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DECEMBER, 19 4 8 VOl. t NO. 1? CAPITOL NEWS CAPITOL NEWS PACE 3 Studios On 'Arty' Published Monthly by CAPITOL PUBLICATIONS, INC. Sunset and Vine, Hollywood 28, Calif. Printed in U. S. A. Kick As '48 Ends; EDITED BY DAVE DEXTER, JR. Why No Musicals? HERE’S THAT MAN . . . AGAIN Are Hollywood’s film factories closing their doors to music? H E STIFF-ARM ED the office door, did the little man with the flower/ That’s the question being bandied these days as production charts m sportshirt, and charged over to the desk with his hands waving. reveal that fewer musicals are now in production than at any other time 9 since the depression. “ Christmas cheer and all that stuff,” he bellowed, “ and have you But things ain’t like they used to be. Columbia has only one in the dug Manone’s book? It’s departed, it’s so gone it’s back again. But The dancing girls are car-hops now and Deadline works, ‘ ‘Jo lso n Sings A g a in .” many a musician is driving a grocery W ingy left out my favprite W ingy story. W e were driving over to Mighty Metro has none. Monogram truck. Pasadena one afternoon and when we passed Forest Lawn— you know has none. Paramount has one— the “ Top o’ the Morning’’ Andy Russell leaves his home In the that’s the largest cemetery in the world— he stopped the Chevvy and film— but it is actually a drama Valley, just outside Hollywood, and goes DORIS D REW recently won Frankie Savitt’s Estate walked up to the big crematorium where the caretaker was standing Lame's vocalist contest over 500 with Incidental music, a far cry from east this month. the lavish musicals of other years. and then he reared back and yelled, ‘Hey, what’s cooking?’ other contestants. From Texas, Doris But he won’t be going very far. Las Set At $4500 now is doing a single In , Even Independents Miss Vegas, Nev., is the destination. He will "A nd whaddya make of these days? There’s a guy who emphasizing the blues. Saxophonist RKO-Radio, now under fighting Jan Savitt, the late orchestra leader, open there, at Hotel , needs help. First he’s gonna have a band again, then he’s gonna pro­ : Henry Cruen, one of ’s best, ’ leadership, has no mu­ left an estate valued at $4500, it was on Dec. 8, sing two weeks as star of the proudly claims her as his little sister. sicals now or in the near future. Re­ disclosed last month. Savitt left no will floorshow, and be back home in time duce a Broadway show, then he’s gonna take over this Bob Keen Cali­ She’ll soon open at the Oasis in L.A. public has none. Big 20th-Fox is busy and his widow, Mrs. Barbara Ann Savitt, for Christmas. He and Mrs. Russell ex­ fornia band, then he’s writing a book. W ell, the bulls arrested him turning out six top-budget flickers, but has asked for letters of administration pect to start filming their series of “Mr. the other day out on Wilshire Boulevard for speeding and turning not a single one is a musical. United in a/ petition filed with the Superior and Mrs.” television films early in corners from the wrong lane— simultaneously, y’understand— and I Artists has none shooting, either. Court. The Savitt residence, because it January. Universal-International is only work­ was held in joint tenancy with the guess he has enough time, now to decide just what he’s gonna do for Film For Arnaz; ing on two films this month, and nei­ widow, is not part of the estate to be , fretful after waiting sure. He sure ain’t going anywhere with those two raps facin’ him in ther is a musical. Warners, like 20th- settled. around Hollywood many months with­ a town where traffic violations are second only to wartime espionage Trip For Cugat Fox, is jumping with six pictures under out a movie to make, or an arrshow to in severity. way. But only Danny Kaye’s “Happy Jocks, Not Bands, air, trained out for a Nov. 18 opening Two leaders of “ Latin-Ameri- Times” has any music in it. at the Cleveland Palace Theater. He will “ You there, Bud, pose as a news reporter, the mighty editor, can” musical combos will be in the The independent studios offer no also play the Albee in Cincinnati start­ Sought For Films the cat with the crystal ball. But do you know that Red Norvo will hope, apparently. Six pictures are shoot­ During the war, Columbia’s Screen ing Dec. 2, and like Russell, will swing national limelight this month. ing but there’s nary a music sequence Snapshots rang the bell with short films west to be home with his wife and kids soon be at Billy Berg’s and that may be there with Xavier Cugat, with nothing to do in any of them. on news commentators and announcers, for the coming holiday season. Dick’s him? And have you informed your readers— all three of ’em— that atMGM for a change, returns from More Expensive, They Say often heard but seldom seen. The lot wife, Joanne Dru, just wound up an act­ Mildred Bailey and Charlie Ventura are likely to follow Herman a Texas tour with his band and, fol­ All of which leaves a total of 38 fea­ will attempt it again with disc jockeys. ing stint in “She Wore a Yellow Rib­ next month at the new Hollywood Empire? Money, money, money. kwing the Christmas season at his Los tures now in production in the Holly­ Titled “Spin That Platter,’’ the sub­ bon” at Monument Valley. wood studios, large and small. And only That’s all it takes. Angeles home, will pack his trunks for ject was put in work last month by a flying trip to South America in Janu­ two or three musicals in the batch. Ralph Staub, producer-director of the “ Yeah Pops. I latched those lines about Cap’s profits for the first ary. The entire Cugey troupe will make The coolness of Filmtown’s bigwig series. He’ll shoot the best known plat­ producers, and studio chiefs, toward the nine months of the current annum, annumite add that $13,117,010 he trek, an undertaking expected to ter pilots here, in San Francisco, New equire about four weeks in all. song-and-dance celluloid is said to be York, Chicago, Washington, Boston and in sales just since last Jan. 1 is a sum much