Alton Glenn Miller was born on March 1, 1904, in Clarinda, a very small town tucked away in the southwest corner of Iowa. Having played around with a cornet and mandolin, the young Miller finally focused his attention on the trombone, when a butcher for whom he occasionally worked, gave him his first instrument. A talented and popular musician through the 1920s and 30s, Miller at last realized his dream of leading his own orchestra in 1938, a job that would last little more than one year. Undeterred, with the help of his wife Helen, he made a second attempt in March of 1939. The band's early days proved difficult, but nothing would now prevent the rise of what would become the highest paid band in the world - the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Miller, in his march towards success, held three trump cards - his undeniable talent as an arranger, his skill as a manager and organizer and, of course, his orchestra. His contract with RCA's Bluebird label enabled him to cut more than 250 songs between Sept. 27, 1938, and July 16, 1942, including such classics as "Chattanooga Choo-Choo," "The American Patrol," "String of Pearls," "Little Brown Jug," "Kalamazoo," "Tuxedo Junction," "Pennsylvania 6-5000" and "Moonlight Serenade." In 1942, almost from the day that America entered World War II, Miller knew what he wanted to do most was to create music for servicemen. So he applied for a commission, received his captaincy, disbanded his civilian orchestra and reported for duty on Oct. 7, 1942, putting together Army Post bands from experienced musicians. It had been his contention that soldiers would feel most like marching to music that inspired them. So with the aid of arranger Jerry Gray and chief drummer Ray McKinley, Miller inaugurated marching arrangements that swung. The cadets loved them and marched with increasing vigor to such swinging numbers as "St. Louis Blues March."
On December 15, 1944, Miller was scheduled to fly from the United Kingdom to Paris to play for the soldiers who had recently liberated Paris. His plane departed from RAF Twinwood Farm, Clapham, Bedfordshire, but disappeared over the English Channel and was never found. Miller's disappearance remains a mystery; neither his remains nor the wreckage of his plane were ever recovered from the water.
Patti Page is one of America's true musical icons. In the course of her seven-decade recording career, she has become a living legend by selling more than 100 million records, making her one of the biggest selling female recording artists in history. Her silky-smooth voice engulfed the airwaves during the '50s and '60s, providing her with a staggering 111 hits, 15 gold records and four gold albums. Patti became the first crossover artist to take country music out of the country and onto the pop charts with such million record sellers as "Mockin' Bird Hill,"Â "I Went To Your Wedding,"Â "Mister & Mississippi,"Â and, of course, the legendary "Tennessee Waltz,"Â which was #1 concurrently on all three charts (Pop, Country, & R&B) and sold more than 20 million copies. Patti's accomplishments remain unparalleled. Today, she continues to use her sweet, tranquil voice to touch the hearts of many generations.
Gordon "Tex"Â Beneke joined the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1938. As a sideman, Beneke was known for his flexible sax solos with Miller's band and for his occasional singing, most notably - "Chattanooga Choo Choo." After serving in the U.S. Navy band during the war, Beneke became the official bandleader of the Glenn Miller's Band in 1946, two years after Miller's plane mysteriously disappeared over the English Channel during the war. Year later he billed himself as "Tex Beneke and His Orchestra: Playing the Music Made Famous by Glenn Miller."
In 1940, The Modernaires were invited by Glenn Miller to record, "It's Make Believe Ballroom Time,"Â The following year, Miller added The Modernaires to the Miller band and after the war, they spent the next few decades traveling the world many times over making history with the Glenn Miller Band. The group is currently comprised of members Paula Kelly Jr., Julie Dickinson, Joe Croyle and Ken Prescott.
Marilyn King is the premiere solo performing artist of The King Sisters and The King Family. Butch Stone joined Les Brown and His Band of Renown in 1941. Mary Lou Metzger is a singer and dancer best known for being a cast member on The Lawrence Welk Show. And Polly Podewell was a singer with the Benny Goodman Band.
Tickets for Tribute to Glenn Miller & The Vocalists With the Tex Beneke Orchestra and Special Guest Star Miss Patti Page With The Modernaires Starring Paula Kelly Jr., Marilyn King, Butch Stone, Mary Lou Metzger and Polly Podewell on Wednesday, March 7 at 8pm, are on sale now. Ticket prices are $85/75/55/45. -- www.mccallumtheatre.com
Posted March 3rd, 2007 by ruzik_tuzik
