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Make Believe Ballroom

English, Music, 1 season, 126 episodes, 4 days, 23 hours, 29 minutes
About
The Make Believe Ballroom carries on the tradition of past hosts Martin Block, Al Jarvis, William B Williams, and Steve Allen by bringing you the greatest hits of the 1930s and 1940s, No cover, no minimum, just sit back and enjoy. The Ballroom is also heard across the U.S. on public broadcasting, community and college radio stations.
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Make Believe Ballroom - 4/9/23 Edition

On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom Duke Ellington serves as a second banana, some notes on the song Dipsy Doodle, more music from the 1944 War Bonds fundraiser the Esquire All American Jazz concert, a few great emails from our listeners as well as other great music from the big band era of the 1930s and 40s.
4/9/202358 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 4/2/23 Edition

On today's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom a look at how a radio show got the word out about a brand new Broadway hit, Benny Goodman on the radio, a long look at a classical concert as well as a host of additional great tunes and stories about the fabulous Big Band Era.
4/3/202358 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 3/27/23 Edition

Join us for this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM as we tell a Sinatra story and read a wonderful listener email about autographs along with our usual assortment of fantastic tales and music from the beloved big band era.
3/27/202357 minutes, 59 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 3/20/23 Edition

On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM, a look at Billy May, some tremendous British swing and dance band music, a comedian songwriter, and a plethora of additional stories and music from the wonderful big band era.
3/20/202358 minutes, 3 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 3/12/23 Edition

On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM the first time ever heard on record, or seen on film for two legendary celebrities, a look at something heard in the background for decades that we don't think much about plus other great music and stories.
3/13/202358 minutes, 5 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 3/5/23 edition

On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a little remembered band, some British dance band music, a Benny Goodman question, a cowboy tune, a state song plus a wide array of great music from the big band era of the 1930s and 40s.
3/6/202358 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 2/26/23 Edition

On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a look at combining talent to produce some wonderful records at Brunswick and Decca, a Bing Crosby duet partner, a look at a singer who walked away from fame as well as our usual assortment of amazing music from the 1930s and 1940s.
2/27/202358 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 2/19/23 Edition

On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM, Fletcher Henderson arrangments led to Benny Goodman's success, a listen to a couple of "all girl" big bands of the 40s, two new Artie Shaw stories, a singer turned actor, as well as more great tunes from the beloved big band era.
2/20/202358 minutes, 5 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 2/12/23 Edition

This week is a very special 88th Anniversary Edition of the Make Believe Ballroom. Join Jeff Bressler as he takes us back to present the history of the show which began its broadcast odyssey in February of 1935 via WNEW 1130 AM in New York.
2/12/202358 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 2/5/23 Edition

Join us for this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM as we hear some music that made the Depression less depressing, so lesser known Glenn Miller recordings, an autographed photo listeners request as well as a whole lot more great music from the Big Band era of the 1930s and 1940s.
2/5/202358 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 1/30/23 Edition

On today's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom a few tough trivia questions, we continue to play some artists we haven't heard over the past year, a similar story with 2 different endings, plus much more music and tales from the revered big band era.
1/30/202358 minutes, 5 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 1/23/23 edition

On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a look at songwriting due, how a celebrity got her stage name, tunes you didn't think had lyrics, plus a program bursting with more music from the treasured big band era.
1/22/202358 minutes, 12 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 1/16/23 Edition

Join us for another edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM as we pay tribute to one of the greatest songwriters of all time, take a look at some novelty tunes and play a host of classic hits and stories from the big band era.
1/15/202358 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 1/9/23 Edition

On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM we vow to play music of artists we have not heard on the show in over a year, the story behind the story of the song In the Mood, an email letter for an old listener plus many more stories and songs from the cherished big band era.
1/8/202358 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 1/2/23 Edition

