Another New Year's Eve

New Years Eve

It's New Year's Eve yet again (they seem to come quicker and quicker every year, don't they?) and we are about to begin a new decade.  I hope that everyone that is going out tonight has a blast but please, please be safe.  Don't be drinking and driving. :)

Happy New Year's Eve and Looking Forward to Playing Your Favorite Music in 2020!

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.


Worldwide Love of Swing City Radio

Audience Map

It's been exciting to see Swing City Radio quickly grow into a popular Big Band and Swing radio station in the United States this year.  I'm so thankful for our listening audience.  Something that took me off guard was the growth of our international audience.  German listeners, especially in cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Cologne, were our largest audience outside of the United States.  Spain, Switzerland, France, Argentina and Poland also showed very surprising numbers of Big Band and Swing lovers that tuned into Swing City Radio during 2019.

Let's make 2020 the Year of Swing!  It makes me so happy to know that the love of 1930's and 1940's Big Band and Swing Music still has a worldwide appeal.

Thank you for listening to Swing City Radio!

Vielen Dank für das Hören von Swing City Radio!

¡Gracias por escuchar Swing City Radio!

Merci d'avoir écouté Swing City Radio!

Ďakujeme, že ste počuli Swing City Radio!

Dziękujemy za słuchanie Swing City Radio!

Grazie per aver ascoltato Swing City Radio!

Swing City Radioをお聴きいただきありがとうございます!

I used Google Translate to write those thank you messages.  So don't be mad at me if the translation is wrong. Haha. :)

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA


Big Band Jam Session

Swing City Logo

A fantastic jam session of "Honeysuckle Rose" featuring some of the icons of the Big Band Era including:  Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich, Ziggy Elman, Ed McKinney, Illinois Jacquet and Les Paul!  It was recorded live for the program "Command Performance" on September 30, 1944.


It starts off a little scattered as all of the musicians find their groove within the song, then features some nice solos.  It now showing on our Youtube Channel.  Enjoy!

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.



I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo


Benny Goodman on Swing City Radio

I've Got a Gal In Kalamazoo by Benny Goodman?

Everyone remembers the Glenn Miller version of "I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo."  And rightfully so!  The song was a mega-hit for Glenn Miller and His Orchestra and appeared in the movie "Orchestra Wives."  But did you know that Benny Goodman recorded a version of the song as well?  You can hear this version of the song right here on Swing City Radio but I've included a video below so you can enjoy it right now!


The vocals on the song are handled by Dick Haymes and was one of a handful of titles sung by  Haymes at his only  recording session with the Benny Goodman band.  Their version was recorded in June of 1942.  Enjoy!

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.



Merry Christmas 2019

Swing City Radio wishes you a Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you out there in radio land.  I trust you've been enjoying the Big Band Christmas music we've been playing over the last month.  The holidays can sometimes lead to a lot of stress, so my hopes are that some of you were able to take some time to relax, kick back and enjoy the music we play here on Swing City Radio.

2019 has been a great year for the station.  We've only been broadcasting since October and the station is picking up new listeners every day.  I personally want to thank you all for listening.  This coming year should be an exciting year for Swing City Radio.  So please spread the word about the cool Big Band / Swing radio station that you found on the internet.  Getting your friends and family listening is the greatest Christmas gift you can give to us.  :)

Thanks again! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and I hope you all have a great 2020.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today!

Royal Crown Revue

Royal Crown Revue

Royal Crown Revue was a Los Angeles based Swing band formed in 1989. They are credited with starting the swing revival movement of the 1990's.

The band was founded by Mark Stern, Eddie Nichols and Mando Dorame out of their love of Rockabilly, Punk, Jazz, Blues, Soul and other styles of roots music.

Hollywood has helped spread the word about Royal Crown Revue.  After filming The Mask, they began a residency at The Derby, which gained worldwide recognition due mainly to the club's inclusion in the film Swingers. Although the band's music was an instrumental part of The Derby's swing scene, a conflict in their Warner Brothers contract prevented Royal Crown Revue from appearing in the movie.

