National Network for Equitable Library Service

The music of a generation, preserved for generations yet to come. It's the Big Bands, live and on the air, presented in this exciting Radio Archives collection. Dance music "remotes" from ballrooms, hotels, and nightspots were a regular feature of late-night radio programming. Originally aired live, these rare broadcasts preserve the music of the era with a fresh spontaneity that explodes past the confines of the more familiar (and often abridged) studio recordings of the time.

Whether you remember the big band era yourself or simply appreciate the timeless music of the war years and beyond, you'll find many treasures in this collection, featuring twenty of the top bands and musical groups of the era in twenty half-hour live remote broadcasts dating from 1944 to 1950. In addition to performances by orchestras that are still well remembered today, the set also features broadcasts by several lesser-known but equally talented ensembles, all performing live and in-person from some of the top ballrooms and night spots of the era.

Whether you remember the big band era yourself or simply appreciate the timeless music of the war years and beyond, you'll find many treasures in this second collection from Radio Archives, featuring twenty of the top bands and musical groups of the era in twenty half-hour live remote broadcasts dating from 1944 to 1950. In addition to performances by orchestras that are still well remembered today, the set also features broadcasts by several lesser-known but equally talented ensembles, all performing live and in-person from some of the top ballrooms and night spots of the era.

Whether you remember the big band era yourself or simply appreciate the timeless music of the war years and beyond, you'll find many treasures in this third collection from Radio Archives, featuring eighteen of the top bands and musical groups of the era in twenty half-hour live remote broadcasts dating from 1944 to 1958. In addition to performances by orchestras that are still well remembered today, the set also features broadcasts by several lesser-known but equally talented ensembles, all performing live and in-person from some of the top ballrooms and night spots of the era.

Take $100,000.00 a week, divide it up among some of the brightest stars in entertainment, then add in top-notch writing, a full orchestra and choir conducted by Meredith Willson and hire a sophisticated, deep-voiced leading lady as your hostess and what do you get? One of the most amazing and entertaining variety shows ever to hit the airwaves: "The Big Show," starring Tallulah Bankhead. Aired as a Sunday evening extravaganza, NBC literally broke the bank hiring stars for each 90-minute broadcast -- and it was, of course, simply too expensive to last.

Take $100,000.00 a week, divide it up among some of the brightest stars in entertainment, then add in top-notch writing, a full orchestra and choir conducted by Meredith Willson and hire a sophisticated, deep-voiced leading lady as your hostess and what do you get? One of the most amazing and entertaining variety shows ever to hit the airwaves: "The Big Show," starring Tallulah Bankhead. Aired as a Sunday evening extravaganza, NBC literally broke the bank hiring stars for each 90-minute broadcast -- and it was, of course, simply too expensive to last.

Take $100,000.00 a week, divide it up among some of the brightest stars in entertainment, then add in top-notch writing, a full orchestra and choir conducted by Meredith Willson and hire a sophisticated, deep-voiced leading lady as your hostess and what do you get? One of the most amazing and entertaining variety shows ever to hit the airwaves: "The Big Show," starring Tallulah Bankhead. Aired as a Sunday evening extravaganza, NBC literally broke the bank hiring stars for each 90-minute broadcast -- and it was, of course, simply too expensive to last.

Take $100,000.00 a week, divide it up among some of the brightest stars in entertainment, then add in top-notch writing, a full orchestra and choir conducted by Meredith Willson and hire a sophisticated, deep-voiced leading lady as your hostess and what do you get? One of the most amazing and entertaining variety shows ever to hit the airwaves: "The Big Show," starring Tallulah Bankhead. Aired as a Sunday evening extravaganza, NBC literally broke the bank hiring stars for each 90-minute broadcast -- and it was, of course, simply too expensive to last.

Take $100,000.00 a week, divide it up among some of the brightest stars in entertainment, then add in top-notch writing, a full orchestra and choir conducted by Meredith Willson and hire a sophisticated, deep-voiced leading lady as your hostess and what do you get? One of the most amazing and entertaining variety shows ever to hit the airwaves: "The Big Show," starring Tallulah Bankhead. Aired as a Sunday evening extravaganza, NBC literally broke the bank hiring stars for each 90-minute broadcast -- and it was, of course, simply too expensive to last.

In 1947, Nelson Eddy took over the summer series of Kraft Music Hall. Nelson Eddy, a classically trained baritone, is best remembered today for his nineteen films. Nelson Eddy was the highest paid singer in the world in his heyday.