Make Believe Ballroom
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129 episodes
Hi folks, I’m Jeff Bressler turning on the lights of the Make Believe Ballroom and welcoming you into my crystal studio for a very special new season of programs that we’re calling Ralphie’s list. We received an email here at the ballroom a few years ago from Angelo a longtime listener from Naples FL by way of Canarsie Brooklyn whose Parents Ralphie and Rose started a record club, inviting neighbors to their home every other Saturday night from 1935 to the mid 1970’s to share pot luck suppers and listen and dance to the greatest big band hits of the 1930s and ’40s. Ralphie and the club painstakingly compiled over the decades a list of over 750 of their favorite ranked tunes. So, sit back and listen as we bring you selections each week from the legendary Ralphie’s list.
Hi folks, I’m Jeff Bressler turning on the lights of the Make Believe Ballroom and welcoming you into my crystal studio for a very special new season of programs that we’re calling Ralphie’s list. We received an email here at the ballroom a few years ago from Angelo a longtime listener from Naples FL by way of Canarsie Brooklyn whose Parents Ralphie and Rose started a record club, inviting neighbors to their home every other Saturday night from 1935 to the mid 1970’s to share pot luck suppers and listen and dance to the greatest big band hits of the 1930s and ’40s. Ralphie and the club painstakingly compiled over the decades a list of over 750 of their favorite ranked tunes. So, sit back and listen as we bring you selections each week from the legendary Ralphie’s list.
On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom Duke Ellington serves as a second banana, some notes on the song Dipsy Doodle, more music from the 1944 War Bonds fundraiser the Esquire All American Jazz concert, a few great emails from our listeners as well as other great music from the big band era of the 1930s and 40s.
On today's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom a look at how a radio show got the word out about a brand new Broadway hit, Benny Goodman on the radio, a long look at a classical concert as well as a host of additional great tunes and stories about the fabulous Big Band Era.
Join us for this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM as we tell a Sinatra story and read a wonderful listener email about autographs along with our usual assortment of fantastic tales and music from the beloved big band era.
On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM, a look at Billy May, some tremendous British swing and dance band music, a comedian songwriter, and a plethora of additional stories and music from the wonderful big band era.
On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM the first time ever heard on record, or seen on film for two legendary celebrities, a look at something heard in the background for decades that we don't think much about plus other great music and stories.
On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a little remembered band, some British dance band music, a Benny Goodman question, a cowboy tune, a state song plus a wide array of great music from the big band era of the 1930s and 40s.
On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a look at combining talent to produce some wonderful records at Brunswick and Decca, a Bing Crosby duet partner, a look at a singer who walked away from fame as well as our usual assortment of amazing music from the 1930s and 1940s.
On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM, Fletcher Henderson arrangments led to Benny Goodman's success, a listen to a couple of "all girl" big bands of the 40s, two new Artie Shaw stories, a singer turned actor, as well as more great tunes from the beloved big band era.
This week is a very special 88th Anniversary Edition of the Make Believe Ballroom. Join Jeff Bressler as he takes us back to present the history of the show which began its broadcast odyssey in February of 1935 via WNEW 1130 AM in New York.
Join us for this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM as we hear some music that made the Depression less depressing, so lesser known Glenn Miller recordings, an autographed photo listeners request as well as a whole lot more great music from the Big Band era of the 1930s and 1940s.
On today's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom a few tough trivia questions, we continue to play some artists we haven't heard over the past year, a similar story with 2 different endings, plus much more music and tales from the revered big band era.
On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a look at songwriting due, how a celebrity got her stage name, tunes you didn't think had lyrics, plus a program bursting with more music from the treasured big band era.
Join us for another edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM as we pay tribute to one of the greatest songwriters of all time, take a look at some novelty tunes and play a host of classic hits and stories from the big band era.
On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM we vow to play music of artists we have not heard on the show in over a year, the story behind the story of the song In the Mood, an email letter for an old listener plus many more stories and songs from the cherished big band era.
For our first program of 2023 a look at some of the songs composed by the legendary Harry Warren, a new listeners email, some tunes from an obscure record label plus a bountiful number of additional recordings and stories from the big band era.
On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a few Sinatra tunes attributed to him but first recorded by others, some songs dedicated to a listener born in 1938, and a treasure trove of additional records and stories from the big band era.
On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM a look at a novelty singer of the '60s and 70s who molded his career after an old time crooner, a songstress who for a while was more popular than her uber famous husband, the Mills Brothers' unique "band" plus a whole lot more great music and stories from the big band era.
Join us for this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM. Lenny and his wife are away on vacation so that gives Jeff Bressler the opportunity to play a few songs from the 50s and 20s. A few great listener's emails and a whole lot more music and stories from the big band era.
Join us for this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM, where we reminisce about stories that appeared in 1930s and 1940s copies of both Billboard and Down Beat magazines. Great music and tales from the Big Band Era.
A look at a famous Copywrite dispute, a stroll past a historic music building, a talented female lyricist plus a bunch of great music from the big band era.
Join us for another great episode of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM. On today's show a look at songs with female names in the title, a Lenny from Down the Block on Broadway story, a look at an email that asks for a request that has nothing to do with music plus a plethora of additional music, and stories from the big band era.
On today's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM, a numerical email from a listener, songs about food and beverage, Jeff Bressler's tale of visiting the dairy case, and a whole lot more music and history of the big band era.
On this week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM, a look at one of the greatest female lyricists of all time, an email from a listener with a pretty strange name, some music by a Benny Goodman small group, then some individual music from its members, a question about Sammy Kaye and a whole lot more music and stories from the big band era of the 1930s and 1940s.
Join us for this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM as we continue to delve into the Ralphie from Canarsie, Brooklyn record club list, Bing Crosby duets, a bizarre Artie Shaw magazine piece, and spin a few novelty songs.
On this week's MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM via a raffle drum, some random music selections from our famous Ralphie for Canarsie Brooklyn's list of his and his neighbor's record clubs close to 800 ranked songs from the big band era.
On this week's edition of the Make Believe Ballroom a long look at a long-a-go ballroom in the keystone state that is still in operation today!