You can hear Royal Crown Revue right here on Swing City Radio.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra

The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra

There are some great dance bands out today carrying the "torch" for the iconic Big Bands that you hear on Swing City Radio.  One band that has truly nailed down the sound of the 1930's and 40's is a talented band out of New York City, The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra!  We are currently featuring their Christmas song "Over the River and Through the Wood" in our Christmas music rotation.  The song can be found on their album: Underneath the Mistletoe.  You can listen to or purchase the song right now at: glenncrytzer.com/music

The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra is a New York City based band led by Butler, Pennsylvania born, Glenn Crytzer.  Other members include: Sam Hoyt, Jason Prover, Mike Davis, Rob Edwards, Jim Fryer, Joe McDonough, Jay Ratman, Dennis Lichtman, Dan Block, Matt Koza, Ricky Alexander, Bryan Reeder, Ian Hutchison and Andrew Millar.  This extremely talented group of musicians specializes in the authentic performance of big band and dance band music from the 1930's and 40's as well as new original music composed and arranged in the classic styles of this period. They were voted Best Group in the 2017 NYC Fans Decide Jazz Poll which was sponsored by Hot House Magazine.

Some of The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra's music has even appeared in a variety of TV programs and films by Disney, MGM, ABC, and more.

To learn more about The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra be sure to check out their website at: GCOswing.com as well as their Facebook Fan Page at: facebook.com/GlennCrytzerMusic and be sure to listen for their Christmas song "Over the River and Through the Wood" playing now on Swing City Radio.

For those of you out there that think things like "They just don't make music like they used to!" Then I STRONGLY encourage you to listen to The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra songs found at: glenncrytzer.com/music.  You won't be disappointed.

Of course, you can also hear The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra right here on Swing City Radio.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Chrissy & The Get Go's

Chrissy & The Get Go's - Santa's Sleighin' It

I'm sure that you've noticed that we have been sprinkling in some Christmas Songs into our playlist since Thanksgiving.  Most of the songs you've been hearing are classic holiday standards recorded in the 1930's and 40's but we've also been featuring new Christmas Songs to mix things up a bit.  One of those songs is "Santa's Sleighin' It" by Chrissy & The Get Go's.  The band is based in Nashville, Tennessee and led by singer/songwriter Chrissy Blazier.  Chrissy's strong vocal talents are backed by a talented group of fine musicians including Chris Rodriguez, Mike Kyle, Boh Cooper and Bobby Blazier.

"Santa's Sleighin' It" is a good, old fashioned, Christmas song that has a catchy hook and a fun, bouncy feel to it.  You can hear the song right here on Swing City Radio or you can listen right now by visiting the band's Soundcloud Page: Listen to "Santa's Sleighin' It"

You can also learn more about Chrissy & The Get Go's by visiting their Facebook page: facebook.com/chrissyblazier

Rumor has it that Chrissy is a former Las Vegas headliner! So be sure to read more about her and the band on their fan page and keep listening to Swing City Radio to hear "Santa's Sleighin' It."

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Swing City Radio wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!  We are so thankful for all of you that have been listening to the station for the last couple months.  If you like what you are hearing, then please let your friends and family know.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Christmas Music

Big Band and Swing Christmas Music

Starting on Thanksgiving Day, Swing City Radio will be playing Christmas songs by your favorite Big Band and Swing artists along with some other Christmas standards.  We will be scattering them in throughout the day mixed in with our normal programming.  (About one or two songs per hour.)

We will also be featuring some Christmas songs from some new, unsigned Big Band artists that we are very excited about.  I plan on featuring some articles about them so you can learn more about the artists and their music.

I'll keep you posted about any plans we may have for Christmas Day and New Years Eve.

I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving and thanks for continuing to listen and supporting the station.  Maybe you can have the station playing in the background as you have your Thanksgiving dinner?  It's my understanding that Big Band and Swing music helps the body digest food better.  Just kidding! :)

Enjoy the holiday and be safe!

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Earl Burtnett

Earl Burtnett

Earl Burtnett (1896–1936) was a bandleader, songwriter and pianist.  Burtlett was popular in the 1920's and 1930's.

