Our Big Band Celebrity Guests include:

  The Greats themselves... In Person! 

Please check back as more archived and new shows are always being added.

Please click the blue links below to get to desired show.

 _________________________________________________

The Great Rose Marie

From 9/25/11

The only person alive today who can say their first movie was filmed in 1929!

From the Dick Van Dyke Show, The Doris Day Show... from vaudeville to today!

_________________________________________________ 

An evening of delight and surprises with of one of our favorite vocal groups...

The Modernaires

The Modernaires with Paula Kelly have been featured on more top ten and number one hits than any other vocal group in musical history!

One of our best productions. Enjoy!

With surprise callers and stars from all around the world!

_________________________________________________ 

The Great Louise Tobin at age 92

"Also known as the gal who started Frank Sinatra's career!"

Louise with Benny Goodman 1939

Louise today

Born November 11th, 1918 - Louise Tobin has accomplished more than most. Although being Harry James' first wife in 1935, and being a star years before Harry achieved his star, Louise Tobin was the one who TOLD Harry to audition Frank Sinatra in 1939, and the rest is history! She was also wife of the great Peanuts Hucko.

She had a number of hits with Benny Goodman in 1939 and has done so much giving us lots of enjoyment over the years.

Some surprise callers into the show are Harry James Jr., Paula Kelly Jr., Drummer Extraordinaire Butch Miles and calls from around the world.

Do not miss this presentation of a special musical legend. 

I am your Ralph Edwards for this evening because it is so special.

____________________________________

Tony Martin at 97 in person

Below is a photo of Tony Martin at Feinsteins in Manhattan just three years ago. He was magnificent! His wife Cyd Charisse was in the audience!

________________________________________

The Mills Brothers from 1/9/11

Don't miss this 2 & 1/2 hour production

John Mills, son of Donald Mills joins us to discuss the history and play many of the records of one of Americas finest voal groups.

________________________________________

Kay Starr, her 88th Brithday. From 7/25/10

Miss Starr is beloved the world over. Not only by her dedicated fans, but with whom she's worked with over the years. And because of this, when this presentation was first announced, friends and stars she has worked with over the years called WYYR to say that they will also be calling in to say hello.

Also calling in are Peter Marshall, Van Alexander, Paula Kelly Jr., Jan Eberle... and many more! 

 __________________________________________________

Herb Jeffries in Person at 96

Listen to our very special guest from 3/21/10 for two hours! 

He's been entertaining us since 1931! 

Truly an inspiration!

His hit record of 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!

___________________________________________________________________

Harry Prime at 91 years old in person

1940's Tommy Dorsey vocalist with many other great big bands.

Harry Prime with Peggy King when they sang with The Ralph Flanagan Orchestra.

 __________________________________________________

The Great Van Alexander at 95 in person

Enjoy this historical tribute to one of America's finest!

From 8/22/10 and at the age of 95, this man is still going strong!

Van Alexander landed a job selling arrangements to Chick Webb in the middle of the 1930's. One of those became the world famous, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket." It became a hit for Webb and Ella Fitzgerald, and subsequently became one of Ella's signature tunes! Listen to this historic interview he gave us at the age of 95. He IS one of our musical heros!

______________________________________________________

 Quite possibly one of the most touching interviews we ever had.

 And it only lasted 90 seconds! 

Helen Forrest in Person

 ___________________________________________________

 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.

______________________________

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.

________________________ 

 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.

_______________________________________

Frankie Carle at 94 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.

________________________________________

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.

____________________________________________________

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.

______________________________________________

Dolly Dawn in Person

Dolly Dawn and her Dawn Patrol

The first 'true' female Big band Leader!

________________________________________

From 8/29/10

A tribute to two of the Greatest singers of the Big Band Era!

Brothers Bob Eberly and Ray Eberle

Featuring their sisters Pat & Peg!

Bob & Ray received more requests over our past 30 years than anyone else!

Bob Eberly & Ray Eberle

________________________________________

Pretty Perky Peggy King

Singer for the George Gobel TV Show as well as many others!

____________________________________

First Time Ever in Broadcast History...

The Amazing Life of Russ Columbo!

Four phenomenal hours of facts, fantasies and fantastic music!

Part I (two hours) Part II (two hours)

Hollywood songwriter and Russ Columbo historian, Damon Leigh, joins your host Chris Valenti to help unravel some of the myths and mysteries surrounding this great man’s charmed life, meteoric musical career, and tragic violent death at the tender age of twenty-six.

Click here for four hours of thought provoking mystery and beautiful music!

Some feel this is more intriguing than the JFK Assasination!

_____________________________________________

 Orrin Tucker in Person

 

His gigantic hit, 'Oh Johnny Oh Johnny', sung by Wee Bonnie Baker, not only gave him movie parts, but also earned him an invitation to the White House to perform it for FDR in 1939!__________________________________________________

The Harry James Orchestra

under the direction of the great Mr. Fred Radke

__________________________________________________

The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra

under the direction of the great Mr. Bill Tole

_____________________________________________

The Jan Garber Orchestra

"The Idol of the Airwaves!"

under the direction of the great Mr. Howard Schneider

____________________________________________

Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks

This magical orchestra specializes in the very popular jazz styles of the 1920's and early 1930s. To say this band is magical would NOT be an understatement. Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks have contributed to many films and is especially noted for orchestrations featured in the movies of Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese and Robert Deniro. He also provides much of the music and also appears in the Scorcese HBO series Boardwalk Empire. 

