Back in the early / mid 1960s, I worked for Bell Labs. The Labs sponsored many clubs for recreational activities, and granted support money for specific applications.

I was one of the founders of the Music Club at the Holmdel NJ location. There were a few ensembles in the club, the two that I played in were a traditional Dixie group, and a stage band. The stage band had the typical "big band" make-up, four trumpets, four trombones, five saxes (two alto, two tenor, one baritone), bass, drums, piano, and the leader who played various woodwinds -- flute, clarinet, sax, etc.

The Labs started us out with an initial three hundred dollar budget, which was used on a buying trip to the 52nd St area of NYC, where there were many stores that sold big band arrangements, and we bought sheet music that was typical for this type band. We played Glenn Miller arrangements, Duke Ellington, and a bunch of others. Our leader was an outstanding musician and he whipped us into shape. Our in-house concerts packed the large auditorium, standing room only. We also traveled, via bus provided by the Labs, to perform at venues like children's hospitals, VA facilities, etc.

Great story, V-Tail. No doubt the performances were well received by the audiences. I tune in to '40s Junction (as it shows up on the display) when it's time to decompress from all things in the present.

One of the reasons I have Sirius subscriptions is 40’s Junction.

When I lived in New Mexico KOB radio out of Albuquerque aired a syndicated show “The Swingin’ Years” hosted by Chuck Cecil on Saturday nights. Many Saturday nights after my wife and daughter went to bed I’d sit up and listen to the show, a couple of hour long, ran maybe from ten to midnight.

Later on after I joined the local Fire Department/EMS service I’d listen to it as it was not uncommon for us to ground transport patients from our small in town hospital to Albuquerque. Those nights I’d try to grab the E350 ambulance as it had an AM-FM radio in it and while I couldn’t listen with a patient onboard it made the 85 or so mile trip back to town go faster.

Whenever I hear the first few bars of “The Mole” by Harry James I think back to those days.

After my older son was married and we went to visit them, I was pleased to learn that both he and his wife are fond of 40’s Big Band music. I’m very fond of “The Great American Songbook” and show tunes. Shall I turn in my man card now?

Hang on to your man card; not a thing wrong with listening to the music that your parents and grandparents knew whether daily life was at a plant preparing equipment for the troops, getting the trains to their destination, or standing in a chow line in miserable weather some place far from home. That is the connection for me.

One of the local NPR stations in DC had a locally produced program featuring music from before the Great Depression years to the early '50s. When they dropped that program a few years back, I stopped listening to the station pretty much.

No need to turn in the man card. Millions of soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen listened during WW2. Babies were likely conceived to this music.

The GMO also covered some Russian folk. In particular the Song of the Volga Boatman. It is somewhat different from the band's own compositions


https://youtu.be/pFC5_zuTpO8?si=E-uu9PmJVnefRSCo