BING GOES SOLO

 

Bing and the Rhythm Boys left Whiteman after taking part in the Old Gold broadcast of April 15, 1930 in Portland, Oregon.  The boys returned to Los Angeles where they obtained a contract to appear on a new NBC radio series from station KFI.  The show was sponsored by the Union Oil Company with Walter O’Keefe as the m.c.   The show was first broadcast at 8:30 p.m. on June 27, 1930 and little is known about it.  However part of one broadcast is extant and on this the Rhythm Boys sing ‘A Bench in the Park, and ‘Everything’s Agreed Upon’.  The songs appeared on the LP Arcadia 5001 - ‘Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys’ and the Sepia CD 1296 'Bing Crosby - Good and Rare - volume 3'. 

In July, the Rhythm Boys were signed to be part of the entertainment at the Hotel Ambassador’s Cocoanut Grove and the show was broadcast each night over station KNX, whose transmissions could be picked up as far away as Portland, Oregon.  Bing’s solo work became the real attraction at the Grove and on the radio show but sadly we have few examples of it at that time.  The LP Take Two TT112 - ‘Gus Arnheim and his Cocoanut Grove Orchestra 1931’, contains the tracks ‘Out of Nowhere’ by Bing and ‘What Is It?’ by Bing and Loyce Whiteman, both of which come from radio performances broadcast live from the Cocoanut Grove. 

Bing continued at the Grove until May 1931 when he, Al Rinker and Harry Barris failed to turn up for performances on May 16.  Within days Bing was making a solo radio appearance on the Sunkist Musical Cocktails programme which was broadcast nationally on CBS from station KHJ.  Accompanied by Raymond Paige and his Orchestra, he sang ‘Just One More Chance’ which was apparently its first rendering on air. 

During the summer months, contact was made with Bill Paley of CBS who signed Bing for an unsponsored radio show due to commence on August 31st 1931.  The story of Bing’s failure to appear on August 31st and September 1st due to what was said to be laryngitis is well known and will not be repeated here.  Suffice to say that the 15 minute radio show ‘Introducing Bing Crosby’ commenced at 11 p.m. on September 2nd 1931 and continued daily (except Sundays) with Bing giving an extra broadcast at 8:45 p.m. each Tuesday.  By September 22, the daily broadcasts were switched to the earlier time of 7:00 p.m. to put Bing in direct competition with ‘Amos ‘N’ Andy’.  

To summarise, an outline of Bing’s radio appearances following the ending of the Old Gold series and leading up to the Cremo show is given below.

 

1930

June 2 (7:30-8:00 p.m.) The Rhythm Boys broadcast from station KNX along with Bill Hatch’s String Quintette.

June 4 (7:30-8:00 p.m.) The Rhythm Boys take part in the California Melodies program over CBS with Joe Trent, Fred Scott, Jeanie Lang and the Biltmore Trio.

June 11 (7:30-8:00 p.m.) The Rhythm Boys take part in the California Melodies program over CBS with Lupe Velez, Stanley Smith and the Los Angeles Grand Chorus. Bing sings “Midnight” with the Rhythm Boys.

June 27 (8:30-9:00 p.m.) The Rhythm Boys commence broadcasting a new NBC radio series from station KFI.  Walter O’Keefe is the m.c.  The Rhythm Boys are said to have a 13-week contract.

July 5 (8:00-10:00 p.m.) The Rhythm Boys appear in a revue over station KFWB sponsored by Sanders Chain Stores.

July 14 - May 15, 1931 (10 p.m. - midnight) Bing and The Rhythm Boys are frequently featured in the nightly Gus Arnheim broadcast over station KNX.

September 3/4/5/8/10/11/15. The Rhythm Boys star in radio shows over station KFI at times varying between 11:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.

September 5. (8:45-9:15 p.m.) The Rhythm Boys are featured in a radio program called ‘Tone Pictures’ broadcast over the NBC network.

September 18/19/22. The Rhythm Boys again appear in morning radio shows on station KFI.

October 7 The Rhythm Boys guest on the RKO Radio Pictures Hour on NBC and sing ‘Three Little Words’.

October 15. (8:30 - 9:00 p.m.) Bing and Harry Barris appear on the California Melodies program from station KHJ.

November 12. (8:30 - 9:00 p.m.) Bing again appears on the California Melodies radio program and introduces another Harry Barris number, with the latter at the piano.

 
1931
Jan. 8-May 14.
In addition to the nightly broadcasts with Gus Arnheim from the Cocoanut Grove, The Rhythm Boys and Arnheim appear in the weekly MJB Coffee Demi-Tasse Revue over station KFi. It is said that Bing usually opened the show by singing a theme song whose opening line went: “Drink a cup of good old M. J. B. etc, etc.”

May 20 (4:30 - 5:00 p.m.) Bing appears on the Sunkist Musical Cocktails programme.

September 2 - October 31 Unsponsored radio show for CBS "Presenting 15 Minutes with Bing Crosby" - details below.

October 25  (10:00-10:30) Guests on the "Radio Varieties" program on station WOR.

November 1 (10:45-12 midnight) Takes part in the nationwide Hoover Unemployment broadcast put out by both NBC and CBS.

December 15 (5:15 – 5:30 p.m.) Bing is interviewed by Bob Taplinger on station WABC in New York.


PRESENTING 15 MINUTES WITH BING CROSBY

 

After the first few shows, two broadcasts were made each day, one for the East Coast at 7p.m. and the other at 11 p.m. (EST) for the West Coast. Details of these programmes have largely been taken from The Brooklyn Daily Times who listed the songs prior to the broadcast and there can be no guarantee that last-minute changes were not made. It is possible that changes were made for the West Coast broadcast too.


BING CROSBY‘S COLUMBIA DEBUT MONDAY NIGHT
    "Bing" opens with a "bang" over a nationwide network of the Columbia Broadcasting System, Monday night, 7 o'clock!
    I'm talking about the youthful and "it-ful" baritone who was christened Harry, full name, Harry Crosby. And KHJ promises to do ever better than Crosby's most enthusiastic admirers had hoped-the local member of CBS announces it will present the vocalizing Lochinvar, who came out of the West, six nights per week-Sundays off.
    Incidentally to the Crosby voice will be an orchestra under the direction of Victor Young, and the program will run fifteen minutes.
    No sponsor! It will be a sustaining CBS feature, and incidentally, "Bing" appears to have hunt up a new mark for such an unsponsored program. Unofficial but rather authoritative reports state that cash each week will find $1,500 rolling into the Crosby exchequer.
    Record-playing stations have, unwittingly, given Crosby a perfect "build-up" for his network debut. They have played and replayed every record the young man ever made, have devoted whole thirty-minute periods to nothing but his recordings.
    Now, this section of the nation at least, is ripe to hear the real article, singing other and newer songs as well. He will, of course, have to sing "Many Happy Returns of the Day," "At Your Command," and "One More Chance" occasionally, just to escape a lynching.
    Columbia has long sought a feature that could compete with NBC's "Amos ‘n' Andy." Crosby may fill the bill for the Pacific Coast audience; some folks seem to think he will, at any rate. More than one "Amos ‘n' Andy" fan will admit that the black-face team has lost its grip, but the habit remains. Another breach-of-promise suit would seal the verdict, however.

(Ray De O'Fan, Los Angeles Examiner, 27th August, 1931)

Bing Crosby, well-known Southern California singer, will start broadcasting over the Columbia network and KHJ Monday night, August 31, at 7pm according to announcement received today. Bing will be on the air every night with the exception of Sunday.

(Eugene Inge, Los Angeles Evening Herald, 27th August, 1931)

Bing Crosby, once heard locally over several stations, takes his vocal efforts to New York and lands on big time...Columbia network to KHJ week days at 7pm commencing Monday.
(Ralph L. Power, Los Angeles Record, 29th August, 1931)


Bing Crosby, well-known Southern California baritone, who recently signed an exclusive contract with the Columbia Broadcasting System, will be heard for the first time at 7:30 over KHJ. Crosby will be on the air every night at the same hour with the exception of Sunday.
(Eugene Inge, Los Angeles Evening Herald, 31st. August, 1931)

7pm, KHJ-Bing Crosby makes his debut over Columbia, supported by Victor Young's Orchestra. He sings "Just One More Chance," "I Found a Million Dollar Baby" and "I'm Through With Love," CBS (15 minutes).

(Ray De O'Fan, Los Angeles Examiner, 31st. August, 1931)
 
Bing Crosby, famous blues singer, will soon be heard over the National network sponsored by a well-known cigarette.

(Eileen Percy Los Angeles Evening Express, 31st. August, 1931)

Eleven thirty…WJZ…and no Bing Crosby. Scheduled for debut last night as an exclusive Columbia artist…the non-appearance of this baritone sensation of the West Coast was laid to a bad case of laryngitis and the big event will come off tonight.

(Daily News (New York), September 1, 1931)

NOTE: Bing was advertised to sing "Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams", "Why Shouldn't I" and "Just One More Chance " but again the broadcast did not take place.


COLUMBIA BROADCASTING SYSTEM (CBS): 11:00-11:15 pm, New York, NY. (7p.m. PST)

Announced by Harry Von Zell.

Orchestra conducted by Victor Young.

Personnel: (From) Mannie Klein, Charlie Margulis, Bobby Effros (trumpets), Tommy Dorsey (trumpet/trombone), Will Bradley, Jerry Colonna (trombones), Jimmy Dorsey, Lyall Bowen (alto saxophone/clarinet); Artie Shaw (clarinet), Joe Venuti, Harry Hoffman (violins), Arthur Schutt (piano), Eddie Lang (guitar), Joe Tarto (bass/tuba). Larry Gomar (drums).

 

No. 1 2nd September 1931 (Wed)  (a) 

*Just One More Chance                                                                (b)

*I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five & Ten Cent Store)       (d)

*I’m Through With Love                                                                (c)

 

While on the subject of WABC, we again remained up to see if Bing Crosby arrived. Bing sang, but after the long wait, most of his appeal was stale. As a singer, he has more tricks than voice, but Bing has finally reached the air, so all is well at CBS. (David Bratton, The Brooklyn Daily Times, September 3, 1931)


Notes:

(a)                This program was the first in the series of sustaining shows.  Originally scheduled to premiere on 31st August, it was delayed until this date due to Bing's ‘laryngitic problem’.

The Victor Recording Book indicates recordings and matrices as listed below with the notation after [PCVE-68312-1] of ‘Entire Fifteen Minute Broadcast’. It is unknown if any pressings were ever made from this matrix.

At the time of publication none were known to exist.  It is believed that only three copies of the 78rpm matrices were pressed.  The Victor recordings were air-checked, in their Hollywood studios, from the KHJ (Los Angeles) broadcast.

The accompanying musicians varied from broadcast to broadcast.  Interviews with Klein, Venuti and Bradley indicate that those listed were on most of the broadcasts conducted by Victor Young.

(b)               Issued on RCA Victor LSA3094 ‘Bing Crosby – Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams’ and Frogbien

FB6309 - ‘Bing’

            12" 33 Victor Test PCVE-68312-1; 12" 78 Victor Test PCVE 68310-1

The Chronological Bing Crosby – vol. 9 Jonzo Records JZCD-9

So Rare: Treasures From The Crosby Archive – Collectors’ Choice Music CD WWCCM21092

(c)                Issued on RCA Victor LSA3094 ‘Bing Crosby – Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams’ and Frogbien

FB6309 - ‘Bing’

12" 33 Victor Test PCVE-68312-1; 12" 78  Victor Test PCVE 68310-1

The Chronological Bing Crosby – vol. 9 Jonzo Records JZCD-9

So Rare: Treasures From The Crosby Archive – Collectors’ Choice Music CD WWCCM21092

(d)       12" 33 Victor Test PCVE-68312-1

(e)      The Brooklyn Daily Times stated that Bing's songs were to be "Come to Me", "I Can't Write the Words" and "For You" but instead he reverted to the songs advertised to be sung on August 31.

 

No. 2  3rd September 1931 (Thu)

*Out Of Nowhere

*There's No Other Girl (After Loving You)

 Stardust (orchestra)

*I Apologize

*Lucky Seven

 

No. 3  4th September 1931 (Fri)

*Dancing In The Dark

*When Yuba Plays A Rumba On The Tuba

 Begging For Love (orchestra)

*Now That You're Mine

   

No. 4  5th September 1931 (Sat)

*Many Happy Returns Of The Day

*Three  Little Words

 Makin' Faces At  The Man In The Moon (orchestra)

*I Surrender Dear

 

No. 5  7th September 1931 (Mon)

*What Is It?

*Pardon Me, Pretty Baby

 How's Your Uncle (orchestra)

*Shine On Harvest Moon

 

‘So far as Southern California goes, Amos ‘n’ Andy listenage has been sadly cut, what with Bing Crosby back on the old air at the same time.  Despite two false starts early in the week, due to bad case of laryngitis, Crosby has come back strong and is his old self again.  The Boswell Sisters had the same experience when they went east, but contracted their illness before they had been announced definitely.  Old Crosby listeners detected the fact there had been a little too much brass in Victor Young’s band, forcing Crosby to put on more steam than usual.  They recalled that Gus Arnheim’s band reverted to violins whenever Crosby sang.  But the Arnheim - Crosby combination was almost too good to be equalled in excellence.  And Young’s band will soon work out its difficulties, it is hoped.’

