Happy Thanksgiving!

From all of us here at the SSS, have a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving!  The Library of Congress Prints & Photographs collection reveals the family of Mr. Timothy Levy Crouch enjoying Thanksgiving dinner in 1940, complete with a twenty pound turkey and a kids' table. 

It is also time for the SSS annual post-Thanksgiving holiday shutdown.  Posts will be limited to the radio show playlist and any timely event announcements.  Normal posting will resume on December 9.  For those of you venturing out on Black Friday, please be careful, courteous and patient with your fellow shoppers.

Playlist For November 27, 2013

The playlist for the November 27, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Black Friday Lindy Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Roomn.  Free lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00, and $5 cover at the door afterwards.  Lesson by Keenana and Amanda, with music by Amanda.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

The Tiger Rag lessons and guided practice sessions are in full swing at the Madison Dance Studio in Minglewood Plaza, 1555 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38104.  Learn more and register here. 

Sunrise Serenade: Sweet Georgia Brown

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Sweet Georgia Brown" by Johnny Mercer.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Myrna Loy In A Suit

Film Noir Photos posted this apparent publicity shot of Myrna Loy for the 1934 film, The Thin Man, the first of the Thin Man series starring William Powell as Nick Charles and Loy as Nora.  That being said, I have seen The Thin Man numerous times, and Myrna Loy never appears in a suit in the film.  Perhaps this shot was just a teaser. 

Sunrise Serenade: Lulu's Back In Town

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Lulu's Back In Town" by Johnny Mercer.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Majestic Grille Sunday Supper And A Movie

The Majestic Grille launches is holiday tradition of "Supper And A Movie" with Miracle on 34th Street this Sunday, December 1.  The other films in the series will be The Thin Man on December 8, Holiday Inn on December 15, and It's A Wonderful Life on December 22. 

Sunrise Serenade: Jeepers Creepers

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Jeepers Creepers" by Louis Armstrong.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Jerky Turkey

One advantage of never going out much is that I've managed to ignore the Christmas decorations going up on November 1.  As a result, I can start my holiday season at Thanksgiving.  We are continuing our tradition of inviting the great Tex Avery to tell the classic story of a simple Pilgrim looking for that first Thanksgiving Day meal, and throw in a pack of World War II era jokes to boot.  From the Internet Archive, the 1945 animated short, Jerky Turkey.

Sunrise Serenade: Swanee River

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Swanee River" by Les Brown and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Duke & Duchess Of Windsor's Custom Cadillac Auctioned Today

The 1941 custom built Cadillac limousine known as "The Duchess," built for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII and Ms. Wallis Simpson), is up for auction today.  As reported by Hemmings, General Motors executive Alfred P. Sloan, Jr., a friend of the couple, had legendary GM designer Harley Earl and his team design this one-off car for the couple's trip to New York City in 1941.   This car represents the end of the custom coachbuilding era, when standard chassis were mated with bodies tailored to the owner's specifications.  It also inspired later Rolls Royce designs, and is expected to bring between $500,000 and $800,000. 

Sunrise Serenade: Guess I'll Go Back Home

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Guess I'll Go Back Home" by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, with Tex Beneke on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Playlist For November 20, 2013

The playlist for the November 20, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Sunrise Serenade: Bugle Call Rag

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Bugle Call Rag" by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Pre-Holiday Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Roomn.  Free lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00, and $5 cover at the door afterwards.  Lesson by Jaredan and Erin, with music by Jaredan.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

The Tiger Rag lessons and guided practice sessions are in full swing at the Madison Dance Studio in Minglewood Plaza, 1555 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38104.  Learn more and register here. 

