“When Swing Was King” Quarterly Newsletter Summer Edition Did You Know? Let’s see how well you know the classic, “Chatanooga Choo Choo.”

1) The song was released in the summer of what year? 2) On what track number does the train depart? 3) In what movie did the Glenn Miller

Orchestra play the song? Mel Tormé was not only a wildly 4) When do you “know that Tennessee Sedpopular porttitor crooner. imperdiet He was alsoodio. one Sed ut leo. is not very far”? [Date] of the busiest of child actors in 5) Who wrote the song? radio’s Golden Age; a musician 6) What was the most distinguished who played guitar, piano, and award given to the song? drums; a successful actor in TV 7) What’s served up for breakfast as and movies; a songwriter of more you’re passing through Carolina? than 250 songs, including “The 8) What time does the train leave the Christmas Song;” and the author of Pennsylvania station? innumerable articles, 4 non-fiction 9) On what label was the song recorded? books, and a novel. 10) The singer of the song is anticipating that “there’s gonna’ be a certain party” Fast Facts: waiting for him at the station. What did he * As a teenager, Tormé played used to call her? drums in a band led by Groucho 11) What is the first line of the song? Marx’s brother, Chico. 12) Who performs the vocals?

* Because of his smooth, mellow tenor voice, Tormé’s nickname was “The Velvet Fog.”

* Tormé formed the Mel-Tones in the 1940s, one of the first jazz- influenced vocal groups.

According to Billboard magazine, here are the A Note from Denny & Claire Top 13 Records of 1951:

1) “Too Young” () Summer memories are often among the 2) “Because of You” strongest and sweetest that we possess, () probably because so many of them are 3) “How High the Moon” connected to nice weather, outdoor fun, (Les Paul & Mary Ford) family vacations, and being out of school. 4) “Come on-a My House”

() The highlights of my summer memories 5) “Be My Love” (Mario Lanza) are going to drive-in movies, swimming 6) “On Top of Old Smoky” and diving with the Green Mountain Swim (The Weavers) Team, late night games of kick-the-can, 7) “Cold, Cold Heart” Vacation Bible School, water fights, (Tony Bennett) picnics in the mountains, and my summer 8) “If” () jobs of drywall work and pumping gas at 9) “The Loveliest Night of the Banner Conoco on West Evans in Denver. Year” (Mario Lanza) Claire’s summer memories include 10) “Tennessee Waltz” neighborhood baseball games, grilled hot () dogs, swimming at Eden Pool in Lincoln, 11) “Jezebel” () riding bikes, ice cream, working with little 12) “I Get Ideas” (Tony Martin) kids on the playgrounds, enjoying the yard 13) “Mockin' Bird Hill” and garden, and eating watermelon (Les Paul & Mary Ford) outside…where you can more easily 14) “Mockin' Bird Hill” spit out the seeds! (Patti Page)

15) “” How about you? Why don’t you think ( & ) back a bit and then share your favorite

summertime memories with a few of your friends and family members?

And, of course, we will try and help spark your recollections with the “When Swing Was King” shows we bring your way this summer. For after all, memories are what we do best!

2 They Said It…

“The only thing better than is more singing.” ()

“The one radio voice that I listened to above others belonged to Ella Fitzgerald. There was a quality to her voice that fascinated me, and I’d sing along with her, trying to catch the subtle ways she shaded her voice, the casual yet clean way she sang the words.” ()

“When it comes to drummers: there's Buddy Rich, and then there’s everybody else.” (MelNunc Tormé cursus) magna quis

“I think swing music is a matter of some good things put together that you can really tap your foot to. I can’t define it beyond that.” (Count Basie)

“Sometimes when you start losing detail, whether it’s in music or in life, something as small as failing to be polite, you start to lose substance.” (Benny Goodman)

(Answers to Page 1 Quiz) “My greatest teacher was not a vocal coach but the way Dorsey played the 1) 1941 trombone.” () 2) Track 29 3) Sunrise Seranade starring Sonja “I remember Mitch Miller saying Henie and John Payne. every week, ‘This rock and roll stuff 4) “When you hear the whistle will never last.’ But nowadays one blowin’ eight to the bar.” doesn't like to bring that up to Mitch!” 5) Mack Gordon and Harry Warren. (Rosemary Clooney) 6) It was awarded the very first “gold record.” “Next to music, there is nothing that 7) “Ham and eggs.” lifts the spirit and strengthens the soul 8) “About a quarter to four.” more than a good bowl of chili.” 9) Bluebird () (a subsidiary of RCA Victor). 10) “Funny face.” “Listen a lot and talk less. You can't 11) “Hi there, Tex; what’cha say?” learn anything when you're talking.” 12) Tex Beneke & the Modernaires. ()

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A mid-1930s menu from Lincoln’s famous restaurant and ballroom, the Turnpike Casino.

To the great grief of many who danced there, who heard some of the greatest big

bands of all time, who enjoyed wonderful times with friends, and yes, who were touched by romance and fell in love there, the building was destroyed by

fire on November 16, 1937.

The “When Swing Was King” Quarterly is published by Denny & Claire Hartford and Vital Signs Ministries.