(‘Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News’ 5th September 1931)

 

Bing Crosby fans will hear him at 7 over KHJ in "Guilty," "Pardon Me, Pretty Baby," and "Come With Me."
(Zuma Palmer, Hollywood Daily Citizen, 7th September, 1931)


Advices from Columbia Broadcasting say Bing Crosby, pride of Southern California, will sing the following songs to the nation tonight: "What Is It?" "Pardon Me, Pretty Baby," "Shine On, Harvest Moon." Crosby sings nightly at 7 on KHJ.
(Kenneth Frogley,
‘Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News’ 7th September 1931)


 No.6  8th September 1931 (Tue)

Details unknown. Bing broadcasts at 8:45 p.m. instead of 11 p.m. to make way for  a special broadcast from station WHK in Cleveland.


“CBS High Figure For Crosby's Commercial program.  CBS reportedly asked $3,000 per week for first twelve weeks; $2,700 for next twelve; $4,000 for balance of year.  As a sustaining CBS program, Crosby was receiving $1,500 per week.

(‘Variety’ 8th September 1931)

 

No.7  9th September 1931 (Wed)

*Someday I'll Find You

*I Don’t Know Why

 I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five & Ten Cent Store) (orchestra)

*Begging For Love

 

Due to power line trouble WABC was off the air from 11:09 to 11.39. Bing Crosby’s program was the one to suffer and he was only able to complete a portion of his scheduled songs.

(David Bratton, The Brooklyn Daily Times, September 10, 1931)


No.8 10th September 1931 (Thu)

*The Hour Of Parting

*Without That Gal!

 Come To Me (orchestra)

*Guilty 

 

No.9 11th September 1931 (Fri)

*River, Stay ‘Way From My Door

*As Time Goes By

 Dancing In The Dark (orchestra)

*I’m All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart

 

No.10 12th September 1931 (Sat)

*Old Playmates

*I’m With You

 In A Dream (orchestra)

*Sweet And Lovely

 

No.11 14th September 1931 (Mon)

*Just One More Chance

*I Need Loving

 Beautiful Love (orchestra)

*Star Dust  

 

No.12 15th September 1931 (Tue)

*I Don't Know Why

*There's Nothing Too Good For My Baby

 The Thrill Is Gone (orchestra)

*Someday I'll Find You

 

‘Scrap between NBC & CBS over Russ Columbo and Bing Crosby is getting warm.’

(‘Variety’ 15th September 1931)

 

No.13 16th September 1931 (Wed)

*Never

*When Yuba Plays A Rumba On The Tuba

 High And Low (orchestra)

*It Had To Be You

 

No.14 17th September 1931 (Thu)

*For You

*Dinah

 Is This The Music Of Love? (orchestra)

*It's Love

 

No.15 18th September 1931 (Fri)

*Tonight Or Never

*Makin' Faces At The Man In The Moon

 There's No Other Girl (After Loving You) (orchestra)

*Don't Ask Me Why

 

No.16 19th September 1931 (Sat)

*The Thrill Is Gone

*I Can't Get Mississippi Off My Mind

 It's A Long Time Between Kisses (orchestra)

*At Your Command

 

No.17 21st September 1931 (Mon)

*The Kiss That  You've Forgotten

*I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five & Ten Cent Store)

 Two Heads  In The Moonlight (Are Better Than One) (orchestra)

*Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

 

What sighs are being uttered over the announcement that Bing (Harry L.) Crosby gives his final 7 o'clock program tonight over KHJ. Beginning the 28th, when the east returns to standard time, Bing will be heard from 4 to 4:15 over KHJ. Just because you won't be hearing him for a few days, I'll give you his program for tonight which is "Just One More Chance," "I Need Lovin" and "Star Dust."

(Zuma Palmer, Hollywod Daily Citizen, 21st September, 1931)

No.18 22nd September 1931 (Tue)

*Blue Kentucky Moon

*Every Little Movement Has A Meaning Of Its Own

 Bend Down, Sister (orchestra)

*I Kiss Your Hand Madame

 

All was not well with the Columbia technical department on Bing Crosby’s first broadcast on his new schedule. At times all you could hear was Crosby. At other times, all you could hear was the orchestra. The final number was balanced properly.

(Kenneth Frogley, Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News, September 30, 1931)


No.19 23rd September 1931 (Wed)

*I'm Thru With Love

*Take It From Me

 Dancing Tambourine (orchestra)

*Old Playmate

 

No.20 24th September 1931 (Thu)

*Why Dance?

*Nobody's Sweetheart

 The Woman In The Shoe (orchestra)

*Guilty

 

No.21 25th September 1931 (Fri)

*As Time Goes By

*Fool Me Some More

 Help Yourself To Happiness (orchestra)

*Sweet And Lovely

 

No.22 26th September 1931 (Sat)  (a)

* I Don't Know Why

*You Can't Stop Me From Loving You

 I Idolize My Baby's Eyes

*Just One More Chance

 

Note:

(a)        At this time Bing's competition on radio at the same hour was (1) NBC/WJZ Amos & Andy: (2) NBC/WEAF Nick Lucas.

The New York Times of 27th September 1931 featured a photograph depicting Bing with Kate Smith.

  

No.23 28th September 1931 (Mon)

*What Is It?

*Concentratin' On You

 Strike Up The Band (orchestra)

*Shine On. Harvest Moon


Bing Crosby is supposed to set feminine hearts twitter these days at 4pm, via CBS to KHJ for 15 minutes.
(Ralph L. Power, Los Angeles Record, 28th September, 1931)

 

No.24 29th September 1931 (Tue)

*Time On My Hands

*I Need Loving

 Lucky Seven (orchestra)

*I Apologize

 

No.25 30th September 1931 (Wed)

*For You

*All Of Me

 Happy Feet (orchestra)

*River, Stay 'Way From My Door

 

No.26 1st October 1931 (Thu)

*In A Dream

*I Wouldn't Change You For The World

 Limehouse Blues (Orchestra)

*When It's Sleepy Time Down South

 

Columbia Briefs: The orchestra led by Vic Young, which supplies the background for the popular baritone, Bing Crosby, includes, includes the team of Venuti and Lang, who have been featured in all parts of the country on the stage, in vaudeville, and in dance orchestras. Joe Venuti is a violinist and Ed Lang is master of the guitar.

(Gene Inge, Los Angeles Evening Herald, 1st October, 1931)

4pm KHJ-Bing Crosby, he was never better. To 4:15, CBS.

(Ray De O'Fan, Los Angeles Examiner, 1st October, 1931)

 

No.27 2nd October 1931 (Fri)

*Now That You're Gone

*I Cried For You

 Little Girl (orchestra)

*If I Could Be With You

 

No.28 3rd October 1931 (Sat)

*Dancing In The Dark

*Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries

 Wildrose (orchestra)

*Goodnight Sweetheart

 

Bing Crosby Columbia Baritone is to be supplied with a new orchestra (Freddie Rich’s this time) on Monday of next week. Heretofore Victor Young’s orchestra has accompanied Bing in the studios. Somehow Bing had difficulty in getting into the swing of Vic’s tempo. Better luck with Rich, maybe

(Jo Ranson, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, October 3, 1931)


No.29 5th October 1931 (Mon)

*Just One More Chance (not listed by The Brooklyn Daily Times)

*My Song

*I'm With You

 Nobody Loves No Baby (orchestra)

*Without That Gal

 

…Getting back to Bing Crosby, the lad needs a longer vocal rest if his work of last evening can be taken as criterion. His throat is not entirely better at the moment and the WABC 7 o’clock period did him little credit. “One More Chance” was but fair and “Without That Gal” was not so good. (David Bratton, The Brooklyn Daily Times, October 6, 1931)


No.30 6th October 1931 (Tue)

*Never

*After You've Gone

 Malinda's Wedding Day (orchestra)

*At Your Command

 

No.31 7th October 1931 (Wed)

*Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

*You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me

 I Know That You Know (Orchestra)

*That's Why Darkies Were Born

 

No.32 8th October 1931 (Thu)

*Without A Song

*Kissable Baby

 Thou Swell (Orchestra)

*Sweet And Lovely

 

No.33 9th October 1931 (Fri)

*I'm Happy When You're Jealous

*Sugar

 The Woman In The  Shoe (orchestra) 

*Old Playmate

 

No.34 10th October 1931 (Sat)

*Honeysuckle Rose

*You Want Lovin' (But I Want Love)

 Don't Hold Everything (orchestra)

*Blues In My Heart

 

No.35 12th October 1931 (Mon)

*Old Playmate

*Life Is Just a Bowl Of Cherries

 Tonight Or Never (orchestra)

*Beautiful Love

*Now That You're Gone

 

No.36 13th October 1931 (Tue)

*I'm Sorry Dear

*I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five & Ten Cent Store)

 What Is It? (orchestra)

*All Alone

*Can't You See (How I Love You?)

 

No.37 14th October 1931 (Wed)

*Without A Song

*This Is The Missus

 Kissable Baby (orchestra)

*Auf Wiedersehn, My Dear

*I Apologize

 

No.38 15th October 1931 (Thu) 

*Dancing In The Dark

*Pardon Me, Pretty Lady

 It's Great To Be In Love (orchestra)

*For You

*I Surrender Dear

 

‘RADIO REPORTS’ Bing Crosby - Sustaining - WABC

‘Having been on the air around New York for two or three weeks, Publix thinks enough of Crosby to book him into the New York Paramount while RKO turned him down on the theory he isn't yet well enough known around this area to draw sufficiently to offset the salary he’s asking.  Both may be right.  Singer is due at the Publix Times Square spot Oct.31.

When Crosby first came to town, WABC had him warbling around 10:30 or 11 at night.  This hour was soon discarded for the more important period of 7 p.m. He follows in Mort Downey, also CBS and Russ Colombo, NBC, between which two, Crosby is mostly compared with the latter because both are baritones. Getting an earful of Crosby over a series of programs doesn’t leave much doubt that he’s not entirely at ease when delivering an unfamiliar song.  In other words, it sounds as though Crosby is best with established tunes which he has been able to study and work out for his style of delivery.  This may mean he’s at the mercy of the song publishers because of being on nightly and using up three or four songs a period.

Crosby’s best interpretation of a tune calls for special orchestrating and high grade variation of the melody of which his voice is capable.  He’s best with hot strings behind him although either Crosby or the studio evidently doesn’t think so because he’s changed orchestras during his WABC sojourn. If Crosby hasn’t his own arranger, he should get one and stay three or four programs ahead all the time.  Getting hold of a tune and being able to give it what he’s got, under the guidance of a note specialist, ought to make him a cinch for a commercial.  As currently routining it often sounds as if he were vocally fighting the songs of which he’s uncertain, thereby being forced to sing them straight and classing as just average when so limited.

Crosby was one third of Whiteman’s Rhythm Boys a few years ago. He since came to prominence on the coast and caused attention through his phonograph recordings.  If he can work out a schedule allowing him the same preparation for radio as for recording he’s a cinch for ether popularity despite his whistling which is open to debate because of following Downey with it.’

(‘Variety’ October 1931)      

 

No.39 16th October 1931 (Fri)

*River, Stay 'Way From My Door

*Dinah

 I Know That You Know (orchestra)

*The Sweetheart Of Sigma Chi

*I Kiss Your Hand, Madame

 

No.40 17th October 1931 (Sat)

*When It's Sleepy Time Down South

*Louise

 The Cutest Kid In Town (orchestra)

*Sleep, Sleep, Sleep

*It Must Be True

 

No.41 19th October 1931 (Mon)

*Just  One More Chance

*Without That Gal!

 Bend Down, Sister (orchestra)

*Many Happy Returns Of The Day

*Guilty

   

No.42 20th October 1931 (Tue)  

*As Time Goes By

*Sweet Sue, Just You

 I Don't Want Love (orchestra)

*Call Me Darling (Call Me Sweetheart, Call Me Dear)

*It's Love

 

No.43 21st October 1931 (Wed)

*Out Of Nowhere

*You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me

 Can't You See (orchestra)

*Always

*Goodnight Sweetheart

 

No.44 22nd October 1931 (Thu)

The Brooklyn Daily Times lists:

*At Your Command

*What Is It?

 Help Yourself To Happiness

*Why Dance?

*Never

But there could have been a different broadcast for the West Coast.

*It Had To Be You

*In A Japanese Garden

*Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

*Sleepy Time Down South

 

Bing Crosby, baritone, will revive a few old songs, "It Had to Be You," "In a Japanese Garden," "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" and "Sleepy Time Down South," in answer to requests from his California listeners during his program tomorrow at 4:00 over KHJ-CBS.

(Gene Inge, Los Angeles Evening Herald, 21st October, 1931)


No.45 23rd October 1931 (Fri)

*A Faded Summer Love

*One More Time

 Even As You And I (orchestra)

*Falling In Love Again

*Time On My Hands

 

No.46 24th October 1931 (Sat)

*When It's Sleepy Time Down South

*Love Letters In The Sand

 You Didn't Know The Music (I Didn't Know The Words) (orchestra)

*My Lips Tell the World It's Over

*I Wouldn't Change You For The World

 

No.47 26th October 1931 (Mon)

*My Song

*Kissable Baby

 As Time Goes By (orchestra)

*You're In Everybody's Arms

*I Don't Know Why

  

No.48 27th October 1931 (Tue)

*Stardust

*It Had To Be You

 Time On My Hands (orchestra)

*Love Came Into My Heart

*I'll See You In My Dreams

 

No.49 28th October 1931 (Wed)

*Sweet And Lovely

*I Idolize My Baby's Eyes

 It's The Darndest Thing (orchestra)

*The Kiss Waltz

*I Cried For You

  

No.50 29th October 1931 (Thu)  

*What Price Love? 

