Swing Shift Shuffle

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.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Sunrise Serenade: I Want A Roof Over My Head

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "I Want A Roof Over My Head" by Louis Jordan. Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Playlist For April 18, 2012

The playlist for the April 18, 2012 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle - Spring Pledge Drive Special - has just been added to the playlist filing cabinet.

Police Car Dash Camera

In July 2010, I posted an item about a 1940's news photographer who mounted a camera on his car dashboard. Based on this article from the September 1939 issue of Popular Science, the California Highway Patrol had him beat by a few years, and upped the ante by using a motion picture camera in its patrol cars.

Sunrise Serenade: If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight" by Jack Teagarden and the V-Disc All Stars. Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Tiger Rag Wednesday And Live Music Friday At Madison Dance Studio

The Tiger Rag happens tomorrow night and every Wednesday at the Madison Dance Studio inside Minglewood Hall at 1555 Madison Avenue at 8:00 p.m. You can also sign up in advance for dance classes. More info here.

The Red Hot Lindy Hop moves to the Madison Dance Studio and features live music this Friday with the Side Street Steppers. Doors open at 6:30, and Mike and Michelle will give the lesson before the band starts. $7 cover. Dress like you are going out!

Sunrise Serenade: Do Unto Others

Today's Sunrise Serenade was that lesson on the Golden Rule, "Do Unto Others" by the Golden Gate Quartet. Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Nightmare And Sleepy

Here is another interesting and (to me anyway) little known comic book crimefighter: "Nightmare" and his sidekick "Sleepy." Like Batman, this hero had no super powers. His secret identity was that of a pro wrestler. Sleepy was his teenage manager. I'm not sure if "Sleepy" inspired the same level of dread in evildoers as Nightmare. Four Color Shadows posted this 1943 issue of the comic.

Sunrise Serenade: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by the Andrews Sisters. Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Donald Duck: The Spirit Of '43

As the deadline for filing income tax returns approaches, this cartoon seemed appropriate. Walt Disney made this animated short, featuring Donald Duck, for the U.S. Government, so it fell into the public domain. The cartoon's goal was to encourage people to save their money so they could pay their income taxes and support the war effort. From the Internet Archive, here is the 1943 animated short, The Spirit Of '43.

Sunrise Serenade: On The Alamo

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "On The Alamo" by Harry James and His Orchestra. Click on the song title for a sample from emusic, or click here for the album page.