The Neon Beat on Radio George - 5.23.16

On The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 1: Perry Como gets down his soup and fish and opens this set with the Fontane Sisters for a Milton Delugg polka number, “Hoop De Doo.” Rosemary Clooney follows up with her 1951 hit, “Comon-a’ My House.” Enjoy some period film music with Pat Boone’s “April Love” and a song from a fun, period, teen flick with Annette Funicello and the Beach Boys. We’ll spin a lush memory off the MGM label as we hear Joni James with “Purple Shades.” Listen to Old Blue Eyes with “Old Devil Moon.” Instrumentals by Andre Previn with the theme from “Irma La Douce,” Bill Pursell’s beautiful and haunting, “Our Winter Love” and a toe tapper by the Al Casey Combo doing, “Jiving Around.” We’ll track a folk set with The Mills Brothers, Gale Garnett, and The Kingston Trio. Hear Dean Martin with “Mambo Italianohttp://www.radiogeorge.com/neonbeat/
,” some great Broadway with Tony Bennett singing, “Taking a Chance on Love.” Songs by Sarah Vaughan, Gogi Grant, and a period early 1960’s hit record by Australian Rolf Harris. Listen now at:

On The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 2: The Toys launch this hour with their 1965 hit, “A Lover’s Concerto.” Next we’ll play a song by The Mike Curb Congregation heard in the Clint Eastwood film Kelly’s Heroes. Nat King Cole follows with a lovely tune written by Charlie Chaplin. Hear film and Broadway selections by Bing Crosby singing, “Around the World,” Frank Sinatra’s, “Forget Domani,” The Four Lads with a song from “Gypsy,” and a lovely instrumental version of a song from “Godspell” by Raymond Lefevre. Hear Ella Fitzgerald with some great Cole Porter singing, “Let’s Do it, Let’s Fall in Love.” We’ll spin Bobby Vinton’s “Blue on Blue,” one of Petula Clark’s many charting hits, “I Know a Place,” and Al Martino with “Spanish Eyes.” Perry Como performs a lovely song from “Carousel.” We’ll team up Rosemary Clooney with Guy Mitchell singing “The House of Singing Bamboo” from Pagan Love Song. Turn it up for Elvis with “It’s Now or Never,” Kai Winding’s 1963 hit, “More” and Robert Goulet with “Mamselle.”
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On The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 3: Frank Sinatra opens this hour with the theme from the Martin Scorcese production of “New York, New York.” Then we’ll stroll down lover’s lane with Nat King Cole “Walking My Baby Back Home.” Introducing New York’s Steven Maglio with “The Lady is a Tramp” ala bossa nova. You’ll hear Engelbert Humperdinck (good thing I don’t charge by the syllable) as we play one of his hits, “A Man Without Love.” Peggy Lee follows with a song of divine concession, “Alright, Ok, You Win” followed by The Kingston Trio with a gritty Hoyt Axton song called, “Greenback Dollar.” Then we tone it down for Johnny Mathis’ lovely rendition of “Misty.” We’ll track the Dean Martin hit single recorded with the Four Lads singing, “Standing on the Corner.” Hear Steve Lawrence with his 1963 hit written by Carole King. Listen to Barbra Streisand from her first Columbia album, “A Kid Again” and Sammy Davis Jr “Falling in Love.” You’ll hear Tennessee Ernie Ford with “Sixteen Tons,” a song from the film, “Oklahoma” sung by Vikki Carr, and we’ll throw in a little ‘Chug a Lug” by Roger Miller. Hits by Debbie Reynolds, the Fontane Sisters and Bert Kaempfert. Listen at: http://www.radiogeorge.com/neonbeat/

Neon Beat on Radio George - 5.16.16

On The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 1: Engelbert Humperdinck opens this hour with a hit song heard in a 1968 British short film, “The Cyclist of Belsize Park.” Then get set to sail with Roger Whittaker listen to an overnight sensation in the mid 70’s called, “the Last Farewell.” Enjoy a little Dinah Shore with her snappy rendition of “Dear Hearts and Gentle People.” Peggy Lee sings “It’s All Over Now” followed with Dean Martin “Cryin’ Like a Baby.” Hear Bobby Goldsboro’s “Muddy Mississippi Line,” Patsy Cline’s “Walking After Midnight” and Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” sung with Al DeLory’s Capitol Records Orcheshttp://www.radiogeorge.com/neonbeat/
tra. Enjoy some great film selections with The Four Lads, Tony Bennett, and Actress Judy Garland. We’ll track period instrumentals by Nelson Riddle, Billy May’s Orchestra, and a back of the rack request for “Mood Indigo” by the Norman Petty Trio. You’ll hear the signature hit for the iron voiced band leader Vaughn Monroe with “Racing with the Moon.” Records by the McGuire Sisters, and Rosemary Clooney. Listen now at:

