Thursday, February 09, 2017

"When Swing Was King" Swings Into February

Yesterday, Wednesday the 8th, Claire and I started in to the February schedule of “Swing Was King” and we're as excited as ever about this outreach into senior care facilities in our area...and sometimes way beyond.

I say way beyond because, in addition to our 12 regularly-scheduled places every month (Omaha, Bellevue, and Blair), we've also presented “When Swing Was King” shows in senior facilities in Lincoln, central Nebraska, northwest Iowa, the front range of the Colorado Rockies, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City. We sometimes do the programs for church groups too. And everywhere we go, the audiences are thrilled to hear the old music, see the photos of the 1940s and 1950s, learn fun trivia about the songs and the musicians, and enjoy visits with folks they have graciously taken to their hearts.

What a blessing for everyone!

If you'd like to come along and see why this ministry is such a hit, please check the monthly schedule and let us know when you'd like to join us. We (and the residents of the care facilities) would be absolutely delighted to have you there for the party.

(P.S. It's almost worth it just to hear what I have to say in the introduction to Song #11.)

By the way, here's this month's song list:

1) Glenn Miller Orchestra (Vocals by Ray Eberle) -- “Blueberry Hill”

2) Ethel Merman -- “There's No Business Like Show Business”

3) Duke Ellington Orchestra -- “Chelsea Bridge

4) Harry James (Vocals by Helen Forrest) — “I Had the Craziest Dream”

5) Artie Shaw Orchestra -- “Blue Skies”

6) Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (Vocals by Frank Sinatra, Connie Haines, and the Pied Pipers) -- “Oh, Look At Me Now”

7) Gene Kelly -- “Singin' In the Rain”

8) Chick Webb Orchestra -- “Strictly Jive”

9) Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra (Vocals by Helen O'Connell) -- “I’m Stepping Out with a Memory Tonight”

10) Benny Goodman Orchestra -- “Here's Love In Your Eyes”

11) Rosemary Clooney (Bass vocals by Thurl Ravenscroft) -- “This Ole House”

12) The Mills Brothers (Backed by the Hal McIntyre Orchestra) -- “Glow Worm”