For our first program of 2023 a look at some of the songs composed by the legendary Harry Warren, a new listeners email, some tunes from an obscure record label plus a bountiful number of additional recordings and stories from the big band era.
1/2/202357 minutes, 59 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 12/26/23 Edition

On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a few Sinatra tunes attributed to him but first recorded by others, some songs dedicated to a listener born in 1938, and a treasure trove of additional records and stories from the big band era.
12/25/202258 minutes, 5 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 12/19/22 Edition

On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a look at a novelty singer of the '60s and 70s who molded his career after an old time crooner, a songstress who for a while was more popular than her uber famous husband, the Mills Brothers' unique "band" plus a whole lot more great music and stories from the big band era.
12/19/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 12/12/22 Edition

Join us for this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM. Lenny and his wife are away on vacation so that gives Jeff Bressler the opportunity to play a few songs from the 50s and 20s. A few great listener's emails and a whole lot more music and stories from the big band era.
12/11/202258 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 12/5/22 Edition

Join us for this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM, where we reminisce about stories that appeared in 1930s and 1940s copies of both Billboard and Down Beat magazines. Great music and tales from the Big Band Era.
12/5/202258 minutes, 3 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 11/28/22 Edition

A look at a famous Copywrite dispute, a stroll past a historic music building, a talented female lyricist plus a bunch of great music from the big band era.
11/27/202258 minutes, 6 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 11/21/22 Edition

Join us for another great episode of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM. On today's show a look at songs with female names in the title, a Lenny from Down the Block on Broadway story, a look at an email that asks for a request that has nothing to do with music plus a plethora of additional music, and stories from the big band era.
11/20/202258 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 11/14/22 Edition

On today's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM, a numerical email from a listener, songs about food and beverage, Jeff Bressler's tale of visiting the dairy case, and a whole lot more music and history of the big band era.
11/13/202258 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 11/7/22 Edition

On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM, a look at one of the greatest female lyricists of all time, an email from a listener with a pretty strange name, some music by a Benny Goodman small group, then some individual music from its members, a question about Sammy Kaye and a whole lot more music and stories from the big band era of the 1930s and 1940s.
11/7/202258 minutes, 5 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 10/31/22 Edition

Join us for this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM as we continue to delve into the Ralphie from Canarsie, Brooklyn record club list, Bing Crosby duets, a bizarre Artie Shaw magazine piece, and spin a few novelty songs.
10/30/202258 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 10/24/22 Edition

On this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM via a raffle drum, some random music selections from our famous Ralphie for Canarsie Brooklyn's list of his and his neighbor's record clubs close to 800 ranked songs from the big band era.
10/24/202258 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 10/17/22 Edition

On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom a long look at a long-a-go ballroom in the keystone state that is still in operation today!
10/16/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 10/10/22 Edition

Join us for this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM as we take a look at some tunes that were featured in movie musicals during the 1940s. Over 100 films in the 30s and 40s featured big band music.
10/10/202258 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 10/3/22 Edition

On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom Jack Teagarden's some may say strange obsession, we go back to 1935 to learn about a historic radio program and in between some of the great tunes and stories from the big band era.
10/1/202258 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 9/26/22 Edition

On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom, a look at a singer who you might not recognize..and perhaps neither did he, a tribute to a songwriter who we, unfortunately, gave short shrift to last week, a listeners email, and a show filled with more great music from the big band era.
9/25/202258 minutes, 5 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 9/19/22 Edition

On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom a whole lot of listeners emails, wrapped around some great music and stories from the big band era.
9/19/202258 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 9/12/22 Edition

On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom a Benny Goodman second look, a bandleader whose name sounds familiar but hard to place, a bandleader whose name you will never recognize, a listeners favorite tunes, plus many, many more tunes from the big band era.
9/11/202258 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 9/5/22 Edition

On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom, the history of a swing era classics name, a famous record club selection, some great music surrounding two listeners' emails, and a host of some of the great tunes of the 1930s and 1940s.
9/5/202258 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 8/22/22 Edition

