D-Day Officer Battle Gear

Retronaut posted this sketch of a Platoon Leader's battle gear on D-Day with the following description. 

This drawing by combat historian Lt. Jack Shea, who was attached to the 29th Infantry Division, gives a sense of just how prepared these troops needed to be, both for their initial amphibious assault, and for days of slogging through the potentially treacherous Normandy countryside.

Sunrise Serenade: Riverboat Shuffle

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Riverboat Shuffle" by Hoagy Carmichael.  Enjoy the video from Dailymotion. 

Hoagy Carmichael - Riverboat Shuffle (Alternate... by JazznBluesexperience

Playlist For February 12, 2014

The playlist for the February 12, 2014 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle, has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

St. Valentines Day Hop, U of M Swing Dance 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. and admission before 7:00, and $5 at the door afterwards.  Lesson by Keenan and Erin with music by EJ.  Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Live band next week:  The Side Street Steppers.

University of Memphis Swing Dance Night:  Saturday, February 15 7:30-11:00 p.m. in the Beale Room at the UC. 

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: The Dipsy Doodle

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "The Dipsy Doodle" by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra with Edythe Wright on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

R.I.P. Shirley Temple

The Good Ship Lollipop has sailed with its most famous passenger.  Shirley Temple died today at age 85.  She was the highest box office draw from 1935-1938, and is still the youngest person ever to receive an Oscar, at age six.  Variety has a full tribute.  Her work as a child star is what most will remember, although personally, I also enjoy some of her later work as a young woman, including Fort Apache with John Wayne and The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer with Cary Grant and Myrna Loy. 


P.S. - I could not resist posting this photo of her in what appears to be a Chrysler Airflow pedal car.

Sunrise Serenade: Eadie Was A Lady

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Eadie Was A Lady" by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line. 

"And In This Corner, Playing The Bass Clarinet . . . ." - Wait, what?

Talk about mixed media.  According to this post on the National World War II Museum blog, in January 1944, the Houston, Texas "War Sports Activities Committee" hosted a unique war bond fundraising event featuring championship wrestling accompanied by classical music performed by the Houston Symphony Orchestra.  The event raised over $7,000,000, but apparently one disgruntled wrestler blamed the orchestra for his loss, citing the distracting music.

Sunrise Serenade: I Got A Right To Sing The Blues

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "I Got A Right To Sing The Blues" by Cab Calloway and his Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Superman: Secret Agent

In this encore from 2011, the Man of Steel must save a beautiful blond female secret agent from a band of (presumably) Nazi saboteurs.  From the Internet Archive, here is the 1943 short, Secret Agent.