In 1918 he joined Art Hickman's band as lead arranger and writer for the orchestra.  He penned some successful songs for Hickman including "Sleep", "Leave Me With A Smile", "Mandalay", and "If I Should Lose You".

In 1929, he took over as band leader on Hickman's retirement. His band then had a residency at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, and recorded for Brunswick Records backing the Biltmore Trio. They played across the country in the early and mid 1930's, with periods at both the Rice Hotel in Houston, and later at the Drake Hotel and other venues in Chicago, where their concerts were often broadcast on WGN radio.

Burtnett recorded for Columbia from 1926 through 1928 when he signed with Brunswick again and recorded prolifically through mid-1931.

On Christmas Eve, 1935, Burtnett underwent an emergency appendectomy in Chicago. However, peritonitis set in after the operation, and he died on January 2, 1936 at the age of 39.  He unfortunately passed away right as swing music was starting to take hold in the United States.  One can only imagine the great music he would have created.

You can hear Earl Burtnett right here on Swing City Radio.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

The Sunday Morning Swing


Swing City Radio has discontinued The Sunday Morning Swing.

So how do you spend your Sunday mornings?  Do lounge around in pajamas sipping a delicious cup of coffee?  Maybe it's the one time in the week where you can sit down and have a relaxing breakfast with your family or spend some peaceful moments before going to church.

We all spend our precious Sunday Mornings in different ways.  Consider making The Sunday Morning Swing a new part of your routine.  Ease through your morning with the relaxing, smooth sounds of the Big Bands.  The Sunday Morning Swing features the softer Big Band favorites from the 1930's and 40's.  Let's make Big Band Music on Sunday mornings a tradition.  The show is even better with a great cup of coffee.

By the way, I like my coffee strong and bold.  No cream or sugar for this guy.  :)

Listen every Sunday Morning from 8am EST to 11am EST.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Swing Street Box Set

Swing Street Album Cover

I was out again this weekend searching the used record stores. As I was digging deep in a dusty ol' corner of one of the stores and I found this gem.  "Swing Street" is a 4 LP compilation of some great music.  The set was originally released in 1962.  I'm really looking forward to digitizing these LP's and getting them up on the station for your enjoyment.

You can look forward to hearing tracks from Eddie Condon And His Orchestra, Wingy Manone And His Orchestra, Red Allen, Louis Prima, John Kirby, Mildred Bailey and many, many more.

The artwork on the cover is fantastic and the booklet inside looks like it's filled with some great info.  (Haven't read it yet.  Just scanned through.)

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is considered a swing revival band from Southern California. Their biggest singles include "Go Daddy-O", "You and Me and the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)", and "Mr. Pinstripe Suit".

After playing in punk and alternative rock bands during the 1980's, Scotty Morris founded Big Bad Voodoo Daddy with Kurt Sodergren in Ventura, California.

So how did they pick the name Big Bad Voodoo Daddy?  Well, the story is that Scotty Morris met blues guitar legend Albert Collins after one of Collins' concerts. Scotty Morris, being a big Albert Collins fan asked Albert to sign a poster he had brought with him. "He signed my poster 'To Scotty, the big bad voodoo daddy'," Morris explains. "I thought it was the coolest name I ever heard on one of the coolest musical nights I ever had. So when it came time to name this band, I didn't really have a choice. I felt like it was handed down to me."

The band has concentrated on the swing of the 1940's and 1950's, playing clubs and lounges in their early years.

The band launched two CDs, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Watchu' Want for Christmas? under their own label before getting their big break when their songs "You and Me and the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)", "I Wan'na Be Like You" and "Go Daddy-O" were featured in the soundtrack of the 1996 comedy-drama Swingers.

At that point, they were signed by Interscope Records. While with Interscope, the band released Americana Deluxe, This Beautiful Life, and Save My Soul. The band has continued their tours, performances and album releases.  Thanks for continuing to carry the torch of Swing guys!