*Take Your Time

 You've Got A Lease On My Heart (orchestra)

*You're My Everything

*You Didn't Know The Music (I Didn't Know The Words)

 

No.51 30th October 1931 (Fri)

*Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

*Honeysuckle Rose

 This Is The Missus (orchestra) 

*The Kiss That You've Forgotten

*I'm Thru With Love

 

Bing Crosby, one of today’s emperors of croondom, gave good account of himself on WABC at 7 last night. I liked the way he sang the song “The Kiss that You’ve Forgotten.”

(Ben Gross, Daily News (New York), October 31, 1931)


No.52 31st October 1931 (Sat)

*Blues In My Heart

*Louise

 Singing The Blues (orchestra)

*Goodnight Sweetheart

*The More You Hurt Me

 

‘PRESENTING 15 MINUTES WITH BING CROSBY’

 

INDEX 1 – Lists, alphabetically the songs or musical items in which Bing Crosby participated



After You've Gone 30

All Alone 36

All Of Me 25

Always 43

As Time Goes By 9, 21, 42

At Your Command 16, 30, 44

Auf Wiedersehn, My Dear 37

 

Beautiful Love 35

Begging For Love 7

Blue Kentucky Moon 18

Blues In My Heart 34, 52

 

Call Me Darling (Call Me Sweetheart, Call Me Dear) 42

Can't You See (How I Love You?) 36

Concentratin' On You 23


Dancing In The Dark 3, 28, 38

Dinah 14, 39

Don't Ask Me Why 15

 

Every Little Movement Has A Meaning Of Its Own 18


Faded Summer Love, A 45

Falling In Love Again 45

Fool Me Some More 21

For You 14, 25, 38


Goodnight Sweetheart 28, 43, 52

Guilty 8, 20, 41

 

Honeysuckle Rose 34, 51

Hour Of Parting, The 8

 

I Apologize 2, 24, 37

I Can't Get Mississippi Off My Mind 16

I Cried For You 27, 49

I Don’t Know Why 7, 12, 22,47

I Found A Million Dollar Baby 1, 17, 36

I Idolize My Baby's Eyes 49

I Kiss Your Hand, Madame 18, 39

I Surrender Dear 4, 38

If I Could Be With You 27

I'll See You In My Dreams 48

I’m All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart 9

I'm Happy When You're Jealous 33

I’m Through With Love 1, 19, 51                                         

I'm Sorry Dear 36

I’m With You 10, 29

I Need Loving 11, 24

I Wouldn't Change You For The World 26, 46

In A Dream 26

In A Japanese Garden 44

It Had To Be You 13, 44, 48

It Must Be True 40

It's Love 14, 42

 

Just One More Chance 1, 11, 22, 29, 41


Kiss That You've Forgotten, The 17, 51

Kiss Waltz, The 49

Kissable Baby 32, 47


Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries 28, 35

Louise 40, 52

Love Came Into My Heart 48

Love Letters In The Sand 46

Lucky Seven 2


Makin' Faces At The Man In The Moon 15

Many Happy Returns Of The Day 4, 41

More You Hurt Me, The 52

My Lips Tell The World It's Over 46

My Song 29, 47


Never 13, 30, 44

Nobody's Sweetheart 20

Now That You're Gone 27, 35

Now That You're Mine 3


Old Playmate 10, 19, 33, 35

One More Time 45

Out Of Nowhere 2, 43

 

Pardon Me, Pretty Baby 5, 38

 

River, Stay ‘Way From My Door 9, 25, 39

 

Shine On Harvest Moon 5, 23

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep 40

Someday I'll Find You 7, 12

Star Dust 11, 48

Sugar 33

Sweet Sue, Just You 42       

Sweet And Lovely 10, 21, 32, 49

Sweetheart Of Sigma Chi, The 39

 

Take It From Me 19

Take Your Time 50

That's Why Darkies Were Born 31

There's No Other Girl (After Loving You) 2

There's Nothing Too Good For My Baby 12

This Is The Missus 37

Three Little Words 4

Thrill Is Gone, The 16

Time On My Hands 24, 45

Tonight Or Never 15


What Is It? 5, 23, 44

What Price Love? 50

When It's Sleepy Time Down South 26, 40, 44, 46

When Yuba Plays The Rumba On The Tuba 3, 13

Why Dance? 20, 44

Without A Song 32, 37

Without That Gal! 8, 29, 41

Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams 17, 31, 44, 51


You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me 31, 43

You Can't Stop Me From Loving You 22

You Didn't Know The Music (I Didn't Know The Words 50

You Want Lovin' (But I Want Love) 34

You're In Everybody's Arms 47

You're My Everything 50


‘PRESENTING 15 MINUTES WITH BING CROSBY’


Index 2 - Lists, alphabetically, the musical items performed solely by the orchestra during the programmes.

As Time Goes By 47

Beautiful Love 11
Begging For Love 3
Bend Down, Sister 18, 41

Come To Me 8, 43
Cutest Kid In Town, The 40

Dancing In The Dark 9
Dancing Tambourine 19
Don't Hold Everything 34

Even As You And I 45

Happy Feet 25
Help Yourself To Happiness 21, 44
High And Low 13
How's Your Uncle 5

I Don't Want Love 42
I Idolize My Baby's Eyes 22
I Found A Million Dollar Baby 7
I Know That You Know 31, 39
In A Dream 10
Is This The Music Of Love? 14
It's A Long Time Between Kisses 16
It's Great To Be In Love 38
It's The Darndest Thing 49

Kissable Baby 37
Limehouse Blues, 26
Little Girl 27
Lucky Seven 24

Makin' Faces At The Man In The Moon 4
Malinda's Wedding Day 30

Nobody Loves No Baby 29

Singing The Blues 52
Strike Up The Band 23

There's No Other Girl (After Loving You) 15
This Is The Missus 51
Thou Swell 32
Thrill Is Gone, The 12
Time On My Hands 48
Tonight Or Never 35
Two Heads In The Moonlight 17

What Is It? 36
Wildrose 28
Woman In The Shoe, The 20, 33

You Didn't Know The Music (I Didn't Know The Words) 46
You've Got A Lease On My Heart 50

 

BING CROSBY - CREMO SINGER

Bing’s fifteen minute sustaining series for CBS, ‘Presenting 15 Minutes With Bing Crosby’ had pitted his talents against the top ranked, ‘Amos ‘N’ Andy’ show and in spite of a $3000 a week price tag, sponsors were showing more than a passing interest in the young singer.  The tab was picked up by the American Tobacco Company and rather than Lucky Strike cigarettes, the president, George Washington Hill, chose to promote another of the Company’s products, Cremo Cigars. 

The fifteen minute programme was moved up a quarter of an hour from 7.00 to 7.15 p.m. Eastern time,  to avoid competing with ‘Amos ‘N’ Andy’,  with a second ‘live’ broadcast at 11.00 p.m. to catch prime time listeners on the West coast.

It is regrettable that so few examples of the series, survive, as air time was used to its maximum advantage, to provide an ideal showcase for the emergent crooner. Naturally, the commercials were obliged to make their intrusions but there was no ‘chat’, simply brief introductions and titles.  Crosby sang two songs, followed by an orchestral item, and closed with another song.

 

No. 1  2nd November 1931  

*Sleepy Time Down South

*I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five & Ten Cent Store)

  Sweet And Lovely                                                       Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Apologise

*Always

 

Bing Crosby is scheduled to begin his new series of night-time broadcasts over the Columbia network on Monday, November 2. The hour is 8 o'clock, P.S.T. However, since the opening night is Monday, and since the Blue Monday Jamboree has the 8 o'clock spot it is a certainty that Bing's opening night for us will be Tuesday, November 3.
(Ray De O'Fan, Los Angeles Examiner, 26th October, 1931)

 

Baritone Bing Crosby begins a new series of programs tonight, sponsored by the people who put Arthur Pryor's band on the air. But Bing Crosby appears at 8pm, and in the west this period on Mondays can mean only one thing - the Blue Monday Jamboree. Station KHJ promises the Crosby-loving public that it will take his programs every other night except Sundays. With Crosby's new program, a new orchestra, under direction of Carl Fenton, makes its debut on the air. Favorite at eastern society functions and college parties, Fenton has been recording music for 11 years, promises big support for Crosby.

(Kenneth Frogley, Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News, 2nd. November, 1931)


Bing Crosby turned commercial last evening and neither bettered nor changed his usual performance. There can be no question but that in Crosby WABC has a real attraction as a singer. Somehow we do not care for all of his arrangements, but at least he is entertaining. This was especially true with “Million Dollar Baby,” although “I Apologize” was very well done. David Ross was much better with this new program than his forced announcing on the sponsor’s prior efforts.

(David Bratton, Brooklyn Times Union, November 3, 1931)


No. 2  3rd November 1931     

*Just One More Chance

*Blue Kentucky Moon

  Medley from "Band Wagon"                                             Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Don't Know Why

 

"8 pm KHJ Bing Crosby - (CBS) has moved up to make more hearts miss a beat.  With the moving of Bing Crosby from a four o'clock spot to eight at night, those of his West Coast audience who work days will let out a cheer.  With this change should come an initial programme well worth hearing if you are an admirer of his type of ballad singing.  This, also is on KHJ's schedule."

("Los Angeles Times" 3rd November 1931)

 

You who mourned when Bing Crosby's programs were changed to an afternoon hour may smile now in earnest. Bing not only returns at night, but on a sponsored broadcast so that there will be no change in his schedule for some time at least. He is to be heard every evening except Sunday and Monday at 8 over KHJ.
(Zuma Palmer, Hollywood Daily Citizen, 3rd November 1931)

 

No. 3  4th November 1931   

*Time On My Hands

*Can't You See (How I Love You?)

  Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries                                            Carl Fenton Orchestra

*You Didn't Know The Music

 

No. 4  5th November 1931 

*My Song

*Shine On Harvest Moon

  Medley from "The Laugh Parade"                                         Carl Fenton Orchestra

*River, Stay 'Way From My Door

 

No. 5  6th November 1931 

*At Your Command

*Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

  Bend Down, Sister                                                                Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I'm Through With Love

 

No. 6  7th November 1931  

*Guilty                                                                        (a)

*Kissable Baby                                                           (a)

  It's The Darndest Thing                                                         Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Cried For You                                                        (a)

 

Note

(a)        PP-4 "Personalities On Parade Volume 4"

            Spokane 1 - "Bing Crosby - On The Air"

            Totem LP1008  - "Bing Crosby - On The Air"

           

No. 7  9th November 1931   (a)

*Now That You're Gone                                                       

*This Is The Missus                                                   

  Hiding In The Shadows Of The Moon                                   Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Goodnight,  Sweetheart                                                       

 

Note

(a)    The complete programme was issued on PP-2 "Personalities On Parade Volume 2"

 

“Certified Cremo Cigar Company must have stepped high to corral Bing Crosby, the rage of the radio hour, for their WABC broadcast.  But, judging by his work, he's worth it.  This must be a tough week for him, however, for he is doing four shows a day at the Paramount Theatre which, on top of his radio work in the evening, puts a heavy strain on his voice. Monday night, when caught, he showed no effects of hard usage, however, his tones being clear and vibrant as ever. On the air Monday night he used, "Now That You're Gone", "Then She's Mine” (sic) and “Goodnight, Sweetheart".  All these he threw off in the manner that has brought him forward so fast in the favor of the public. It is highly individual, belongs to him alone and he need stand in no fear of competition, because, while he may have imitators, there will be only one Bing Crosby.”

(Variety, November 10, 1931)

 

No. 8  10th November 1931     

*As Time Goes By

*Dinah

  Wedding March from Lohengrin (Wagner)                              Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Surrender, Dear

 

No. 9  11th November 1931   

*What Price Love

*Nobody's Sweetheart

  Medley from "The Cat And The Fiddle"                                  Carl Fenton Orchestra

*You Try Somebody Else And I'll Try Somebody Else

(We'll Be Back Together Again)

 

No. 10  12th November 1931

*Is This The Music Of Love?

*The Little Old Church In The Valley

  Right Across The Way                                                            Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I'm Sorry Dear

 

No. 11 13th November 1931 

*A Faded Summer Love

*Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries

  I Promise You                                                                         Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Why Did It Have To Be Me?

 

No. 12  14th November 1931 

*When It's Sleepy Time Down South

*I'm For You One Hundred Percent

  By The Sycamore Tree                                                           Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Kiss Your Hand, Madame

 

No. 13  16th November 1931   

*Sweet And Lovely

*An Evening In Caroline

  Love Letters In The Sand                                                       Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Apologise

 

No. 14  17th November 1931

*Many Happy Returns Of The Day

*It's The Darndest Thing

  You Try Somebody Else And I'll Try Somebody Else                                                                    

                                    (We'll Be Back Together Again)           Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Kiss Me Goodnight (Not Goodbye)

 

"8 pm KHJ - Bing Crosby sings 'Many Happy Returns Of The Day'; 'It's The Darndest Thing' and 'Kiss Me Goodnight Not Goodbye'"

("Los Angeles Times" 17th November 1931)

 

No. 15  18th November 1931

*Old Playmate

*On Miami Shore

  Music In My Fingers                                                              Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Star Dust

 

No. 16  19th November 1931 

 *Too Late

*I'm With You

  Tonight Or Never                                                                  Carl Fenton Orchestra

*You're My Everything

 

"KHJ 8pm tonight - Bing Crosby will sing 'Too Late'; 'I'm With You' and 'You're My Everything' - good for waning or budding romances!"

("Los Angeles Times" 19th November 1931)

 

No. 17  20th November 1931    

*With A Song In My Heart

*Believe Me

  I Can't Write The Words                                                       Carl Fenton Orchestra

*When The Rest Of The Crowd Goes Home 

 

No. 18  21st November 1931   

*Without A Song

*Some Of These Days

  The Cutest Kid In Town                                                        Carl Fenton Orchestra

*With Love In My Heart

 

No. 19  23rd November 1931 

*My Song

*Lucille

  Medley from "A Connecticut Yankee"                                   Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Can't We Be Friends?

