The fellow on the right leaning into the microphone is my Dad, Russ Butler. He has been around radio and performing on the air since he was a teen ager. He built his own radio in his home and operated this small station in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts until a couple of tough characters from the federal government knocked on the door. The story goes that my grandfather was given a choice of either going to jail or surrendering the radio my father had built. My Dad spent less time on the air after that and more time riding his bike.My Dad still performs on the air and can be heard on 'Songbook America' which is streamed over the internet on an online music station called, Boston Pete (http://bostonpete.com/). He specializes in songs from the 40's and 50's and has a personal collection that he travels with and stores wherever he goes. My brothers and sisters and I have fond memories of listening to his programs and watching him do live 'remote' broadcasts over the years. He also worked in television off and on and would put us in commercials and fit us kids in somehow to what he was doing. We are very proud of our Dad and his career in radio. But the words to some of those songs are really...well....memorable.
Here are some interesting and fun titles and lyrics from the 1940's.
We're Gonna Hang Out The Washing On The Siegfried Line. Sung by Flanagan & Allen written by Jimmy Kennedy & Michael Carr.
Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens. Louis Jordan & His Tympany 5.
Powder your Face with Sunshine. Evelyn Knight- words and music by Carmen Lombardo and Stanley Rochinski
"Powder your face with sunshine
Put on a great big smile
Make up your eyes with laughter
Folks will be laughing with you in a little while
Whistle a tune of gladness
Gloom was never in style
The future's brighter
When hearts are lighter
Smile, smile, smile!"
Perry Como sang, Chi-baba, Chi-baba
"Many a year ago in old Sorrentoa certain ditty was quite the thing
Whenever a mother rocked her baby in Sorrento
this little ditty she used to sing:Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawaAn' chi-lawa kook-a la goombahChi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawamy bambino go to sleep!"
Louis Primo belted out, "Hey, Ba Ba Re Bop Hey! Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop) Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop (Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop) Yeah, my baby knows Matilda Brown told ole' King Tut Say if you can't pay me five, just keep your big mouth shut."
Managua, Nicaragua- words by Albert Gamse, music by Irving Fields- as recorded in New York November 15, 1946 by Guy Lombardoand His Royal CanadiansManagua,
"Nicaragua is a beautiful town
You buy a hacienda for a few pesos down
You give it to the lady you are tryin' to win
But her papa doesn't let you come in."
I don't know about you but I think someone should remake some of these great songs! Keep up the great work, Dad!
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