Join us for this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom as we explore the music venues in the old Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City, a little Cole Porter, an Artie Shaw story, and loads of more great music from the big band era of the 1930s and 1940s.
8/22/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 8/15/22 Edition

Join us for this week's edition of Make Believe Ballroom where we take a close look at a gentleman who had absolutely nothing to do with the music industry, a beloved song with two possible origins, a songwriters lament about the initial tempo of his song, plus a treasure trove of more great records and stories from the big band era.
8/14/202258 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 8/8/22 Edition

Join us in the Make Believe Ballroom this week as we look at the music we play on our virtual turntable and real turntable in the Crystal Studio. Also on the show, a big band era stalwart discusses his take on the longevity of swing music through a story that appeared in a 1939 edition of Down Beat magazine. In addition, a music packed hour featuring some of your favorite bands and singers.
8/8/202258 minutes, 2 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 8/1/22 Edition

On this edition of the Make Believe Ballroom, we take most of the program to read show emails. Through the emails, we learn of a listener who discovered a "new' musician from the 1930s, a nostalgic Ballroom fan with a memory of Ella Fitzgerald, how one weekly listener discovered the lindy hop, and a fan with a trivia question. In addition, we delve into some great music and stories from the big band era of the 1930s and 40s.
8/1/202258 minutes, 3 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 7/25/22 Edition

On this edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a risque song from a Jack Benny bandleader, Lenny from Down the Block shares a drumming album, an unusual story about a vocal trio mother, plus a ton of more great music and reminisces from the big band era.
7/25/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 7/18/22 Edition

On this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a look at a female bandleader who led an all-male band, some tunes that you may not realize also had lyrics, a famous sister-in-law plus our usual array of great music and stories from the big band era of the 30s and 40s.
7/18/202258 minutes, 3 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 7/11/22 Edition

On this edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a quick tribute to a great bassist, an unlikely female band leader, mail order music, plus a listeners email and tons of great music from the 30s and 40s.
7/10/202258 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 7/4/22 Edition

On this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM we are taking a quick one week summer holiday. In the meantime, a Make Believe Ballroom Redux. On this past broadcast, we break down a Fats Waller song to figure out and discuss its meaning. Also, a look at some of the top-selling sheet music from the big band era.
7/4/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 6/27/22 Edition

Another great edition of the Make Believe Ballroom featuring an action-packed hour of some wonderful music and stories from the big band era of the 30s and 40s.
6/26/202258 minutes, 2 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 6/20/22 Edition

On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom we do our twice-annual console cleaning in the Crystal Studio to remove all the sticky notes containing the names of songs and segments we did not have time for on previous shows. Plenty of great music and stories.
6/19/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 6/13/22 Edition

On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom a special look at the Hollywood Walk of Fame and some of the stars of the big band era who achieved recognition. Many big band luminaries were voted in during the inaugural laying of sidewalk tiles back in 1960.
6/12/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 6/6/22 Edition

On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom more swinging to the classics with John Kirby. more music surrounding FDR's Presidency, how Benny Goodman spent his "down time" during his 1935 Palomar Ballroom engagement, a songwriting contest, and much more music and stories from the big band era.
6/6/202258 minutes, 3 seconds
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RADIO REDUX – The Andrews Sisters drama wreaks havoc on Glenn Miller

The Andrews Sisters didn't play nice when they had the golden opportunity to be paired with Glenn Miller on the radio.
6/2/202211 minutes, 41 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 5/30/22 Edition

A nice test pressing, sage advice from a legend, maybe the biggest birthday party ever, the toast of NY jazz, classical music on the Make Believe Ballroom indeed. All this plus some of the great music of the big band era on this edition.
5/29/202258 minutes, 1 second
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RADIO REDUX - Ray Anthony's Dilemma

