Your show last week on Glenn Miller was really a gem. It was a rare opportunity to hear recordings from the "first" Miller band...a band that proved to be an absolute failure and lasted only a short while. The tracks you played showed none of the energy (for lack of a better word) which Miller's later band, the famous one, had in abundance. What made the difference? I'm not sure, but I like to think Miller learned a lot from his early failure. His first band seemed to lack a distinct musical "personality". It certainly did not have the crisp, clear arrangements that characterized his later recordings. Nor did it have the soaring, lilting reed section that later set The Glenn Miller Orchestra apart from all other swing bands of the era. Of course, another major difference was the personnel. Miller's first band did not have members to compare with Marion Hutton, Tex Beneke, Ray Eberle or arrangers like Jerry Gray and Bill Finnigan (among others).Ultimately, I suppose, it was the evolution of Glenn Miller himself that made all the difference. He began rather timidly with that first band, but grew into a superb leader with an almost unerring sense of music and musicians. This was particularly evident in the last four tracks which, although they were not original Miller recordings (but were Miller arrangements ), clearly demonstrated the later, fully developed " Miller style".
Thanks for the chance to hear these recordings. Keep up the good work.
Robin Cady Hillsboro, Oregon

Hi, I'm listening on Monday morning, March 21st. Shortly after 8:00 there was a song about the San Patricios, can you give me informaiton about the song, artist, album, etc. Great show, can I get a copy of your playlist? wjwagman@dcn.org. Thanks.

Hurry back, Lee, as soon as you're feeling better.
Best wishes,
Paul Sheeran

I am an old timer who lives in Knoxville, Tn. but have my roots in Brooklyn, N.Y. Yes, I still have an accent and alot of memories of summer vacations spent around the jukebox in a wooden soda shack, by the beach, where us kids would dance to the latest tunes of the day. The "eclectic dinosaur" has brought back those memories for me with his fine assortment of oldies and goodies. I haven't heard many of them for years- too many to count. I can enjoy them again- so thanks.

P.S.
I get the extra bonus of knowing the D.J. as he is my cousin Lee. Keep it up. - Jackie