While watching Bing and Bob's film "Road to Morocco" on Turner Movies  today, January 24, 2013, I recall back in 2001 when Universal Studios called and asked me to come to their  L.A. studios to record my participation in their reissuance of The Tribute Collection featuring of most of the Bing Crosby and Bob Hope Road pictures. They wanted me to preview the introduction of each film with background material of both Bob and Bing. I had written both Bob Hope's and Bing Crosby' biographical books. I explained that due to personal problems that it would not be practical at the time, so they sent a crew to me to film the previews. They filmed it in a studio in Hampton Bays out on Long Island. They sat me down before a fireplace and filmed the required features. I also had recommened Ann Jillian and Phyllis Diller to participate in the previews which were filmed in L.A. Phyllis, of course, was always appearing with Bob, and Ann Jillian toured with Bob Hope during the War in Vietnam to entertain American troops. So, when you purchase Universal's Tribute Collection of the Road pictures of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby-- look for the three of us:  Ann Jillian, Phyllis Diller and Me talking about our favorite entertainers. We'll be seeing you.

Well, The Three Belles are going strong in England and driving their act to a full gig schedule. And now, we are negotiating to bring them to the U.S. this upcoming Spring 2013 for a tour so the Amerian audience may relive the legacy of The Andrews Sisters, the greatest singing group America has ever produced. So, hang on to your hats, and we will keep you posted. And, "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anybody Else But The Three Belles until  they come Marching Home."

The Three Belles, those great singing girls from Britain, and whom we intrduced to Amerian Audiences in our latest book Perfect Harmony,  has listed their "gig" schedule that takes them into December. As you may know,Patty Andrews has passed the legacy of the Andrews Sisters to those three singing beauties. There is also a short feature about the girls covering their career highlights. They are headed for the big time for sure. Write to Pete King and subscibe to Big Band Buddies Magazine-Pete King, 5, St. Ambrusca Road, Crantock, Cornwall TR8 5SF, U.K. You'll love that terrific little magazine.

Sheldon Harnick was amazed that Tony B. Babino sang exactly like Jolson and even put a spin on Harnick's song "Sunrise, Sunset" and sang it as if he were Jolson himself and it was perfect. Sheldon's eyes welled up and so did mine. That song is sensational and will always be thrilling when applied to the right event. Sheldon is 88 and you would think he was but 65. His dad, a dentist, loved Jolson, always thrilled by his music. Of course, Sheldon has written for the Broadway stage for many years and has collected 10 Emmy's, 9 for Fiddler, and one Pulitzer Prize ( for the drama of Fiorello, a musical he did with Jerry Bock, the composer of both Fiorello and Fiddler.) And, he is still at it, recently composed a new musical not yet released, but soon it will be known and performed on off Broadway. I spent the day with Sheldon and he spent some slow moments reading through my book "When Jolson Was King," and took home a copy. The man is humble and gracious in his manner and has become a true friend. Incidentally he also wrote the song " Artificial Flowers" which helped make Bobby Darin a recording star.

Today, August 18th 2012 at the Al Jolson festival in Oceanside, NY,  have had the privilege of introducing Sheldon Harnick a true icon of Broadway. A man who has become one of the leading lyricists in a class with Oscar Hammerstein II, Johnny Mercer, Cole Porter, Frank Loesser, and Irving Berlin. His lyrics written for the great Broadway musical “Fiddler on the Roof” will be performed forever over and over and,  all over the world.  The song “ Sunrise, Sunset” will be performed forever wherever music is cherished. 

This man has earned the coveted Pulitzer Prize for  drama for his work in the musical “Fiorello” as well as an Emmy---- and nine Emmy’s for Fiddler,  shared with his partner,  the late composer Jerry Bock.

O'Shaughnessy Accolade

The great William O'Shaughnessy, author of many books including his newest Vox Populi, the O'Shaughnessy Files has complimented my writings in his new book. He autographed it " For Richard Grudens-America's great historian of all the great music makers of our time."  Well I'm genuinely honored by someone who has succeeded in radio and the press. In every O'Saughnessy book, there is stunning and powerful wisdom and brilliant observations from Governor Mario Cuomo whom he so admires. Howard Stern calls him the white-haired mogul and Brooke Astor says his writings are marvelous.

RICHARD GRUDENS-INTERVIEWS OVER THE YEARS

115 COUNT AS OF 4/23/12 

GUY MITCHELL FRAN WARREN BEA WAIN

RED NORVO LARRY ELGART HERB JEFFRIES

BENNY GOODMAN W.B. WILLIAMS CLINT EASTWOOD

WOODY HERMAN CONNIE HAINES BILLY GRAHAM

COUNT BASIE JANE RUSSELL SHIRLEY JONES

ANN JILLIAN RHONDA FLEMING PAT BOONE

BOB HOPE KATHRYN CROSBY FRANCES LANGFORD

LIONEL  HAMPTON JOHNNY MINCE LARRY GELBART

TEDDY WILSON JOHNNY MATHIS ED MCMAHON

HARRY JAMES ARTIE SHAW SID CAESAR

BILL CHALLIS LES BROWN BUDDY HACKETT

JOE FRANKLIN JOE WILLIAMS DIZZY GILLESPIE

MARGARET WHITING TONY B. BABINO SARAH VAUGHAN

HELEN O’CONNELL DORIS DAY KITTY KALLEN

FRANKIE LAINE KAY STARR HELEN FORREST

LENNON SISTERS ROSEMARY CLOONEY TERESA BREWER

BRIAN SISTERS BILLY ECKSTINE LYNN ROBERTS

WARREN COVINGTON BUDDY MORROW EDDY ARNOLD

CHARLES DURNING MITCH MILLER PHILIP CROSBY

LOIS HUNT PATRICE MUNSEL DICK CLARK

EARL WRIGHTSON BEVERLY ROBERTS JANET CANTOR

JO STAFFORD AL MARTINO DIANA KRALL

PATTY ANDREWS TONY BENNETT AL COLLINS (JAZZB)

MILLS BROTHERS JIMMY ROSELLI DOLLY DAWN

LARRY O’BRIEN JULIUS LA ROSA ANITA O’DAY

RAY ANTHONY CARMEL QUINN GLORIA JEAN

JERRY VALE VIC DAMONE LES PAUL

DON CORNELL DOM DE LUISE JOHN MILLER

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN CHARLTON HESTON WILLARD ALEXANDER

SKITCH HENDERSON TOM POSTILIO BUDDY RICH

PHYLLIS DILLER SALLY BENNETT DARYL SHERMAN

RICHARD SUDHALTER PEGGY LEE CY COLEMAN

TEX BENEKE JAY LEONHART JULIA RICH

ERVIN DRAKE JACK LAWRENCE BILLY MAY

VAN ALEXANDER LEE HALE DON RICKLES

TONY MARTIN BUDDY GRECO MEL TORME

SYBIL JASON JACK JONES HUGH HEFNER

CRISTINA FONTANELLI GIA PRIMA DIANA ROSS