July On TCM

The Hollywood Revue's has posted its preview of programming on TCM for July, and in celebration of Olivia de Havilland's 100th birthday on July 1, she is the Star of the Month, with her films airing every Friday night.  Ms. de Havilland has always been one of my favorite actresses.  There will also be a focus on Westerns, with nothing but "oaters" all day every Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Sunrise Serenade: Daddy

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Daddy" by the Andrews Sisters.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Playlist For June 29, 2016

The playlist for the June 29, 2016 broadcasts of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

No "Gobbledygook" In 1944

Boing Boing posted this note about a War Plants Corporation memo from 1944, in which a Mr. Maury Maverick (really!) stated his position on "Gobbledygook Language" in a clear and concise manner.  The really interesting point to me is that many of the words and phrases he considered nonsense are now quite common:  finalizing, stem from, patterns, dynamics, activation, implementation, etc.  Considering his last sentence, quite a few people in business today would have been in serious danger back then. 

Sunrise Serenade: St. James Infirmary

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "St. James Infirmary" by Cab Calloway.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Red, Hot & Blue Lindy Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues at the Rumba Room this Friday night.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00 and $5 thereafter.   

Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

The University of Memphis RHLH chapter hosts a free beginner swing dance lesson every Monday (except school holidays) in Field House.  Beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m.  More information here. 

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

Sunrise Serenade: Life Is Fine

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Life Is Fine" by Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Sunrise Serenade: Now I Lay Me Down To Dream

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Now I Lay Me Down To Dream" by Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Catman And Kitten

There have been many costumed comic book characters, both heroes and villains, who had something to do with a cat, so I was not surprised to learn of a Cat-Man.  I must confess, however, I have never heard of a young girl sidekick named "Kitten."  Four Color Shadows posted this 1942 issue.

Sunrise Serenade: Ride On

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Ride On" by Stan Kenton and His Orchestra with Anita O'Day.  Enjoy the YouTube video below. 

Playlist For June 22, 2016

The playlist for the June 22, 2016 broadcasts of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Restored Prohibition Era Bowling Alley & Restaurant

Rivet Head posted this item about the newly renovated Highland Park Bowl, a prohibition-era Los Angelus bowling alley restored to its 1930's glory.  I don't make it to LA much, but if I ever should again, this spot will be on my list. 

Sunrise Serenade: Music Makers

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Music Makers" by Harry James and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Stay Cool With The Red Hot Lindy Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues at the Rumba Room this Friday night.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00 and $5 thereafter.  Lesson by Todd and Bethany with music by DJ Bethany. 

Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

The University of Memphis RHLH chapter hosts a free beginner swing dance lesson every Monday (except school holidays) in Field House.  Beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m.  More information here. 

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

Sunrise Serenade: The First Time I Saw You

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "The First Time I Saw You" by Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Sunrise Serenade: Fifty-Second Street

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Fifty-Second Street" by Louis Prima and His New Orleans Gang.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Sunrise Serenade: I'm Beginning To See The Light

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "I'm Beginning To See The Light" by Harry James and His Orchestra with Helen Forrest on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

On The Road

Like this driver, posted in the Library of Congress FSA-OWI Collection, I'll be on the road for a few days, so postings will be temporarily suspended.  I'll be back by the end of the week. 

Sunrise Serenade: Two Sleepy People

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Two Sleepy People" by Hoagy Carmichael and Ella Logan.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Sunrise Serenade: Hold My Hand

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Hold My Hand" by Fats Waller and His Rhythm.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Playlist For June 8, 2016

The playlist for the June 8, 2016 broadcasts of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Gangbusters: Crime Agency

This story, posted on Four Color Shadows, has a good premise.  A gang, the "Crime Agency," creates an employment service for maids, uses them to case the residences where they work, and then robs them.  The police send in an undercover policewoman to pose as a maid and trap the gang.  An enjoyable story. 

Sunrise Serenade: Stompin' At The Savoy

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Stompin' At The Savoy" by the Ink Spots.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Lindy Hop Friday Night And Live Music Saturday Night

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues at the Rumba Room this Friday night.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00 and $5 thereafter.  Lesson by Jaredan and Stacey with music by DJ Jaredan. 

Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

The Levitt Shell will host the Cherry Poppin' Daddys Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.  Admission free!

The University of Memphis RHLH chapter hosts a free beginner swing dance lesson every Monday (except school holidays) in Field House.  Beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m.  More information here. 

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

Sunrise Serenade: Look Out

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Look Out" by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

The Strange Tanks Of D-Day

Today is the 72nd anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy during World War II, a/k/a "D-Day."  The BBC has an interesting article on some of the unusual equipment that went ashore that day, and the inventive man behind them.  Although I was aware of Sherman tanks modified to "swim" or clear land mines, I did not know that they, along with some other tank variations, originated out of the mind of one man. 

Sunrise Serenade: You're Not The Only Oyster In The Stew

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "You're Not The Only Oyster In The Stew" by Fats Waller and His Rhythm.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

Sunrise Serenade: Pent Up In A Penthouse

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Pent Up In A Penthouse" by Fats Waller.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Playlist For May 25 And June 1, 2016

The playlist for the May 25 and June 1, 2016 broadcasts of the Swing Shift Shuffle have now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  Due to a localized power outage at the WEVL transmitter on May 25, our FM broadcast was unavailable, so I aired the same show tonight. 

TCM In June

The Hollywood Revue has posted its preview of programming on Turner Classic Movies for June, and the highlights are a tribute to Director Billy Wilder and Actress Marie Dressler as Star of the Month.  As part of the Billy Wilder tribute, one of my favorite films, Five Graves to Cairo, will air on June 3. 

Sunrise Serenade: Who Threw The Whiskey In The Well

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Who Threw The Whiskey In The Well" by Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.