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Home , Count Basie, Helen Forrest, Perry Como discography, Rudy Vallee, Shep Fields, The Fontane Sisters

“When Swing Was King” Quarterly Newsletter The Will Spring Ever Show Up? Edition A Quiz

1) Who had the best-selling big band album of all time? 2) How long did the famous feud between Tommy & last before they finally patched things up? 3) In the early band, who made up the trio known forever as The Golden section?

There were a lot of sister groups 4) Who was called “The Golden Fog”? inSed the porttitor big band imperdiet era: the Andrews, odio. Sed ut leo.5) What was ’s first[Date] million selling record? Kings, Lennons, McGuires, Boswells, DeCastros and more. 6) What was the name of But the Fontane Sisters were orchestra from the flapper era that was led unique. One thing was that by ? “Fontane” wasn’t Marge, Bea, 7) Where was born? and Geri’s real last name. It was 8) At one time or other, , Kay Rosse. And another was their Starr, and all worked as real life tragedy – their brother vocalists for what big band? (who played guitar for the girls’ 9) Earlier in their careers, the great TV act) was killed in World War II. comedian played saxophone and cowboy actor (Festus on But most unusual was their TV’s Gunsmoke series) was a starring career link to another singer; vocalist with which popular big band? namely, the great . 10) What was 's theme song? Though they occassionaly made records on their own, they were (Answers to Quiz on page 3.) delighted to work with Como on his radio and television shows and backed him on several records, including such number 1 hits as A, You're Adorable and Hoop-Dee-Doo.

According to Billboard magazine, here are the A Note from Denny & Claire Top 13 Records of 1943:

As I write this, it certainly doesn’t feel like 1) “Paper Doll” (Mills Brothers) spring…not with the temperature at 13 2) “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” degrees and yet another snowfall coming () down. But hope springs eternal and I know I’ll soon be grumbling about pulling weeds 3) “As Time Goes By” and mowing grass as much as I am now (Rudy Vallee) about shoveling snow. 4) “!” (Alfred Drake) 5) “I’ve Heard That Song Before” Of course, every season has its trials and its ( with ) joys. That’s like life itself. I’m so pleased, 6) “Sentimental Lady” then, that God’s grace and power is always () available to help us be grateful, kind- 7) “Don’t Get Around Much hearted, and steadfast in our faith in His Anymore” () Word. That’s true even when dealing, 8) “That Old Black Magic” as we have done this winter, with illness, (Glenn Miller) a frozen car battery, and being stranded 9) “Stormy Weather” (Lena Horne) in a airport. 10) “Taking a Chance on Love” (Benny Goodman) This winter has proved to be a good time 11) “Sunday, Monday, or Always” for reading though that’s actually something common to every season for us. We love (Bing Crosby) history, “golden age” mysteries, and classic 12) “Comin’ In on a Wing and a novels by writers like Dickens, Dumas, Prayer” (The Song Spinners) Scott, and Hugo. And we love Christian 13) “” classics too: C.S. Lewis, Francis Schaeffer, () G.K. Chesterton, Jan Karon, and more. Indeed, Jan Karon’s Mitford series featuring Fr. Tim Kavanaugh has become a very special addiction to us.

What about you? Have YOU been to Mitford yet? We would love to have you join in the inspiration and the sheer fun of the Mitford novels…and perhaps to join us in talking about them too. What do you think?

2 Spotlight on

They started out singing for pennies in front of their dad’s barbershop in Piqua, Ohio. Then, under the name of Four Boys & a Kazoo, they got a gig singing at the Piqua Opera House. But they forgot the kazoo! And thus began one of their most remarkable talents – mimicking musical instruments in addition to their perfect singing harmonies. Indeed, when they started recording for Brunswick, each record actually had this on the label: “No musical Nuncinstruments cursus or magna mechanical quis devices used on this record other than the guitar.”

The Mills Brothers were John (bass), Herbert (tenor), Harvey (baritone), and Donald (lead). Their career picked up steam when they were signed by WLW radio in Cincinnati, then CBS in New York. They also were helped by an early friendship with Bing Crosby who recorded with them and shared stage concerts. Their first million seller (the first of over 30 they would eventually rack up) was “” with the flip side also a great favorite, “Nobody’s Sweetheart.” And they also were in 14 musical films.

(Answers to Page 1 Quiz) Their popularity was already so high 1) “Hooked on Swing” by Larry in 1934 that they played the London Elgart. And it was published in for King George V and 1982, long after the big band era Queen Mary, the first black artists was supposed to have passed by. ever to give a Royal Command 2) 18 years Performance. 3) Harry James, , and Chris Griffin John died of a lung ailment in 1936 4) Mel Torme but his role in the group was taken 5) “Moonlight in Vermont” by the boy’s dad where he continued 6) The Connecticut Yankees for over 20 years. But even as a trio, 7) Clarinda, Iowa the Mills Brothers continued to have 8) The Charley Barnett Orchestra marvelous success and they remain 9) Shep Fields and his “Rippling the most influential and perhaps the Rhythms” Orchestra most beloved of all vocal groups 10) “One O’Clock Jump” from the big band era.

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They Said It…

Bing Crosby’s first words to the lady who would become his wife, Kathryn Grandstaff, were “Howdy, Tex! What’s your rush?”

Buddy Rich talking about Benny Goodman: “He was the greatest thing that ever happened to !”

Speaking about his experiences with racial discrimination, the great Duke Ellington once said, “Instead of moaning about it, I just responded by writing the best I could.”

“The actual Tiffany’s of the orchestra world was Tommy Dorsey’s band.” ()

“It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.” (Lena Horne)

“I always keep the Faith; I studied the Bible through my grandmother, Mama Louvenia. I loved her so. She read me the Psalms, so it’s always in my mind. I give thanks to the Lord every time I play on the bandstand.” ()

Ray Anthony speaking of Harry James: “Harry was the best trumpet player ever. He played sweet, pretty, fast, hot, high or low -- everything that is possible to do on a horn.”

“ was as smooth as jazz.” (Anita O’Day)

“When Frank first came up to the mike, I thought; hmm…kinda’ thin. But, by the end of eight bars, I was thinking, this is the greatest sound I’ve ever heard.” ()

“I just put my feet on the ground and move them around.” () ------The “When Swing Was King” Quarterly is published by Denny & Claire Hartford and Vital Signs Ministries.