 

No. 20  24th November 1931 

*Beautiful Love

*What Is It?

  Save The Last Dance For Me                                                Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Call Me Darling (Call Me Sweetheart, Call Me Dear)

 

No. 21  25th November 1931 

*What Did You Do With It?

*Ain't Misbehavin'

  This Is My Love Song                                                            Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Blue Kentucky Moon

 

"8 pm KHJ - Bing Crosby (CBS) will sing 'What Did You Do With It'; Ain't Misbehavin' and 'Blue Kentucky Moon' - Some folks just swoon with romance at times like this!"

("Los Angeles Times" 25th November 1931)

 

No. 22  26th November 1931 

*I'm Thankful

*Oh! Miss Hannah

  My Paradise                                                                          Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Home (When Shadows Fall)

 

No. 23  27th November 1931 

*A Faded Summer Love

*You Took Advantage Of Me

  Medley from the "Music Box Revues"                                   Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Goodnight, Sweetheart

 

No. 24  28th November 1931 

*River Stay 'Way From My Door

*Every Little Movement

  There's A Ring Around The Moon                                        Carl Fenton Orchestra

*One Of Us Was Wrong

 

No. 25  30th November 1931   

*I Apologise

*Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea

  I'll Always Remember September                                          Carl Fenton Orchestra

*S'posin'

 

No. 26  1st December 1931  

*When The Rest Of The Crowd Goes Home

*I've Got Five Dollars

  A Kiss In The Dark                                                              Carl Fenton Orchestra

*You Try Somebody Else And I'll Try Somebody Else

                                     (We'll Be Back Together Again)

 

No. 27  2nd December 1931 

*Time On My Hands

*This The Missus

  Underneath The Stars With You                                           Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Wonder Who's Under The Moon With Her Tonight

 

No. 28  3rd December 1931 

*When It's Sleepy Time Down South

*Sweet Sue

  Cuban Love Song                                                               Carl Fenton Orchestra

*June Night

 

No. 29  4th December 1931 

*Now That You're Gone

*My Honey's Lovin' Arms

  The Kashmiri Song (From 'Four Indian Love Lyrics')           Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Reaching For The Moon

 

No. 30  5th December 1931 

*As Time Goes By                                                      (a)       

*Somebody Loves Me

  Song Of Happiness                                                             Carl Fenton Orchestra

*My Consolation

 

Note

(a)        Spokane 1 - "Bing Crosby - On The Air"

            Totem LP1008  - "Bing Crosby - On The Air"

 

No. 31  7th December 1931 

*At Your Command

*Who's Your Little Who-zis?

  Medley from "Lady Be Good"                                               Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Cuban Love Song

 

No. 32  8th December 1931 

*My Song

*Ooh! That Kiss

  April Showers                                                                      Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Call Me Darling (Call Me Sweetheart, Call Me Dear)

 

…Another shot in the right direction bagged Bing "Bang" Crosby, one of the better baritones, begging by way of WABC for someone to “Call Me Darling." As you probably have heard, this fair-haired lad of the melody world is the king pin of the baritones (or is it Russ Columbo?) and his style is unique (besides Columbo). He never does (or hardly ever does) a song as it is written, but improvises a few notes of his own. He roams all over the scale for an effect that is odd but pleasing, perhaps because of its novelty.

(David Bratton, Brooklyn Times Union, December 9, 1931)


No. 33  9th December 1931 

*Blues In My Heart

*The Little Old Church In The Valley

  Memories                                                                             Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Goodnight, Sweetheart

 

No. 34  10th December 1931 

*I Promise You

*Ida

  She's So Nice                                                                       Carl Fenton Orchestra

*A Faded Summer Love

 

No. 35  11th December 1931 

*As Time Goes By

*Love Letters In The Sand

  Doin' The New York                                                            Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Save The Last Dance For Me


No. 36  12th December 1931 

*Old Playmate

*You Forgot Your Gloves

  Jeannine, I Dream OfLilac Time                                           Carl Fenton Orchestra

*You Try Somebody Else And I'll Try Somebody Else

                                    (We'll Be Back Together Again)

 

No. 37  14th December 1931 

*River Stay 'Way From My Door

*Honest, Really, Truly

  Swanee                                                                                Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Save The Last Dance For Me

 

No. 38  15th December 1931 

*Many Happy Returns Of The Day

*It Had To Be You

  Who'll Buy My Violets                                                          Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Lies

 

No. 39  16th December 1931

*Now That You're Gone

*It's The Darndest Thing

  Two Loves Have I                                                                Carl Fenton Orchestra

*You Didn't Know The Music

 

"8 pm KHJ Bing Crosby sings, 'Now That You're Gone', 'It's The Darndest Thing' and 'You Didn't Know The Music'" 

("Los Angeles Times" 16th December 1931)

 

No. 40  17th December 1931 

 *I Kiss Your Hand, Madame

*An Evening In Caroline

  When Day Is Done                                                               Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Cried For You

 

No. 41  18th December 1931

*Without A Song

*I'm For You One Hundred Percent

  Sugar                                                                                    Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Melody Of Love

 

No. 42  19th December 1931 

 *Star Dust

*Shine On Harvest Moon

  Marta (Rambling Rose Of The Wild Wood)                           Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Goodnight, Sweetheart

 

No. 43  21st December 1931    

*Time On My Hands

*Who's Your Little Who-zis?

  Medley: The Love Nest; Whispering; Avalon                         Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Met Her On The Boulevard

 

No. 44  22nd December 1931 

*I'm Sorry Dear

*I Might Have Known

  I Can't Write The Words                                                       Carl Fenton Orchestra

*How Can You Say You Love Me?

 

No. 45  23rd December 1931

*A Faded Summer Love

*Nobody's Sweetheart

  Medley from "The Cat And The Fiddle"                                 Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Out Of Nowhere

 

No. 46  24th December 1931  

*My Song

*Under The Mistletoe

  Christmas Carol                                                                     Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Home (When Shadows Fall)

 

No. 47  25th December 1931 

*When It's Sleepy Time Down South

*Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries

  One Little Quarrel                                                                 Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Can't We Be Friends?

 

No. 48  26th December 1931 

*What Did You Do With It?

*Walkin' On Air

  Love Goes On Just The Same                                               Carl Fenton Orchestra

*You're My Everything

 

No. 49  28th December 1931 

*Can't We Talk It Over?

*Why Did It Have To Be Me?

  Deep Water                                                                          Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Surrender Dear

 

No. 50  29th December 1931 

*With A Song In My Heart

*It's The Darndest Thing

  El Choclo                                                                             Carl Fenton Orchestra

*When We're Alone (Penthouse Serenade)

 

No. 51  30th December 1931 

*Too Late

*I've Got Five Dollars

  When Hearts Are Young                                                       Carl Fenton Orchestra

*You Taught Me How To Love You, Now Teach Me To Forget

 

No. 52  31st December 1931 

*Beautiful Love

*Some Of These Days

  You Try Somebody Else And I'll Try Somebody Else

                                    (We'll Be Back Together Again)            Carl Fenton Orchestra

*You Didn't Know The Music

 

No. 53  1st January 1932 

*I'm Thankful

*It Had To Be You

  I Promise You                                                                         Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Here Is My Heart

 

No. 54  2nd January 1932 

*Save The Last Dance For Me

*Ooh! That Kiss

  Medley from the "Music Box Revues"                                     Carl Fenton Orchestra

*My Woman

 

No. 55  4th January 1932 

*Fate Introduced Me To You

*Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea

  I Wouldn't Change You For The World                                  Carl Fenton Orchestra

*All Of Me

 

No. 56  5th January 1932  

*Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

*Goodnight Moon                                                                 

  Medley: Do It Again; Kalua                                                   Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Found You

 

No. 57  6th January 1932 

*What Did You Do With It?

*I've Got Five Dollars

  Medley from "Oh, Kay!"                                                       Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Tell Me With A Love Song

 

No. 58  7th January 1932 

*Oh! What A Thrill (To Hear It From You)

*Some Of These Days

  Pagan Moon                                                                          Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Surrender Dear

 

No. 59  8th January 1932  

*When It's Sleepy Time Down South

*You Took Advantage Of Me

Medley:                                                                                   Carl Fenton Orchestra

  I'm Always Chasing Rainbows;       

  Look For The Silver Lining 

                                               

*Here Is My Love Song

 

No. 60  9th January 1932 

*Just One More Chance

*An Evening In Caroline

  Just Friends                                                                            Carl Fenton Orchestra

*An Old-Fashioned Girl 

 

No. 61  11th January 1932 

*Star Dust

*Concentratin' On You

  Medley from "Sari"                                                                Carl Fenton Orchestra

*How Long Will It Last?

 

No. 62  12th January 1932

*I'm Sorry Dear

*My Happiness

  All Of Me                                                                              Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Meet Me Tonight, Dear Old Pal

 

No. 63  13th January 1932

*Too Late

*Why Did It Have To Be Me?

  In The Shadows                                                                    Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Save The Last Dance For Me

 

No. 64  14th January 1932

*River Stay 'Way From My Door

*Who's Your Little Who-zis?

  Fate Introduced Me To You                                                 Carl Fenton Orchestra

*The More You Hurt Me

 

No. 65  15th January 1932

*You Try Somebody Else And I'll Try Somebody Else

                                    (We'll Be Back Together Again)

*I Wouldn't Change You For The World

  The Kashmiri Song (From 'Four Indian Love Lyrics")             Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Call Me Darling (Call Me Sweetheart, Call Me Dear)


8 p.m. – KHJ. Bing Crosby (CBS). If he has weathered a severe cold he will sing “You Try Somebody Else,” “I Wouldn’t Change You for the World,” and “Call Me Darling.”

(Los Angeles Times, January 15, 1932)

 

No. 66  16th January 1932

*Can't We Talk It Over

*When Nobody Else Is Around

  As Time Goes By                                                                  Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Found You

 

No. 67  18th January 1932

*Starlight (Help Me Find The One I Love)

*I'm Only Guessin'

  Medley from "Showboat" - Why Do I Love You;

                                    Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man                  Carl Fenton Orchestra

*On Miami Shore


No. 68  19th January 1932

*I Kiss Your Hand, Madame

*"Leven Pounds Of Heaven

  When Day Is Done                                                                 Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Somewhere In The West

 

No. 69  20th January 1932

*A Faded Summer Love

*Gotta Go To Town

  Kiss By Kiss                                                                          Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Auf Wiedersehn, My Dear

 

No. 70  21st January 1932

*Oh! What A Thrill (To Hear It From You)

*You're Fooling Yourself

  Unknown instrumental                                                             Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Beautiful Melody Of Love

 

CBS Chatter: Bing Crosby has written the lyrics of "Beautiful Melody of Love," a new popular tune.
(Ralph L. Power, Los Angeles Record, 30th December, 1931)

No. 71  22nd January 1932

*All Of Me

*Take Your Time

  Medley from "No, No, Nanette"                                              Carl Fenton Orchestra

*One More Kiss Then Goodnight

 

No. 72  23rd January 1932

*Can't We Talk It Over

*Lily Of The Valley

  Dancing On The Ceiling                                                            Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Out Of Nowhere

 

No. 73  25th January 1932

*Fate Introduced Me To You

*That's Living

  Just So                                                                                    Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Cuban Love Song

 

No. 74  26th January 1932

*Old Playmate

*My Honey's Lovin' Arms

  As Time Goes By                                                                    Carl Fenton Orchestra

*You Taught Me How To Love You, Now Teach Me To Forget

 

No. 75  27th January 1932

*Just Friends

*Thank You, Mr. Moon

  Too Late                                                                                  Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Love You Funny Thing

 

No. 76  28th January 1932

*My Woman

*Nobody's Sweetheart

  Snuggled On Your Shoulder                                                     Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Melody Of Love

 

A survey made by Variety representing nation-wide opinion results in the naming of 11 stars as the 1931 crop of radio entertainers that attained the heights.

They are the Boswell Sisters, Bing Crosby, Russ Columbo, Mills Brothers, Goldbergs (Gertrude Berg), Eddie Cantor, Walter Winchell, Guy Lombardo, Ben Bernie, Cab Calloway and Sisters of the Skillet.

Despite Bing Crosby’s rating, it is rumored that he is slated to be dropped by his sponsor late next month. This action on the part of the sponsor is thought to be caused partially by a peeve resulting from a kidding given by Colonel Stoopnagle and Budd about the 10 o’clock dance hour on the NBC sponsored by the same tobacco firm.

(Dorothy Doran, The Akron Beacon Journal, January 28, 1932)


No. 77  29th January 1932

*Now That I Have You

*Kiss By Kiss

  Underneath The Stars WithYou                                               Carl Fenton Orchestra

*When We're Alone (Penthouse Serenade)

 

No. 78  30th January 1932

*My Song

*Sometime In Summer Time

  The Song Of The Bayou                                                          Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Because I Worship You

 

No. 79  1st February 1932

*Can't We Talk It Over

*One Of Us Was Wrong

  Can This Be Love?                                                                  Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Goodnight Moon

 

No. 80  2nd February 1932

*Starlight (Help Me Find The One I Love)

*Was That The Human Thing To Do?

  Daybreak                                                                                Carl Fenton Orchestra

*How Can You Say You Love Me?

 

No. 81  3rd February 1932

*With A Song In My Heart

*I'll See You In My Dreams

  Without You                                                                           Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Found You


8 p.m. – KHJ. Bing Crosby reaches for your heart (if it is romantic) with “Great Day” and “I’ll See You in My Dreams.

