We continue along with "Jingle Bells" and a few more radio performances from the 1940s with a common theme...
First up from December 24, 1946 is legendary voice artist Mel Blanc who had his own show at the time, in which his character ran (or at least attempted to run!) a fix-it shop.
Here he sings with the Sportsmen Quartet:
The way Mel "illustrates" the lyrics with his vocal effects definitely puts me in mind of Spike Jones!
Mel actually did cut a record with Spike and the City Slicker in 1942:
Lots of fun!
The Sportsmen Quartet did a lot of vocal work during the 1940s, including a regular bit on Jack Benny's radio program where they sang humorous commercials.
Mel Blanc did a lot of voices and vocal sound effects on the Benny show, so he and the Sportsmen working together just seems logical!
Phil Harris was a very popular costar on Jack Benny's show and he also worked with the Sportsmen a lot.
Phil parlayed his popularity on the Benny show into a starring role on "The Fitch Bandwagon" along with Alice Faye, his beautiful movie star wife, and that how morphed into their own show.
So, here's Phil Harris with the Sportsmen Quartet on "The Fitch Bandwagon" from December 21, 1947:
I love how Phil namedrops Alice!
I said the Sportsmen were busy, and they show up again with Judy Canova on her show from December 24, 1949:
Of note is that the updated lyrics actually reference Christmas!
Judy Canova was really popular with her radio show and lots of starring movies.
She usually played an exaggerated hillbilly character and would sing novelty songs with yodels and such. But she was a very talented vocalist, as evidenced on that performance.
Mel Blanc was also featured on Judy's show in the 1940s.
But the common theme of these clips is the Sportsmen Quartet:
Solid work by them!
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