Hagen Williams discovers the internet A book about the early TV ‘Lucky Strike Hit Parade’ BIG BAND N EWSLETTER JIMP FIRST ISSUE OF TWENTY-FIRST YEAR OF PUBLICATION VOLUME 121 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL, 2009 The BIG BAND JUMP radio program had been in ARTIE SHAW - 4" ISSUE syndication nearly three years when the first issue of this BBJ NEWSLETTER was published, dated March- (He explained his first interest in April, 1989. The first issue was typewritten with a music.) I just wanted to get up there separate photo page, run off on a copier. The lead article on the stage with those pretty girls and bright lights and get out of where of that first effort was a commentary by Hagen W i lliams I was living. By the time I got a followed by a double matching quiz involving bands saxophone, that was my key to the golden kingdom. with their most popular records and musician’s nicknames. New records to consider at that time BUDDY RICH - 6" ISSUE involved, among others, a new Dean Hudson LP plus the first mention of Canada’s Spitfire Band. (A different person on stage?) I’m Buddy Rich, THE Buddy Rich when Under the heading “The Human Side” were anecdotes I’m on stage. I involve myself with about Tommy Dorsey giving Glenn Miller $5,000.00 my playing and with my band and when the Miller Band was struggling, Count Basie become one with the audience. It being taught by Fats Waller to play the organ and isn’t a separate thing. There’s an energy level when Charlie Barnet’s ‘other’ name on some compositions. people listen and understand what you’re doing and you become one thing - the energy goes from them to us - In the early issues we listed where the ‘ghost’ bands from us to them. were playing and which stations carried the BIG BAND JUMP radio program, but each of those lists took too STAN KENTON - 10" ISSUE much space away from articles of wider general interest (About being on the road most of his and so were dropped by the second issue. Also omitted life.) Traveling to me means freedom. in issue number two was the list of upcoming BBJ Freedom means a great deal to me. If program titles, followed by a rash of complaints. We I took a job conducting some never made that mistake again! television show in Los Angeles orNew Yorkthere’dbe no freedom there. You’re at the mercy of some producer In a nostalgic look back to the beginning of this or program director. When we’re on the road we play newsletter, here are some cogent interview comments our music the way we think it should be played and we from the first five years of have absolute freedom. I think if I had to punch the same publication: time clock every day and go to work the same way and eat the same food every day, I think I’d probably die of COUNT BASIE - Is' ISSUE boredom. (In answer to his musical ideas.) CHARLIE B A R N E T -16" ISSUE They come from some very talented arrangers who have been writing for the band in the past fifteen to twenty (We asked if he was happy in years. They’re the ones with the brainchilds. I’m not retirement.) Oh, yeah! I’ve been married to a wonderful girl for 33 going to take credit when it’s not due. (When it was years, the greatest time of my life. suggested he was being too modest.) I’m being truthful! (Our comment about his previous dozen or so wives.) VOLUME 121 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL, 2009 Well, you know, I always thought it was a good idea to issue will present a second interview with Harry rehearse. James, who was our subject the first time in issue number 48. Next issues ’ more in-depth conversation BILLY MAY - 24,h ISSUE with Harry James was conducted by the highly knowledgeable Fred Hall in 1976. It is a revealing (Could Big Bands regain public conversation with a top name from the Big Band status?) I think there is a possibility. Era who was a difficult man to know. I think it’s going to take a while, but I think it’s gonna’ come back. First LETTERS TO THE EDITOR of all, I think rock and all this acid s—t... er... stuff, will collapse on itself, because it’s become the black hole of Letters to BIG BAND JUMP or the BBJ NEWSLET­ music. All these heavy metal bands....it’s nothin’ but TER may be sent to the address below or e-mailed noise. Noise and a beat; it’s getting back to the jungle, to [email protected]. Whenyou e-mail,please and the lyrics, whatever the hell they are, they don’t give your name and address. All letters are an­ mean anything to me. swered, but the volume of mail sometimes delays a timely response DORIS DAY - 27™ ISSUE BBJ NEWSLETTER Box 52252 (She was asked about her biggest Atlanta, GA 30355 current joy.) I have so many things that make me joyful. Just being The published letters have been edited for space alive, we’ll start with that one. I can considerations, but the meaning has been pre­ do whatever I want, which is great, but I also love served. working. It’s also fun not to work, I don’t care. If I work, I love it; if I don’t work, I love it. I’m very A1 Jarvis, Jr. I got a chuckle with your assertion fortunate because I’m not walking around here fretting Woodland, CA that names beginning with “I” or that I’m not working. Many, many scripts are sent to “J” are not popular letters for last me but I really haven’t found one I’d jump for joy to do, names. (“The I-J FILE,” page 11, January-February and I’m not going to do something just to be busy. I’m BBJ NEWSLETTER.) I checked with the census very busy right now here with all my animals I love and bureau and was informed that more people in the adore and I have a great home in the choice spot in United States have last names beginning with the letter Carmel. “J” than any other letter. (Jones, Johnson, Jackson, James, Jordan, Jameson, Johnston, etc.). Thanks for the laugh. And thus a glance at selected comments from the interview features in the first five years of BBJ Thank you for the heads-up. We weren ’t aware that NEWSLETTER publication. If this look back at Mr. Jarvis is a subscriber, but if he ’s the son o f THE some of the music personalities was interesting for Al Jarvis it’s good to hear from him. Al Jarvis was you, please let us know at: Newsletter - Box 52252 one of the top record announcers in Los Angeles - Atlanta, GA 30355 or on line at: and a genuinely nice man whose talent and ideas [email protected]. If you would like to see led the way for those to follow. selected interview comments in a look back at the secondfive years o f publication, please let us know Bob Morrison I heard you explain about Harry James either by U.S. mail or e-mail. I f the reaction is Norwich, CT and Betty Grable not being allowed to positive, we’ll plan such a feature for the July- record together because of contract August, 2009 issue. restrictions, but they made one record together with Betty using the pseudonym “Trudy (I think) Haag.” Is The second issue o f the 21s' year, the May-June, 2009 that CD available? 2 VOLUME 121 BIG BAND JUMP NEWSLETTER MARCH-APRIL, 2009 Mr. Morrison goes fifties to promote their cars? They sang “It’s delightful, on to recall the it’s delovely, it’s DeSoto.” “Haag ” is Harry 's Mr. Kales sent middle name after along a photo of a the circus his DeSoto Skyview parents workedfor cab. at the time he was born. The CD with Richard Runsky Betty Grable Lake Ariel, PA singing I CAN’T BEGIN TO TELL I think a good feature of the newsletter would be YOU (as Ruth t o have a schedule of the present Big Bands (ghost Haag originally) bands). is available from The ‘40s Betty Amazon.com and As noted in the introduction of our review of other dot com sources. interview segments, we published such schedules in early issues but they took up a great deal of Richard Wraight The Elmer’s Tune/Skylark room and only had significance to those few Norwich, CT session on XM last night was subscribers who happened to live within a so great. Lots of information reasonable distance o f the appearance location. we’d never heard before. Thanks so much and please keep on producing great shows as long as possible. I In answer to Ms. DeStefano in the last issue, several love them. people phoned who recalled JUST A GIRL THA T MEN FORGET as performed by Fran Warren and Brian Connelly Just a few lines expressing Lisa Kirk. A former sideman phoned to say he Gateshead, England my pleasure in listening to recalled he and the band members singing the song your Big Band Jump show. I when he was with Frankie Carle. discovered your show on the internet about six months ago and make a point not to miss it each week.