(Los Angeles Times, February 3, 1932)

 

No. 82  4th February 1932

*Love You Funny Thing

*Ain't Misbehavin'

  How Long Will It Last?                                                           Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Cuban Love Song

 

No. 83  5th February 1932

*Just Friends

*There's Something In Your Eyes                                         

  A Cottage Small By The Waterfall                                          Carl Fenton Orchestra

*All Of Me

 

No. 84  6th February 1932

*My Woman

*Snuggled On Your Shoulder

  Medley from "Oh, Kay!"                                                        Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Beautiful Melody Of Love

 

No. 85  8th February 1932

*Oh! What A Thrill (To Hear It From You)

*When Nobody Else Is Around

  Medley: The Wooden Soldier; The China Doll                        Carl Fenton Orchestra

*How Long Will It Last?

 

No. 86  9th February 1932

*Home On The Range

*I Wouldn't Change You For The World

  What Is This Thing Called Love?                                            Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Found You

 

No. 87  10th February 1932

 *Fate Introduced Me To You

*She Didn't Say 'Yes', She Didn't Say 'No'

  Auf Wiedersehn, My Dear                                                     Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Don't Suppose

 

No. 88  11th February 1932

*Starlight (Help Me Find The One I Love)

*Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea

  Medley from "The Student Prince"                                          Carl Fenton Orchestra

*My Consolation

 

No. 89  12th February 1932

*By The Light Of The Silvery Moon

*I'm Only Guessin'

  When We're Alone (Penthouse Serenade)                               Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Two Loves Have I

 

No. 90  13th February 1932

*Love You Funny Thing

*Yes, You!

  Home (When Shadows Fall)                                                   Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Where Are You (Girl Of My Dreams)

 

No. 91  15th February 1932

*Dancing On The Ceiling

*You're My Everything

  The Sun's In My Heart                                                            Carl Fenton Orchestra

*All Of Me

 

No. 92  16th February 1932

*Can't We Talk It Over?

*That's Living

  Two Loves Have I                                                                   Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Kiss Me Goodnight (Not Goodbye)

 

No. 93  17th February 1932

*One Of Us Was Wrong

*'Leven Pounds Of Heaven

  Ramona                                                                                  Carl Fenton Orchestra

*My Hideaway

 

No. 94  18th February 1932

*It Happened To Me

*Was That The Human Thing To Do?

  My Consolation                                                                      Carl Fenton Orchestra

*How Long Will It Last?

 

Bing Crosby, who is singing at the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre, does not use the studio there as did Vallee, the Mills Brothers and Columbo, but hops over to Manhattan for his WABC program at 7:15 and again for his repeat for the Far West at 11 each evening.

(David Bratton, Brooklyn Times Union, February 18, 1932)


No. 95  19th February 1932

*I Forgive You

*Some Of These Days

  Rackety-Coo!                                                                        Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Auf Wiedersehn, My Dear

 

No. 96  20th February 1932

*Love You Funny Thing

*Snuggled On Your Shoulder

  Rain On The Roof                                                                  Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Beautiful Melody Of Love

 

No. 97  22nd February 1932

*What A Life!

*Kiss By Kiss

  Medley from "New Moon"                                                     Carl Fenton Orchestra

*There's Something In Your Eyes

 

No. 98  23rd February 1932

*Just Friends

*Downhearted

  By The Sycamore Tree                                                         Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Home On The Range

 

No. 99  24th February 1932

*Home On The Range

*Dinah

  Many Happy Returns Of The Day                                         Carl Fenton Orchestra

*When We're Alone (Penthouse Serenade)

 

No. 100  25th February 1932

*Starlight (Help Me Find The One I Love)

*I'm Only Guessin'

  Drums In My Heart                                                                Carl Fenton Orchestra

*I Can't Believe That It's You

 

No. 101  26th February 1932

*Can't We Talk It Over?

*Thank You, Mr. Moon

  Medley from "The Cat And The Fiddle"                                  Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Dream Sweetheart

 

No. 102  27th February 1932

*A Mender Of Broken Hearts

*Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea

  Was That The Human Thing To Do                                        Carl Fenton Orchestra

*Kiss Me Goodnight (Not Goodbye)

 

BING CROSBY CREMO SINGER INDEX 1

 

INDEX 1 – Lists, alphabetically the songs or musical items in which Bing Crosby participated

 

Ain’t Misbehavin’ 21, 82

All Of Me 55, 71, 83, 91

Always 1

As Time Goes By 8, 30, 35

At Your Command 5, 31

Auf Wiedersehn, My Dear 69, 95

 

Beautiful Love 20, 52

Beautiful Melody Of Love 70, 84, 96

Because I Worship You 78

Believe Me 17

Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea 25, 55, 88, 102

Blue Kentucky Moon 2, 21

Blues In My Heart 33

By The Light Of The Silvery Moon 89

 

Call Me Darling (Call Me Sweetheart, Call Me Dear) 20, 32, 65

Can’t We Be Friends? 19, 47

Can’t We Talk It Over? 49, 66, 72, 79, 92, 101

Can’t You See (How I Love You?) 3

Concentratin’ On You 61

Cuban Love Song 31, 73, 82

 

Dancing On The Ceiling 91

Dinah 8, 99

Downhearted 98

Dream Sweetheart 101

 

Evening In Caroline, An 13, 40, 60

Every Little Movement 24

 

Faded Summer Love, A 11, 23, 34, 45, 69

Fate Introduced Me To You 55, 73, 87

 

Goodnight Moon 56, 79

Goodnight, Sweetheart 7, 23, 33, 42

Gotta Go To Town 69

Guilty 6

 

Here Is My Heart 53

Here is My Love Song 59

Home (When Shadows Fall) 22, 46

Home On The Range 86, 98, 99

Honest, Really, Truly 37

How Can You Say You Love Me? 44, 80

How Long Will It Last? 61, 85, 94

 

I Apologise 1, 13, 25

I Can’t Believe That It’s You 100

I Cried For You 6, 40

Ida 34

I Don’t Know Why 2

I Don’t Suppose 87

I Forgive You 95

I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five & Ten Cent Store) 1

I Found You 56, 66, 81, 86

I Kiss Your Hand Madame 12, 40, 68

I’ll See You In My Dreams 81

I Met Her On The Boulevard 43

I’m For You One Hundred Per Cent 12, 41

I Might Have Known 44

I’m Only Guessin' 67, 89, 100

I’m Sorry Dear 10, 44, 62

I’m Thankful 22, 53

I’m Through With Love 5

I’m With You 16

I Promise You 34

Is This The Music Of Love? 10

I Surrender Dear 8, 49, 58

It Had To Be You 38, 53

It Happened To Me 94

It’s The Darndest Thing 14, 39, 50

I’ve Got Five Dollars 26, 51, 57

I Wonder Who’s Under The Moon With Her Tonight 27

I Wouldn’t Change You For The World 65, 86

 

June Night 28

Just Friends 75, 83, 98

Just One More Chance 2, 60

 

Kiss By Kiss 77, 97

Kiss Me Goodnight (Not Goodbye) 14, 92

Kissable Baby 6

 

‘Leven Pounds Of Heaven 68, 93

Lies 38

Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries 11, 47

Lily Of The Valley 72

Little Old Church In The Valley, The 10, 33

Love Letters In The Sand 35

Love, You Funny Thing 75, 82, 90, 96

Lucille 19

 

Many Happy Returns Of The Day 14, 38

Meet Me Tonight, Dear Old Pal 62

Melody Of Love 41, 76

Mender Of Broken Hearts, A 102

More You Hurt Me, The 64

My Consolation 30, 88

My Happiness 62

My Hideaway 93

My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms 29, 74

My Song 4, 19, 32, 46, 78

My Woman 54, 76, 84

 

Nobody’s Sweetheart 9, 45, 76

Now That I Have You 77

Now That You’re Gone 7, 29, 39

 

Oh! Miss Hannah 22

Oh! What A Thrill (To Hear It From You) 58, 70, 85

Old-Fashioned Girl, An 60

Old Playmate 15, 36, 74

On Miami Shore 15, 67

One More Kiss Then Goodnight 71

One Of Us Was Wrong 24, 79, 93

Ooh! That Kiss 32, 54

Out Of Nowhere 45, 72

 

Penthouse Serenade (See ‘When We’re Alone’)

 

Reaching For The Moon 29

River Stay ‘Way From My Door 4, 24, 37, 64

 

Save The Last Dance For Me 35, 37, 54, 63

She Didn’t Say ‘Yes’ She Didn’t Say ‘No’ 87

Shine On Harvest Moon 4, 42

Sleepy Time Down South 1

Snuggled On Your Shoulder 84, 96

Some Of These Days 18, 52, 58, 95

Somebody Loves Me 30

Sometime In The Summertime 78

Somewhere In The West 68

Star Dust 15, 42, 61

Starlight (Help Me Find The One I Love) 67, 80, 88, 100

S’posin’ 25

Sweet And Lovely 13

Sweet Sue 28

 

Take Your Time 71

Tell Me With A Love Song 57

Thank You, Mr. Moon 75, 101

That’s Living 73, 92

There’s Something In Your Eyes 83, 97

This Is The Missus 7, 27

Time On My Hands 3, 27, 43

Too Late 16, 51, 63

Two Loves Have I 89

 

Under The Mistletoe 46

 

Walkin’ On Air 48

Was That The Human Thing To Do? 80, 94

What A Life! 97

What Did You Do With It? 21, 48, 57

What Is It? 20

What Price Love 9

When It’s Sleepy Time Down South 12, 28, 47, 59

When Nobody Else Is Around 66, 85

When The Rest Of The Crowd Goes Home 17, 26

When We’re Alone (Penthouse Serenade) 50, 77, 99

Where Are You (Girl Of My Dreams) 90

Who’s Your Little Who-zis 31, 43, 64

Why Did It Have To Be Me? 11, 49, 63

With A Song In My Heart 17, 50, 81

With Love In My Heart 18

Without A Song 18, 41

Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams 5, 56

 

Yes, You! 90

You Didn’t Know The Music 3, 39, 52

You Forgot Your Gloves 36

You’re Fooling Yourself 70

You’re My Everything 16, 48, 91

You Taught Me How To Love You, Now Teach Me To Forget 51, 74

You Took Advantage Of Me 23, 59

You Try Somebody Else And I’ll Try Somebody Else 9, 26, 36, 65

 


BING CROSBY - CREMO SINGER - INDEX 2

Lists, alphabetically, the songs or musical items performed solely by guests during the programmes.

 

All Of Me 62 

April Showers 32       

As Time Goes By 66, 74

Auf Wiedersehn, My Dear 87

Avalon 43

           

‘Band Wagon’ Medley 2

Bend Down, Sister 5

By The Sycamore Tree 12, 98

 

Can’t Help LovinDat Man 67

Can This Be Love? 79

‘Cat And The Fiddle, The’ Medley 9, 45, 101

China Doll, The 85

Christmas Carol 46

Connecticut Yankee, A’ Medley 19

Cottage Small By The Waterfall, A 83

Cuban Love Song 28

Cutest Kid In Town, The 18

 

Dancing On The Ceiling 72

Daybreak 80

Deep Water 49

DoinThe New York 35

Do It Again 56

Drums In My Heart 100

 

El Choclo 50

 

Fate Introduced You To Me 64

 

Hiding In The Shadows Of The Moon 7

Home (When Shadows Fall) 90

How Long Will It Last? 82

 

I Can’t Write The Words 17, 44

I’ll Always Remember September 25

I’m Always Chasing Rainbows 59

In The Shadows 63

I Promise You 11, 53

It’s The Darndest Thing 6

I Wouldn’t Change You For The World 55

 

Jeannine, I Dream Of Lilac Time 36

Just Friends 60

Just So 73

 

Kalua 56

Kashmiri Song, The 29, 65

Kiss By Kiss 69

Kiss In The Dark, A 26

 

‘Lady Be Good’ Medley 31

‘Laugh Parade’ Medley 4

Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries 3

Look For The Silver Lining 59

Love Goes On Just The Same 48

Love Letters In The Sand 13

Love Nest, The 43

 

Many Happy Returns Of The Day 99

Marta (Rambling Rose Of The Wildwood) 42

Memories 33

‘Music Box Revues’ Medley 23, 54

Music In My Fingers 15

My Consolation 94

My Paradise 22

 

‘New Moon’ Medley 97

‘No, No Nanette’ Medley 71

 

‘Oh, Kay!’ Medley 57, 84

One Little Quarrel 47

 

Pagan Moon 58

Penthouse Serenade (See When We’re Alone)

Rackety-Coo! 95

Rain On The Roof 96

Ramona 93

Right Across The Way 10

 

‘Sari’ Medley 61

Save The Last Dance For Me 20

She’s So Nice 34

‘Showboat’ Medley 67

Snuggled On Your Shoulder 76

Song Of Happiness 30

Song Of The Bayou 78

Sugar 41

Sun’s In My Heart, The 91

‘Student Prince’ Medley 88

Swanee 37

Sweet And Lovely 1

There’s A Ring Around The Moon 24

This Is My Love Song 21

Tonight Or Never 16

Too Late 75

Two Loves Have I 39, 91

 

Underneath The Stars With You 27, 77

 

Was That The Human Thing To Do? 102

Wedding March from Lohengrin (Wagner) 8

What Is This Thing Called Love? 86

When Day Is Done 40, 68

When Hearts Are Young 51

When We’re Alone (Penthouse Serenade) 89

Whispering 43

Who’ll Buy My Violets? 38

Why Do I Love You? 67

Without You 81

Wooden Soldier, The 85

 

You Try Somebody Else And I’ll Try Somebody Else 14, 52


 

SUNDRY RADIO APPEARANCES 1932 -1933

 

After the completion of the Cremo series on February 27, 1932, Bing re-appeared with Freddie Rich’s Orchestra in unsponsored evening radio shows which were broadcast only three times a week as the previous daily radio shows had been taking too heavy a toll on Bing’s voice.  In April, he departed on tour with Eddie Lang and Lennie Hayton but he continued to give his radio shows from whichever city in which he was performing although the frequency was cut to just Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Bing reached Los Angeles in June and the shows were then broadcast on Mondays and Wednesdays from Station KNX which was located on the fringe of the Paramount lot.  Bing’s contract with CBS expired on July 15 and on July 18,  Bing was scheduled to broadcast but pulled out of the show an hour before it was due to go on the air, as fresh terms could not be agreed.  ‘Variety’ magazine covered it in their edition of July 26:

 

      Crosby walks out on CBS

      Hollywood, July 25th.  ‘Failing to get together on a new contract, Bing Crosby is currently divorced from CBS.  Crosby says he won't go on the air again until September at the earliest and after completion of his Paramount picture ‘Big Broadcast’ will go fishing off the coast of Mexico.  Singer and CBS called it quits by telegraph within an hour of a scheduled program Monday 18th. Crosby contract expired July 15th. With agreement Crosby would waive the raise called for in the option and take a 20% cut.  When contract arrived from New York, Crosby objected to clauses tabbing a high percentage for booking through CBS's artists' bureau and telegraph crossfire followed with the calling off of future broadcasts’.