You can hear Big Bad Voodoo Daddy right here on Swing City Radio.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Benny Goodman: The Golden Age of Swing

Picture of Benny Goodman: The Golden Age of Swing

So as you can imagine, I spend a lot of time digging through the used record stores looking for great Big Band and Swing music to play on the station.  I found a great Benny Goodman collection during the summer entitled "The Golden Age of Swing."  I know, I know, it's November as I'm writing this and I just admitted I bought this in the summer.  Let's just say I was busy getting the radio station set up for all of you in radio land.

As I was working on the website today I decided to put this on the turntable and give it a spin, and WOW!, what a great recording.  This 5 record set was released in 1956 and claims to be a limited edition.  The collection captures Benny's career up until that date and features songs by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra, his Trio and his Quartet.

I was lucky enough to find this in fantastic condition and if I remember correctly, spent only $2 for it.  The cover and booklet show very little wear and tear, the vinyl is clear and looks and sounds like it was barely played.  I'm sure I'll be digitizing many of these tracks soon so you all can get a listen.

Picture of The Golden Age of Swing Booklet

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Happy Halloween


Swing City Radio wants to wish our listening audience a Happy Halloween.  Have fun and stay safe!

I can't believe that tomorrow is going to be November already!  This year is just flying by.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.



Rosie the Riveter


I stumbled upon this quick, but very informative, video that focuses on Rosie the Riveter.  Enjoy!



Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.


The Speakeasy Three

The Speakeasy Three

Based in Brighton, England, The Speakeasy Three does a great version of Cab Calloway's "Minnie the Moocher." They released their single early this year and I included a promo video below.

I tried to find out more about the trio but only found their Facebook Page.  Here's the highlights from the About Section of their fan page:

Three Bad-Ass Babes Singing Their Little Hearts Out!

Ladies and Gentlemen! Prepare to swing, sway, sizzle and swoon! The Speakeasy Three are rolling out their show-stopping, room-swinging, after dark agenda for your delight.

Influences:
Influences on the sound, style and personality of the group include The Andrews Sisters, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Josephine Baker, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Edith Piaf...

Like I said, not much info, but they do a good version of the song and have a good sound to them.  Check them out.



You can hear "The Speakeasy Three" on Swing City Radio's - Modern Swing rotation.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Recommended: (Affiliate Links)

The Speakeasy Three The Speakeasy Three The Speakeasy Three

Claude Thornhill

Claude Thornhill

Claude Thornhill (1908–1965) was the leader of the Claude Thornhill Orchestra and a talented pianist, arranger and composer. He penned the standards "Snowfall" and "I Wish I Had You".

Claude was recognized as an extraordinary talent from early on and by his mid-teens, along with Danny Polo, he was already in the scene touring. The early part of his career is linked with Artie Shaw.  Thornhill and Shaw started their professional careers together at the Golden Pheasant in Cleveland, Ohio, with the Austin Wylie Orchestra. They later went to New York together in 1931.  By the mid 1930's he was playing with big names like Glenn Miller, Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman, Ray Noble, and Billie Holiday.

In 1939 he founded the Claude Thornhill Orchestra. Danny Polo, a musician he played with in his younger years, was his lead clarinet player. Although the Thornhill band was a sophisticated dance band, it became known for its superior jazz musicians.  Thornhill encouraged the musicians to develop cool-sounding tones. This approach and sound later influenced Miles Davis's Birth of the Cool which was modeled in part on Thornhill's sound and unconventional instrumentation.

The band's most successful records were "Snowfall", "A Sunday Kind of Love", and "Love for Love".

Thornhill was playing at the Paramount Theater in New York for $10,000 a week in 1942 (that was a boatload of money in 1942!) when he decided to enlist in the U.S. Navy. As chief musician with the Navy, he performed shows across the Pacific.

In 1946, he was discharged from the Navy and reunited his ensemble. Danny Polo and Gerry Mulligan returned with new members, Red Rodney and Lee Konitz, which provided a new energy that took them through the next 10 years or so. In the mid 1950's, Thornhill was briefly Tony Bennett's musical director.

Thornhill died of a heart attack in New Jersey, at the age of 56.