This listener's favorite concerns the relationship between trumpet player and bandleader Ray Anthony and Glenn Miller. Ray celebrated his 100th birthday this past January. Ray's illustrious career went on for decades past his early days with Glenn Miller. Somehow, as Ray laments in this clip, Miller and him just never seemed to jell. A funny story. The segment was part of the Make Believe Ballroom's August 12, 2020 broadcast.
5/23/20226 minutes, 5 seconds
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RADIO REDUX - Morey" The Rat" Amsterdam

What made famous comedian Morey Amsterdam a "rat" during the big band era? Listen to an interesting story of how one of the beloved stars of the old Dick Van Dyke Show pulled a fast one in the music industry!
5/23/20229 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 5/23/22 Edition

Join Jeff Bressler for this week's Make Believe Ballroom featuring a Washington DC high school music edict, a Glenn Miller bust? a historical song and its background, a kids survey, stars gather to "bury" some music, plus some additional outstanding records and artists.
5/22/202258 minutes, 2 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom 5/16/22 Edition

Join Jeff Bressler for this week's Make Believe Ballroom featuring some paranoid 1940s DJs, a practical joking music legend, an enormous Chicago 1930s dance party, a comedian's checkered songwriting past, plus emails from listeners, and as always some of the swingingest records from the 30s and 40s.
5/15/202258 minutes, 5 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 5/9/22 Edition

On this week's Make Believe Ballroom - Are there still Big Band era luminaries with us today? A battle between a bandleader and a radio celebrity. A scandalous tale. Join us for this and much more wonderful music and stories from the Big Band era of the 1930s and 40s.
5/8/202258 minutes, 3 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 5/2/22 Edition

On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom: how the show saved someone from hard time, a little remembered Glenn Miller tune, a titanic battle for clarinet supremacy, a strange concert hall featured act plus lots of wonderful music from the big band and swing era of the 1930s and 1940s.
5/1/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 4/25/22 Edition

A famous comedian's connection to the big band era, can you guess the theme song, Fox Movietone records, a 1947 jam session, plus plenty more music and stories.
4/25/202258 minutes, 2 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 4/18/22 Edition

On this week's Make Believe Ballroom - A popular recording artist, or not? A dog story. A record company by any other name. In addition, loads more music and talk.
4/17/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 4/11/22 Edition

On this edition of the Make Believe Ballroom a look at a record where some sidemen are set loose, different types of albums, a salute to a beloved comic, plus some wonderful music of the 1930s and 1940s.
4/10/202258 minutes, 2 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 4/4/22 Edition

On this week's show, Glen Miller and the Andrews Sisters joined forces. Listen to how it ended! The worst day in Palomar Ballroom history plus plenty of great music for your enjoyment.
4/3/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 3/28/22 Edition

On today's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom Jeff Bressler looks at three giants of the big band era, Toots Mondello, Gene Krupa, Benny Goodman, and how they interacted together. The program also looks at some listener emails, great records, a special guest in the audience, and why early color films looked so vibrant.
3/28/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 3/21/22 Edition

On this edition of the Make Believe Ballroom a look at three bandleading giants who had something in common, a Hungarian tale, and a whole lot more treasured music of the big band era.
3/20/202258 minutes, 2 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 3/14/22 Edition

On this week's Make Believe Ballroom some War Bond tunes, Hudson-Delange history, Montgomery Ward records, a famous theme song, Lenny from Down the Block stories, a bizarre bandleader tale, more music and talk.
3/14/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 3/7/22 Edition

On this week's show, Jeff Bressler takes a spin around the big band era with a look at a different size record, why the recording industry didn't want to play music on the radio, plus a whole lot of music, stories, and reminiscence.
3/7/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 2/28/22 Edition

This week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom takes us back to a look at some of the big band music that was featured in the Big Broadcast movies series of the 1930s. Join us for this and some other great music and stories.
2/27/202258 minutes, 3 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 2/22/22 Edition

