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.

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Hop Into The New Year

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 Matt and Jazz,  with music by Matt.  Dress like you are going out!
303 South Main
Memphis, TN 38103

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

Friday, December 27, 2013

Showdown

Here is a fun little encore from 2010 on which to end the year.  When a mobster's henchman poses as Superman to commit a series of crimes, fireworks are sure to follow.  Featuring a very close cartoon facsimile of Edward G. Robinson, from the Internet Archive, here is Showdown.

Sunrise Serenade: Let's Start The New Year Right

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Let's Start The New Year Right" by Bing Crosby.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

The playlist for the December 25, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle, Christmas Special Part 2, has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Merry Christmas!

With all the last minute holiday activity, I missed yesterday's post, but for today, from all of us at the SSS, a very Merry Christmas!  The child above sleeps basking in the glow of a Christmas tree in 1940 (from the Library of Congress).  Posts will be somewhat intermittent for the next week or so, but be sure to catch part 2 of the Swing Shift Shuffle Christmas and New Year's Special. 

Monday, December 23, 2013

Chrysler Airflow

The Hemmings blog did a nice post on the origin and impact of the Chrysler Airflow.  This car was one of the first, mass-produced automobiles to consider the effect of aerodynamics on performance.  Introduced in 1934, its design was a little to far advanced for the car consumer at the time, and within a few years, its radical shape had morphed back into something more traditional.  Personally, I think the two door coupes, which rarely seem to be pictured anywhere, look much better than the four door sedans. 

Sunrise Serenade: The Christmas Song

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "The Christmas Song" by Les Brown and His Orchestra featuring Doris Day on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Friday, December 20, 2013

Peace On Earth

On this last Friday before Christmas, I thought we would revisit another favorite Christmas cartoon of mine.  Although some of the imagery in this film seems a bit dark for a holiday cartoon, the message is always relevant.  This short was released in 1939, when Europe was either on the brink of or already at war, the U.S. was not interested in reliving the horrors of World War I, and the Japanese had not yet attacked Pearl Harbor.  From the Internet Archive, here is Peace On Earth.

Sunrise Serenade: You Don't Have To Be A Santa Claus

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "You Don't Have To Be A Santa Claus" by the Mills Brothers.  Enjoy the video from YouTube

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Playlist For December 18, 2013 - Christmas Special Part 1

The playlist for the December 18, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle, Christmas Special Part 1, has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Raymond Loewy: The 20th Century's Designer

This past November 5 would have been Raymond Loewy's 120th birthday, and as a post on Gizmodo noted, he was justifiably considered the man who made the 20th century beautiful.  From trains, planes and automobiles to graphic design and space exploration, Loewy was a designer to tried his hand, quite successfully, at designing everything.  The above Art Deco steam locomotive is his design, as was the Coke bottle. 

Swing Shift Shuffle Christmas Special, Part 1 Airs Tonight

Since Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year, I decided to do a double Christmas Special.  Tonight will be all Christmas music, and on Christmas day, we will continue the Yuletide spirit with more Christmas music, as well as seasonal and some New Years Eve tunes.  I hope you can join us for one or both. 

Sunrise Serenade: I Want You For Christmas

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "I Want Your For Christmas" by Dick Robertson and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Only One More Hopping Session Until Christmas!

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 Phil and Becky, with music by Alexis.  Dress like you are going out!
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: Runnin' Wild

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Runnin' Wild" by Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Monday, December 16, 2013

Friday, December 13, 2013

Christmas Comes But Once A Year

It's time for the holiday cartoons again!  In this 1936 Fleischer Studio short, a group of orphans receive broken, cast off toys for Christmas, but Grampy comes to the rescue, ingeniously making new, better toys out of items around the orphanage.  Grampy was a Maker!  From the Internet Archive, here is Christmas Comes But Once A Year

Sunrise Serenade: Gotta Go Places And Do Things

It is a bit late, but this morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Gotta Go Places And Do Things" by Cab Calloway.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Old Movies, Television Shows On Memphis TV

While I was off on the annual SSS holiday shutdown, I discovered a new TV channel in the Memphis area.  Well, at least it is new to me, and I think I would have noticed it before.  Broadcast on digital channel 23.2 in Memphis; channel 34.1 in Senatobia, MS; channel 15 on Comcast Cable, and channel 34 on Uverse, it is called Acmeclassics.com.  Its programming consists of old movies, movie serials, newsreels, cartoons, and TV shows, many of which are public domain.  As far as I have observed, the programs are broadcast without commercial interruption.  The commercials and public service announcements appear in between the shows.  The variety has been impressive.  I have seen Betty Boop, Noveltoon and Private Snafu cartoons, Pathe newsreels, early 1930's movies, classic TV shows like The Cisco Kid, Bonanza  and The Andy Griffith Show, as well as some British TV shows from the 1960s.  Movie serials are a regular part of the programming as well.  I have been thoroughly enjoying it.  The schedule is best found at the website, since the programs can begin at any time during the hour (e.g. 9:13 start time).  My only note of caution is that, on Uverse at least, the online guide is one hour ahead of the programming.  If you push "INFO" while on the Uverse channel guide, you will probably get information on the show that will air one hour from now.   

Sunrise Serenade: Here Comes Santa Claus

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Here Comes Santa Claus" by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.  Enjoy the video below from YouTube.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Playlist For December 11, 2013

The playlist for the December 11, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Perfect Car For Burnouts

Thanks to Boing Boing for posting this item about a reproduction of a 1947 "Zippomobile."  According to the post, Joe Griffin of right here in Memphis, Tennessee, recreated this "productmobile" (e.g. Oscar Meyer Wienermobile or Hershey's Kissmobile) without any plans of the originals, using only photos and a 1947 Chrysler New Yorker Saratoga. 

Sunrise Serenade: Christmas Candles

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Christmas Candles" by the Andrews Sisters.  Enjoy the video from YouTube

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Live Music At The Lindy Hop

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

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Buzz, Buzz, Buzz" by Memphis' own Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Monday, December 9, 2013

December On TCM

I know I am posting it later than usual, but better late than never is The Hollywood Revue's monthly preview of programming on Turner Classic Movies.  Fred Astaire is the Star of the Month, and of course, there will be plenty of holiday films. 

Sunrise Serenade: Moses Smote The Water

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Moses Smote The Water" by the Golden Gate Quartet.  Enjoy the video from YouTube

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Playlist For December 4, 2013

The playlist for the December 4, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.