A Hundred Years From Today: Maxine Sullivan

I remember my grandparents having a serving tray that said "Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think..." I didn't understand that saying then but I do now. Mr. New Year's Eve, Guy Lombardo, had a song with the same name telling about how people don't enjoy life. They think they will later, working and saving for a retirement that may not ever happen.

As we start a new year, my melancholy personality (melancholy folks are great friends and workers but not always optimists....) recalls another song.

Back when I worked in radio, for a time our station used the wildly successful radio format "The Music Of Your Life." (I wrote a blog about this in the past about the genius Al Ham who invented it). Among the Bing Crosbys, Jo Staffords, and Artie Shaws of the day (superstars), there were several recordings by folks I never heard of. One was Maxine Sullivan. I never gave it much thought until the other day, when I once again heard her rendition of "A Hundred Years From Today."

"A Hundred Years From Today" is a song much like "Enjoy Yourself, It's Later Than You Think." It's simply lovely. I never knew who Maxine Sullivan was or even what she looked like. I don't know where Al Ham got the recording Maxine made of the song or when it was recorded. I do want you to be able to enjoy it, so click here for a lost gem of music history. The Maxine Sullivan story is told quite well here. Interesting that she is hardly known in pop music history today in comparison to Ella, Rosemary Clooney, et al.

But then "A Hundred Years From Today..." no one will remember us either!

Writers: J.Young/Washington/V.Young
Hey don't save your kisses - just pass 'em around
You'll find my reason - is logically sound
Who's gonna know that you past them around
A hundred years from today
And why crave a penthouse - that's fit for a queen
You're nearer heaven - on mamma Earth's green
If you had millions - what would they all mean
One hundred years from today

So laugh and sing - make love the thing
Be happy while you may
('Cause) There's always one - beneath the sun
Who's bound to make you feel that way
The moon is shining - and that's a good sign
Cling to me closer - say you'll be mine
Remember baby we won't see it shine
A hundred years from today


Happy New Year everyone and Enjoy Yourself, it's later than you think.....

PS: From the random acts of kindness dept, I'd like to thank Mr. Wheeler who out of the blue sent me a fun Guy Lombardo New Year's Eve show. Thank you kind sir!

Merry Christmas from Lucille Ball & Jimmy Stewart

Merry CHRISTmas from Lucille Ball and Jimmy Stewart......no, this isn't a clip from a zany "I Love Lucy" show or from the beloved movie "It's A Wonderful Life"......

Enjoy the real true story of CHRISTmas. Click here and enjoy this rare clip!

Get out those CHRISTmas records!

"It's CHRISTmas time in the city..." to quote the line from the song Silver Bells....

That also means it's time to get out all of the CHRISTmas lps and start playing them. Through the years I have collected quite a few records, but especially at CHRISTmas I long to hear the same old recordings that I grew up with. Somehow hearing those familiar songs brings me back to the simpler days of childhood and memories of lots of folks who aren't with us anymore.

I always have thought it was interesting how society casts off the music and singers of the past, as if no one is interested anymore. Oddly enough this time of year they are all resurrected for a short time, be it Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Percy Faith, and the rest of the greats. They are heard throughout the radio airwaves once again and in stores. My wife and I were in Walmart and heard the friendly sounds of Mitch Miller and the Gang singing "Santa Claus is Comin to Town." It was 1963 all over again! I think I heard several people singing right along as they gleefully shopped for their treasures.

Why is this music brought out of the archives? It is comfortable and familiar and just like my old CHRISTmas albums sends those warm fuzzies out. I only wish that people would realize what they are missing the rest of the year!

Enjoy the pics of some of my favorite albums here along with a pic of yours truly from "several" years ago. No, this isn't a photograph, but as proclaimed in the picture insert it's a "Santa-Graf!"

Merry CHRISTmas....

Here Comes Suzie Snowflake!

When television was in its infancy, stations had a lot of time to fill between shows. Around Christmas some special programming was aired to fill in this time and today we present one of those classics, Suzy Snowflake.

Featuring the beautiful voice of Norma Zimmer along with the Norman Luboff Choir, this simple black and white stop action holiday film was so popular it is still shown on several stations to this day. This short movie can be described in one word: charming.

I always hoped to meet Norma Zimmer but alas she passed away earlier this year. Her voice is just as enchanting as this old film is. I hope you enjoy it.

Click on the link here to watch this television classic from 1951. The song also made it onto a record around that time. Click here to listen to it by Rosemary Clooney.