Interviews & Music of the Stars!

This page might be the most important page for those who either love the Big Bands, are Big Band enthusiasts, or people trying to learn more about the Big Bands.

This page includes complete interviews with Big Band legends themselves, their music, what they were doing at the time of the interview, and unfortunately in most cases, their last interview.

These interviews were produced by Big Band Hall of Fame Inductee Chris Valenti, which was one of the main reasons why he was inducted into the Big Band Hall of fame and keeping it alive.

The best part is you can hear these stories from the stars themselves.

This is not some cut and paste job, or thoughts from some self-proclaimed know it all.

You will hear their thoughts about the real facts we need to know and document.

Plus... to keep things fresh and up to date in the Big Band world, we also have wonderful productions from the Big Band stalwarts that are truly helping to keep things going.

All productions include the music we love, but also include interviews with;

• The Greats themselves!
• The song writers and arrangers of the greats we know
• The singers and/or their siblings of the greats we know and love
• The Big Band authors who help keep it going

 Please Check Back as more archived 'In Person" shows are being added!

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Quite possibly the most touching interview we ever had. And it only lasted 90 seconds! 

Helen Forrest in Person

Hear the whole story

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Herb Jeffries in Person

Listen to our very special guest from 3/21/10 for two hours who has been entertaining us since 1931! His hit record Flamingo with Duke Ellington from 1941 will be with us forever. Mr. Jeffries will be checking in with us from time to time for updates of what's up next including his next album. So please keep checking back!

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      The Amazing Life of Russ Columbo      

 Never been done before! For the first time in broadcast history comes something so stunning, and so startling, that some believe it's more intriguing than the JFK assasination!

Four hours of amazing stories, fantasies, conspiracy theories, and wonderful music from the great Mr. Russ Columbo.  

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Artie Shaw  In Person

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Tex Beneke in Person

Interview with lead sax and vocalist of the Glenn Miller Orchestra Tex Beneke. With special guests Billy May and trumpeter Johnny Best. His last interview.

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Don Cornell in Person

Here is the man who recorded It Isn't Fair! Hear all of his records and what he has to say.

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 Russ Carlyle in Person

 with special guest Joey Bishop!

The Romance of Russ Carlyle & Joey Bishop of The Rat Pack.

Unfortunately, this was both of their last interviews.

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Frankie Carle in Person

From 4/26/97 is an interview with the oldest living Big Band leader at the age of 94. His first musical job was playing piano in a silent theater in 1915. Great stories & music! Unfortunately, this was his last interview.

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Alvino Rey in Person

Idolized by musicans the world over for inventing the first sliding electric guitar, Alvino Rey gave us an interview. Married to one of the King Sisters, and with his popularity, he was naturally a staple in The King Family Television Show for many years. Unfortunately, this was his last interview.

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Steve Allen in Person

Here is Steve Allen's interview with us about his portrayal of Benny Goodman in The Benny Goodman story and more.

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Dolly Dawn in Person

Dolly Dawn and her Dawn Patrol

The first 'true' female Big band Leader!

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Frances Langford

Frances Langford was a previous guest of the Big Band Broadcast and now we can again listen to lots of her records while discussing a new book involving her life. 

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Kay Kyser

The Professor of Swing with his Kollege of Musical Knowledge

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The Great Andrews Sisters

Lots of great Andrews Sisters Music, 'Including Patty Andrews!'

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The History of Swing 

Big Band Historian Harvey Sheldon is the guest

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Leo Gorcey

Hear a bunch of great stories and movie sound bites of The Dead End Kids, aka; The Bowery Boys and the East Side Gang, that also include the stars James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, John Garfield, Bela Lugosi, and more! All of which is presented to you by Leo Gorcey Jr.

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 Johnny Mercer 

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Miller Music with Ray Eberle and daughter Jan Eberle   

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Please check back to the Sunday Night Interview page to learn of more of these upcoming events.