Make Believe Ballroom - 9/4/26 Edition

On this week's show: Helen Forest tells the truth about Benny Goodman, how a song about a banana temporarily paused an ongoing conflict, and studio takes with Nat King Cole and Buddy Rich. All this, plus many more big band jazz recordings, on the Make Believe Ballroom this week.

On this week's show: songs honoring a beloved US President, a nursery rhyme that swings, a forgotten trombone legend, and songs from the 30s that hit the rock and roll charts in the 60s. All this and many more big band jazz recordings on the Make Believe Ballroom this week.

On this week's show: Gene Krupa irritates Benny Goodman, Bands with great longevity, a record label mistake, all this and many more big band jazz recordings on the Make Believe Ballroom this week.

On this week's show: A vocalist who thought a hit would be a flop. Another female vocalist whose forgotten words created a classic. Yet another female vocalist who might have gone back in time.  All this and many more big band jazz recordings on the Make Believe Ballroom this week.

On this week's show: bandleader feuds, a new Louis Armstrong release, and a retired bandleader becomes a government agent. Plus more big-band jazz recordings on the Make Believe Ballroom this week.

On this week's show: Three guys named Chick, Count Basie's favorite time of the day, Abbott and Costello music hits, a record with a historic title.  All this and much more on today's edition of the program.

On this week's show: songs about a high-octane drink, an article about Glenn Miller in Hollywood, a Dutch Bandleader, and how many bass players you can fit on a street corner.  All this and much more on today's edition of the program.

On this week's show: an email from Austria, a rare Benny Goodman recording, the Andrews Sisters go Hillbilly, and more records and reminiscences from the big band and jazz era.  

On this week's show: Jam, Jelly, Marmalade, singing groups with longevity, music from a Glenn Miller film, and more records and reminiscences from the big band and jazz era.  

On this week's show: Fats Waller meets Public Enemy Number One, a song honoring one of the era's greatest blues singers, the singer Benny Hill got his inspiration from, and more records and reminiscences from the big band and jazz era.