A two and half hour PBS Live Special from Wolf Trap Farm Park in Vienna Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C.
Tex Beneke and his orchestra join with vocalists Helen O'Connell and Bob Eberly in a salute to the big-band era, and memories of two of the greatest bands, Glen Miller and Jimmy Dorsey.
Also on hand is author George T. Simon author of THE BIG BANDS focusing on bandleaders active from the 1920's until the 1950's. He, and Helen O'Connell, Tex Beneke and Bob Eberly discuss the Big Band Era with Joel Gray in a separate segment with anecdotes and memories related of those years.
Host for the special broadcast is Joel Gray who opens the show:
"Good evening, and welcome to Wolf Trap. The 30's and 40's were a special time. A time of Big Bands and bobby sox, going steady and going to war. In those days, before television, people gathered around the radio listening to the sound of the Big Bands. And, the jukebox played your favorite song for only a nickel. It was a time of innocence, romance, holding hands in the front of the bandstand, listening to the music and feeling that life might just go on forever.
Tonight we will relive the feeling of those times as Tex Beneke, recreates the sound of one of the eras most popular bands, The Glenn Miller orchestra. Tex will be joined by America's sweethearts of the 40's, Helen O'Connell and Bob Eberly with songs made famous by Jimmy Dorsey.
So, slip your arm around your best girl. Snug up a little closer. We're going to dream awhile.
Among the tunes performed: "Green Eyes," "Tuxedo Junction," "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "Moonlight Serenade," "Ida," "In the Mood," "Sunrise Serenade," "Tangerine."
