Make Believe Ballroom

This week's edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM features an interesting story about the Mills Brothers, a look at a documentary about a famous music festival, two more selections from the historic Ralphies Record Club list plus much more music and history from the big band era.

Welcome to the Monday edition of the MAKE BELIEVE BALLROOM. On today's show, a tune from the early 1800's that became a big band hit, a couple of swinging radio remotes, selections from Ralphies Record Club list, plus a multitude of additional favorites from the swing, jazz, and big band era.

On this week's show, more selections from the Ralphie's Record Club list, some great Boogie Woogie, a big band era celebration of an upcoming holiday plus additional great music and stories.

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.