You can hear Claude Thornhill's music on Swing City Radio.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Swing City Radio's: Live at 5


Swing City Radio has discontinued "Live at 5"

Every weekday at around 5 pm we will be playing an old live radio remote featuring an icon from the Big Band era. These remotes were aired by the top stations of the day and the content is amazing. Most Big Band and Swing fans should find these both interesting and entertaining.

Please keep in mind, some of the recordings featured on the show are almost 100 years old. Time has been spent trying to clean up some the audio, but the quality at times, on some of these recordings can be a little sketchy.  There may be some audio garbles, a brief volume drop or two and some pops, but they shouldn't take away from the enjoyment of the recording.  That being said, the content of these shows are classic, so if you need to adjust your volume a bit, I hope you'll find that it's worth it.

You'll hear a different remote each day featuring artists such as: Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw and Louis Armstrong just name a few.

I hope you tune into Swing City Radio's "Live at 5!" I think you'll really enjoy it.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.



Soundies on our Youtube

Soundies

Just wanted to let you all know that we are putting together a very nice collection of Soundies on our Youtube Channel.  Decades before MTV, these were the "music videos" of the day.  They were short films featuring our favorite Big Band and Swing artists.  I've included this snippet from Wikipedia about Soundies because they covered it quite well:

"Soundies were short musical films, produced between 1940 and 1947, each containing a song, dance, and/or band or orchestral number. Produced professionally on 35mm black-and-white film, like theatrical motion pictures, they were printed in the more portable and economical 16mm gauge.

The films were shown in a coin-operated "movie jukebox" called the Panoram, manufactured by the Mills Novelty Company of Chicago. Each Panoram housed a 16mm RCA film projector, with eight Soundies films threaded in an endless-loop arrangement. A system of mirrors flashed the image from the lower half of the cabinet onto a front-facing screen in the top half. Each film cost 10 cents to play, and there was no choice of song; the patron saw whatever film was next in the queue. Panorams could be found in public amusement centers, nightclubs, taverns, restaurants, and factory lounges, and the films were changed weekly. The completed Soundies were generally made available within a few weeks of their filming, by the Soundies Distributing Corporation of America."

So now that you know a little more about Soundies check them out on our Youtube Channel.  I've included a sample below.  Enjoy!



Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.


Swing Is Now OUR Thing!

Swing City Radio Logo

We are proud to announce that on October 15, 2019 we have officially changed our radio station to a total Big Band and Swing format.  Our primary focus will be playing your favorites from the 1930's and 40's but we will also be mixing in Swing Roots from the 1920's, some Dixieland, some Ragtime, a little Bebop as well as playing Swing music from today.

I'd like to personally thank our listeners of Theme City Radio and I hope you stick around to give our new format a try.  My heart has always pointed towards a radio station with a Big Band/Swing format and I'm finally listening to it. :)

We are VERY excited to "Bring the Swing" here on Swing City Radio!  Please, bear with us over the next week or so as we change all of our branding, expand our Big Band and Swing playlists, create articles and content for our website and Youtube Channel and develop original programming.

Swing City Radio continues to broadcast Big Band and Swing Music from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Listening To Swing City Radio on iTunes

iTunes Logo

Since the station launch, I've had some listeners ask me how they can listen to Swing City Radio on iTunes.  Well, iTunes Radio has closed off their directory to new stations, but there is still a way to listen to Swing City Radio on iTunes.  The video below shows how you can add the station.  It's a very easy process and the video walks you through every step.

Our station stream is: http://streaming.live365.com/a03438


Swing City Radio - Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites!

Listening to Swing City Radio on iTunes: The video below shows how you can add the station. It's a very easy process and the video walks you through every step. Swing City Radio - Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites!

Glenn Miller

Glenn Miller Album Cover

I LOVE Glenn Miller.  There are many big bands that I truly enjoy listening to but for some reason, Miller has always been my favorite.  If I could, I would make a station that just played Glenn's music 24/7 and I'm sure it would have a following. :)

For those of you that are new to big band music, here is a brief, factual synopsis of Glenn Miller's career provided by Wikipedia:

Glenn Miller (1904–1944) was a trombonist, arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was the best-selling recording artist from 1939 to 1942, leading one of the best-known big bands. 