 

Bing then appeared twice on the CBS 'California Melodies’ programme free of charge but did not do any more radio work until 1933 when he commenced the ‘Music That Satisfies’ programme.

     

The outline of his radio work during the period under review was:    


March 1 - July 15  Unsponsored 15 minute radio show for CBS.  Initially from New York with Freddie Rich's Orchestra, three nights a week. Bing then went on tour and he broadcast his show twice a week from each location. The only details we have are as follows:

 

April 4

*You're Still In My Heart

 If It Ain't Love                                                                     Freddie Rich Orchestra

*Lovable

 Sweet Georgia Brown                                                          Freddie Rich Orchestra

*Dream Sweetheart


April 7

*Home On The Range

 Dream Sweetheart                                                               Freddie Rich Orchestra

*My Honey's Lovin' Arms

 Twelfth Street Rag                                                               Freddie Rich Orchestra

*By The Fireside


April 8

*I Found You

 One Hour With You                                                            Freddie Rich Orchestra

*Was That The Human Thing To Do?

 Wabash Blues                                                                     Freddie Rich Orchestra

*My Mom


April 15 (from Detroit)

*My Woman

 By The Fireside                                                                  Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Say That You Were Teasing Me

 Tiger Rag                                                                           Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*You're Still In My Heart


April 27 (from Chicago)

*One Hour With You

 Kashmiri Love Song                                                            Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*I Know You're Lying, But I Love It

 Two Loves                                                                          Lennie Hayton Orchestra


May 10 (from station WAAB, Boston)

*By The Fireside

 Just A Cottage Small                                                            Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*In My Hideaway

 Medley from "No, No, Nanette"                                          Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Dream Sweetheart


May 11 (from station WAAB, Boston)

*Where Are You, Girl Of My Dreams

 Medley from "Girl Crazy"                                                      Lennie Hayton (piano)

*Hummin' To Myself

 Underneath The Stars                                                            Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Paradise


May 17 (from New Haven, Connecticut)

*Let's Try Again

 Goodbye Blues                                                                     Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*You Can Make My Life A Bed Ff Roses

 The Man I Love                                                                    Lennie Hayton (piano)

*Happy-Go-Lucky-You and Broken Hearted Me


May 18 (from New Haven, Connecticut)

*Home On The Range

 Kiss In The Dark                                                                    Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Sweet Georgia Brown

 Night                                                                                     Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Lazy Day

 

May 24 (from Chicago)

*Masquerade

 Goodbye Blues                                                                     Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Let's Have Another Cup Of Coffee

 Guitar Song                                                                           Eddie Lang

*By The Fireside


May 25 (from Chicago)

*The Night Shall Be Filled With Music

 You Can Make My Life A Bed Of Roses                              Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*My Extraordinary Gal

 Piano solo                                                                              Lennie Hayton (piano)

*Meet Me Tonight In My Dreams Sweetheart


June 7 (from St. Louis)

*My Silent Love

 Guitar Song                                                                           Eddie Lang

*Am I Wasting My Time?

 Hummin' to Myself                                                                 Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*My Woman


June 8 (from St. Louis)

*Lawd, You Made The Night Too Long

 Living In Dreams                                                                   Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Dinah

 Piano solo                                                                              Lennie Hayton (piano)

*Where Are You, Girl Of My Dreams


June 20 (from Los Angeles - the announcer is Lindsay MacHarrie)

*Cabin In The Cotton

 Piano solo                                                                              Lennie Hayton (piano)

*Sweet Georgia Brown

 Am I Wasting My Time?                                                        Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*My Silent Love


June 22 (from Los Angeles)

*Star Dust
 Living In Dreams                                                                    
Lennie Hayton Orchestra
*Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
 Orchestral number                                                                  
Lennie Hayton Orchestra
*Paradise


Bing Crosby this Wednesday will sing “Star Dust,” “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” and “Paradise.” (KHJ-KNX at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday.)

(Los Angeles Times, June 21, 1932)


June 27

*Three On A Match

*Hummin' To Myself

*Lullaby Of The Leaves


…the following of Bing Crosby will hear their favorite in the following repertoire: “Three on a Match,” “Hummin’ to Myself,” and “Lullaby of the Leaves.” Incidentally, Eddie Lang who picks a wicked guitar, is to entertain on this special. KHJ-KNX are the stations, 3:45 is the time.

(Los Angeles Times, June 27, 1932)


June 28 Bing is interviewed by Lorna Ladd on station KHJ at 6:15 p.m.


June 29

*In My Hideaway

*You're Blase

*Everyone Knows It But You


July 4

*Please Handle With Care

*With A Dime In My Pocket

*Lullaby Of The Leaves


    ‘With a new corking musical background, Bing Crosby was at his best over WABC from a Hollywood pick-up after being off the air for many weeks [sic].  He had Eddie Lang (unannounced) effectively getting in some telling innings with that mean guitar while Lennie Hayton's nifty piano-ologing manifested itself brilliantly in an excellent orchestral background with Bill Hatch's merry men, probably the studio combination named as the outfit.  Crosby was in fine voice.  He mentioned his Paramount picture Big Broadcast mission on the coast and rang the bell with a number of ballads including a swell version of 'Paradise'.  Hayton's own composition 'Mood Hollywood' as a piano solo was the instrumental highlight.  It's a pip by one of the foremost pianist composer arrangers’.
(Variety, July 12, 1932) 

 ‘Variety’ was of course mistaken in stating that Bing had been off the air for many weeks.


July 6

*Masquerade

 If It Ain't Love                                                                       Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Am I Wasting My Time?

 Piano solo                                                                              Lennie Hayton (piano)

*Paradise


July 11

*The Voice In The Old Village Choir
*I'll Never Be The Same

*You're Blase

*Everyone Knows It But You


July 13

*The Voice In The Old Village Choir
*Holdin' My Honey's Hand
*My Silent Love

 

July 18 (The program was intended to be as shown but the broadcast did not take place)

*Cabin In the Cotton

 Goodnight, My Love                                                             Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*With A Dime In My Pocket

 You Can Make My Life A Bed Of Roses                              Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Let's Try Again


July 30 California Melodies show.

August 6 California Melodies show

 

CHESTERFIELD CIGARETTES PRESENTS ‘MUSIC THAT SATISFIES

 

CHESTERFIELD TIME

 

The ‘Music That Satisfies’ show appears to be the only of Bing Crosby’s sponsored programmes (as a solo artist) of which there are no surviving examples (Editor: but see show #22 below).  Having said that and at the risk of being accused of cynicism, there may well be, on his deathbed somewhere, a white-haired, self-styled, Crosby ‘enthusiast’ who is gloating over a crackly,  distorted excerpt that is destined to accompany him to his grave.

The series was a six nights a week, fifteen minute show, broadcast at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and shared between Bing Crosby, Ruth Etting and Tom Howard and George Shelton.  Ruth Etting was replaced later by Jane Froman.

Most ‘radiographies’ show that the series consisted of 30 programmes, on the incorrect assumption that the shows were broadcast regularly and without fail, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, weekly.  On at least three occasions, on the Saturdays of 7th January, 18th March and 1st April the show was squeezed off the air, in each instance, by concerts occupying one and three quarter hours by the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski.

 

‘Crosby With Chesterfield Twice Weekly At $2000’ (Headline)

‘Bing Crosby steps into the Chesterfield Show on January 3rd at $2000 for two programmes a week.  Contract gives him thirteen weeks on CBS singing account in the spot now filled by the Street Singer’

(“Variety” 29th November 1932)

 

‘Advertisers Revert To Theory That Click Talent Is NG For A New Programme Unless Air Lapse’ (Headline)

‘The bigger the click on one commercial,  the tougher it’s going to be from now on for the same performer to connect on another bankrolled air show - That is,  unless he stays off the air long enough for the diallers to disassociate him with his previous sponsor.  The chief point that militated against Bing Crosby’s connection with another commercial,  that exponents of the above theory further cite,  was the chariness among advertisers that his association with Cremo had not yet evaporated. Warbler finally became an accepted attraction to Chesterfield after he had been without a commercial period for seven months’

(“Variety’” 31st January 1933)

 

Announced by Norman Brokenshire.  With Lennie Hayton and his Orchestra.

 

No. 1  4th January 1933

*Love Me Tonight

*Please  

  Let’s Put Out TheLights And Go To Sleep                         Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*How Deep Is The Ocean?

 

“New Air Programmes - Monday January 2nd - Chesterfield Series (CBS)” - “Revised talent set-up starts off with Ruth Etting, the only one left from the previous trio of acts.  In addition to this niche, she gets the Thursday spot.  Tom Howard and his straight man George Sheldon have the Tuesday and Friday interludes and Bing Crosby takes Wednesday and Saturday with Lennie Hayton’s Orchestra, on all programmes originating from WABC New York, 9 - 9.15 pm EST”

(“Variety” 20th December 1932)

 

(Photograph) “The Shadow of the Rogues’ Gallery snapped this one of Bing while he was signing national network contracts.  There are folks who just ‘hate’ crooners, however, I’d like to have a dollar for everyone who enjoys his talent”

“The Day’s Highlights - Bing Crosby (CBS) - a new series alternately weekly (sic) with Bing and Morton Downey”

“...while Bing Crosby steals the hearts of the ladies and a good measure of the menfolk.  A boy of the West who went East to a national network, to sweep the East with his melody as successfully as he captured the heart of the West.  So, tonight he comes West by the ether route.  Bing Crosby with a new show, new songs and a new orchestra KHJ at 6 pm”

(“Los Angeles Times” 4th January 1933)

 

Bing Crosby, the baritone who had the nation wondering when the blue of the night meets the dawn of the day, has decided the phenomenon is simply dawn or dusk, and will forget about it. He returns to the Columbia network and WJAS tonight at 9, and will sing only a few bars of the blue and gold theme— for old times sake,

Bing will go even further than that during his Wednesday and Saturday night broadcasts tor Chesterfield. He’ll abolish the custom of an introductory theme song, opening his program with a bit of song taken from his featured number to be heard during the ensuing broadcast. A brief signature song will be retained to close the program— a new tune called “Just an Echo in the Valley.”

(Lynden Morrow, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 4th January 1933)


“Bing Crosby,  sensational young radio, recording and screen artist, returns to the air tonight, after an absence of several months, to make his first appearance on the 1933 ‘Music That Satisfies’ series.”

(“Seattle Post” 4th January 1933)

 

“Bing Crosby comes back on regular schedule over KFRC and the Columbia network tonight at 6 o’clock with a new show and a new orchestra directed by Leonard Hayton.  The popular crooner will be on the air each Wednesday and Saturday, in future, for the Chesterfield series.  Bing will abandon the conventional opening theme song after a farewell version of his familiar, ‘When (sic) The Blue Of The Night Meets The Gold Of The Day”.  It’s said he will close his programme with a new signature lyric entitled, ‘Just An Echo In The Valley’.  During his first programme he will be heard in the old favourites, ‘Love Me Tonight’, ‘Please’ and ‘How Deep Is The Ocean’.  The orchestra’s feature will be, ‘Let’s Put Out The Lights’”

(“San Francisco Chronicle” 4th January 1933)

 

CHESTERFIELD'S BING CROSBY (Wednesday, Jan. 4, 8 p. m. CST on CBS) in new series with Leonard Hayton's orchestra. The great crooner, in top form and more listenable after his long absence than I imagined he would be, was supported by one of the half dozen-aye, two or three-best bands it has been my pleasure to hear. Where did the sponsor find this Layton outfit? Watch it go places. The combination was plumful.

("Radio and Amusement Guide" 15th January 1933}


“Tom Howard, Bing Crosby and Ruth Etting are the new singers of the Chesterfield quarter hours with Lennie Hayton the new orchestral back-up in place of Nat Shilkret.  It’s a saving for Chesterfield and a great break for Hayton thanks, principally, to Crosby who had the present singing account’s maestro with him on tour as pianist/arranger and also, during the making of the Paramount picture, ‘Big Broadcast’.  As far as this quarter hour is concerned, it is highly palatable stuff, if not particularly distinguished.  Crosby and Hayton are both adept but the presentation  is quite formula featuring Crosby in three and a half songs not counting the ‘Please’ vamp-in.  Hayton’s orchestra in an OK rendition of ‘Let’s Put Out The Lights’ and Norman Brokenshire’s rather saccharine, overly benign, wordage, in between.  ‘Echo In The Valley’ which was scheduled for the theme, is the sign-off instead, broken into by time limitation.  ‘Please’, after the opening bars (in itself not a bad association in view of the Paramount picture from which it comes) gives way to ‘Love Me Tonight’.  ‘Please’ is later rendered in full, as is ‘How Deep Is The Ocean’.  Finally, ‘Echo’.  In taking Guy Lombardo/Burns & Allen’s  time,  Wednesday night’s at 9 pm Eastern Standard Time, it’s a break for this programme”.