On this weeks edition of the Make Believe Ballroom Jeff Bressler looks at a listeners list of top crooners of the 1930s, reads an email about the early days of big bands performing in movie theaters, Cab Calloway, and Black History Month, and a look at Ralphie from Canarsie's Record Club list.
2/19/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 2/14/22 Edition

Jeff Bressler and Lenny from Down the Block review a listeners email about a very special musical list of favorite songs from the 30s and 40s
2/13/202258 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 2/7/22 Edition

This week is a very special 87th Anniversary Edition of the Make Believe Ballroom. Join Jeff Bressler as he takes us back to present the history of the show which began its broadcast odyssey on February 3, 1935 via WNEW 1130 AM in New York.
2/6/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 1/31/22 Edition

Today's Make Believe Ballroom has Jeff Bressler responding to some listeners e-mails.
1/30/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 1/23/22 Edition

On this edition of the Make Believe Ballroom Jeff Bressler looks at 2 era icons whose music is banned for eternity from the program!
1/23/202258 minutes, 2 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 1/17/22 Edition

This week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom offers part 2 of our series featuring records never before played on the program.
1/17/202258 minutes, 7 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 1/10/22 Edition

This week's Make Believe Ballroom takes a look at records we have never played on the show.
1/12/202258 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 1/2/22 Edition

Today's edition of the Ballroom features a look at the beloved old-time radio program Your Hit Parade. Some great Frank Sinatra stories related to his stint on the program.
1/4/202258 minutes, 5 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 8/23/21 Edition

On this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM we break down a Fats Waller song to figure out and discuss its meaning. Also, a look at some of the top-selling sheet music from the big band era.
8/30/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 8/30/21 Edition

On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM we look at an interesting fact about purchasing sheet music in the early 20th Century and some music we didn't get a chance to play on past shows.
8/30/202158 minutes, 2 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 8/16/21 Edition

On this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM - A star is born, entertainers for started their careers with big bands, territory bands.
8/16/202159 minutes, 2 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 8/2/21 Edition

On this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a look at the legendary AMATEUR NIGHT IN HARLEM at the Apollo Theatre in NY with some great history, stories, and music.
8/4/202158 minutes, 2 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 7/26/21 Edition

On this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM - A band that the senior set listened to, listener emails, songs of some great UK band leaders.
7/26/202158 minutes, 3 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 7/19/21 Edition

This week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM looks at the origin of song names, songs that sound the same, movie and Broadway musicals, and songs from the legendary Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall concert that were never recorded.
7/19/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 7/12/21 Edition

On this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM. A look at a famous tuxedo, a heroic WWII bandleader, Sinatra's long-lost cousin, a famous bandleader meets a famous accordionist, many more stories and music on this program.
7/13/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 6/28/21 Edition

On this edition of the Ballroom - All TRIVIA all the time.
6/29/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 6/21/21 Edition

This week's Ballroom takes a look at the Metronome All-Star Band
6/23/202158 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 6/14/21 Edition

6/23/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 6/7/21 Edition

This edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM takes a look at Big Band theme songs.
6/7/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 5/24/21 Edition

On this edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM, we look at some bandleaders of the era who were popular but somewhat forgotten today.
5/24/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 5/17/21 Edition

This week the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM looks at Coca Cola's Victory Parade on Spotlight Bands. The show was a musical morale booster during WWII.
5/17/202158 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 5/10/21 Edition

This week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM looks at some possible reasons for the passing of the big band and swing era.
5/10/202159 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 5/3/21 Edition

On today's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM we look at the origins of Gold Records, the Your Hit Parade, and Billboard weekly song charts plus a trivia contest you can enter.
5/1/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 4/26/21 Edition

This week's Make Believe Ballroom does a spring cleaning and finds first-time recordings of popular records and big band era musicians who could neither read nor write music.
4/27/202157 minutes, 57 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 4/19/21 Edition

This week's Ballroom focuses in on a historic big band event that took place May 29, 1938, but is little remembered today.
4/19/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 4/12/21 Edition