too rich for my tastes— , Rival baton-waver Desi Arnaz, on the the result of “discouraging” box-office New Orleans. back in ’42 when the was young I remember how Glenn tontrary, just cancelled his coming tour returns on previous musicals this year W allichs and Johnny Mercer used to dance around the newsstand at ^-including a nice booking at the New and last. Also, it is pointed out, a mu­ sical is ordinarily more expensive to Keen Band Gigging Sunset & Vine when they got orders for ten copies of Cow-Cow pork Strand— and instead will start N k on Dec. 6 at Columbia Studios. make. And Hollywood’s belt is pulled Through Southern Cal. Boogie. tight these crisp fall days with its for­ Arnaz, who has long harbored ambi­ Bob Keen’s band, which Artie Shaw eign markets curtailed and its domes­ “Finances phooey. The only figure I’d like to get for Christmas is Kay tions to become an actor, will be tossed still may take over, in part, as a nucleus tic grosses bowing to sports, television Starr’s, but she’ll probably be back home In Memphis with ll’l Kathy. Jeez, ¡leading role in the forthcoming “ Holi- for the new Shaw orchestra, is working and sundry other attractions. Bub, do you get the same reaction I get when some jock spins ’Please Love lay In Havana” flicker. He also will be regularly in the area and is Me’ or 'So Tired’ when you’re all alone— and wonderin’? Let’s bop off this iraomed as an up and coming “roman­ Two Coming Up, However booked for some 20 nights during the subject before we become ensnared or somethin’. Kay'd just better watch ce” star by Columbia. The Arnaz or- MCM, checked by the Capitol News, month of December. Dates include a out, that’s all. I think she needs a Geiger meter. hestra, moreover, will also be seen in promised it would have “ In The Good couple of weekends at the Avodon he film, according to present plans. Old Summertime” with in “Did you know my brother Mannle got married last week? It was no Ballroom in downtown Los Angeles. THE TRENIERS, identical twins production soon and 20th-Fox, courtesy trouble at all. Times is bad for musicians and a guy can grab state unem­ who broke into the game with the of Ceorgie Jessel, revealed that “Oh late Jimmie Lunceford’s band during ployment checks for only so long. So Mannie ran an ad In Down Beat: Mills Brothers Here Ingle Eyes The singing Mills Brothers opened You Beautiful Doll” would roll on Dec. the war, will be held over at the Red Ingle and his Natural Seven, Musician, aged 36, non-bopper, desires to meet girl less than 30 years last month at the Casbah Club, on 6. Both will be high-blown, full-blast L. A. Melodee Club until Jan. 17. with Karen Tedder, have just signed to of age who owns fiddle. Please send by airmail picture of fiddle. he L. A. south side, and will hold musicals in the grand tradition. They answer to the names of Cliff open at the N. Y. Village Barn on Jan. Now Mannle has an instrument again and all he needs Is a job. And hrth through most of December. Dave Metro also (see page 10) will shortly and Claude, but only their wives and 6 for six weeks. Red’s zany crew now is a happy New Year to you, too, Bud.” Cavanaugh’s band holds down the stand release two musicals made several sea­ mother can tell ’em apart. at Zucca’s in Culver City, Gal. and plays for dancing. sons back. PACE 4 C A PIT O L NEW S CAPITOL N EW S PACE 5 Herman Herd Stampedes West Opening Dec. 7

EVER HEAR of a guy by the name At New Empire of Joe DoshP W ell, he once was an agent for the F.B.I. back east. Then Run By Jockey he trekked to New York seeking a singing career, and wound up as] I’ll be home for Christmas.” a standby’ baritone on the Hit| That was W o o d y H e rm a n ’ s Parade program. But nothing much'promise to his wife Charlotte and happened to Mr. Dosh, and every- daughter Ingrid last spring when one thought he was kidding when he headed east with his herd. And he answered to his name. m Dec. 7 the little Milwaukee Came the fall of ’48 and Mr. Dosh, reedman will make his promise with wife, hied to Hollywood. Things good when he opens, with his CALL THEM “Talking People” if you will— everyone else does. Jello spon­ couldn t be any worse, they figured, musicians and Mary Ann McCall, at the sors them, and their boss Meredith Willson and his music, over ABC every an i wou n t e as cold in the winter. new Hollywood Empire on Vine near week from Hollywood. Left to right, Maxwell Smith, Norma Zimmer, who Overnight he snared a contract— not ,junset didn’t talk enough and who has since checked out to become a mother; T .? Singe: r a^ au aCt0r at Wamer'S Booked For One Month Willson of the Iowa Willsons, John Rarig, Betty Allen and Bob Hanlon. Betty And now Mn Oosh ,s out on the blue Wood who has refused to return Pacific with Cary Cooper. Wavne Noyes replaced the Zimmer gal on the show. . , , . . lx , , ’ y Mar- lv,or to the Palladium for personal reasons, _ ns. Jack Holt and other famous WB fcr severa| monfhs began to doubt ¡f stars playm g a big part , n ' Task Force,’l 8wou|d be able to get back t0 his wh.ch Jerry Wald ,s producing for 1949 ‘home high atop a Hollywood mountain. Mercer, Dolan Wrapping Up But Gene Norman, youthful KFWB But you won’t see Joe Dosh listed on ^jockey and concert promoter, came to the screen credits. Jack Warner gave jhi$ aid last month when Norman set him a new monicker. From here on out ja deal to take over the night club Songs For New Legit Show Mr. Dosh will cash fat paychecks bear- ¡(formerly known as Tom Breneman’s) ing the name Brad Evans. and serve as talent buyer. Norman HEADING FOR Hollywood and 85 pounds lighter than on his last visit, “Free and Easy” with Brill, the Coronet ------promptly booked Herman’s herd for a Johnny Mercer and Paramount’s Ceorgous Chubby Jackson demonstrates his new look to fellow Woody Her­ Theater in Hollywood will be used, And still on the subject of pictures, jfour-weeker, which will take the band Robert Emmett Dolan are winding perhaps by mid-January. the making of “Jolson Sings Again" is ^through the Christmas holidays and into man herdsters Don Lamond, drums, and Mary Ann McCall. Chubby lost so up work on a new musical score Mercer also points out that “Free coming along at Columbia with Larry 11949. much weight last year when he found himself stranded in Scandinavia, with his for a coming show which will open and Easy” will be an intimate presenta­ Parks again doing the Joley role. In this • "We want to make the club a decent, short-lived band, that he simply continued his fasting after he rejoined Woody. pic, however, the wife of joley will be comfortable place for music fans,” said in Hollywood this winter prepara­ tion, with heavy emphasis on new, fresh Woody’s band opens on Dec. 7 at the new Hollywood Empire. talent. There will be singers, dancers played by Barbara Hale. Sidney Buchman :Norman. “We even have plans of tory to Broadway. — Photo by Cene Howard and acts. is the producer and Henry Levin the throwing it open on Saturday after­ director. They figure that about 15 noons for the ’teen-agers. W oody’s “ Free and Easy” is the title of Promises Courteous Waiters Norman wi-ll charge a $1.20 door tunes will be heard in the finished film, gang would broadcast over the network the production. Sig Herzig and Milt Haig Gets Cross 88 Herman, telephoning from the east, admission and promises that the waiters Lazarus have finished the story. Mer­ although Jolson himself has already and we would serve cokes— no liquor, won’t “hustle” patrons constantly, as Walter Cross, solo pianist who said his band is now developing incred­ cer’s lyrics will be the first he has recorded more than 30— enough to be But this hasn’t been set yet.” they do in virtually every Los Angeles migrated to California last year after ibly fast, and he pointed out that Bill turned out for a legit presentation since used for a third Joley flicker if and Duke Ellington To Follow? club. The spot will continue to house building a rep in the New York radio Harris is back on trombone, Chubby he collaborated with Harold Arlen in when. ., Norman, who has no use for mickey the early morning “Breakfast in Holly­ studios, is the replacement for Erroll Jackson (see photo) has returned on 1945 for “St. Louis Woman.” ------bands, and whose music tastes include bass, plays the vibes and wood” broadcasts emseed by Jack M c­ Garner at the Haig. It’s a pop eatery Billie Holiday’s December bookings ^Dixieland and bop, declared he would According to Leighton R. Brill, who Mary Ann McCall, one of the few girl Elroy. The old ladies who flock to the on Wilshire Boulevard. He opened Nov. for Los Angèles were canceled suddenly ¡(like to follow Herman with Duke represents the Rodgers and Hammer­ singers to attract any attention in broadcasts will get there just about the 17 and will continue to knuckle the but she’s still expected coastward in Kington. The Herman band will draw stein interests on the west coast, and recent years with a band, will also be time Woody and his musicians, are leav­ Knabe nightly through the holiday January or February. Everybody wants about $5,000 weekly for its run. Paul P. Schreibman, who will produce season. ready for the Empire run. ing the bandstand. her. f "In New York they have the Roost,” ------said Norman. "In Chicago it is the SANTA CLAUS Jane Russell will sing “My Sweet- Panther Room of the Hotel Sherman. heart’s the Man in the Moon” and “The- * here on the west coast it is nothing. 71 JIG LE IS COMIN’ Gilded Lily” in Republic’s Montana We feel that the west coast will sup­ Belle” now shooting. port the Hollywood Empire.” TO TOWN' Norman at first wanted to call the js, Lively, bouncy ., BELLS' fractured his finger jEmpire the Zoo. But Paul Kalmanovitz, Johnny and Ihe Pipers wonderful really jingle combinotion when his partner Jerry Lewis heaved a who owns the club and who made the I | those bells pumpkin at him in a floor show. deal for the jock to book all the talent, Capitol Record ------said he once ran a room known as the r No. 15201 y t f U R Once a television “holdout,” Bing -Empire and that a beautiful big electric ^ ondTeTTiD P ^ Crosby is now making plans. He no sign was still In storage. Thus the Nor- * Moody instrumental by the UL W est o n a n d h is o r c h e s t r a LAGUNA MOOD longers thinks T V is “two years away," »an venture underwent a quick name fabulous Cole Trio j Capitol Record No. 15004 as he was quoted last spring. .^ange. PACE 6 CAPITO L NEWS CAPITOL N E W S PACE 7 Capitol Wax Enters New Books: Two Great, One N.S.G. , just as previous books by Louis Humor In ‘W ing’ Armstrong, and Ed Spaeth Offers Fat Condon were jazz. Each new volume Field In England, helps roifhd out the picture. There’ll Entry By Manone be more in the years and decades to Tome On Tunes come. But “Trumpet On The W ing’’ will I Writing like W ingy Manone talks “ A History of Popular Music in stand on its own merits. It’s pretty | must be one of the most difficult hilarious. Anything connected w ith America” is one of the fattest, Mexico This Month I techniques facing a jazz scrivener, W ingy has to be. — Dexter. heaviest and lengthiest books to Capitol’s long-awaited entry into i but Paul Vandervoort of Burbank appear, on the subject, in years. .and distribution of Capitol biscuits ! has turned in a first-rate job of Great Britain and Mexico will offi­ throughout the British Isles and Africa, Finkelstein’s Views But there are no wasted pages. ' ghosting for the New Orleans buf­ For Sigmund Spaeth has crammed cially begin this month, right on the but will not involve reciprocal pressing heels of the November announce­ of English waffles by Capitol in the I foon in “ Trumpet On The W in g .’’ On Jazz Said To Be in more information— most all of it United States. unavailable elsewhere— and more read­ ment that Cap’s records would be ; Published by Doubleday of New Arbitrary, Academic Now They Can Hear Top Artists able copy than many a larger book. released by the mighty German York at $2.95, it’s a book revolving The man goes back to the earl\ The records to be pressed in England around the bizarre and incredible car- There are books about jazz and Telefunken firm throughout the Colonial days to trace the development will carry the Capitol trademark identi­ Í eer of the little one-armed man who there are books about jazz, and NELLIE LUTCHER, now at the of American popular songs. Spaeth lists other European nations. cal with Capitol label used in this has bounced around from corner to New Y ork Paramount Theater, heads frequently music mag editors are the composers, the titles, and in many Glenn E. Wallichs, Nebraska- country. corner, in music, for more than 20 for her home in Los Angeles in time asked by high school and college cases the circumstances in which the According to the weekly reared president of Capitol, an­ for Christm as with her family. Then years., tunes become popular. He digs in with newspaper, “Melody Maker,’’ there has One Musician Short! students to assist in getting to­ nounced that an agreement has she’ll play the Million Dollar Theater authentic data, most of it dating back been a consistent, unending demand for On one job, as typical of the stories gether material for term papers on before there was a Tin Pan Alley or a been signed with E. R. Lewis of and west coast niteries until spring. records by many Capitol artists virtually Wingston relates, W ingy hired a blind the subject. Peatman sheet. British Decca (not affiliated in any way At the Paramount this month she since Capitol’s start in the summer of guitarist, a bass-player with a wooden That’s about how Sidney Finkelstein’s From “Alknomook,” the death song with American Decca) which calls for is sharing the stage with Stan 1942. leg and a drummer whose ear was new book shapes up. It reads like a of the Cherokee Indians in 1799— and the London company to handle distribu­ K e nton’s band. bandaged. When Wingy rushed to the term paper prepared by some eager even before— to Eden Ahbez and “Na­ tion and sales of nitery’s manager with the band’s pay young Sigma Nu who has just been ture Boy” of ’48 . . . there’s an in­ throughout the British Isles. Both the Just A Day Dream . . . at the end of the week he complained bitten by the jazz bug and can think valuable catalog of who sang what British and American governments im­ Hodges Fails To Show ¡I bitterly that the envelope contained of nothing else. “Jazz: A People’s when. mediately approved the aggreement, New Band Set Plans to have Johnny Hodges open at salaries for only six musicians. There Music” is the title and it is published The book, published by Random Wallichs added. the L. A. Cricket Club in November ?were seven in Manone’s band. by Citadel Press of New York at $3.00. House of New York, sells for $5. But “Tremendous Significance“ were abandoned when Johnny, long a The author is pegged on the dust as noted previously, it’s fat, heavy and “Capitol is extremely proud and For I “Listen you,” said the boss. “ Between Duke Ellington alto sax stalwart, re­ jacket as a book reviewer for a Brooklyn lengthy. And the best reference work pleased to enter into this association A new 1 3-piece orchestra is be­ all you beat-up, crippled guys there’s turned to the Duke’s band in the east. paper and a music “critic” for the N.Y. of its kind ever to be bound, stitched with England’s , Ltd.,” a whole man missing. You think I’m The Cricket Club management had been ing readied for the vet Pittsburgh Herald Trib. and trimmed. Wallichs commented. “The advantages . running a hospital?’’ assured by a west coast agent, who pianist, Earl Hines, who for the last The book imparts no information that — Dexter. to both companies are of great propor­ Wingy tells of his entire career, from represented himself as Johnny’s per­ previous books on jazz failed to im­ tions and it is unquestionably a move six months has been pounding the his days as a child when he lost his sonal manager, that “The Rabbit” was part. It is, fully and completely, merely of tremendous significance.” keys as a member of Louis Arm­ right arm in a streetcar crash and had anxious to play a coast nitery and the one man’s opinions and ideas. Its list­ Tex Beneke Ork In making the announcement, W al­ to learn cornet all over again. He takes contract even called for Al Hibbler to strong’s unit. ing of records is short, arbitrary and lichs pointed out that the new setup Hines, in Los Angeles for the recent it right up to 1948, through his decades come as vocalist. senseless. It reads, through 274 dreary Coming To L. A. with British Decca differs from.Capitol’s Bull & Norman Dixieland carnival, re­ of scuffling, his recent divorce, his work pages, like a term paper. recently announced agreements with vealed that the new unit would “break in network radio and Hollywood movies. At least Manone’s tome has laughs. Gordon (Tex) Beneke will play in Germany’s Telefunken and Mexico’s Andy Kirk In L. A. in” on a theater tour with the Arm­ "We don’t seem to have the fun that — Dexter. Dallas at the annual Industrial Exposi­ Artículos Domésticos and Pan Ameri­ The ork of Andy Kirk pulled into the strong combo. The musician who is hir­ we used to have,” Manone says in a tion from Dec. 4 through 12. Then he can De Discos, both of which involve L. A. Club Congo in November, at ing the men, writing the book and con­ late chapter. Like the time Bud Free­ and his band will trek west for their reciprocal transfer of recorded masters $2,250 weekly, and will probably hold ducting rehearsals is Joe Garland, who man came up to his room in a New Wingy In Hollywood third run at the Hollywood Palladium, between the foreign companies and forth at the Central avenue bistro for several years ago was featured with York hotel. “He was tired and wanted W ingy Manone’s Dixie combo opened which commences Dec. 21. Capitol. Capitol will handle American several weeks. Cake Wichard is at the Armstrong as a saxophonist. Garland will to rest before going to work. So I told on Hollywood Boulevard in the heart of