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.

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Playlist For October 31, 2018 - Halloween Special

The playlist for the October 31, 2018 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Halloween Special Tonight!

Join me tonight on WEVL FM 89.9 for the Swing Shift Shuffle Halloween Special!  The ghosts and goblins will be swinging out with hot Halloween songs from your favorite Swing Era artists.  Tune in at 6:00 p.m. Central for the frightful fun. 

P.S. - The big smiley Jack O' Lantern belongs to my son, Benjamin.  The little demon cat is for his twin sister, Colleen. 

Sunrise Serenade: The Headless Horseman

Appropriately for Halloween, this morning's Sunrise Serenade was "The Headless Horseman" by Bing Crosby from the 1949 Disney film, The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Deep Purple

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Deep Purple" by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra with Helen Forrest on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Monday, October 29, 2018

Arrows Across America

03 airway arrow
I saw this article on CNN a few months ago, and I am just now getting around to posting it, but better late than never.  Air mail was a relatively new thing back in the 1920s and '30s, as was aviation itself.  To help the fledging air mail pilots find their way, huge concrete arrows were placed along the routes, illuminated at night by nearby beacons.  With the beacon towers long since vanished, the arrows still remain, continuing to point toward the destination of those early pilots.  A California couple has created a website of all the arrows they have discovered, Arrows Across America, including a few with the towers and sheds still intact.
Arrows across America (2)

Sunrise Serenade: Minnie The Moocher's Wedding Day

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Minnie The Moocher's Wedding Day" by (who else?) Cab Calloway and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Friday, October 26, 2018

There's Good Boos Tonight

Since this is the Friday before Halloween, I thought I would dust off this cartoon featuring Casper the Friendly Ghost.  From the Internet Archive, here is the 1948 animated short, There's Good Boos Tonight.

Sunrise Serenade: Dirt Dishin' Daisy

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Dirt Dishin' Daisy" by the Mills Brothers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Baby, Won't You Please Come Home

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home" by the Mills Brothers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Right Or Wrong

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Right Or Wrong" by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Stormy Weather

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Stormy Weather" by Lena Horne.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Monday, October 22, 2018

Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival, October 21-28


Memphis' own Jimmie Lunceford, a former Manassas High School teacher who went on to become one of the top big band leaders of the Swing Era, will be celebrated this week during the 2018 Jimmie Lunceford Jamboree Festival, which runs until October 28. 

Sunrise Serenade: A Maiden's Prayer

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "A Maiden's Prayer" by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Friday, October 19, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Song Of The Volga Boatmen

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Song Of The Volga Boatmen" by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Coney Island Washboard

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Coney Island Washboard" by the Mills Brothers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Miss Molly

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Miss Molly" by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Chant Of The Jungle

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Chant Of The Jungle" by the Casa Loma Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Monday, October 15, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Cherokee

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Cherokee" by Charlie Barnett and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Monday, October 8, 2018

Fall Break

The SSS is going into its Fall Break this week, but I'll be back next Monday. 

Friday, October 5, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: MacPherson Is Rehearsin'

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "MacPherson Is Rehearsin'" by Chick Webb and His Orchestra with Ella Fitzgerald.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Atom And Evil

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Atom And Evil" by the Golden Gate Quartet.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Playlist For October 3, 2018

The playlist for the October 3, 2018 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Sunrise Serenade: Guilty

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Guilty" by Ella Fitzgerald.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: South American Joe

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "South American Joe" by Ambrose and His Orchestra with Donald Stewart on vocals.  Enjoy the video from YouTube

Monday, October 1, 2018