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Excerpts from an interview that David Miller conducted with Frankie Laine and Roc Hillman in 1998, plus reminiscences about the Glenn Miller Birthplace Festival in Clarinda, Iowa.


Close Encounters 15

This weekly magazine was depended upon my musicians and their fans who wanted to know the latest news about big bands and vocalists. The program provides insight into the music scene during World War II.


Down Beat, 11/1/1944

Benny Goodman made plenty of notable recordings over his long professional career. There were other efforts that seem never to have gained any level of popularity. We'll unveil some of the latter.


Obscure Goodman

![](/images/programs/hamburg-tee.jpg "Souvenir of Miller's visit to Hamburg.")

It's surprising how many American songs were performed in Germany during the big band era and for several decades thereafter. Germany is really doing its part in keeping American jazz alive and well.


Swinging Hamburg 3

This is an idea suggested by Bert Topper, a listener in Florida. He notes that there are many recordings that differ in that there's sometihing odd about them. Maybe they're comical, maybe the just have peculiar titles.


Oddities 2

An internet poll, though absurdly unscientific, asked people to name their favorite big band song. We do a rundown, working our way to end up unmasking the recording that got the most votes.


Best Big Band Songs

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Two of the most celebrated female vocalists of the Big Band Era were born just a few days apart in 1920. We toast Helen O'Connell and Peggy Lee.


O'Connell/Lee Centennial



Several songs from 100 years ago were resurrected by big bands and vocalists during the middle of the 20th century. Here's a chance to compare and contrast the musical styles of these two points in time.


Programs