Remembering the Greatest Generation
Welcome to Monday’s Music Moves Me. This week’s theme is Memorial Day. I thought of a few different approaches. You can pick songs in general remembering those who died while serving or with a specific person in mind. Another way is to pick songs that make you think of your fallen hero or even songs he/she enjoyed in his/her time.
I am blessed to have close family who served and returned home after their tour of duty. I am taking a different approach with my song picks. I am honoring the memory of my grandpa, father-in-law, and that entire generation who gave up so much to serve our country during World War II. My loved ones came home but many did not. Music gave our servicemen and women a break from reality and during those days the perfect distraction for our heroes were America’s Wartime Sweethearts, The Andrew Sisters!
The greatest generation of our time spent hours listening to Big Bands from the era, swinging with the King of Swing, Benny Goodman and his orchestra on the dance floor.
Big Band music is a timeless treasure. I’d love to see a comeback of this music style, wouldn’t you?
This is a music link up. Hence, your post must contain music (at least one song) or your URL is marked “No Music”. The party co-hostess are now featured in my right side bar underneath the 4M banner. The guidelines are simple. Every other week, a suggested (not mandatory) theme is given to build your song picks. YouTube and other music sites have options to create and embed playlists or individual songs into your post. On the off weeks, we dance to whatever music moves you – your choice. Finally, to access the dance party, just add your music post below, and visit others on the floor. Let the party begin!
Starting in June, I’ll be move into my summer blogging routine. The 4M weekly is top on my list and to crank out monthly BOTB posts at the start of each month until after Labor Day. I’ll be back on Wednesday with part 2 of our Biltmore Estate Tour. This is CAAC signing off, have a blessed Memorial Day and a boogietastic week! X💋X💋, Cathy
22 Comments
messymimi's meanderings
As far as i’m concerned, it’s still a good time to listen to the big bands.
Thanks for the fun music!
Cathy Kennedy
Mimi,
I agree, thanks for popping by!
Brian
We will always remember our heroes, always. Hey, I really like that big band sound too.
Cathy Kennedy
Brian,
That’s wonderful! I love the Big Band sound! It’s full of excitement and fun, just what the greatest generation needed to keep their minds off war and other hardships. What an era that was! Thanks for stopping by, my furriend!
Marie aka Dolly!
Andrew Sisters, they were in a lot of movies too! My mom was a BIG movie buff! It’s nice to hear these old war tunes… makes me think of great memories with my mom. Between her & my brother they taught me how to jitter bug. Its fun!!! Can you jitter bug? My daughter can too I taught her. Anyway, hope you’re having a wonderful day my dearest… have fun with your dearest!!!! 🙂 GREAT TUNES!!!!
Cathy Kennedy
Marie,
I think I did the jitter bug a little when I was small. I think my aunt taught me. I haven’t thought about that in years. lol Great music, great memories, and great fun!
John Holton
Big Band music is the best! There are still some bands out there peforming, even if their leaders are deceased. I was in Minneapolis once, many years ago, and saw a loal Big Band that played Count Basie’s arrangement (most likely by Neal Hefti) of “April In Paris” almost as well as the Count’s band.
Benny Goodman was great, both as a musician and a person. He had no qualms about playing with Black musicians at a time when segregation and Jim Crow laws were the rule. His band was the first non-classical act to play at Carnegie Hall. He grew up in Chicago in the old Jewish neighborhood around Maxwell Street, where the University of Illinois at Chicago is, not far from the old Italian neighborhood where Frankie Laine grew up…
Cathy Kennedy
John,
Thanks for sharing a little on Benny Goodman. He sounded like a decent human. I’ve never understood racial division and yet it’s still with us. Unfortunately, that’s just the way it’ll always be because humans are flawed. The music from this era is so amazing and it really puts you in a good mood, doesn’t it? Thanks for joining the party, my friend!
Lydia C. Lee
I really loved the Andrew Sisters. They’re so cheery…
Cathy Kennedy
Lydia,
The Andrew Sisters did have cheery voices. Their music mostly so upbeat and got your toe to tapping. It just makes you feel good. I can see why they were America’s wartime sweethearts. 🙂 Thanks for visiting, my dear!