__________________________________________________

 Miller Music with Jan Eberle and her dad Ray Eberle 

__________________________________________________

Garry Stevens in Person

This man sang with all of the best!

According to Billboard... at one point this man was the #4 vocalist just behind Sinatra, Como and Haymes!  Before the war he sang with Charlie Spivak. During the war he sang with Glenn Miller. After the war, sang with Miller under the direction of Tex Beneke.

____________________________________________________

Buddy DeFranco

Clarinetist extraordinaire and sideman for Gene Krupa, Charlie Barnett, Tommy Dorsey, and ultimately the bandleader of the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 1966 to 1974. Excellent fact filled show with rare recodings, live callers, and much more! Surprisingly enough, Mr. DeFranco was very candid about many things in his life. Don't miss it.

____________________________________________________

Grammy Award Winner

Alan Copeland appeared with...

James Cagney in 1938 in Angels With Dirty Faces!

One of the most respected singers, songwriters and arrangers of the past 60 years!

Our Special Guest Did Everything... and More.

Mr. Alan Copeland

Click Alan's name to go to his page to hear interview.

Grammy Award Winner Alan Copeland appeard in my favorite movie of all time... Angels With Dirty Faces in 1938 with James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, and Humphrey Bogart.  Plus...

Yankee Doodle Dandee, Meet John John Doe, Idaho, and many others.  

____________________________________________________

 The United States Air Force Academy Band

The USAF Academy Band play everything from Glenn Miller to Harry James! 

This program shows off the versatility of the USAF Academy Band with their great recordings of Glenn Miller and other Big Band greats! Great music. Great show!

Our special guests are trombonists Lieutenant Colonel Lang & Master Seargent Crump.

The USAF Academy Band is the leading educational institution developing and inspiring air and space leaders of character with a vision for tomorrow. For over 50 years, the Academy Band has used the power of music to inspire Air Force personnel and the nation they serve produce innovative musical programs and products, and communicate Air Force excellence to millions around the globe.

We are very proud to have them as our special guest.

Please enjoy this special presentation from 2/27/11:  

For more info about the USAF Academy Band click here!

Click here to view their beautiful letter hanging in prominence at WYYR.

____________________________________________________

At 94 years old Mr Norman Leyden in person

An historic Big Band Era musical production with...

 94 year old American arranger and composer Mr. Norman Leyden who also wrote Glenn Millers' AAF Band's theme song 'I Sustain The Wings' in 1944.

When Glenn Miller went into the service he was given the Army Air Force Band to work with. An amazing orchestra with a full accompaniment of strings. Glenn's new theme song became 'I Sustain The Wings' which Norman Leyden wrote as well as arranging many other pieces for this great orchestra. Above: Norman Leyden today; Glenn Miller with the AAF Band 1944.   

Another one of Chris Valenti's 'This Is Is Your Life' style presentations with other special guests and surprises that include arranger of 1937's A Tisket A Tasket for Chick Webb & Ella Fitzgerald 96 year old Van Alexander. University of Colorado's Glenn Miller Archivist and Miller historian Dennis Spraag. Big Band writer and historian Jeff Karpinski. Air Force Seargents and listeners calling in to pay respects. Plus lots of Miller music and our own Spencer Smartt.  

____________________________________________________

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. 

_____________________________________________________

Martha Tilton

The great vocalist Martha Tilton is discussed for many hours along with her records.

_____________________________________________________

Kay Kyser

The Professor of Swing with his Kollege of Musical Knowledge

_______________________________________________________________

Cole Porter

Discussed is Cole Porter’s music and his notorious and raucous life style along with rare recordings first aired here in the US with guest Marilyn Holloway from South Africa. 

_______________________________________________________________

The Great Andrews Sisters

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

__________________________________________________________________________

The History of Swing 

Big Band Historian Harvey Sheldon is the guest

_________________________________________________________________

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.

_______________________________________________________________________

 Johnny Mercer 

_________________________________________________________________________

From Rome Italy, composer Ilio Volante

WYYR.com was contacted by a firm in Rome Italy who promotes composer Ilio Volante. They made us aware of a wonderful piece he created entitled American Feeling.

We feel the title speaks for itself and are sure you will agree. Certainly a great Big Band piece with all the aspects of Goodman, Miller, Basie and the rest. Click link below to listen.

Here is his bio:

Was born in Italy in 1964. But was still a teenager when he started his music studies (saxophone) showing from the very beginning a particular predisposition towards the music composition and Jazz music. At the age of 19 he won the audition for the Italian National Army Band stationed in Rome. He served it for 10 years under the direction of Col. Marino BARTOLONI. After this, he played in the Grenadiers of Sardinia’s Band (Rome) and the Shape International Band (the official Nato Band) stationed in Mons (BELGIUM). In this last post, he covered for three years the 1st Tenor Saxophone slot helping the Director, MSg Allen WITTIG, in doing the original arrangements for the Big Band.