Miller's recordings include "In the Mood", "Moonlight Serenade", "Pennsylvania 6-5000", "Chattanooga Choo Choo", "A String of Pearls", "At Last", "(I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo", "American Patrol", "Tuxedo Junction", "Elmer's Tune", "Little Brown Jug" and many, many more. In just four years Glenn Miller scored 16 number-one records and 69 top ten hits.  That's more than Elvis Presley (38 top 10s) and the Beatles (33 top 10s) did in their careers.

While he was traveling to entertain U.S. troops in France during World War II, Miller's aircraft disappeared in bad weather over the English Channel.  Glenn Miller died at the young age of 40!

All these years after Glenn's death, the band still continues to tour.  Nick Hilscher, now leads the band and he has done a fantastic job keeping the "Miller Sound" alive and well. Believe it or not, they play over 300 dates a year! I personally had a chance to see them perform in the summer of 2019 and was totally blown away.

Glenn Miller can be heard on our shows Swing City: After Dark and The Saturday Night Swing.  We play all of his hits, live recordings and dig deep into his vast catalog as well.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Fletcher Henderson

Fletcher Henderson

Fletcher Henderson (1897–1952) was an pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer. He was arguably one of the most important artists in the development of big band and swing music. Henderson's influence was huge. He helped bridge the gap between the Dixieland era and the Swing era. 

In 1924, a 23 year old Louis Armstrong joined the band. Quickly after that the band became known as the best African-American band in New York. Although Armstrong played in the band for only a year, his influence on the band and the big band genre can not be ignored.

Armstrong wasn't the only big name to play in Henderson's band. The Fletcher Henderson Orchestra was filled with incredible talent, including, of course, Fletcher himself. Names that most big band fans know and love such as Coleman Hawkins, Henry "Red" Allen, Benny Carter, Doc Cheatham, Roy Eldridge and many more.

In addition to arrangements for his band, Henderson wrote arrangements for Teddy Hill, Isham Jones and most importantly, Benny Goodman

In 1935, Goodman's Orchestra was selected as a house band for the NBC radio program Let's Dance. Since Goodman needed new songs every week for the show, he began to purchase some from Henderson. Many of Goodman's hits were played by Henderson and his own band in the 1920's and early 1930's.

In 1939, Henderson disbanded his band and joined up with Benny Goodman's band. He served as pianist and arranger and staff arranger. 

He re-formed bands of his own a few times in the 1940's but Henderson suffered a stroke in 1950.  Fletcher survived the stoke but the resulting partial paralysis ended his days as a pianist. In 1952, Henderson sadly passed away at the age of 55. 

You can hear plenty of Fletcher Henderson's songs on our shows Swing City: After Dark and The Saturday Night Swing including the songs: Sugar Foot Stomp, My Pretty Girl, Money Blues and many others.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Benny Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert

Benny Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert

In late 1937, Benny Goodman's publicist suggested that Goodman and his band play Carnegie Hall in New York City. The sold-out concert was held on the evening of January 16, 1938. It is regarded as one of the most significant concerts in jazz history.  Jazz had finally been accepted by mainstream audiences. 

Recordings of the concert were made. In 1950, Goodman's sister-in-law found the recordings in Benny's apartment and brought them to Benny's attention. Goodman took the newly discovered recording to Columbia, and a selection was issued on LP as "The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert." It's been re-released many times over the years.

You can hear many selections from this album on Swing City Radio. 

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Deep in the Heart of Texas

Deep in the Heart of Texas - Banned by BBC in 1942

In 1942, the BBC banned the song "Deep in the Heart of Texas" from the British airwaves during working hours on the grounds that its infectious melody might cause British wartime factory-hands to neglect their tools while they clapped in time with the song. "Wartime" meaning World War II of course.

But that's not the only amazing fact about the song...