On The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 2: Petula Clark launches this set with “It’s a Sign of the Times.” The Association is next with their tender hit, “Never My Love.” Enjoy some NY swing with Jerry Costanzo performing, “Can I Steal a Little Love.” We’ll track a request instrumental for the old Mike Hammer Theme, “Harlem Nocturne” by the Viscounts. Listen to some great silver screen favorites by Bing Crosby singing “McNamara’s Band,” Vic Damone with “Younger than Springtime” from South Pacific, Henry Mancini’s “the Pink Panther,” and Dean Martin with Jerry Lewis singing “the Money Song.” You’ll hear some great big band with Benny Goodman’s orchestra playing, “Down South Camp Meeting.” Vic Dana sings the vocal version of the “Mondo carne” film theme from 1963, “More.” Hear the Carpenters with the old Sesame Street hit, “Sing,” Danny Williams hit record, “White on White,” and the alfredo crooning of Dean Martin with “Under The Bridges of Paris.” Songs by Jo Stafford, Perry Como and Frankie Laine.
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ON The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 3: Robert Goulet kicks off this hour with those happy, “Summer Sounds.” Then listen to the theme from “Casino Royale” with Herb Alpert. We’ll team up Bing Crosby with Rosemary Clooney for an old Bunny Berigan big band standard. Hear the 1951 hit for Nat King Cole singing the signature song for the era, “Unforgettable.” Hear more film selections sung by Andy Williams with the “Days of Wine and Roses,” Barbra Streisand’s “People” from Funny Girl, and Jerry Vale with “Three Coins in the Fountain.” Listen to a hit for Harry Nilsson that “almost” was a film theme for the movie, “Midnight Cowboy.” Enjoy some swingin’ Sinatra as we go “Learning the Blues,” Johnny Mathis with Percy Faith’s Orchestra singing, “A Certain Smile,” and then we’ll get “Too Close for Comfort” with the gorgeous Peggy Lee. Snap your fingers with Kay Starr’s 1952 hit, “Side by Side.” We’ll pull in songwriter Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers for “Personality.” Hit songs by The Chordettes, Steve Lawrence and Glenn Miller. Listen today at: http://www.radiogeorge.com/neonbeat/

The Neon Beat on Radio George - 5.9.16

On The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 1: The Four Knights (not the Monty Python pronunciation) open this hour with “I Get So Lonely.” (Bass singer Oscar Broadway leading with “Oh Baby Mine.”) Then we’ll bring on our funny girl, Barbra Streisand with “Second Hand Rose.” We’ll track a requested number for Sam Cooke’s, “Nothing Can Change this Love.” Mister “shuck n’ jive,” Frankie Laine, performs the song, “Waiting for the End of the Road” followed up with some great swing by Glen Gray performing, “The King Porter Stomp.” Listen to one of the many Capitol Records hits for Nat King Cole, “A Blossom Fell.” Then sing along with Rosemary Clooney as she sings, “Shine on Harvest Moon.” We’ll team up the Brothers Four for the wistful, “Green Leaves of Summer” followed up with an Ian Tyson song, “Four Strong Winds” sung by Glenn Yarborough. Get a chuckle with Dinah Shore and the quartet singing a fun twisted song called, “Sweet Violets.” Frank Sinatra is next with one of his signature songs, “I’ve Got the World on a String” and “Sumpthin’ Smith and the Redheads” singing, “It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie.” Hear Andy Williams, Patti Page, Disney’s duck genius, Ludwig Van Drake (Paul Frees) and more. Listen at: http://www.radiogeorge.com/neonbeat/

On The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 2: We open this hour with the lovely lilt of Jo Stafford singing a standard from “South Pacific.” Then we’ll track a song heard in the film, “The Sound of Music” sung by Mr. Tony Bennett. Hear more great music from the silver screen by the Mantovani Orchestra, Andy Williams, Debbie Reynolds, Doris Day, Dean Martin and Lena Horne. We’ll bring in Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme for a spirited version of “Besame Mucho” followed up with a sweeping version of “To the Ends of the Earth sung by Nat King Cole. Then we’ll enjoy a cuppa joe with Frank Sinatra and the swinging Nelson Riddle Orchestra for “The Coffee Song.” Vikki Carr performs her strong rendition of the song, “Cant’ Take My Eyes Off of You.” We’ll swing to the great Glenn Miller hit song, “In the Mood” followed up with The Ames Brothers and the big band era standard “On a Slow Boat to China.” Enjoy Les Paul and Mary Ford with “The World is Waiting for the Sunrise. “ Laugh with the great Phil Harris giving some dating advice from “44 Sycamore.”
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Photo: Myself hangin' with some purty WDAF "61 Country" crew.