(“Variety” 10th January 1933)

 

...On Wednesday night, Bing Crosby made his initial appearance and traveled along in leisurely style, in good voice and pleasing tunes. As in the case with Miss Etting, the Hayton Orchestra obliged with a slow tune ‘”Let’s Put out The Lights”, rendered in excellent rhythm, but not in a way that can jazz up a program.

(Billboard, January 14, 1933)

 

Bing Crosby’s 1933 inaugural broadcast for Columbia over the Chesterfield program had all the scintillating sidelights of an opening night ... Visitors fought for studio passes ... for the first time more than a score of Crosby worshippers were admitted to the studio ... fair women pleaded for a handshake or an autograph ... ushers guarded stairways and passages ... and Crosby, informally garbed in grey trousers, belted blue jacket, warm-tinted tie, and a pleasantly antique brown fedora sang on ... with his old friend and former accompanist, Lennie Hayton, conducting the orchestra ... afterwards the deluge of messages and calls including a tribute from an invalid friend who welcomed him back to the air.

(Broadcast Weekly, Week of 22nd-28th January, 1933, p8:1 “Microphone Gossip”)

 

No. 2  11th January 1933 

*Just A Little Home For The Old Folks

  Where Are You Tonight?                                                     Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?

*Let’s Put Out The Lights And Go To Sleep

 

“For those romantically inclined,  Bing Crosby will be found in the highlights -’Brother, Can You Spare A Dime’,  ‘Just A Little Home For The Old Folks’ and ‘Let’s Put Out The Lights’ - Bing Crosby singing on KHJ at 6 tonight”

(“Los Angeles Times” 11th January 1933)

 

“The baritone crooner of the cinema success, ‘The Big Broadcast’ and the pet of feminine listeners some ten months ago - Bing Crosby,  of course - will open a fifteen minute broadcast on the Columbia network and KOL,  tonight at 6 o’clock,  with the current ballad,  ‘Just A Little Home For The Old Folks’.  The powerful song, ‘Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?’, introduced last year by Lawrence Tibbett, will be Crosby’s second number.  He will close his offering with ‘Let’s Put Out The Lights’” 

(“Seattle Post” 11th January 1933)

 

No. 3  14th January 1933 

*Street Of Dreams

*I’m Sure Of Everything But You

  Till Tomorrow                                                                       Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Waltzing In A Dream

 

Just to remind you again that Bing Crosby is at the Albee Theatre this week, but will broadcast on Wednesday and Saturday nights from the CBS studios in Manhattan.

(David Bratton, Jr., Brooklyn Times Union, January 14, 1933)


No. 4  18th January 1933 

*Take Me In Your Arms

  Why Can’t This Night Go On Forever?                                 Lennie Hayton Orchestra                                                      

*So, At Last, It’s Come To This

*Rock-A-Bye Moon 

 

No. 5  21st January 1933 

*A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet

  Ain'tcha Kinda Sorry Now                                                   Lennie Hayton Orchestra  

*Dinah

*Try A Little Tenderness

 

“Bing Crosby and The Boswell Sisters are but a few of the other delightful bits of entertainment to be found on the dial this evening”

(“Los Angeles Times” 21st January 1933)

 

No. 6  25th January 1933 

*I’m Playing With Fire

*Here Lies Love

  Contented                                                                             Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Night And Day                                                                                            

                                               

“Bing Crosby sings ‘Playing With Fire’,  ‘Day And Night’ (sic) ‘Here Lies Love’ on KHJ at 6 pm”

(“Los Angeles Times”   25th January 1933)

 

No. 7  28th January 1933 

*With A Song In My Heart

*It’s Within Your Power

  I’ve Told Every Little Star                                                   Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Just An Echo In The Valley

 

“At 6 pm (KHJ), Bing Crosby with his ballads of the day, including ‘It’s Within Your Power’”

(“Los Angeles Times” 28th January 1933)

 

No. 8  1st February 1933 

*Where The Blue Of The Night Meets The Gold Of The Day

*Willow, Weep For Me 

  Sitting By The Fire                                                               Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*What Do I Care, It’s Home

 

No. 9  4th February 1933 

*Please

  Just ACottage Small                                                             Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*I Wake Up Smiling

*Some Of These Days

 

“The romantically minded will not miss Bing Crosby at 6 pm nor Morton Downey at 7, both on KHJ with songs of sentiment”

(“Los Angeles Times” 4th February 1933)

 

No. 10  8th February 1933 

*(I Don’t Stand A) Ghost Of A Chance (With You)

*That’s All That Matters To Me

  Love                                                                                      Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me

 

“With this evening’s entertainment saluted by Bing Crosby on KHJ 6 pm singing ‘Ghost Of A Chance’”

(“Los Angeles Times” 8th February 1933)

 

No. 11  11th February 1933 

*Contented

*You’re Beautiful Tonight, My Dear

  Cielito Lindo                                                                         Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Young And Healthy

 

"You’re Beautiful Tonight’, ‘Contented’ and ‘Young And Healthy’ - Bing Crosby sings them while Leonard Hayton’s Orchestra offers ‘Cielito Lindo’ (KHJ at 6 pm)”

(“Los Angeles Times” 11th February 1933)


No. 12  15th February 1933 

*Someone Stole Gabriel’s Horn

*Star Dust

  Blue Moments                                                                       Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Just An Echo In The Valley

 

“Bing Crosby slays them again with Lannie (sic) Hayton’s Orchestra at 6 pm over KHJ”, a good recipe for those waiting for a phone call from their ‘best’”

 (“Los Angeles Times” 15th February 1933)

 

No. 13  18th February 1933 

*Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?

*I Surrender Dear

  Hey, Young Fella!                                                                Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Linger A Little Longer In The Twilight

 

“Bing Crosby will repeat, ‘Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?’ on his programme tonight,  at 6 o’clock over KOL and the Columbia network.  He will also introduce a new number, ‘String Along A Little Longer’ (sic) and will revive his own famous lyric, ‘I Surrender Dear’.  During the same programme, Leonard Hayton will present a special orchestration of ‘Hey, Young Fella’”

(“Seattle Post” 18th February 1933)

 

No. 14  22nd February 1933 

*Waltzing In A Dream

  Close To My Heart                                                               Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Home On The Range

*Nobody’s Sweetheart

 

“The vivacious and talented Jane Froman, contralto,  was introduced to Chesterfield listeners,  last evening,  for the first time in a new set up of six weekly broadcasts over the Columbia system.  The full Chesterfield schedule is now: Ruth Etting on Monday and Thursday; Jane Froman, Tuesday and Friday and Bing Crosby, Wednesday and Saturday - all at 9 pm on WNAC, effective last evening”

(“Boston Post” 22nd February 1933)

 

No. 15  25th February 1933 

*Linger A Little Longer In The Twilight

*May I Have This Waltz With You, Madame

*Just An Echo In The Valley

  I’ll Take A Chance                                                                Lennie Hayton Orchestra

                                                                                               

No. 16  1st March 1933 

*You’ve Got Me Crying Again

  (When It’s) Darkness On The Delta                                        Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Why Can’t This Night Go On Forever?

*My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms

 

“Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra return to WSJV at 12.30 am in a series of broadcasts.  Five programmes weekly will be allotted to Nelson’s music.  The band will broadcast each Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening from 12.30 to 1 am and every Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30 to 6.45 pm.  Among the radio and stage artists that will attend are Morton Downey, Mildred Bailey, Guy Lombardo, Ted Weems, Kate Smith, Bing Crosby and others”

(“The Washington Post” 1st March 1933)

 

No. 17  4th March 1933

*A Tree Was A Tree

  Moon Song (That Wasn’t Meant For Me)                            Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*I’ve Got The World On A String

*Night And Day                                

 

No. 18  8th March 1933 

*Shuffle Off To Buffalo

*Try A Little Tenderness

 Unidentified song from Earl Carroll’s Vanities                    Lennie Hayton Orchestra

I Gotta Right To Sing TheBlues                                         Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*More Than You Know

 

“Bing Crosby who got his name as an Injun scout in his Tacoma backyard, will introduce a new song entitled, ‘Shuffle Off To Buffalo’ as a feature of his programme with Norman Brokenshire.  Bing will also sing, ‘Try A Little Tenderness’ and ‘More Than You Know’ while Leonard Hayton strikes up the band in ‘I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues’ (WJSV 9 pm).”

(“The Washington Post” 8th March 1933)

 

No. 19  11th March 1933  

*Great Day

*Where Are You Tonight?

  Sittin' In The Dark                                                             Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*More Than You Know

*(When It’s) Darkness On The Delta

 

“Bing Crosby - The Boswell Sisters - Morton Downey - Gertrude Niesen, an All-American radio song line-up - KHJ boasts all of them tonight”

(“Los Angeles Times” 11th March 1933)

 

No. 20  15th March 1933  

*There’s Nothing Left To Do But Say ‘Goodbye’

*Farewell To Arms

 It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)            Lennie Hayton Orchestra

 What Do I Care, It’s Home                                                  Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*You’re Beautiful Tonight, My Dear

 

“Bing goes collegiate - The radio star pilgrimage to Hollywood proceeds with Bing Crosby slated to arrive here on April 1st to appear in ‘College Humor’ in which Buster Crabbe and Randolph Scott are other possibilities.  The film is to show Bing as a very, very collegiate”

(“Los Angeles Times” 18th March 1933)


No. 21  22nd March 1933  

*What Have We Got To Lose?

*Maybe It’s Because (I Love You Too Much)

  Meet Me In The Gloaming                                                      Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*Someone Stole Gabriel’s Horn

 

No. 22  25th March 1933  

*What Do I Care, It’s Home

*You Are Too Beautiful

 Tony’sWife                                                                           Lennie Hayton Orchestra       

*Moon Song (That Wasn’t Meant For Me)

*Just An Echo In The Valley (extract)

 

BING magazine, spring 2003 – article by Malcolm Macfarlane

 

Lionel Pairpoint writing in his wonderful book “. . . And Here’s Bing!” laments that:

 

“‘Music That Satisfies’ appears to be the only one of Bing Crosby’s sponsored programmes (as a solo artist) of which there are no surviving examples. Having said that and at the risk of being accused of cynicism,  there may well be,  on his deathbed somewhere,  a white-haired,  self-styled,  Crosby ‘enthusiast’ who is gloating over a crackly,  distorted excerpt that is destined to accompany him to his grave.”

 

Well, Lionel was almost right but surprise, surprise, a surviving show has been found! It was Gary Giddins who alerted me to this possibility telling me that the Lennie Hayton collection at the New York Public Library contained a number of ‘Music That Satisfies’ shows. Contact with the helpful staff at the library soon produced a list of the shows they held but only a few appeared to relate to dates when Bing had appeared. But first some background.

The ‘Music That Satisfies’ series began in 1932 with Arthur Tracy,  Ruth Etting and Alexander Gray appearing on different nights of the week accompanied by Nat Shilkret and his Orchestra. Norman Brokenshire, who by his own admission already had a severe drink problem, was given another chance to make good when he was brought in as the announcer. Brokenshire wrote about the series in his autobiography “This is Norman Brokenshire” (published in 1954 by David McKay Company Inc. of New York) and he gets rather muddled with dates and artists but it does seem that ‘Music That Satisfies’ was re-launched in January 1933 as a six nights a week show shared between Bing Crosby, Ruth Etting and Tom Howard and George Shelton. Lennie Hayton came in to conduct the orchestra. Ruth Etting was replaced later by Jane Froman. In his book,  Brokenshire writes about Ruth Etting (whose story was immortalised by Doris Day in the film Love Me Or Leave Me) and then goes on to talk about Bing.

 

I soon learned that to get to Ruth without Gimpy [Colonel Snyder] was impossible. One night I asked her to have dinner with me after the show. Her answer was short and to the point; I don’t know whether the wistfulness I read into it was really there or if I imagined it. “Life is so short,” she said; “why make it any shorter?” She nodded in the direction of Gimpy, standing a little distance away; for the first time I noticed that he wore not only a flashy tie but a shoulder holster. A strange companion for a girl whose songs were invariably lovely, sweet, and plaintive.

      The other two days of the week were filled by Bing Crosby. Here was a young fellow who at the time wasn’t doing any too well out on the West Coast. He had left the Rhythm Boys, Paul Whiteman’s harmony singers, and subsequently got in some financial trouble. He had tried to pay off his debts and get squared away by doing a series of short comedy films whether because of poor management or something else,  he had succeeded only in getting in deeper.

   At the time NBC rejoiced in possession of the services of the great Russ Columbo. Mr. Paley was determined to find competition for Columbo and offered Crosby a contract. Bing took it, and after a not-too-good show of his own was sold to Chesterfield - that did it!                    

      The Crosby-Columbo “feud” was whipped up into a fierce publicity conflagration. Bing won hands down. Strangely enough he doesn’t mention the episode in his book Call Me Lucky, yet I personally feel that the series of programs he did for us was the real beginning of his success.

      Time went on, and it was decided that “Chesterfield Time” could be reprogramed to cover the whole range of entertainment, from opera to slapstick.

