Good-morning, kittens and dawgs and welcome to this edition of All Things Vintage!
The 1917 traveling salesman Earl Mitchell servicing the Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee region for Chattanooga Bakery asked coal miners what they were looking for in snack food. The responses were: It had to be affordable, fit in their lunch pails, and solid (meaning it had to satisfy their stomachs). At one point, a coal miner framed the moon rising with his hands and said, “It had to be this big.”
Mitchell noticed the miners dipping graham crackers in a jar of marshmallow, then leaving them to dry in a window sill. These simple steps inspired Mitchell with the idea of a graham cracker sandwich filled with marshmallow cream dipped in chocolate that we know as the MoonPies.
Eating MoonPies and having an RC cola was a popular way of eating these tasty little treats back in the day because they both were inexpensive lunch items. The only person I know to do this is my father-in-law, except he has Coca-Cola with his MoonPie. Maybe in his mining days, he drank RC colas. I don’t know, but this combination is too sweet for me. My favorite way to eat MoonPies is to zap one in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, melting the marshmallow (it actually swells a bit) between the graham cracker layers. Now, that’s yummy! If you can’t get MoonPies in your area, then you can always buy them online, here.
Have you had a MoonPie? What kind is your favorite?
All Things Vintage MoonPies and all, then round two of April’s ‘Battle of the Bands (BoTB)’ also has to be about the moon, right? For those unfamiliar BoTB and how this bi-monthly hop works. To put it in a nutshell, I picked two artists singing/performing the same song and I need you to pick your favorite artist. Voting rights extend to everyone (poll results post on the 22nd along with my vote), so please feel free to play along. This all in the spirit of fun and if you’re up for it, then tell me why your artist did the better job.
Joe Venuti first recorded Moonglow in 1933 with his orchestra with many other big bands following his lead, but the recording I like this best is by Benny Goodman. The below video is to refresh your memory and is not to be considered in today’s battle.
In today’s showdown, I pitting brothers against sisters or a better way to look at is one family versus another. Contender #1 The Mills Brothers, also billed as The Four Mills Brothers, originally known as The Four Kings of Harmony were a black American Jazz and pop vocal quartet who caught a major break in the business in 1928. Here is their cover of Moonglow from 1938.
Nice, right? Next up is The McGuire Sisters, an American trio began early in life singing at weddings, funerals, and revivals. The youngest sister was only 4-years old when They broke into show biz in the early 50s. It’s recorded they mimicked The Andrew Sisters, The Dinning Sisters, and interestingly The Mills Brothers singing style. Now, listen to the McGuire Sisters 1957 Moonglow cover.
Who does it better the boys or the girls? Will the brothers or the sisters win? Who gets your vote, The Mills Brothers or The McGuire Sisters? There’s no right or wrong vote, except for a no vote. Cast your vote by leaving your favorite choice in comments and if you have time feel free to tell me why your pick is the best. For more information, visit Stephen for a complete list of all BoTB participants. 
Applauds and special thanks to the incredibly gifted A2Z Team:
Arlee Bird @ Tossing it Out
Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
Heather M. Gardner
Jeremy @ Hollywood Nuts
AJ Lauer
Pam @ An Unconventional Librarian
Damyanti Biswas @ Daily Write
Zalka Csenge Virág @ The Multicolored Diary
Joy Campbell @ The Character Depot
John Holton @The Sound of One Hand Typing
Now, I invite you to hop with me in checking out some of the amazing A2Zers playing along this year and I hope you’ll come back tomorrow for Nifty, Neat-O, and No-No.
Discover more from Curious as a Cathy
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I could’ve sworn I visited you on Monday. Sorry I’m so late you see my back hates me, and my co-pay went from $175 to $250 so I’m saving up for my shots that I’m three months passed do. Something is always coming up, and we thought we’d get them with our income tax check, but we had to pay this year because of Dave’s inheritance from his mother’s trust fund. OUCH $804 SMACKERS!!! Anyway my friend love all your choices… My mama loved the Mills Bros. & the Andrew Sisters & Glenn Miller was always playing on her stereo. It’s funny you should pick these singers. My mother passed away ten yrs. ago today 🙁 I miss her so much Cathy… if your mama is still alive sweetie call her up and tell her you love her and when you see her next give her a big hug from me too. Believe me JUST DO IT!!!! I wish I could! HUGS TO YOU MY FRIEND!
Marie, don’t worry about not getting over to dance. I know this month’s blog challenge has me at wits end and I’m terribly out of sorts right now. I’m sorry to hear of your difficulties. The IRS is an outdated, over rated institution that serves no purpose except to leach tax-payers of their hard earned dollars. Anything BIG government can do to steal your money from you, then they are all for it. This department needs to go ka-poohie! Thanks for stopping by, dear!
Michele, i’m the daughter, granddaughter, and niece of coal miners in my family and DH is the son of a coal miner. Moon pies have been a large part of my life and I continue to enjoy them on occasion. It’s neat that MoonPies started in Tennessee or at least manufactured here. I have your vote recorded for the Mills Brothers. Thanks for stopping by!
