New Year's Radio Dance Party 1945-1946

New Year's Radio Dance Party 1945-1946

Author: Frank Miller December 30, 2023 Duration: 57:50
Happy New Year to everyone as we welcome in the New Year. On the show today is repeat of a program I produced in 2016 called New Year's Radio Dance Party 1945-1946. The Armed Forces Radio Service gave a real treat to American troops still stationed around the world in the aftermath of World War II---live performances, by remote hookups from their respective New Year's Eve hotel and/or ballroom performances. We'll get to hear some of the titans of the time in American jazz and popular music. Including but not limited to Harry James, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Dorsey, Artie Shaw (with guest Roy Eldridge), Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, and---of course!---Guy Lombardo. It was a gift to our troops then and it's a perfect gift for our troops---and New Year's Eve shut-ins---today.

Frank Miller hosts Big Band Bash, a journey into the vibrant world of swing and the cultural moment it defined. This isn't just a playlist of classics; it's a deep and affectionate look at the music, the personalities, and the stories that made the big band era so unforgettable. Each episode focuses on a specific thread, perhaps unpacking the legacy of a legendary bandleader like Duke Ellington or Glenn Miller, or exploring a particular theme that shaped the sound from the 1930s through the 1950s. You'll hear the iconic recordings, of course, but you'll also get the context behind them-the rivalries, the innovations, and the social history that this music both reflected and inspired. Tune in to this podcast for a richly detailed portrait of an era, where the driving rhythm of a brass section could lift a nation's spirit. Frank's passion is evident in every carefully curated episode, aiming not just to inform but to make your feet tap along to the timeless energy of the great bands. It's a must-listen for music lovers and history buffs alike, offering a fresh appreciation for the artistry that continues to resonate decades later.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Big Band Bash
Podcast Episodes
Tribute to Bill Holman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:31
This week we pay a tribute to the late arranger and tenor saxophonist Bill Holman. Bill got his start as a saxophonist in the Stan Kenton orchestra and then proved to be a great arranger as well. He went on to write arra…
July 4th and Patriotic Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:54
Hello as we celebrate the Fourth of July this week.I tried to find as many Patriotic songs from the Big Band Era as I could. I hope you will help me celebrate this special holiday as we listen to some patriotic music.
Songs of Summer Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:17
As I am back from vacation, I am going to try and catch up with the podcasts. We continue this week with a program I did a few years ago on the Summer season of the year. I am looking at songs that have the words summer,…
Songs of Summer Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:17
Summer is a special time of year. It means many different things to people all over the world. Today's program is a look at the many different songs of Summer recorded by the Big Bands. I have included the word Summer in…
Steve Lawrence - A Tribute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:46
Hello everyone. We lost a very special vocalist this past March. Steve Lawrence passed away at the age of 88. He had been ill with Alzheimer's Disease for the last few years. I usually play big bands and vocalists associ…
Four Victory Parade of Spotlight Band Remotes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:36
Hello and welcome to another program of Big Band Remotes as we remember the many men and women who took part in the invasion of France called D-Day. Today we feature Les Brown, Bob Chester, Jan Savitt and Gene Krupa. The…
Three Radio Remotes From World War Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:24
In honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, I have pulled out a show I produced about ten years ago that has three remotes from World War Two. Two are from the Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands program. Big Bands always s…
Woody Herman - A Birthday Salute Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:54
May 13th is the birthday of Woody Herman and if he were alive today that would have been his 111th birthday. We continue our celebration of his birthday with some of his hits from the 1940's. These are some of my favorit…
Woody Herman - A Birthday Salute Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:13
May 13th is the birthday of Woody Herman and if he were alive today that would have been his 111th birthday. To celebrate this milestone we will be playing some of his early recordings made between the years of 1939 and…
Four Remotes From World War Two Part Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:35
This week I am continuing with part two of Big Band Remotes from World War 2 with two remotes from the Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands series. At the same time, however, I am having a birthday salute to a favorite band…