On The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 3: Get set for a little honey in the horn with Al Hirt as we open with “Cotton Candy.” Then we’ll rise up on that great gettiin’ up morning with Pat Boone and “A Wonderful Time up There.” Tom Jones steams on stage next for “Help Yourself.” Listen to NY’s own Jerry Costanzo with his great orchestra doing, “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries.” Enjoy some signature Frank Sinatra with “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” followed up with some swingin’ big band with Glen Gray’s rendition of “Topsy.” Enjoy some lovely music by Andy Williams remembering “The Summer of our Love.” Hear Dionne Warwick with some bouncy Broadway music with “Promises, Promises” and a little jazzy Bobby Darin with “Bill Bailey.” Omaha’s Roger Williams pounds the keyboard for some great film music from “Born Free.” You’ll hear the Four Preps with that song about the Isle of romance, and Connie Francis with her first big chart hit, “Who’s Sorry Now.” We’ll spin records with Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and a Canadian teen sensation named Nikki Yanofsky doing Ella’s “Airmail Special.” (hold on to your hat)
Listen now at: http://www.radiogeorge.com/neonbeat/

Neon Beat on Radio George - 5.2.16

On The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 1: Harry Belefonte launches into this great set with “Jump in the Line.” Then enjoy the song “Too Marvelous for Words” sung by Rosemary Clooney followed by Frank Sinatra’s “Love and Marriage.” Listen to some great big band with Les Brown and his Band of Renown with “How Bout You?” and Billy May’s great rendition of “Pompton Turnpike.” Be sure to crank up Ella Fitzgerald for a swingin’ number from the play, “Kiss Me Kate.” Hear the tender “Shadow of Your Smile” performed by Mr. Tony Bennett. Hear great groups like The Mills Brothers, and The McGuire Sisters. Dean Martin taps on the ol’ cokhttp://www.radiogeorge.com/neonbeat/
e bottle with guitar and orchestra for the song, “Houston.” Break out the umbrella for Eydie Gorme’s refreshing version of “April Showers” followed up with a rockin’ Pat Boone singing “At My Front Door.” We’ll team up Lee Hazelwood with Nancy Sinatra for the song “Jackson.” Listen to songs by Frankie Laine, Jo Stafford and film music by Elmer Bernstein.  Listen now at:

On the Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 2: The Four Lads open this hour with their 1956 chart hit, “No Not Much.” Then we’ll take a little “vaca” amongst the monkeys and the palm trees with Tony Bennett. Enjoy a great Carole King song sung by Karen and Richard Carpenter, “It’s Going to Take Some Time.” Listen to some great period instrumentals with Andre Previn, Les Baxter, Frank Pourcell, and Duke Ellington with Arthur Fieldler and the Boston Pops. We’ll do some Rat Packin’ with Dean Martin’s version of the song, “Just in Time” and Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr with “Me and My Shadow.” We’ll fulfill a Kansas City request for a 1949 song by Evelyn Knight and the Stardusters. Hear a 1964 Grammy award winning song for Nancy Wilson. Jo Stafford sings a fun song from “My Fair Lady” followed up with some period folk by The Kingston Trio and a toe tapper by Perry Como called “Round and Round.” We’ll spin songs by Kay Starr, Ray Charles and Billie Holiday. Leave comments see the playlists and links at: http://theneonbeat.blogspot.com/

Photo: Myself sandwiched between two great Kansas City radio fellows. Left: Ted Cramer: Program Director for KC’s 61 Country, WDAF. (1977-79 and 1991-2004) Right: Michael Payne: General Manager for KC’s KUDL, KMXV, and WDAF. (1977-2001) Presently GM at Salem Communications. KLUP and KSLR in San Antonio, Tx.