I was introduced to Moonpies while living in PA – they’re not a familiar thing here in the Pacific Northwest. Never ate them with any kind of soda – RC Cola or otherwise…for me they were delicious with a nice cold glass of milk. 🙂 Loved the history – I had no clue!!
As for the BOTB – gotta go with the Mills Brothers. 🙂
What The Hell Did I Say? I Ain’t Your Mama, so Let’s Get Loud with New Romantics!
Not to be racist; but almost no one beats the sound of black American jazz band. And I liked the Andrew Sisters, and these ladies definitely have a close sound to them. But I really loved the Mills Brothers. Give my vote to the Bro’s.
I vote for Moonpies! Okay I will vote
I’ve not been a big fan of the Moon pie, but I do love a smore around the campfire. That doesn’t make much sense, does it??? I’ve not tried heating a Moon Pie in the microwave per your suggestion, but maybe that would make the difference??? RC is somewhat hard to find, so I’m not accustomed to its flavor. I took a blind taste test a few years back with Coke, Pepsi, and RC. I knew very well the taste of Coke and Pepsi, so that made it easy to determine them all. The one I didn’t know was RC. And I got them all right. That says to me all cola is NOT Coke, despite what they say in the south. ::wink::
As for your battle, I really liked the sound of The Mills Brothers. The girls were really good, but I’m afraid the boys bested them in this case.
CATHY ~
Nice job of linking your A To Z topic with BOTB. Very clever!
I never knew about the miner / ‘Moon*Pie’ connection. Very interesting.
I grew up in Southern California, and when I was young, we didn’t have Moon*Pies but our stores carried knock-off treats like that – chocolate-covered graham cracker marshmallow sandwiches. I was never really all that fond of them.
Then in the very early ’80s, a friend of a friend from Virginia moved to L.A. and began hanging out with us. He was forever talking about Moon*Pies. Then some years later, Moon*Pies became available in our stores. I tried one and thought: Well, this is just like “ACME Marshmallow Sandwiches” (or whatever was the name of the knock-off variety I’d grown up with).
I like marshmallow well enough, but to me, Moon*Pies are just too much of a pretty good thing. A mouth full o’ marshmallow doesn’t really thrill me.
Great BOTB contest! I’ve loved this song for a long time. Who can forget William Holden and Kim Novak in ‘PICNIC’, eh?
https://longshotsblues.wordpress.com/2011/10/15/sultry-saturday-moonglow-from-picnic/
I’m gonna have to go with the MILLS BROTHERS on this one. I like their singing AND their coffee! (Oh, wait. That’s Hills Brothers, isn’t it?) Seriously, they’ve got those deeper, richer, smoother voices that add a touch of dreaminess to the song which the McGuire Sisters can’t quite capture, even though their version is also nice.
~ D-FensDogG
‘Loyal American Underground’
I saw moonpies at the dollar store recently, so I bought them to try. Interesting. But I’d never drink a soda with them. (Well, I don’t drink soda, anyway.)
I like moon pies. I like RC Cola. I’ve never had them together. And, by the way, I’m a northerner.
Congrats on another clever pairing of AtoZ with BOTB! 🙂 I don’t think I’ve ever had a Moonpie. The only reference that comes to mind is from The Big Bang Theory. Apparently Sheldon’s “Mimaw” used to call him that. As for the contest, my vote goes to the Mills Brothers. Their vocals are more pleasing to my ears.
You just can’t beat the Mills Brothers, period. They get my vote.
John, I agree, you can’t beat the sound of The Mills Brothers for the period ~ beautiful harmonies and vintage tone. I have your vote recorded. BTW, do you have a BoTB installment up on your site? I didn’t see it while there while ago.
I’m sitting this one out. Just too much going on.
John, okay thanks for letting me know. I don’t blame you for sitting it out. I’m running around like a chicken without a head!
I’ve never heard of moonpies, but they sound delicious! I think I’ll be making my own version to try. Interesting history behind them.
Lori, MoonPies are yummy and the best is they come in a variety of tasty flavors. Get one, if you ever stumble upon them and think of me! 😉
I will! 🙂
I sure do like Moon Pies. The chocolate ones are the best, but I like the banana flavored as well. Are there any other kinds?
Both vocal versions of “Moonglow” are outstanding, but I’m going to cast my vote for the Mills Brothers. I like the jazziness of the arrangement and their vocals are so mellow like the moon glow.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Lee, MoonPies do come in other flavors like vanilla, lemon, strawberry, orange, salted caramel and chocolate mint. The later ones I haven’t tried yet. Banana MoonPies were my favorite as a kid and I’m still rather partial to them. Thanks for voting for The Mills Bros. Next stop your place!
I had no idea about Moonpies, but thanks to you I am getting to know many new things 😀
The way you have described about having them is quite tempting!
Coming to my vote, I vote for ‘The McGuire Sisters’. No specific reason, but I like the McGuire sisters version more than the Mills Brothers..
Cheers,
Srivi – AtoZChallenge
M for Mind | Twitter
Srivi, MoonPies straight out of the package or zapped in the a microwave is an excellent treat. Thanks for playing along in this round of BoTB. I have your vote recorded for The McGuire Sisters.
