, she was approached by a vaudeville agent to lead an all-girl orchestra, the Melodears. As part of the group's formation, she asked her to change her name, which she did. The group included trumpet player Frances Klein, Canadian pianist Ruth Lowe Sandler, saxophonist Jane Cullum, guitarist Marian Gange, trumpeter Mardell "Owen" Winstead and trombonist Alyse Wells during its existence. Hutton and her Melodears were one of the first all-girl bands to be filmed for Paramount shorts. (See video below) The group disbanded in 1939.

You can hear her songs Five O'Clock Whistle, Cabin in the Sky and How About Tomorrow Night on Swing City Radio.

In 1940 she led an all-male orchestra. The group recorded on the Elite and Okeh labels and was disbanded in 1949. She retired from music in 1968 and died on February 19th in 1984, aged 67.

Check out Ina Ray Hutton and other Big Band artists every night on Swing City: After Dark.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Music Added: Jerry Gray

Swing City RadioFriday, September 13, 2019Artists and Recordings

We just added some more great songs from Jerry Gray and His Orchestra to our Swing City playlists. Song titles include: "Crazy, She Calls Me", "Desert Serenade", "Lady Be Good", "Night and Day", "That Lucky Old Sun" and "Unforgettable".

Be sure to check them out on Swing City: After Dark, The Saturday Night Swing and The Sunday Morning Swing.

Broadcasting from King of Prussia, PA | Swing City Radio: It's ALL About The Music!

Harry James

Swing City RadioFriday, September 13, 2019Artists and Recordings

Harry James was an amazing swing musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader who led Harry James and His Orchestra from 1939 to 1946. He broke up his band for a short period in 1947 but shortly after he reorganized and was active again with his band from then until his death in 1983. He was especially known among musicians for his technical proficiency as well as his tone, and was influential on new trumpet players from the late 1930s into the 1940s.

"Back Beat Boogie", "Velvet Moon" and "I Don't Want To Walk Without You" are just a few of his songs that we play on Swing City: After Dark and The Saturday Night Swing.

James' band was the first high-profile orchestra to feature vocalist Frank Sinatra. James wanted to change Sinatra's name to 'Frankie Satin', but the singer refused. The James band's featured female vocalist was Helen Forrest, and his later band included drummer Buddy Rich and bassist Thurman Teague. Johnny MacAfee was featured on the sax and vocals, and Corky Corcoran was a young sax prodigy.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Ray Anthony: Still Swinging

Swing City RadioWednesday, September 11, 2019Artists and Recordings

Ray Anthony (born January 20, 1922) is an American bandleader, trumpeter and songwriter. He is the last surviving member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

He played in Glenn Miller's band from 1940–1941 and appeared in the Glenn Miller movie Sun Valley Serenade before joining the U.S. Navy during World War Two. After the war he formed his own group. The Ray Anthony Orchestra became popular in the early 1950s with "The Bunny Hop", "Hokey Pokey", and the theme from Dragnet. He had a No. 2 chart hit with a remake of the Glenn Miller tune "At Last" in 1952, the highest charting pop version of the song in the U.S.

You can hear many of Ray Anthony's songs on Swing City "After Dark" here on Swing City Radio.

Here is a video of Ray Anthony playing on his 95th birthday:

Sunday Morning Swing

Swing City RadioWednesday, September 11, 2019Shows

Swing City Radio has discontinued "The Sunday Morning Swing"

About the Program:

Ease through your Sunday mornings with the relaxing, smooth sounds of the Big Bands. The Sunday Morning Swing features the softer Big Band favorites from the 1930's and 40's. Let's make Big Band on Sunday mornings a tradition. The show is even better with a great cup of coffee.

Times:
Sunday Mornings at 8am - 11am

The Sunday Morning Swing - Streaming Free Big Band and Swing Music via Internet Radio from King of Prussia to a Nationwide Audience

Swing City Radio: King of Prussia's Music Station - It's ALL About The Music!

Saturday Night Swing

Swing City RadioWednesday, September 11, 2019Shows

Swing City Radio has discontinued "The Saturday Night Swing".

About the Program:

We make Saturday Nights fun again! The Saturday Night Swing features Big Band favorites from the 1930's and 40's and fun facts from the era. It's time to move the couch into the corner of the living room to make your very own "Swing City Ballroom."

Times:
Every Saturday Night at 7pm - 11pm

Sponsored by: AGM Promotional Products.com

The Saturday Night Swing - Streaming Free Big Band and Swing Music via Internet Radio from King of Prussia to a Nationwide Audience

Swing City Radio: "Playing Your Big Band and Swing Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today!"

After Dark

Swing City RadioWednesday, September 11, 2019Shows

Swing City After Dak features Big Band favorites from the 1930's and 40's

About the Program:

After Dark features the Swingin' Sounds from all of your favorite Big Bands. The show focuses mostly on the classics from the 1930's and 40's, but we've been known to throw in some great tunes from the 50's. You'll hear Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, The Andrew Sisters, and many other icons from the Big Band Era.

Vinyl pops, crackles and just a little bit of static included. :)

Times:
Weekdays at 8pm - 12am

Sponsored by:

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.