By popular demand, we present VDISC 2 a follow-up to our program on the recordings distributed to the troops during WWII.
4/13/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 4/5/21 Edition

This week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM features a special program about SOUNDIES. MTV did not invent the concepts of music videos. They were wildly popular in the 1940s and played on a coin machine in restaurants, bars. clubs and a host of other venues.
4/5/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 3/29/21 Edition

This week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM looks at the history of vocal ensembles in the big band era.
3/29/202158 minutes, 2 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 3/22/21 Edition

An hour of some great favorites of the 30s and 40s with some wonderful stories about the records we play.
3/22/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 3/15/21 Edition

An hour of some great favorites of the 30s and 40s with some wonderful stories about the records we play.
3/15/202158 minutes, 20 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 3/8/21 Edition

An hour of some great favorites of the 30s and 40s with a look at one of the early founders of the Make Believe Ballroom.
3/8/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 3/1/21 Edition

An hour of some great favorites of the 30s and 40s with a look at Benny Goodman's clarinet teacher and some of his star pupils.
3/2/202158 minutes, 2 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 2/22/21 Edition

After several episodes of specials and tribute shows this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM is back with our usual potpourri of grand music and stories from the 30s and 40s.
2/22/202157 minutes, 57 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 2/15/21 Edition

This week's show pays tribute to Jimmy Durante who would have celebrated his 127th birthday in February of 2021.
2/13/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 2/8/21 Edition

Join Jeff Bressler for this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM as he pays tribute to RCA Victor's budget label, Bluebird records.
2/8/202158 minutes, 4 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room -2/1/21 Edition

This week a very special 86th Anniversary Edition of the Make Believe Ballroom. Join Jeff Bressler as he takes us back to present the history of the show which began its broadcast odyssey on February 3, 1935.
2/1/202158 minutes, 18 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 1/25/21 Edition

This week the program features records that highlight some of the great crooners, vocalists, and vocal groups of the 1930s and 1940s.
1/25/202158 minutes, 11 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 1/18/21 Edition

A couple of Kings, music novelty, and many artists you might never have heard. The best of Big Band, Jazz, and Swing on this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM.
1/18/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 1/11/21 Edition

Many of our most beloved remakes of songs came originally from the music of the 1930s and 1940s. This edition of the Make Believe Ballroom plays original first-time recordings of some of our favorite music.
1/11/202158 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 1/4/21 Edition

Listen to a special edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM where Jeff Bressler plays only Grammy Hall of Fame inducted records from the 1930s and 1940s. The Grammy Hall Of Fame was established by the Recording Academy's National Trustees in 1973. The Hall of Fame honors recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance that are at least 25 years old. Inductees into the Hall are selected annually by a special member committee of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts.
1/2/202158 minutes, 3 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 12/28/20 Edition

On this week’s MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM – A Philadelphia Cowboy, the Canadian Bing Crosby, Swinging Polka, In the Mood pre Glenn Miller, some 1800’s tunes that went Big Band, a salute to FDR plus more music and great stories from the big band era.
12/28/202058 minutes, 3 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 12/21/20 Edition

On this weeks MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM – A song that is child’s play, Oscar, Oscar, Oscar, two brothers from Akron, plus Alice Faye, Dorothy Lamour, Herbie Kay, Billie Holliday and much more of your big band era favorites.
12/21/202058 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - Holiday Show 1 - 2020

A salute to the Holiday Season and the impact the music of the 1930s and 1940s has had in creating the beloved Christmas canon.
12/13/202058 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 12/7/20 Edition

On this edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM – A special birthday song, a records heartache, first time ever recording, from the top to the bottom, a song Fred Astaire refused to sing, a mystery singer, plus many more records and stories of the wonderful music of the 30s and 40s.
12/7/202058 minutes, 5 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 11/30/20 Edition