Beneke will follow the manufacture and distribution of these drums. Andy has been famous for 20 serve as the Fatha’s musical director. him to make himself at home. He asked Filmtown on Nov. 4, just as his outfit on the Pally bandstand. companies’ products and they in turn years with his “Clouds of Joy” music; Joe Glaser will continue as the Earl’s me if I had anything to eat, in case he “Trumpet On the W ing” book hit the James, in returning to Hollywood last will make and sell Capitol platters in as a youth he took lessons from Paul personal manager. got hungry, but I didn’t have nothin’ in bookstores coast to coast. Manone is month, rolled his flashy Cadillac into a their respective countries. The contract Whiteman's father, Wilberforce W hite­ the icebox except some dog food for at the Royal Room. He recently wound ball while jumping on one-nighters but with English Decca covers manufacture man, in Denver. 225 Days In Jail my dog . . . But when I got back I up a run in a New Orleans nitery. was not injured. found a note from Bud saying that he For Maestro Grayson hoped I didn’t mind that he ate the Once a nationally popular bandleader, meat loaf that was in the icebox. Hal Grayson last month was sentenced j "Man, that wasn’t no meat loaf.” to 225 days in Los Angeles County 'HIGH SOCIETY' jail when Judge Henry Draeger found Jim Dorsey Tells One ' 1 2th Street R a g " man bock with Lively lyrics tor Grayson guilty on five counts of ’s favorite story about P e e W e e more Dixieland j> I drunkeness. Judge Draeger also ordered Mngy concerns the time W ingy wrote the pianist to stop drinking, and fo his folks advising them he was com­ HUNT assigned him to serve his time on the ing home to see them. His father was Great oldie H t R t and HIS ORCHESTRA C/o,: Sheriff’s Honor Farm, a sort of re­ °ot enthusiastic. starring the Hunt trombone “Just send the money that you would C O f A t S e0)°"0/ habilitation station. The judge sen­ CLAUS rht> tenced Grayson to 90 days on all five foend for transportation,” he told his s a n t a counts, a total of 450 days, but then ¿son. “We got your picture.” 'WABASH BLUES' Capitol Re

Groucho Marx, here demonstrates his triple-threat tal­ ents as a story-teller, a cheroot-smoker and amateur

saxist simultaneously. Stan's music is heard with Ma rx ’s

humor over ABC every Wednesday night.

/ j s s s ? K A Y STARR, if y o u ’ll believe the nation’s w GORDON MacRAE drops lightly into his engineer's pose whirlers, has her biggest record out and spinning in connection with his weekly emsee duties on the “ Railroad

the nation's turntables. It's a slow ballad, ‘ Hour,” beamed from the west coast, nationally, via ABC. The “Hour,” however, actually runs a mere 45 minutes Tired,’’ which for months has been No. 1 on Gr with Gordie introducing various guest singers and belting Britain's Hit Parade. Kay still airs over ABC ev out a tune or three himself. This will be a happy, merry, Monday from Hollywood as star of her own p festive Christmas for Gordie — and Kay Starr too — for it gram , “ Starring K a y Starr.” A n d she’s fast mov was in 1948 that they both swept into international pop u ­ up to the top d ra w e r as a favorite chanteuse. larity with their distinctive pipes. PACE 10 CAPITOL NEWS CAPITOL N E W S PACE 11 The Diz Returning To Hollywood...If Club Is Still Open

If Bill Berg can keep his Holly­ month, Berg is hoping to present a wood club open— he’s been fight­ “Jazz At the Philharmonic” aggrega­ tion with Coleman Hawkins. He said ing for months to keep his neck contracts were about to be signed as above water— he will present Dizzy Cap News went to press. THE WILLIAMS Sisters aren’t Gillespie’s band to compete with really sisters, but now they answer Massive Dixie Berg, who has operated various nit- the new Hollywood Empire two to the names of Modi, 23; Betty, eries throughout Los Angeles for more 24, and Tudi, 21. You can see them blocks up the street starting Jan. 23 than a decade, took on a new partner in Los Angeles night clubs. Bet and Fiesta Planned for six weeks. last month. He is James Brewster. And Tudi once worked with one of Hor­ like every other nitery on the west Slim Cai Hard held down the ,$tand ace Heidt’s numerous singing groups. coast, Brewster joined with Berg in for Berg through part of Nevember, Again For '4 9 announcing that their club would be fronting a 19-piece band which never the first to present Billie Holiday when once quite got off the ground. This — and if— she decided to trek west. MCM Soon To Release They blew and they stomped So far, Joe Glaser hasn’t booked Lady Two Big Filmusicals and they paraded for four hours Day definitely in California. MEET THE JOCK! Two of the most lavish musicals ever and 33 minutes and when they HAL TUNIS appears twice every day Berg’s spot, at one time a smash produced by M G M will be released soon. finished, 57 of the world’s finest on his own “Hal Tunis Show” via New­ profit-maker, has had its ups and “The Kissing Bandit” has been set for jazzmen wrapped up their horns, ark’s WVNJ, the city’s newest radio downs all through 1948. And now with national release Dec. 26. It co-stars went home and started making Gene Norman booking the talent for and Kathryn Grayson and station. Hal was plans for an even bigger Dixieland 31 last month the new Hollywood Empire opening was made two years ago. “Words and Dec. 7 with Woody Herman, Berg and Festival in 1 949. (his tans know Music” will start making the rounds of Brewster will find competition more that Nov. 14 is movie houses on Jan. 28 with June In many respects, west coast music­ difficult than ever. It is likely that the day) and is Allyson, , Judy Garland, ians declared, the recent Dixie carnival married and the Norman will try to get Duke Ellington’s Mickey Rooney, and others promoted by Frank Bull and Gene Nor­ father of two band to compete with Gillespie’s. featured. Both pics are in . man at the Los Angeles Pan-Pacific i sons. Also noted As for other L. A. bistros, the non­ Auditorium came off as the most ex­ m for his sports­ jazz spots are also bucking one another Matt- Dennis Back At citing public session since the 1937 Joe casts, Tunis for fiercely, with Kay Thompson and the Sullivan concert. A sell-out crowd of g § f f years was heard Williams Brothers at the hincty Beverly- Buccaneer Beach Club more than 8,100 (capacity seating) ,shouted approval as , over Newark’s Wilshire’s Florentine Room, Morton Matt Dennis is back at his old hang­ Earl Hines, , Eddie Con­ WAAT before Downey at Ciro’s and Spike Jones about out, the Buccaneer at Manhattan Beach, don, Eddie Miller, W ild Bill Davison, hopping over, last September, to the to wind up a shortie at Slapsy Maxie’s. Calif. Dennis does a single, playing the Red Nichols, Pete Daily, Ted Vesely, younger— and more powerful— station. Freddy Martin is back at the Cocoanut piano and singing his own tunes, in­ Nappy Lamare, Kid Ory, Jess Stacy, Tunis also likes to do interviews with Grove, bucking at the rival cluding things like “The Night We celebs, and he’s handled so many down Zutty Singleton, W ingy Manone, Sid Biltmore. And Red Nichols, Pete Daily, Called It a Day,” “Everything Happens THE DIXIE BEAT predominated at huge Pan-Pacific Auditorium when Frank through the years that he long ago Catlett, , Matty Matlock, W ingy Manone and Jess Stacy are all to Me,” “Let’s Get Away From It All" Bull and Cene Norman presented their first annual Dixie Festival before more lost track. He’s heard at 620 on the dial. Lou McGarrity and scores more laid doing well in smaller joints. and “W ill You Still Be Mine?” than 8,000 paid attendance. Across the page is shown Eddie M iller’s unit heavy on the two-beat and double­ with Stan Wrightsman, Mannie Klein, Warren Smith, Nappy Lamare, Miller endings. on tenor, , Matty Matlock, Artie Shapiro and Doc Rando. Below, The Bowl In 1949? Velma Middleton bawls the blues with Jack Teagarden, Louis Armstrong, Barney Bigard and Sid Catlett all visible. ■ And finally, a-t 1 :03 a.m., 57 jazzmen M / ¿ ¿ ¿ c — Gene Howard Photos ... bounced into “Panama” and marched off the massive stage among the audience What finer gift this Christmas than with Zutty Singleton leading the way with a silver baton. They’ll march right a superb Fidelitone Phonograph back next year, perhaps at the Holly­ with DAVE BAKBOUK and His Orchestra Needle . . to give countless hours wood Bowl where 20,000 can be seated, ‘LOVE YOUR MAGIC SPELL of musical enjoyment to your friends, according to Bull and Norman. Highlights? Eddie Miller’s late-hour IS EVERYWHERE’ tenoring on “Yesterdays,” which hushed {From the Motion Picture “The Trespasser”) Now at all Capitol Dealers a wide selection Moody as the smash hit “Golden Earrings” the mob and brought the modest little . . . great listening! at your favorite record shop Louisiana virtuoso an ovation; Satchmo’ • • . tip to five dollars singing “Black and Blue” with the Big Cate noodling behind the gravel; Pete ‘SO DEAR TO MY HEAR T’ PRODUCED BY Lovely title song from Walt Disney picture phonograph needles Fidelitone PIRMO/ (Hop Over to Page 14) PACE 12 CAPITOL N E W S CAPITOL NEWS PACE 13 Blues Bawlers Sign New Cap

Waxing Pacts A N N O U N C EM EN T IN the Los Angeles newspapers last month that Frank Sinatra will promote a $2,000,000 resort near the tiny California The acquiring of two new blues hamlet of Mecca, by the Saltón Sea, was met with assorted reactions singers for the Capitol label was in Hollywood music circles. announced last month in Hollywood EIL EEN W IL S O N will replace Beryl by jim B. Conkling, chief of the Davis, British singer, as Frank Sina­ The swoon boy said he believed Frankie Laine remains in California firm’s artists and repertoire depart­ tra’s fern aide on the Saturday Hit Palm Springs to be “ too crowded’’ for several more weeks. He’s been signed to do a gang of Chesterfield Parade broadcasts in December. and declared that his proposed re­ ment. programs (NBC) with . sort would give the P. S. settlement Eileen first climbed up the lad­ Blue Lu Barker is a veteran vo­ hot competition. He plans it along the calist, coming from New Orleans der, shortly after she left the UCLA style of French Riviera with a golf You know which band did the best originally and featured for many years campus, with W ill Osborne’s band. course, tennis courts, swim pools, hotel Palladium business in months? Lawrence in clubs and cabarets throughout the FREDDY MARTIN is back at his old and landing strip “as a starter.” But Welk. Outdrew a half-dozen “bigger” U. S. Her first disc, with a leaping Recently she has been featured with stand, the Hotel Ambassador’s musicians recall that Sinatra once an­ names. Less Brown, in whose band Ray Kellogg, orchestra behind her, is “A Little Bird” swank Cocoanut Grove, for the w in ­ nounced plans to build and operate a coupled with “What Did You Do To her husband, also is singer. a ter season. Evelyn K night and Dave m am m o th ballroom near Hollywood, Paramount’s changing of the title of M e?” Miss Davis, in learning of the change Rose were among the hundreds which never came about and sports Bing Crosby’s “Needle In the Haystack” Serman (Scat Man) Crothers also has on the program, apparently was unper­ attending Freddy’s opening on Nov. followers are still awaiting his multi­ to “Top o’ the Morning” also brings a signed with Capitol. He has two earlier turbed. For she up and married Peter 9. Martin and his men (he has million dollar sports center where Los singing role to little Ann Blyth, who Cap discs on the market, including BLONDE VIRGINIA Maxey came Potter (KFW B jockey) in Riverside, never used a girl singer) spent the Angelenos could see major fights, bas­ is on loanout for the part from U-l “Mabel The Lush,” acquired form an­ up the pike as a band singer. Now Cal. Potter, one of the most popular summer months touring in the east. ketball and other competition. Sinatra, Studios. And because she’s chirping so she’s dabbling in movies— westerns, other