I have had a moonpie. perhaps they are not sold in Canada. But I cannot imagine one of those and a Coke being your lunch! Sugar coma! ha. I think I prefer just a good ole fashioned s’more over the campfire.
Les, I won’t turn down either a Smore’s or a MoonPie. Both are great! I’m like you having a Coke with something sweet is the makings of a sugar coma.
Yes, I have had moonpies. They are yummy, but I can only eat so many till I’m satisfied for a year or two. LOL They always make me think of camping when we would make smores.
As for the BOTB, please give my vote to the sisters. The McGuire Sisters.
Jeffrey, I understand one is limited to the number of MoonPies he/she can eat before getting his/her fill. I’m sort of like that about certain foods, too. Thank you for voting in this round of battle of the bands. I have you down for the McGuire sisters.
My grandfather was a coal miner so I definitely had my share of moonpies in my youth! Yum!
As for your battle, I like the Mills Brothers better. I love their harmonies and their soulful sound. I liked the McGuire Sisters just fine but please give my vote to those harmonic guys! (I ticked the box for them but not sure it worked)…
Nice battle Cathy. Loved M for Moonpies!
Michele at Angels Bark
Michelle, I’m the daughter, granddaughter and niece of many coal miners in my family. Also, DH is the son of a coalminer. So, moon pies have been an important part of my life. I think it’s neat that Tennessee is home to this snack cake. Thanks for voting for The Mills Brothers in this round of BOTB.
Totally alien to me but enjoyed reading about it nonetheless 🙂
This is part of the joy of this challenge-learning about new things! Thanks for visiting.
Absolutely!
yum! Moonpies! oh wait.. there’s music, too? Two of my favorite things together right here, in your blog. I’ll just stay awhile. Hope you don’t mind.
At first I thought I was going to vote for the Maguire sisters. They really did a lovely job with the song, but I felt a little more depth in the vocals with the Mills Brothers, so please give the lovely gentlemen my vote… and I’ll help myself to another moonpie and then I’ll be off…
No BOTB for me this week.. my BOTB will return on May 2, but I do have a lovely M post, and and O post to round out the week. I wanted to drop by and give my vote before heading out of town. Good thing for auto-scheduling, eh?
Mary
#AtoZChallenge M is for Marilyn McCoo
Mary, I’m running far behind with responses & visits, but I’ll get to everyone eventually. This post is a sweet deal all away around with MoonPies & music. I appreciate you stoping by under the circumstances & I certainly didn’t expect it. I’m sorry for your loss and you have my prayers, dear friend. Thanks for your vote for The Mills Brothers. Ill be by to see you soon! ?
I’m from South Carolina. I’ve had a Moon Pie and RC Cola. I think it is a law or something, eat it or be exiled. 🙂 Only thing is, while I like the Moon Pies okay, I do not like RC Cola at all. I never have. I used to drink sugar-free Dr. Pepper, then Coke, and now I drink Diet Coke.
Have a great day!
Suzanne, you would think it’s some sorta unwritten law that one MUST have a bottle of cola or as I grew up calling it pop with your MoonPie, but I never got it. It makes sense now, but this combo doesn’t appeal to me at all. A glass of milk is more to my taste, but I can’t have diary anymore as I’m lactose intolerant. ?
I think that milk makes more sense, too. Like you, I am lactose intolerant, plus is just complicates things with my COPD/sinuses. Still, sometimes I drink it anyway and just deal with the aftermath as it happens. Chocolate and milk go together. Throw in marshmallows and it is even better. 🙂
Hi, Cathy!
I certainly am familiar with MoonPies. I ate bunches of them in my youth, usually with a flavored soft drink like Grapette, Nehi Cream Soda or Orange Soda. It’s a wonder I never got a tummy ache from such combinations!
Once again your band battle presents me with an extremely tough decision because I love the melody and words to “Moonglow” and I genuinely enjoyed both versions offered. My mother loved The McGuire Sisters and Phyllis was her favorite. I didn’t think much of them when I was a kid but I have come to hold them in high regard. They had a great sound and made many different songs their own including “Moonglow.” All that said, I think I will give my vote to The Mills Brothers by the slightest edge because their mellow, subdued, dreamy R&B vocal style is better suited to the song than the brighter pop style vocals of the McGuires.
Thank you very much for an interesting M post and another fine band battle, dear friend Cathy!
Tom, I remember my daddy sometimes had a partial eaten MoonPies in his lunch box and when he got home, if I was awake, I would raid his lunch/dinner pale for anything sweet. Looking back on that, I wonder if he did that on purpose just so either I or my brother could enjoy a treat. I love thinking about stuff like that. Thank you for sharing your MoonPie memories and how you ate them. I have your vote down for The Mills Brothers for this edition of BoTB!
I’m playing catch up and this is the first BOTB I have listened to. I choose the gals. I just like their harmonies better and the music styling. I’m not sure if I have had a moon pie but I do love chocolate covered marshmallow especially the dark chocolate
Birgit, I guarantee, if you like chocolate covered marshmallows, then you’ll like MoonPies. I have your vote logged for The McGuire Sisters. Thanks!