Craig's BigBands and BigNames, Big Band Era Music, Swing Jazz Big Bands

The story of one of the 20th century's most renowned and successful ballroom dancers, Maxine Barrat, has been, until now, a dormant archived treasure that offers an intimate account of the social, cultural, and personalhistory of the world-wide ballroom dance phenomenon. Check out author, Kristin Baggelaar's new book about dance legend, Maxine Barrat

Patty Andrews, the last of the singing Andrews Sisters, died of natural causes on January 30th. She was 94 ... Here's a neat little bio about songwriter, Jimmy Van Heusen ... Wow! Here's some very cool vintage photos from the Hollywood hot-spot, Ciro's ... That brought me to find a website about actor, Guy Madison published by his daughter, Bridget.

2012:
Sadly, legendary composer Bernie Bierman, 104, passed away in his NYC apartment on November 5, 2012. Bernie's songs were covered by Frank Sinatra, Nat Cole and Sarah Vaughn. More recently, his music was performed by singer, Michelle Pirret on her album, Somewhere in the World. Bernie was lyrically eloquent, teriffic on the piano, and threw the best parties in New York. He leaves behind a lot of friends and admirers.

Hey, this is Bing Crosby's first recording! It's not particularly good and he only comes in near the end of the song, but the narrarator is very informative.

Happy Birthday wishes to Don Dellair and Julie Wilson on October 21st!

One of the all-time great singers, Andy Williams, died on September 25th at the age of 84 from bladder cancer. He was famous for his recordings of "Moon River," "Born Free," "Days of Wine and Roses" and his TV series and Christmas Specials from the 60's and 70's. Here's a nice bio on his career.

Happy Birthday wishes for composer Bernie Bierman who celebrated his 104th birthday on August 26th! Bernie was born in New York City in 1908

Phyllis Diller, 95, died on August 20th at her home in Brentwood, California ... Take an historic tour of Hawthorne, California with Beach Boy, David Marks part 1 and part 2 ... Here's a short bio on the career of Jerry Lewis ... Tony Martin, one of the last of the big-name singer-actors from the golden age of Hollywood musicals, died on July 27th. He was 98. His wife, dancer Cyd Charisse, died in 2008 ... Oscar-winning actress Celeste Holm died at her home in New York Sunday, July 15, at the age of 95. We met Ms. Holms at Bernie Bierman's birthday party in 2010 ... Hey, here's a site with some interesing stuff

Below is a great photo sent to me by Bill Bradley of School Of Music in St. Louis, Missouri, of The Paul Whiteman Orchestra in San Francisco, circa 1916. That's Bill's Grandfather, Frank Bradley on trumpet. The youngster with the violin is Whiteman, before his signature mustache.

whiteman

This Memorial Day Weeked, Rewound Radio will be broadcasting music of the 60's and 70's from the WABC archives. Those who remember the great New York DJs like Cousin Brucie, Harry Harrison and Dan Ingram, among others, should enjoy this yearly event. If yer hardcore, and live in the New York area, tune into 77 on your AM dial ... Too Cool! Dean Martin's 'batmobile' for sale ... Museum documents life of singer Peggy Lee ... Across the Golden Gate Bridge, they'lll be having the Seventh Annual DjangoFest on June 7th-10th

2011:

Denny Farrell, host of The Original Big Band Showcase, will be presenting a live broadcast from Chicago this New Year's Eve.

Like many, I found Dean Martin and Bing Crosby to be a pleasure to work with and I hope we get to do it again. Happy Holidays to All, from myself and Dino and Bing.

"Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis" is a new film released on Encore network this December. It's getting mixed reviews, but I'm looking forward to seeing it.

Milly Ericson, 83, of Santa Monica, who sang with big band leaders Tommy Dorsey and Ray Anthony was killed on December 13, crossing the northbound lanes of the freeway in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Special Birthday Wishes go out to the "Walking Encyclopedia of Big Band and Cabaret Music" Don Dellair, who turns 82 on October 21st! Don was a singer/performer who appeared in many of the nightclubs listed on this website during their heyday. He also managed the career of The Incomparable Hildegarde for decades. He's a staple on the cabaret scene ... and is where I often go to verify information that I write about on this site. Also sharing that same birthday is singing legend Julie Wilson, who started out as a Copacabana dancer, and of course, has had a long and illustrious career as a singer.

Happy Birthday to legendary composer, Bernie Bierman, who turned 103 years old on August 26th!

Take the Frank Sinatra tour of Palm Springs and stay at his home, Twin Palms, for only $1,950 a night ... Tracey Davis, daughter of Sammy Davis, Jr., has signed an agreement to produce a feature film on the singer's life ... Mickey Rooney, 90, and Ernest Borgnine, 94, will be starring together in an upcoming movie about senior citizens ... More than 50 years after its initial airing on television, the estate of Nat King Cole plans to digitally release The Nat King Cole Show on iTunes ... Hugh Martin, best known for co-composing with Ralph Blane "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," sung by Judy Garland died on March 10 in Encinitas, Calif. He was 96 ... Frank Buckles, the last known U.S. veteran of World War I died on Febraury 27 and was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetary ...

News from 2010

News from 2009 ::: News from 2008
News from 2007 ::: News from 2006
News from 2005 ::: News from 2004
News from 2003 ::: News from 2002