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, December 26, 2018

Playlist For December 26, 2018

The playlist for the December 26, 2018 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle - 2018 New Year's Special - has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Friday, December 21, 2018

Peace On Earth

On this Friday before Christmas, I wanted to again post one of my favorite holiday cartoons.  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, many in the U.S. were 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.

I'll be taking a break for a week, but I'll back in January.  Until then, I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Playlist For December 19, 2018

The playlist for the December 19, 2018 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle - 2018 Christmas Special - has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Sunrise Serenade: He'll Be Coming Down The Chimney

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "He'll Be Coming Down The Chimney" by Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Monday, December 17, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Friday, December 14, 2018

Christmas Comes But Once A Year

Today we revisit one of the Fleischer Studios' Color Classics in which Grampy uses a little innovation to bring Christmas joy to some orphans.  From the Internet Archive, here is the 1936 animated short, Christmas Comes But Once A Year

Sunrise Serenade: Jingle Bells

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

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: What Will Santa Claus Say?

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "What Will Santa Claus Say?" by Louis Prima and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Playlist For December 12, 2018

The playlist for the December 12, 2018 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Sunrise Serenade: So Long, Sarah Jane

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "So Long, Sarah Jane" by the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Funiculi, Funicula

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Funiculi, Funicula" by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Monday, December 10, 2018

Friday, December 7, 2018

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

My non-Sunrise Serenade posts have dropped off a bit recently due to work and other annoyances, but I figured I could at least start up the holiday cartoons again. This encore from Christmas posts past is a Jam Handy animated short directed by Max Fleischer.  From the Internet Archive, here is Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.  According to legend, Gene Autry, who first recorded this song, did not want to record it.  His wife persuaded him. 

Sunrise Serenade: Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" by Woody Herman and His Orchestra.  Enjoy the video below from YouTube.

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Igor

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Igor" by Woody Herman and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Playlist For December 5, 2018

The playlist for the December 5, 2018 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Sunrise Serenade: Baby, It's Cold Outside

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: That's What You Think

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "That's What You Think" by Gene Krupa and His Orchestra with Anita O'Day on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Monday, December 3, 2018

Sunrise Serenade: Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You)

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You)" by the Mills Brothers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line