One of the longest careers by a bandleader would have to be the one enjoyed by Jan Garber, who was sometimes billed as 'The Idol of the Airwaves' during his early radio days*. He was barely an adult when he led his first group and was still directing musicians nearly six decades later, almost up … Continue reading Jan Garber – The Idol Of The Airwaves
Earworms – The Immaculate Exception?
As I said in the first edition of Earworms, the songs that get stuck in your head are usually not those that were big hits. Or to put it another way, the biggest sellers are already pretty familiar so it seems to me that they'd pop into your head once in a while anyway. But … Continue reading Earworms – The Immaculate Exception?
Zeke Manners And The Beverly Hillbillies
I couldn't resist including the 'Beverly Hillbillies' in the title of this piece, but I should confess a couple of things. First of all, I'm not referring to the TV show, but rather a Western swing band that actually called itself the Beverly Hill Billies (although some sources do spell it 'Hillbillies'). I should also … Continue reading Zeke Manners And The Beverly Hillbillies
Betty Jane Rhodes Had A Roller Coaster Career
She was just 15 when she first sang in a Hollywood film, and within a year was co-starring in two Jungle Jim movies, but in spite of her early start Betty Jane Rhodes had plenty of ups and downs over the course of her career. She managed to find spots in a number of films … Continue reading Betty Jane Rhodes Had A Roller Coaster Career
Saluting Silly Songs – A New Special Feature
Welcome to the first edition of a new Special Feature known as Saluting Silly Songs. And I know what you're thinking -- why in the world is this goofus adding another Special Feature to the GMC? Doesn't he have more than enough of them already? Truthfully, I sort of surprised myself too, but it actually … Continue reading Saluting Silly Songs – A New Special Feature
The Surprising Story Of Sam The Sham
You might be surprised to learn that biggest-selling record to ever come of out of Sun Studio in Memphis was not recorded by Elvis Presley or Johnny Cash or any of their famous contemporaries. It was instead 1965's "Wooly Bully" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. You might also find it a little strange … Continue reading The Surprising Story Of Sam The Sham
Machito And His Brother-In-Law
We haven't featured Latin jazz in quite a while, and even though the subject might bring to mind guys like Xavier Cugat, Perez Prado, and Tito Puente, there were many others who were a big part of the history of the music. The popular bandleader known as Machito was an early star who had a … Continue reading Machito And His Brother-In-Law
Country Catalyst – A Kentucky Keepsake
Regular visitors to the GMC might remember that the Special Feature known as Country Catalyst is my humble effort to bring new fans to the genre by spotlighting a classic song. Today's choice might be familiar to many because it's been a hit in several different styles, but "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" has kept its … Continue reading Country Catalyst – A Kentucky Keepsake
The Skyliners Introduced A Classic Heartbreaker
If you set out on a quest to find the ultimate teenage heartbreak song from the 1950s, there would be plenty of candidates. I can think of a few myself and I'm sure the same is true for you. But I bet we'd both include the Skyliners' "Since I Don't Have You" on our list. … Continue reading The Skyliners Introduced A Classic Heartbreaker
Jimmy Shand – Scotland’s Own Lawrence Welk
Although Lawrence Welk was enormously popular for several decades, I'd be willing to bet that for most British folks their favorite accordion-playing bandleader during the same era would be a very different guy, and with Scotland in the news a lot lately it might be a good time to spotlight him. Sir Jimmy Shand MBE … Continue reading Jimmy Shand – Scotland’s Own Lawrence Welk
Geezer Music Club 