Also in 1942, there were no fewer than five versions of the song in the Billboard charts on our side of the Atlantic Ocean. Alvino Rey and His Orchestra, Ted Weems and His Orchestra, The Merry Macs, Bing Crosby and Horace Heidt's Musical Knights all topped the charts that year with their own versions of the song.

You can hear "Deep in the Heart of Texas" by Alvino Rey and his Orchestra on Swing City Radio. (Nope, it hasn't been banned here!)

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.


Chick Webb

Chick Webb
Chick Webb (1905-1939) was a drummer and band leader is 1920's and 30's.

From childhood, he suffered from tuberculosis of the spine, leaving him with short stature and a badly deformed spine; which caused him to appear hunchbacked.  At the age of 17 Webb moved to New York City and by 1926 was leading his own band in Harlem. Chick Webb became one of the best-regarded bandleaders and drummers of the new "swing" style that was developing throughout the 30's.

Chick Webb and His Orchestra performed at a very high level of energy and that can be heard in both their live and studio recordings.

In 1935, he began featuring a young Ella Fitzgerald (still a teenager) as a vocalist. Together Chick and Ella would electrify the Swing Era of jazz with hits such as "A-Tisket a Tasket" which you can hear on Swing City: After Dark and on The Sunday Morning Swing.

Listen to Chick Webb's music on Swing City Radio.

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Programming Schedule

Show Schedule
Updated 02/16/20

Check out the Programming Schedule above for days and times of your favorite programs. (Click on image to enlarge.)

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! 

Broadcasting Online to a National Audience from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania via Internet Radio.


Ina Ray Hutton

Ina Ray Hutton

Ina Ray Hutton was born as Odessa Cowen in March of 1916.  As a child she was very talented performer and even performed on Broadway before she was 18.

In 1934, she was approached by a vaudeville agent to lead an all-girl orchestra, the Melodears.  As part of the group's formation, she asked her to change her name, which she did.  The group included trumpet player Frances Klein, Canadian pianist Ruth Lowe Sandler, saxophonist Jane Cullum, guitarist Marian Gange, trumpeter Mardell "Owen" Winstead and trombonist Alyse Wells during its existence. Hutton and her Melodears were one of the first all-girl bands to be filmed for Paramount shorts. (See video below) The group disbanded in 1939.

You can hear her songs Five O'Clock Whistle, Cabin in the Sky and How About Tomorrow Night on Swing City Radio.

In 1940 she led an all-male orchestra. The group recorded on the Elite and Okeh labels and was disbanded in 1949. She retired from music in 1968 and died on February 19th in 1984, aged 67.

Check out Ina Ray Hutton and other Big Band artists every night on Swing City: After Dark.




Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Music Added: Jerry Gray

Jerry Gray

We just added some more great songs from Jerry Gray and His Orchestra to our Swing City playlists.  Song titles include: "Crazy, She Calls Me", "Desert Serenade", "Lady Be Good", "Night and Day", "That Lucky Old Sun" and "Unforgettable".

Be sure to check them out on Swing City: After Dark, The Saturday Night Swing and The Sunday Morning Swing.

Broadcasting from King of Prussia, PA | Swing City Radio: It's ALL About The Music!

Harry James

Harry James


Harry James was an amazing swing musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader who led Harry James and His Orchestra from 1939 to 1946. He broke up his band for a short period in 1947 but shortly after he reorganized and was active again with his band from then until his death in 1983. He was especially known among musicians for his technical proficiency as well as his tone, and was influential on new trumpet players from the late 1930s into the 1940s.

"Back Beat Boogie", "Velvet Moon" and "I Don't Want To Walk Without You" are just a few of his songs that we play on Swing City: After Dark and The Saturday Night Swing.

James' band was the first high-profile orchestra to feature vocalist Frank Sinatra. James wanted to change Sinatra's name to 'Frankie Satin', but the singer refused.  The James band's featured female vocalist was Helen Forrest, and his later band included drummer Buddy Rich and bassist Thurman Teague. Johnny MacAfee was featured on the sax and vocals, and Corky Corcoran was a young sax prodigy.



Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA.