Alana Mautone
How can we not enjoy musicians like Benny Goodman? The compilation started with Sing Sing Sing and if you aren’t moved to jump up and dance someone should check you for a pulse! And of course, the Andrews Sisters. I loved that several of us 4Mers chose WWII music and I hope, once Marie joins us (appears she’s still in draft) that she has some more WWII music for us. Alana ramblinwitham
Cathy Kennedy
Alana,
I’ll be making my rounds this morning. I can’t wait to listen to what others are sharing. 🙂 Thanks for dancing with me, darlin’!
Birgit
This was just wonderful to listen to. I think of my dad when I hear these tunes since he was in the war when he was in his late 20s. Now you’ve given me an idea for music
Cathy Kennedy
Birgit,
Many of us warm up to these old singers/bands because it was apart of our lives for a time. It’s neat how it the music is still so endearing to hear. I’m happy to hear that I inspired you. I can’t wait to listen to your picks!
Sandee
Awww on the adorable pups. They are perfect for today.
Love the videos. Beautiful.
Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Awww Monday and week. Love and hugs, Cathy. ♥
Cathy Kennedy
Sandee,
The pups say it all! Thanks for stopping by for the sounds of yesteryear. Have a boogietastic week, my friend!
Patrick Weseman
Such a beautiful tribute and great songs.
Cathy Kennedy
Thank you Patrick! 🙂
DrillerAA
My mother was a huge Benny Goodman fan. My dad was a country boy so Hank Williams Sr. was more to his liking. Personally i like the music from both sides of the aisle. Have a blessed Memorial Day.
Cathy Kennedy
When I was a kid, I remember Big Band music still played on TV on occasion and it seems the Andrew Sisters were on Bing Crosby’s Christmas specials but I may not be remembering right. It was a real treat to hear the sisters, though. I thought they sounded so pretty together. 🙂
Thomas Anderson
Hi, Cathy!
Happy Memorial Day weekend, dear friend! I hope you are feeling well and had a good week and a nice holiday so far. It is a very nice gesture on your part to remember lives lost in service to our country along with your loved ones who served and lived to tell the tale.
Your Andrews Sisters medley ties in nicely with the post I currently have running that features modern girl trios around the world running down the famous singing sisters’ close harmony repertoire. I invite you to come have a look and take a listen. I never heard “Strip Polka” before. The clever song is no doubt inspired by the card game “strip poker.” “Ferryboat Serenade” is also new to me this morning. “Eight To The Bar” is a cool, syncopated ditty and possibly my favorite of the Andrews’ set. How about that? The siblings also sang “The Woody Woodpecker Song.” I never knew! “Teresa,:” another new one to me, sounds like it features a guest vocal by Bing Crosby. “Rhumboogie” is also an introduction and a hot number, as is “Scrub Me Mama.” I’m guessing that’s Bing again on “Pistol Packin’ Mama.”
Like Margaret Schneider, whom I am honoring this week, my folks were part of The Greatest Generation. They told me stories about how they went ballroom dancing every Saturday night and listened to swing bands like Benny Goodman’s. My parents were quite a bit older than my friend’s parents, and it sometimes embarrassed me. Looking back, however, I am thankful, because they gave me many insights into what it was like coming of age during The Great Depression, being poor yet feeding hobos who came to their door, etc., and being a young adult during the WWII years.
“Little Red Poppy” is a lovely song and an ideal way to end your tribute post. You did a fine job putting it together.
So this is Shady signing off at CAAC until the second week of June as I begin my blog break. I will be around until the end of the day to reply to comments at Shady’s Place but, after that, I need to go A.W.O.L. and take care of business as we prepare for our big move.
Have a safe and happy memorial Day and a wonderful week, dear friend Cathy! (See you around June 12.)
Cathy Kennedy
Tom,
My grandparents lived through the depression as did DH’s parents. These people were amazing. Thankful for everything they had and didn’t waste a thing. They were good, hard working people, too. I don’t there ever will be a generation as outstanding as those from that period. I sure do appreciate you taking time from your schedule to visit for a little while longer. I certainly will miss you in Blogosphere but I know you have a huge undertaking with your major move in progress. Try to make it a fun adventure and please do not to hurt yourself. You and Mrs. Shady are in my thoughts and prayers. Be well, dear friend!