A SALUTE TO JOHNNY MERCER

Originally broadcast on WNIB
Saturday, September 2, 1989

COMMAND PERFORMANCE #152 (1940s) Hostess Irene Dunne presents a tour of Tin Pan Alley to meet some of the popular songwriters of the day. Featured are Johnny Mercer, Jimmy McHugh, Jerome Kern, Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen, Hoagy Carmichael. Also appearing are the Pied Pipers, Connie Haines, and the Hoosier Hot Shots. AFRS. (8:50; 12:50; 7:10)

BENNY GOODMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL (7-8-46) Guest Johnny Mercer visits Benny and the gang. Comedy is provided by Peter Donald and the music features Goodman’s orchestra, Trio, Quartet, and Sextet with Benny and Eve Young on the vocals. Johnny sings “My Sugar is So Refined.” AFRS rebroadcast. (8:25; 8:15; 12:15)

KRAFT MUSIC HALL (1-4-45) Bing Crosby welcomes guests Johnny Mercer and Eugenie Baird for some fun and music. Kraft Foods, NBC. (10:20; 7:40; 12:20)

SONG SHEET (1942) Johnny Mercer helps service­men learn the words to new songs by dictating lyrics to Pvt. Bugs Bunny, played, of course, by Mel Blanc. Freddy Slack at the piano. AFRS. (14:00)

JOHNNY MERCER’S MUSIC SHOP (6-22-44) Proprietor Johnny Mercer welcomes guest Bob Hope who plugs his new book, “Have Tux, Will Travel.” AFRS rebroadcast. (14:35)

MAIL CALL #182 (1940s) “Skipper” Johnny Mercer introduces Jo Stafford, Mel Torme, Bob “Bazooka” Burns, Harry Von Zell. Johnny sings “Paper Moon” and, with Von Zell, imitates Crosby and Hope. AFRS. (10:58; 6:05; 12:15)

OUR SPECIAL GUEST will be music historian BILL SHELDON who helps us explore the fascinating career of songwriter-entertainer Johnny Mercer.