Ray Anthony: Still Swinging

Ray Anthony


Ray Anthony (born January 20, 1922) is an American bandleader, trumpeter and songwriter.  He is the last surviving member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

He played in Glenn Miller's band from 1940–1941 and appeared in the Glenn Miller movie Sun Valley Serenade before joining the U.S. Navy during World War Two. After the war he formed his own group. The Ray Anthony Orchestra became popular in the early 1950s with "The Bunny Hop", "Hokey Pokey", and the theme from Dragnet.  He had a No. 2 chart hit with a remake of the Glenn Miller tune "At Last" in 1952, the highest charting pop version of the song in the U.S.

You can hear many of Ray Anthony's songs on Swing City "After Dark" here on Swing City Radio.

Here is a video of Ray Anthony playing on his 95th birthday:




Sunday Morning Swing

Sunday Morning Swing


Swing City Radio has discontinued "The Sunday Morning Swing"

About the Program:

Ease through your Sunday mornings with the relaxing, smooth sounds of the Big Bands.  The Sunday Morning Swing features the softer Big Band favorites from the 1930's and 40's.  Let's make Big Band on Sunday mornings a tradition.  The show is even better with a great cup of coffee.

Times: 
Sunday Mornings at 8am - 11am

The Sunday Morning Swing - Streaming Free Big Band and Swing Music via Internet Radio from King of Prussia to a Nationwide Audience 

Swing City Radio: King of Prussia's Music Station - It's ALL About The Music!

Saturday Night Swing

Saturday Night Swing

Swing City Radio has discontinued "The Saturday Night Swing".

About the Program:

We make Saturday Nights fun again!   The Saturday Night Swing features Big Band favorites from the 1930's and 40's and fun facts from the era.  It's time to move the couch into the corner of the living room to make your very own "Swing City Ballroom."

Times: 
Every Saturday Night at 7pm - 11pm

Sponsored by: AGM Promotional Products.com

The Saturday Night Swing - Streaming Free Big Band and Swing Music via Internet Radio from King of Prussia to a Nationwide Audience 

Swing City Radio: "Playing Your Big Band and Swing Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today!"



After Dark

Swing City After Dak features Big Band favorites from the 1930's and 40's

About the Program:

After Dark features the Swingin' Sounds from all of your favorite Big Bands. The show focuses mostly on the classics from the 1930's and 40's, but we've been known to throw in some great tunes from the 50's.  You'll hear Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, The Andrew Sisters, and many other icons from the Big Band Era.

Vinyl pops, crackles and just a little bit of static included. :)

Times: 
Weekdays at 8pm - 12am

Sponsored by:

AG Marketing Solutions Banner

Swing City Radio: Playing Your Big Band and Swing Music Favorites from the 1930's, 40's and Today! - Big Band Radio Station Broadcasting Online from King of Prussia, PA. 

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King of Prussia Radio Station

Swing City Radio Design

Swing City Radio broadcasts from King of Prussia, PA via the Internet.

For the benefit of our national and worldwide audience, King of Prussia is a suburb of Philadelphia and located in Southeastern Pennsylvania.  It is home to one of the largest shopping malls in the United States and is just a few minutes drive from Valley Forge National Park.

King of Prussia boasts a large amount of Restaurants and Bars, many of them featuring live music.

Swing City Radio is proud to have our Radio Station in King of Prussia where we play Your Big Band and Swing Favorites!

Listening on Alexa


New:

Swing City Radio has a new Alexa Skill.  

Learn more at: https://www.swingcityradio.com/p/listen-on-alexa.html

The Glenn Miller Carnegie Hall Concert

Glenn Miller

I purchased this record for 50 cents at Double Decker Records in Allentown, PA.  It's in fabulous condition and the content is incredible.  This Glenn Miller live performance was recorded in 1939 and is a must-have for any Glenn Miller fan.

The Glenn Miller Carnegie Hall Concert features rousing versions of "Running Wild", "Hold Tight" and "Jim Jam Jump" along with the Miller favs "In the Mood" and "Little Brown Jug."  Not bad for 50 cents! :)

Be sure to check out our Youtube Channel.

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