company. Crothers, a fly drummer spielers in west coast radio, gave his in short, regularly bobs up with big elegantly with Crosby, U-l just an­ as well as a singer, has been a sensa­ no less— and caroling on the Abbott plans. real name as William M. Moore in ap­ nounced they would put her in their tional draw at the L. A. Cricket Club & Costello show occasionally. She plying for the license to wed. Leaders M ust Pay But not one of his proposed develop­ film version of “Bloomer»Girl” rolling and in San Francisco clubs the past few started with the comics on their ments has ever “developed” into any­ early in ’49. The starring role originally months. Nov. 25 broadcast. thing more than big talk. was intended for Deanna Durbin, whose Comic singer Cass Daley and hus­ California Taxes Conkling also announced the signing star has dimmed in recent months. band, Frank Kinsella, parented a son in “Big name” leaders of dance of the Striders, colored vocal combo, Los Angeles. bands in the state of California who are making their debut on shellac Red Caps Quickly The Rodgers-Hammerstein production Louis Armstrong’s next Los Angeles this month with “Pleasing You” and must start paying unemployment of “Show Boat” will begin a two-week appearance will be the week starting “ Somebody Stole My Rose Colored Return To L.A. Unhappy with “I Cover the Water­ insurance taxes for their vocalists, run on Christmas night at the L. A. front” as a personal themesong, Kay Feb. 8 at the Million Dollar Theater. Classes.” sidemen and other employees next Philharmonic Auditorium with Billy Completely unknown this time Starr joined with Lee Jarvis and Ed Several other artists in the blues di­ House, Sammy White and Clare Alden Pripps and wrote her own for her Mon­ luly, it was ordered by the Cali­ Evelyn Knight, after catching Freddy vision were being set as December last year on the west coast, the starred. The cast will be pretty much day “Starring Kay Starr” series over the fornia Employment Stabilization Com­ Martin’s opening at the Grove here, is neared, it also was revealed. Red Caps — combo led by Steve the same as that which revived the old ABC skein. The new theme is “Please mission in a dictum handed down on off to Minneapolis for a Dec. 3 opening Gibson—will return to North Holly­ Ferber story a year ago in New York. Love Me.” And it’s getting a big play Nov. 4. at Radisson Hotel. Nate Kazebier Blowing wood and Larry Potter’s Supper from the jukes and jocks as well. The order means that all bands, when -playing the Golden Bear state, must file Club on Dec. 17 for their third Nellie Lutcher has asked her personal Dick Haymes transcribed National tax money with the state tax bigwigs In Jess Stacy’s Band engagement at the same spot with­ Benay Vanuta’s "Keep Up With the manager, Carlos Castel, to book her in Safety Council jingles for airing over in Sacramento. The new order sets back Nate Kazebier took his trumpet down Kids” program will return to the net­ Walla Walla, Wash., sometime in Feb­ 800 U. S. stations. in an eight-month period. for one year the original date of July 1, to the St. Francis Room in downtown work soon. She’s now residing in Los ruary. At the time last December when The Caps, who not only sing a la Ink 1948, on which the leaders were to Los Angeles and joined Jess Stacy’s new Angeles. she recorded “Wish I W as in Walla in New York for his ABC Spots, but who also double on various begin paying tax. band, along with Ruell Lynch, ; W alla” she had never even heard of morning shows. instruments, will perform eight weeks A recent decision of the U. S. Su­ Red Cooper, drums, and Weedey Harper the place; now it is one of her most- on their coming Potter’s stint. And all M C M made a deal with theaters preme Court supported an earlier con­ on trombone. Stacy had worked as a requested members. Tune, incidentally, Bill Berg tried to get Julia Lee to because a single disc jockey, Don Otis of throughout the nation, during the run tention, by the California commission single at the spot for many months, was defied by Down Beat’s veteran headline the show at his Hollywood KLAC, has been consistently plugging of the film “Words and Music,” for heads, that the guys who stand in front and reportedly did such a hangup job piano columnist, Sharon A. Pease, who nitery but his $1,100 weekly lure the group since last December. Next Margaret W hiting’s Cap of Rod­ of the bands are the employers rather that his bosses agreed to up his ante also wrote “Snatch and Crab It” for wasn’t enough. She remains in Kansas Feb. 16, the Caps go up to San Fran gers and Hart songs to be played over than the night clubs, ballrooms and to include the four sidemen. Julia Lee. City, at Milton’s with her Boy Friends. for a three-weeker at the Beige Room. hundreds of p.a. systems during inter­ hotels which hire the combos. missions. The film is allegedly based on Capitol Record No. 15200 the R. & H. career. Ina Ray Hutton JACK SMITHcompaniment Eddy Howard advises from Chicago with O rchestra that he and his band will return to Preps New Band next April. The Ina Ray Hutton, who as leader of an singer just purchased a new house in til-girl band back in 1935 was billed as CUANTO LE GUSTA (La Parranda) Winnetka, suburb north of Chicago. the “Blonde Bombshell,” organized an­ Jack's hotter than a chili pepper! other band in November, in Los Angeles. Artie Wayne set to make a short for This time it is comprised strictly of Universal - International in mid-Decem­ Nales. She’ll open on Dec. 31 at the CORNBELT SYMPHONY ber. He will work clubs on the west Last Frontier in Las Vegas, for four Slightly corny but lots of fun With PAUL WESTON coast this winter with the Williams weeks. Bookings are handled by Joe and HIS ORCHESTRA f % Sisters. * Glaser. Capitol Record No. 15280 PACE 14 CAPITOL NEWS who’s where

WOODY HERMAN: Hollywood Empire opening Dec. 7. HARRY (AMES: Palladium. / FREDDY MARTIN: Cocoanut Grove. PETE DAILY: Eddie’s Chi-Chi. RED NICHOLS: Hangover. W INCY MANONE: Royal Room.

