Welcome to Glenn Robison’s Rapidly Rotating Records, bringing you vintage music to which you can’t *not* tap your toes, from rapidly rotating 78 RPM records of the 1920s and ’30s.

I certainly hope you recognize the man at the keyboard as Fats Waller. We’ll be celebrating Fats’ birthday in the third segment of this week’s edition of Rapidly Rotating Records. In past tributes, we’ve always played Fats’ commercial recordings but Fats was heard regularly on radio so this year as a bit of change we’re going to play a complete radio broadcast. The photo above was taken in October, 1938 at the Yacht Club in New York City and in the show we’ll be airing, Fats plays four songs which he never recorded commercially. Do you know who Gitz Rice is? I’m guessing not, but you’ll find out all about him and hear several of his songs in the second segment of the show.  We’ll even have a bit of fun playing “Compare & Contrast” with one of his songs. We’ll also celebrate the birthdays of Tommy Tucker and Felix Arndt and we’ll have song some about hollyhocks. 

As a reminder, you’ve only got about a week left to order your limited edition KISL t-shirt. The Catalina Island Performing Arts Foundation is offering KISL Island Radio T-Shirts in order to raise funds to help offset the operational costs of the station. Here’s your chance to be stylin’ and help support the station. There are five different styles, five different colors and eight sizes, so there’s at least one that’s just right for everyone. But, they are only available until May 31, so order yours now. All orders will be shipped beginning June 8. Just click HERE for complete descriptions and ordering information.   

There’s lots of great music and interesting information so set aside an hour with your favorite beverage and be magically transported back to a different (and better!) musical era. 

ENJOY THE SHOW!

I hope you are all safe and healthy and doing as well as you can be given the current world situation and stay-at-home orders and that this hour of music gives you a bit of diversion and entertainment. Thanks for listening and best wishes!

Here’s the complete playlist:

Segment 1: Hollyhocks

When Polly Walks Through The Hollyhocks – Allan Selby and His Band / Tom Barratt, v.
Hollyhock – Billy Mayerl (Piano Solo)

Segemnt 2: Gitz Rice

Because You’re Here – Edward Johnson, Tenor
Keep Your Head Down, Fritzi Boy – American Quartet
Dear Old Pal Of Mine – Joseph C. Smith’s Orchestra
Dear Old Pal Of Mine – Shep Fields and His New Music / Ken CUrtis, v.

Segment 3: Fats Waller on the Air

Radio Broadcast from the Yacht Club, NYC, October 18, 1938

Segment 4: Felix Arndt

Toots – Dr. John Clarence Penney
Nola – The Revelers

Segment 5: Tommy Tucker

The Man Who Comes Around – Sweet Violet Boys
The Two Little Squirrels – Tommy Tucker Time / Amy Arnell, Don Brown, Tommy Tucker, v.

THANKS FOR LISTENING!