The Swing Shift Shuffle is a radio program of swing, big band, jazz, boogie woogie and other popular music from the 1930's and 40's that airs every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (US Central Time) on WEVL 89.9 FM in Memphis, Tennessee, with a live webcast at wevl.org. In addition to the radio show, this blog is dedicated to all aspects of the Swing Era, including art, automobiles, cartoons, comics, history, movies, music, news, science, technology, and anything else that happened during that time. It also includes announcements about events in the Memphis/Mid-South area related to the Swing Era, such as classic movies, concerts, dances, lectures, etc. If you see something that fits the description, send it to me at tim@wevl.org. If you would like more information about the radio show, just go to the Radio Show FAQ page.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Anniversary of the Memphis Blues

The focus of this blog is the 1930s-40s, but today's anniversary is so important to the music of the era (not to mention my hometown) that it requires recognition, despite its earlier vintage.     

On this date in 1912, Bry's Department Store in Memphis, Tennessee begain selling copies of W.C. Handy's Memphis Blues, a tune Handy originally titled Mister Crump.  Aspiring Memphis mayoral candidate E. H. Crump had previously hired Handy to write a tune for his election campaign.  As the Library of Congress American Memory Today in History page notes, it was extremely popular, and contributed to the success of both Mr. Crump and Mr. Handy.  Many artists from the swing era kept the tune alive with their versions. 

 
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