I've
just finished a fascinating book: One
Summer – America, 1927 by Bill Bryson.
I
always like Bryson's work, and the subject of this book seemed particularly
intriguing to me. My father, helped by a loan from several Nashville
businessmen, arrived in New York City to seek his fortune in the spring of
1927.
On
July 4, 1927 my father made his New York radio debut as a member of “Roxy's
Gang.” Roxy was impresario, Samuel L. Rothafel. “Roxy’s
Gang,” which was on the air from 1922 through 1931, was
broadcast on the National Broadcasting Corporation’s Blue Network, Monday
evenings at 7:30. My father joined Gang regulars Douglas Stanbury and
Maria Gambarelli. (Over the years, such performers as orchestra leader Fred
Waring, tenor Jan Peerce, baritone Leonard Warren, and radio
personality Kate Smith were guests on the program.)
My not-yet famous father isn’t mentioned in
Bryson’s book, but I was fascinated to know how many other amazing things
occurred during that spring and summer of 1927—from Lindbergh’s flight, to Babe
Ruth’s home run record, the execution of alleged anarchists Sacco &
Vanzetti, Al Capone’s activities in Chicago, the dedication of Mount Rushmore,
and on and on. A great read! And
for me, great background on what was happening at the moment my father embarked
on his career.