 

As I say, Brokenshire is rather muddled and Bing had of course enjoyed great success in the film The Big Broadcast by then and was being paid very well to appear on the variety stage. But what is significant in Brokenshire’s account is his reference to “Chesterfield Time”. Incidentally, Bing couldn’t remember much about the shows either according to a letter to Larry Kiner contained in an excellent booklet about the series put out by Larry in 1976.

So back to the present day, I arranged to visit the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in the Lincoln Center whilst en route for Hofstra. I had arranged for the material I wanted to hear to be ready in advance and I had also spotted some other potentially interesting items in the library’s collection.

Bing appeared on “Music That Satisfies” twice a week for about thirteen weeks in the early part of 1933 and there were three dates in the library listing that were relevant, March 8, March 15 and March 25. The first two shows were on tape whilst that for March 25 had the following note alongside it. “Access restricted. Advanced notification required for use. No contents listed.” I had however told the library that I should like to hear the contents.

The tapes for the first two shows were played and you can imagine my disappointment when I found that they were simply the orchestral numbers. Presumably Lennie Hayton had them recorded for his own purposes. Still at least we now know a little more about the shows.

March 8. The orchestra plays an unidentified song from Earl Carroll’s Vanities and also “I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues”.

March 15. The orchestra plays “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” and “What Do I Care, It’s Home”.

The show for March 25 had been recorded on what was described as a flexible acetate and the library staff had had great difficulty in extracting the contents and putting them on a CD. I held my breath as the CD began to play and then I heard Norman Brokenshire say:

“Let’s forget about the week, it’s the weekend, it’s Chesterfield Time!”

Then Bing is heard singing the first few lines of “You Are Too Beautiful” and Brokenshire comes back to talk about Bing who is subsequently heard singing “What Do I Care, It’s Home”,  a version that was fairly similar to his commercial recording of the previous month. A guitar accompaniment is apparent and presumably this was Eddie Lang.

The announcer then comes in to tell us about the virtues of smoking Chesterfield Cigarettes prior to the orchestral interlude which was a rumba called “Tony’s Wife” and features some fancy clarinet playing (Artie Shaw?). After the orchestra has concluded, Bing and Norman Brokenshire exchange some dialogue about Bing changing the mood of the show with his next song which turns out to be a full version of “You Are Too Beautiful”. Bing sings a verse first with guitar accompaniment then launches into the chorus powerfully and with real feeling. A great performance! Another commercial from the announcer has to be endured before Bing returns to sing “Moon Song (That Wasn’t Meant For Me)”. A pleasant ballad with guitar prominent. The needle had jumped once or twice when the CD was created from the acetate. Bing then speaks saying “My show is over,  all that’s left is...” and then he segues into “Just An Echo” before whistling as Brokenshire talks over him to tell us that “Chesterfield Time” will return on Monday on CBS.

I was limp as a rag by now. A real “Music That Satisfies” show dredged up from the long lost ether! So how can we get it released? It seems that the Lennie Hayton estate will have to give permission first so I am attempting to contact them in an effort to start a dialogue.

Interesting that the show was known as “Chesterfield Time” by then. Presumably the previous title was too cumbersome. At last, we can confirm that “Just An Echo” was used as a theme at the end of Bing’s appearances. We had thought that it was used as an opening signature tune like “Where the Blue of the Night” but judging from the show I heard there was just an announcement followed by Bing singing a few bars from the featured song of the evening.

 

No. 23  29th March 1933 

*Have You Ever Been Lonely? (Have You Ever Been Blue?)

*Meet Me In The Gloaming

  Hey, Young Fella!                                                                Lennie Hayton Orchestra

*I Don’t Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You

 

“Bing Crosby boarded the Twentieth Century on the day before yesterday, bound for Hollywood, where he begins a new film next week.  He will be heard on the network from KHJ Los Angeles

(“The Washington Post” 1st April 1933)

 

Lennie Hayton will not go to the Coast with Bing Crosby.  This is the first time he has not accompanied Crosby on any of his trans-continental jaunts”

(“Variety” 14th March 1933)

 

“Crosby Re-Adjusts Film Contracts - Plans One-Niters” (Headline)

“Bing Crosby has re-adjusted his contract with Paramount and leaves for Hollywood this Thursday (30th).  The singer refused to take a cut on his picture salary but agreed to concessions regarding his broadcast, line charge and band obligations.  Paramount had originally agreed to pay Crosby’s radio hook-up bills and also furnish him with an orchestra for his broadcasts over a period of eight weeks.  Line charges figure around $1800 a week and the band about $2300 weekly.  Under the revised arrangement the producer will only have to foot these bills for two weeks or, the balance of Crosby’s contract with Chesterfield.  Programme goes off the air April 15th, concessions to Paramount also mean that the plan for Crosby doing a sustaining series on CBS after that date, is out.  Crosby will be off the air following the Chesterfield finale for at least thirteen weeks.  After he’s finished his picture he lands a vaudeville bill and orchestra around him for a cross country tour of one-niters

(“Variety” 28th March 1933)

 

The remaining programmes of the series were announced by Paul Douglas.  Accompaniment was provided by Raymond Paige and his Orchestra

 

No. 24  5th April 1933

*Please

*You’ve Got Me Crying Again

*You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me

 

“Answering the call of Movieland, Bing Crosby has deserted New York and will be heard from the studios of KHJ today a 6 pm.  Fluttering hearts will do handsprings to his ‘Please’”

(“Los Angeles Times” April 5th 1933)

 

“Bing Crosby leaves April 5 for the West Coast but will continue with his sponsor until April 15 when another sponsor will grab him for two performances a week from California

 (“New York Evening Journal” March 28th 1933)

 

“Bing Crosby sang from the West Coast last night, accompanied by Lennie Hayton’s Orchestra in the New York studio.  Bing had lost the orchestration of ‘Echo In The Valley’, prepared for a coast band.  So, putting on the earphone, as Hayton did here, Crosby sang, with both wires open, perfectly, with the band 3,000 miles from him, affording his background” 

(“New York Evening Journal” 6th April 1933)

 

No. 25  8th April 1933 

*Linger A Little Longer In The Twilight

*Farewell To Arms

*You’re Beautiful Tonight, My Dear

 

“Los Angeles becomes, once again, the centre of the nation’s attention (KHJ 6 pm) when radio station KHJ snatches Bing Crosby from the film studios to put him on the Columbia network. With Raymond Paige’s Orchestra weaving a sympathetic pattern of accompaniment Bing will sing, ‘Linger A Little Longer, ‘Farewell To Arms’ and ‘You’re Beautiful Tonight, My Dear’”

(“Los Angeles Times” 8th April 1933)

 

No. 26  12th April 1933

*I Wake Up Smiling

*Try A Little Tenderness

*Night And Day

*Just An Echo In The Valley (extract)

 

“Still in Southern California, Bing Crosby saunters into KHJ tonight, to open up with ‘I Wake Up Smiling’.  He will be accompanied by Raymond Paige and his Orchestra, Bing’s second selection will be, ‘Try A Little Tenderness’ and he will conclude with ‘Night And Day’ and his familiar theme, ‘Just An Echo In The Valley’”

(“Los Angeles Times” 12th April 1933)

 

No. 27  15th April 1933

*Why Can’t This Night Go On Forever?

*Maybe It’s Because (I Love You Too Much)

  Syncopated Love Song                                                         Raymond Paige Orchestra

*(When It’s) Darkness On The Delta

 

“Bing Crosby will ring down the curtain on the ‘Music That Satisfies’ broadcast series tonight, when he appears on the Columbia network and KOL at 6 o’clock with a fifteen minute song recital. The popular series which has brought to the microphone such entertainers as,  Ruth Etting,  Crosby,  Jane Froman,  the Boswell Sisters,  Arthur Tracy,  Alex Gray and Leonard Hayton’s Orchestra,  will be discontinued for the summer months. Crosby will close his engagement tonight with the two ballads, ‘Why Can’t This Night Go On Forever?’ and ‘Maybe I Love You Too Much’ (sic).  He will also sing ‘Darkness On The Delta’, a melody of the Southland.  Raymond Paige’s Orchestra will accompany the singer and play ‘Syncopated Love Song’”

(“Seattle Post” 15th April 1933)

 

MUSIC THAT SATISFIES”  INDEX 1  

 

Lists, alphabetically the songs or musical items in which Bing Crosby participated

 

Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? 2, 13

 

Contented 11

 

Darkness On The Delta (When It’s) 19, 27

Dinah 5

 

Farewell To Arms 20, 25

 

Ghost Of A Chance (I Don’t Stand A) 10, 23

Great Day! 19

 

Have You Ever Been Lonely? (Have You Ever Been Blue?) 23

Here Lies Love 6

Home On The Range 14

How Deep Is The Ocean? 1

 

I’m Playing With Fire 6

I’m Sure Of Everything But You 3

I Surrender Dear 13

It’s Within Your Power 7

I’ve Got The World On A String 17

I Wake Up Smiling 9, 26

 

Just A Little Home For The Old Folks 2

Just An Echo In The Valley 7, 12, 15, 22, 26

 

Let’s Put Out The Lights And Go To Sleep 2

Linger A Little Longer In The Twilight 13, 15, 25

Little Street Where Old Friends Meet, A 5

Love Me Tonight 1

 

Maybe It’s Because (I Love You Too Much) 21, 27

May I Have This Waltz With You, Madame? 15

Meet Me In The Gloaming 23

Moon Song (That Wasn’t Meant For Me) 22

More Than You Know 18

My Honey’s Lovin’ Arms 16

 

Night And Day 6, 17, 26

Nobody’s Sweetheart 14

 

Please 1, 9, 24

 

Rock-A-Bye Moon 4

Shuffle Off To Buffalo 18

So, At Last, It’s Come To This 4

Some Of These Days 9

Someone Stole Gabriel’s Horn 12, 21

Star Dust 12

Street Of Dreams 3

 

Take Me In Your Arms 4

That’s All That Matters To Me 10

There’s Nothing Left To Do But Say ‘Goodbye’ 20

Tree Was A Tree, A 17

Try A Little Tenderness 5, 18, 26

 

Waltzing In A Dream 3, 14

What Do I Care, It’s Home 8, 22

What Have We Got To Lose? 21

Where Are You Tonight? 19                         

Where The Blue Of The Night 8

Why Can’t This Night Go On Forever? 16, 27

Willow, Weep For Me 8

With A Song In My Heart 7

You Are Too Beautiful 22

You’re Beautiful Tonight, My Dear 11, 20, 25

You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me 10, 24

Young And Healthy 11                     

You’ve Got Me Crying Again 16, 24

 

 

“MUSIC THAT SATISFIES” INDEX 2

Lists, alphabetically, the songs or musical items performed solely by guests during the programmes.

 

Ain'tcha Kinda Sorry Now 5


Blue Moments 12

 

Cielito Lindo 11

Close To My Heart 14

Contented 6

 

Hey, Young Fella! 13, 23

 

I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues 18

I’ll Take A Chance 15

I’ve Told Every Little Star 7

It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) 20

 

Just A Cottage Small (By A Waterfall) 9

 

Let’s Put Out The Lights And Go To Sleep 1

Love 10

 

Meet Me In The Gloaming 21

Moon Song (That Wasn’t Meant For Me) 17

 

Sittin' In The Dark 19

Sitting By The Fire 8

Syncopated Love Song 27

 

Till Tomorrow 3

Tony’s Wife 22

 

What Do I Care, It’s Home  20

(When It’s) Darkness On The Delta16

Where Are You Tonight? 2

Why Can’t This Night Go On Forever? 4

 

SUNDRY RADIO APPEARANCES 1933

 

After the completion of the ‘Music That Satisfies’ series Bing is said to have auditioned via a 3000-mile leased line to New York for a proposed new Chesterfield show for CBS with Richard Arlen and Mary Brian.  It was intended that the half hour programme would commence on May 15, 1933 but there were no further developments.  He then made occasional guest appearances until October 16 when he started his Woodbury series.

 

The outline of his radio appearances in this period shows:

 

1933

June 6 (6:00-6:30 p.m.) California Melodies show.  Bing sings ‘Moonstruck’ and ‘Learn to Croon’.

June 12  (8:00-8:30 p.m.) Bing stars in ‘Hollywood on the Air’ over KECA, part of the NBC network.  The programme previews the film ‘College Humor’ and Bing sings four songs, including ‘Learn to Croon’ and ‘Moonstruck’.

June 20 (8:15-8:30p.m.) Bing appears on radio station KFWB to interview golf professional Harry Bassler.

July 4 (6:00-6:30 p.m.) California Melodies show.  Bing sings ‘Learn to Croon’, ‘Moonstruck’ and ‘Down the Old Ox Road’.

July 25 (6:00 - 6:45 p.m.) Again on California Melodies show and sings ‘Blue Prelude’ and ‘I Would If I Could, But I Can’t’.

August 27 (8:45 - 9:45 p.m.) Appears in a joint CBS / NBC nation-wide radio broadcast with many other stars which is designed ‘to help pep things up for the National Recovery Administration.’

September 19 (6:00-6:30 p.m.) Appears on California Melodies show with Clive Brook.

September 30 (6:15 - 6:30 p.m.) Stars in ‘Parade of Champions’ on CBS and sings ‘Thanks’, ‘Don’t Blame Me’ and ‘I Guess It Had To Be That Way’ ("Thanks" appears on the LP Spokane 14 - “Bing In The Thirties - Volume Two” )

September 30 (8:30-9;00 p.m.) Interviewed by Jimmy Fidler on the ‘Hollywood on the Air’ programme.

October 5  (6:15-7:15 p.m.) Appears in the final show of the ‘Parade of Champions’ radio series and sings ‘Thanks’.

 

 

Go To Bing Crosby Entertains (the Woodbury series)

 

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