Sunrise Serenade: Peanut Vendor

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Peanut Vendor" by Raymond Scott and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Sunrise Serenade: South American Way

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "South American Way" by Carmen Miranda.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Playlist For November 13, 2013 - Fall Pledge Drive Special

The playlist for the November 13, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle - Fall Pledge Drive Special "South of the Border" - has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

SSS Fall Pledge Drive Special Tonight! South Of The Border

As you know, the SSS airs exclusively on WEVL, an independent, nonprofit, noncommercial, listener-supported, volunteer radio station here in Memphis.  WEVL is in the middle of its Fall Pledge Drive, which is our most important fundraiser of the year.  There are lots of special programs during Pledge Drive, and tonight's SSS is no exception.  "South of the Border" will showcase Swing Era music about, influenced or inspired by Latin America, or performed by Latin American artists.  Featured in tonight's show will be Oscar Aleman, Xavier Cugat, and the Brazillian Bombshell herself, Carmen Miranda.  Yes, this is a photo of Carmen, without her trademark fruitty hat attire. 

Sunrise Serenade: Cuban Boogie Woogie

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Cuban Boogie Woogie" by Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube. 

Live Music At The Red Hot Lindy Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session features live music this Friday night at the Rumba Room with Mike Martin.  Free lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00, and $7 band cover at the door afterwards.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

The Tiger Rag lessons and guided practice sessions are in full swing at the Madison Dance Studio in Minglewood Plaza, 1555 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38104.  Learn more and register here. 

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. 

Veterans Day

November 11 was originally known as Armistice Day, to commemorate the ending of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.  In the UK and Commonwealth countries, it continues as Remembrance Day, and the intent is to remember those who fell in the line of duty.  The U.S. changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all veterans.  Film Noir Photos posted this very appropriate picture of Lana Turner, Deanna Durbin and Marlene Dietrich welcoming the one millionth visitor to the Hollywood Canteen in 1944. 

Sunrise Serenade: Negra De Cabello Duro

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Negra De Cabello Duro" by Oscar Aleman.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Naughty But Mice

This encore from 2010 features a Famous Studios' "Noveltoon" released by Paramount, in which Herman the city mouse helps his country cousins rid themselves of a troublesome feline.  From the Internet Archive, here is the 1947 animated short, Naughty But Mice.

Sunrise Serenade: Ain't Misbehavin'

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Ain't Misbehavin'" by Fats Waller.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Lowensteins East Grand Opening

Here is a neat little snapshot of Memphis memories from Ask Vance.  In 1949, Lowenstein's, which along with Goldsmith's, constituted the main home-grown department store industry in Memphis; opened "Lowenstein's East" at the corner of Poplar Avenue and Highland Street.  Now considered the edge of Midtown Memphis, the building, with its giant display gallery over the main entrance, houses a SpinStreet Records and a PetCo.  I remember when it was Lowenstein's, and Christmas decorations would appear in that gallery during the holidays.  As for Goldsmith's, it was eventually purchased by Macy's, which has several stores in the Memphis area. 

Sunrise Serenade: Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive" by Johnny Mercer and the Pied Pipers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Playlist For November 6, 2013

The playlist for the November 6, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Casablanca Buick Crossing The Block

This 1940 Buick phaeton would be a collectible in its own right, but this is not just any classic car.  It was in front of this very automobile that Humphrey Bogart (Rick) told Ingrid Bergman (Ilsa), "We'll always have Paris."  As posted on the Hemmings blog, this former Warner Bros. prop will be up for auction on November 25.  The burns on the upholstery are "period correct," as they came from Bogie's ever present cigarette. 

Sunrise Serenade: Hawaiian War Chant

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Hawaiian War Chant" by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Red Hot Lindy Hop And Live Music Next Week

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room.  Free lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00, and $5 cover at the door afterwards.  Lesson by Jim and Heather with music by Jim.  Dress like you are going out!

Live music next week with Mike Martin. 

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

The Tiger Rag lessons and guided practice sessions are in full swing at the Madison Dance Studio in Minglewood Plaza, 1555 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38104.  Learn more and register here. 

Sunrise Serenade: Bugle Call Rag

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Bugle Call Rag" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg

This encore from 2010 features a 1936 Van Beuren production, in which Captain Kidd steals Felix the Cat's profitable goose.  From the Internet Archive, here is The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg. 

Sunrise Serenade: On A Slow Boat To China

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "On A Slow Boat To China" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, featuring Al Hendrickson on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.