JESS STACY: St. Francis Room. WALTER CROSS: The Haig. TRENIER TWINS: Melodee. JAN CARBER: Hotel Biltmore. ERNIE FELICE: The Oasis. DAVE CAVANAUCH: Casbah.

SPIKE JONES: Slapsy Maxie’s.

RED INCLE: Zucca's. JIMMY WAKELY is just about the hottest sagebrush singer around these BOOGIE BEAT! H e a r t h e n PHIL OHMAN: Ciro’s. days. His “One Has My Name” long ago passed the half-million mark, and Freddie Slack Boogie Album — sweet boo, he’s got a new one coming out this month which Lee Cillette predicts will slow boogie — and boogie-woojjie! TEX BENEKE: Palladium open­ be even bigger. That’s Cillette, left, above with Wakely. Cillette super­ Hurry down and hear it; you'll dance fgiiSt ing Dec. 21. KENTON CONCERT From Carnegie vises all of Jimmy’s record sessions— and helps pick the tunes. 'Is I Gotta Practice, M a ? ’ • 'The Brown Danube11 Hall to the Hollyw ood Bowl, the cheers are MILLS BROTHERS: Casbah. — Photo By Charlie Mihn 'Beverly Boogie’ • 'Chopstick Boogie’ still ringing for Kenton's thrilling Progressive jazz concert — now yours In KAY THOMPSON: Beverly-Wilshire. 'Boogie Minor’ • 'Boggle in G’ this m uch-praised album. Don't miss it! Capitol Album CC-83 $3.00 plus tax Butch Stone, Dave Barry 'Monotony’ • 'Elegy for Alto’ • 'Lament* 'Cuban Carnival’ • 'This Is M y Theme* Dixie Carnival... 'Fugue For Rhythm Section’ ( From Page 1 1 ) Sign To Wax For Capitol 'Lonely Woman’ • 'Impressionism* Daily’s mad and circus-flavored “Circus Butch Stone and Dave Barry are latter a singing star who for Capitol Album CD-79 $3.75 plus tax more than a decade sang the vocals Slide” performance with Warren Smith the newest additions to the Capitol and Rosey McHargue sharing solos: with Bob Wills. roster of artists in the pop field. Matty Matlock giving the downbeat on Kid Ory’s venerable “Muscat Ramble” Stone, novelty singer and saxo­ classic as Ory himself, flanked by 56 phonist with Les Brown and other MEET THE JOCK! other titans, read a special Matlock ar­ bands for the past 10 years, will head rangement calling for nine trombones, his own combo and cut wax only for “ B R O T H E R B IL L ” Hickock spins ’em eight , and down the line— Capitol in the future. His first release high, wide and handsome over Atlanta’s easily the fattest, biggest jazz sound ties “Etiquette Blues” with “M y Feet’s W CON morning and afternoon. And it’s ever produced and captured on wax by Too Big.” nothing out of AFRS for broadcast to men in uniform. Barry has been one of America’s fore­ the ordinary for him to open his The gross was $19,000, and Promoters most nitery comedians for years, espe­ PEGGY LEE Glorious singing mike and sing Bull and Norman had a nut so high cially noted for his inoffensive Jewish by versatile, satin-smooth Peggy. along with the they didn’t expect to earn a dime even routines. His first entry is “Herschel Everything from ¡ump to blues. with every seat sold. But even they In Hollywood.” discs. He says he Every tune a smash hit! Hear thisl wound up with a few bucks for their Other talent in the pop field to be prefers to chant 'Why Don’t You Do Right?’ efforts. pacted by Capitol recently includes the with tallowings Everyone was happy about the whole team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, by the Pied Pip­ *1 Can't Give You Anything But Love’ thing. Nick Lucas and Tommy Duncan, the ers. Some say he 'Them There Eyes’ • 'Stormy Weather’ sounds “some­ * ’Deed I Do* • ‘Don’t Smoke In Bed’ thing” like Capitol Album CC-72 $3.00 plus tax 'MY DARLING, MY DARLING’ Johnny Mercer, (From the New York Musical “Where's Charley") but few of his And The Starlighters with Orchestra zillion listeners are aware that Hickock actually was 'GIRLS WERE MADE TO born in Boston. Until he came out of the service a few short seasons back, TAKE CARE OF BOYS’ he had never been in radio. Since then (From the Warner Bros. Picture his trail has hopped, skipped and "One Sunday Afternoon") jumped from Greenfield, Mass., to Nor­ •• with Orchestra wich, Conn., back to Boston and now . . . Atlanta. “ Brother Bill” has a large JO STAFFORD and GORDON MacRAE rep. too, as a picker of hit discs in advance. See. 562, P. L. & R, ^ rhis copy of CAPITOL NEWS comes to you through the courtesy of

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The Whitings Take Over

CLUB 15 principals include, among others, Maestro The CBS show with Jerry Cray’s orchestra features gobs and Margaret Whiting. And on this par­ of vocal duets with Robert and Maggie and has been ticular CBS airing young sis Barbara Whiting strolled rated as the “fastest quarter-hour in radio.” It also over from 20th-Fox to do a guest shot, script and all. gives us a back cover for the yuletide season.