On this week’s MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM: Rhumba, a bandleader's mark as a composer, battle of the jazz violinists, from goat to Goodman hero, a grave song, the unheralded Robert Johnson and much more music, trivia, and historic stories.
11/30/202059 minutes
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Make Believe Ball Room - 11/23/20 Edition

On this weeks edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM – a visit from the past, some clues to a famous female vocalist, one bandleader's loss is another’s big gain, some British nobility, some recorded rarities, and a whole lot more music and stories of the big band, swing, and early jazz era.
11/22/202058 minutes, 9 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 11/16/20 Edition

On this edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a great Helen O’Connell quote, jazz, swing and hillbilly all rolled into one, Tiny, Shorty and Big, the history behind the Make Believe Ballroom, and along the way Ella and Louie, Vaughn Monroe and much more music and history of the era.
11/16/202057 minutes, 59 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 11/9/20 Edition

On this week’s show – Name a big band era hit that became a famous celebrity’s theme song, Dolly Dawn and Her Dawn Patrol, well-known bandleaders who didn’t play an instrument, the “fastest girl drummer in the world,” a West Indian big band leader and so much more!
11/10/202058 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 11/2/20 Edition

On this weeks MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM Jeff Bressler features two regal names, a great depression musical sales item, Frank Sinatra has the kids screaming and swaying, Glenn Miller’s first female singer, a popular bandleader who has to wait 12 years for his first record hit, an organist grinds it out, a Bunny Berigan classic solo, some early R&B and a whole lot more music and stories.
11/3/202058 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 10/26/20 Edition

A wonderful MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM this week on public and community radio stations across the US and UK as we look at a marvelous big band era French jazz and swing quintet, a singer who liked being off the radar, a Broadway flop that still produced a musical gem, artists who produced popular 1st-time recordings, a little known big band star, an orchestra leader who was actually a laugh, some Kansas City jazz and swing alumni and a popular regional band.
10/26/202058 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 10/19/20 Edition

On this weeks edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM heard on public and community radio stations around the country: a Benny Goodman Band members universal achievement, the musical history of a famous telephone number, a mid-big band show – no show, what happened when you turn a band upside down and some roadhouse productivity along with the music of the Andrews Sisters, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw and so much more!
10/19/202058 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 10/12/20 Edition

On this weeks MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM over Public Broadcasting and Community Radio stations across the county we feature Gene Krupa, Anita O’Day and Ray Eldridge along with a little boogie with Will Bradley, Freddie Slack and Ray McKinley, a Nat King Cole legend, Ginny Simms sings with Kay Kyser, a monumental Battle of the Bands, also Bing Crosby, Connie Boswell, Count Basie and much more!
10/12/202058 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 10/5/20 Edition

On this weeks MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM Louis Armstrong and his small band the Hot Five, Larry Clinton and his Orchestra, in addition to Cab Calloway we can’t forget his famous sibling, the Chairman of the Board with a novelty tune, Dick Jurgens and Eddy Howard, the priceless International Sweethearts of Rhythm, the Mills Brothers and England’s own Sid Phillips.
10/5/202058 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 9/28/20 Edition

A wonderful MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM this week as we visit Harry James and his lucky number, Les Brown and His Band of Renown seven decades of music, a Tommy Dorsey “larceny”, the Hit of the Week record label, little remembered Ray Perry, great sideman Dave Tough, and a Glen Island Casino remembrance. Also, music by Glenn Miller, Lionel Hampton and much more!
9/28/202058 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room -9/21/20 Edition

On this weeks edition of the Make Believe Ballroom - The story of a song title, a look at big band era fate, the salaries of black band musicians, the great trumpet sideman Johnny Best, the history of Soundies along with the wonderful music of the Delta Rhythm Boys, Ella Fitzgerald, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Will Bradley and his Orchestra, Bob Crosby and so much more!
9/21/202058 minutes, 10 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 9/14/20 Edition

