The "Sound Off" Program

The radio program "Sound Off" was a mainstay on the Armed Forces Radio Service from late 1942 to 1947.  This popular "request" show included a countdown each episode and was approx. 15 minutes in length.  Most importantly, it featured a great selection of music.

Throughout the month of March, I spent a lot of time "mining" the series and was able to extract and "clean up" about 100 songs that I think you will enjoy.  Many of these versions were never released commercially.

Listen for great tracks from the "Sound Off" series by artists like: Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Louis Jordan, Jimmie Lunceford, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and many, many more.  They have already been added to the Swing City Radio song rotation and I will be dedicating a whole podcast episode featuring music from the series in April.

Below is an example of an episode I found posted by someone on Youtube.  The audio hasn't been cleaned up but you'll get the idea what the series was like.  Enjoy!

Listen to an example of the AFRS show "Sound Off"

Read More

Ronnaldo's 78rpm Collection

Hey there everyone!  I just wanted to let you know that I've added a new section to the Swing City Radio Youtube Channel called "Ronnaldo's 78rpm Collection".

As of the moment, I only have a handful of videos posted in the section, but I will be adding a lot more in the future.  This will provide me a way to feature all the great music I find on my record hunting quests.  Some of these records are in horrible shape when I find them, and I take great pleasure in cleaning them up and digitizing them.  And now I get a chance to share them with you.  Snaps, pops, clicks and static included.  I do what I can to clean up the audio, but I do so while keeping the integrity of the recording in mind.

Listen to: "You Stepped Out Of A Dream" by Glenn Miller

Today's post includes a Glenn Miller Shellac 78 from 1941 released on the famous Bluebird label.  On Side A we find a song called "You Stepped Out Of A Dream" featuring Ray Eberle and The Modernaires on vocals.  Side B contains the track "Ring, Telephone Ring".  Not the most popular recordings released by Miller, but these are the tracks I see myself focusing on in these posts.  The songs that are sometimes forgotten. 😀 

Listen to: "Ring, Telephone Ring" by Glenn Miller

This 78 was found on the floor, covered with dust and grime in a local record store.  Let's just say it was in some dire need of love.  The audio, of course, is nowhere near CD quality.  But that's the beauty of it.  Enjoy! ...and don't forget to Subscribe to my Youtube Channel to listen to more of these great 78's as I add them.

Visit: Swing City Radio's Youtube Channel

Read More

Watch: Recording Session of G.I. Journal

The G.I. Journal was a popular show that aired on the Armed Force Radio Service.  It was a variety show known mostly for it's comedy sketches but also featured a lot of good music including performances by Glenn Miller, Kay Kyser, Tommy Dorsey and many others.

In 1944, film footage of an episode of "G.I. Journal" being recorded appeared in a bi-weekly newsreel called The Army-Navy Screen Magazine which was viewed by U.S. soldiers.

This video clip includes a track featuring Kay Kyser and His Orchestra.  The beautiful Georgia Carroll provides the vocals.  Kyser was the guest host for the episode.  It provides a "behind the scenes" look at how they pulled off these great recordings.  I think you will find it interesting to watch.  Enjoy!

Watch: Kay Kyser hosting "G.I. Journal" in 1944

Read More

Tex Beneke

Tex Beneke was a talented saxophonist and singer closely associated with Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.  His personal band is also associated with the careers of Eydie Gormé and Henry Mancini. It's Tex we hear soloing on the iconic Miller song "In The Mood" and it's his unique vocals we hear on Miller's recording of "Chattanooga Choo Choo".  Beneke has one of those voices that just stands out.

Tex Beneke started playing saxophone when he was nine years old.  His first professional work was with bandleader Ben Young in 1935, but it was when he joined the Glenn Miller Orchestra three years later that his career took off. Glenn Miller immediately featured Beneke as his primary tenor sax soloist and Beneke played all but a few of the tenor solos on the recordings and personal appearances made by the Glenn Miller Orchestra until it disbanded in late 1942.

Tex moved on to play in Horace Heidt's band for a short time then led a couple of bands while serving in the navy.  Beneke kept in touch with Glenn Miller while they were both in the military and he made it clear that he wanted to reunite with Miller after the war and learn more about leading a band.  That sadly never happened due to Miller's death overseas.

Listen to: "Give Me Five Minutes More" by Tex Beneke

Tex Beneke eventually went on to lead his own successful band as well as becoming the first leader of the post-war, Glenn Miller "ghost" band.

You can hear his music right here on Swing City Radio including the songs:  "Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop", "Give Me Five Minutes More" and "A Girl in Calico".

Consider supporting Swing City Radio by becoming a Hepcat.  Learn more at: SupportSwing.com.

Read More