On The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 3: Paul Anka takes the stage to open this set with “Goodnight My Love.” Then listen to Dionne Warwick with “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.” Button up your spring raincoat for a great 1970’s comeback hit for Neil Sedaka, “Laughter in the Rain.” Enjoy an amorous number from the play, “Kismet” sung by Kansas City’s own Marilyn Maye. We’ll spin some Glen Campbell singing, “Galveston,” The Carpenters with “Goodbye to Love,” and a comeback hit for Frankie Valli singing “My Eyes Adored You.” Frank Sinatra grabs the mic with Nelson Riddle’s orchestra doing a swinging version of “My Blue Heaven.” Enjoy instrumentals performed by Andre Previn, Walter Wanderley and Dave “Baby” Cortez. We’ll turn up the thermostat for Peggy Lee’s “Fever.” We’ll track Eydie Gorme’s 1963 hit, “Blame it on the Bossa Nova.” Great groups like The Vogues with “Till” and the Four Freshmen singing “Day by Day.” Songs with Michael Buble, Sarah Vaughan, and Matt Monro. To listen now, go to: http://www.radiogeorge.com/neonbeat/

Neon Beat on Radio George - 4.25.16

On the Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 1: The Ames Brothers launch this week’s set singing a great jazz standard, “Undecided.” Then Barbra Streisand takes the stage with a fine cut from her highly acclaimed “Broadway Album.” Enjoy some period instrumentals with Morris Stoloff’s “Theme from Picnic,” Bert Kaempfert with “Wonderland by Night” and a 1967 instrumental by The Brass Ring used as image music for Benson and Hedges cigarettes. We’ll remember a great British drama starring Sydney Poitier with the theme from “To Sir with Love’ sung by Lulu. Frank Sinatra sings a snappy version of the song “S’posin. We’ll bring together Bing Crosby with Rosemary Clooney as we “Come to the Mardis Gras.” Hear Kansas City’s Marilyn Maye with a theme from the Broadway play, “Sherry.” Andy Williams sings his 1963 hit, “Can’t Get Used to Losing You.’ Then we’ll count the “Flowers on the Wall” with the Statler Brothers. Hear a sexy rendition the song, “Quiet Nights and Quiet Stars” with Sarah Vaughn, “Memories” by Elvis Presley, and a great old standard by The Casinos. Lots more! Listen at: http://www.radiogeorge.com/neonbeat/

On The Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 2: Bobby Goldsboro begins this hour with his surprise hit. A song written by Mac Davis called “Watching Scotty Grow.” Then we’ll reunite the Association to sing two of their chart hits with Barry Manilow. “Cherish” and “Windy.” Listen to The Carpenters with “Rainy Days and Mondays.” (it be rainin’ and its Monday in KC as of this writing) We’ll remember the period film “the Graduate” as Simon and Garfunkel sing “Mrs.’ Robinson.” Listen to hit instrumentals by Herb Alpert and the TJB doing their first charting hit “The Lonely Bull,” Henry Mancini with the theme from “Charade” and David Rose with “the Stripper.” Here some 1950’s favorites with Terry Gilkyson and the EZ Riders singing, “Marianne,” Doris Day with “Everybody Loves a Lover,” and The Platters, “Only You.” We’ll enjoy a little Brit invasion music with that big hit by the New Vaudeville Band as we revisit “Winchester Cathedral.” Enjoy some more movie music with the Lettermen and the theme from “A Summer Place” and Nat King Cole and Stubby Kaye from “Cat Ballou.” (Bites like the devil!!) Tom Jones, Ray Charles, Jo Stafford and more.
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On the Neon Beat this week, Jukebox 3: Sammy Davis Jr takes the stage for one of his many hits off Broadway, “I’ve Gotta Be Me.” Then listen to a toe tapper by Kansas City’s “Rhumba Girl” Nicolette Larson. (by request) Tony Bennett sings with the Count Basie Orchestra a song about that windy city, and Wilburt Harrison sings one about that city of fountains. We’ll track a bluesy number by Perry Como called “Dream on Little Dreamer” followed up with a Cole Porter song from the film “High Society” with Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong. From the Neon Jazz collection, introducing Lisa Gary, with a tender rendition of “I’ll Be Seeing You.” We’ll step on the set of Stagedoor Canteen for Benny Goodman backing Peggy Lee for “Why Don’t You Do Right?” Listen to show instrumentals by Paul Mauriat and Henry Mancini. We’ll spin records like Patti Page’s “Old Cape Cod” and Johnny Mathis’s “What Will My Mary Say?” You’ll hear a back-of-the-rack selection by Earl Grant called “The End” followed by Oklahoman Kay Starr with “The Man Upstairs” and “The Reverend Mister Black” by The Kingston Trio. Listen now at: http://www.radiogeorge.com/neonbeat/