On this weeks MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM, some wonderful small group swing, a hot Charlie Barnet tale, “V-Discs, the great arranger Vic Shoen plus more music with Phil Harris, Ella Fitzgerald, The Andrews Sisters, and a whole lot more!
9/14/202058 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 9/7/20 Edition

On this edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM, we look at Big Band era stars whose careers extended into the 50s and beyond, interviews and music of Tex Beneke and Margret Whiting and a historic recording by "Illinois" Jacquet plus a whole lot more swing and jazz!
9/6/202058 minutes, 2 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 8/31/20 Edition

Join us in the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM. On this week’s showJess Stacy’s Monumental Solo.The Andrews Sisters 13 Weeks with Glenn Miller.Red Norvo, the only xylophonist to lead a big band!Reminiscences and music with Harry James, Benny Goodman and Bea Wain.Additional music by The Rhythm Boy’s, Mildred Bailey, Larry Clinton Orchestra, Paul Whiteman, Ted Heath, Dick Haymes and Frank Sinatra.
8/29/202058 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ball Room - 8/24/20 Edition

On this edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM. Is it Eberle or Eberly? Bille Holiday’s tenuous relationship with Artie Shaw. Along the way wonderful music by Perry Como, Freddie Slack and Ella Mae Morse, Jimmie Lunsford, Count Basie with Jimmy Rushing, and a whole lot more!
8/21/202057 minutes, 44 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 8/17/20 Edition

From the Crystal Studio in the Make Believe Ballroom a fun and fast hour this week. Great vintage interviews serve as companions to the music of Connie Haines and Martha Tilton. Hollywood stars meet big band singers in an unusual way. Reminisces of Guy Lombardo living on Long Island. Great music from the Murphy Sisters, Vaughn Monroe, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole and Beryl Davis.
8/16/202057 minutes, 53 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 8/12/20 Edition

From the Crystal Studio of the Make Believe Ballroom some great reminiscences, history and stories wrapped around the classic music of Glenn Miller, Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Ray Anthony Kay Kyser, Ish Kabble, Jo Stafford, Bunny Berrigan, Ted Heath, Bing Crosby, the Andrews Sisters, the Boswell Sisters and a whole lot more! Listen for a great interview as Ray Anthony explains his love-hate relationship with Glenn Miller.
8/12/202058 minutes, 11 seconds
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Make Believe Ball Room - 8/3/20 Edition

From the Crystal Studio of the Make Believe Ballroom some great reminiscences, history and stories wrapped around the classic music of Glen Miller, Ivy Benson, the Modernaires, Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald, Vera Lynn, Ray Noble, the Mills Brothers, Ted Weems, Benny Goodman and a whole lot more.
8/2/202058 minutes, 6 seconds
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Make Believe Ballroom - 7/27/20 Edition

On this weeks edition of MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM songs and stories featuring the De Marco Sisters and a nickname given to a star, how the song Linda got its name, how the song Beyond the Sea changed from an ode to the sea to a love song, why it took so long to get Mairzy Doats recorded, the underrated Charioteers, a special song for the troops, the tragedy of Russ Columbo and part 2 of an interview with the Chairman of the Board.
7/27/202058 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 7/20/2020 Edition

This week featuring great stories, reminiscences, and music featuring, the King Sisters, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, Kate Smith, Frank Sinatra, Pearl Bailey, Count Basie,, Jack Teagarden, Billy Mills, Benny Carter, the Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald.​​
7/20/202058 minutes, 1 second
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Make Believe Ballroom - 7/14/20 Edition

Hi folks, I’m jeff Bressler, turning on the lights of the Make Believe Ballroom and welcoming you into the Crystal Studio for another program of the greats hits of the 1930s and 1940s.I’m hosting the show in the hope of keeping the music and traditions of past hosts Martin Block, Al Jarvis, William B Williams, and Steve Allen alive.So let’s get this week's singing and dance ballroom party underway with music, stories, audio clips, and recollections from this golden era of music.
7/14/202058 minutes, 15 seconds