The family would gather around the TV to watch "Sing along with Mitch". My oldest sister had a crush on Bob McGrath (future star of Sesame Street) who was their feature Tenor. My favorite was their closing song... Be kind to your web footed friends, For that duck may be somebody's mother She lives in a hole in a swamp Where the weather is always damp You may think that this is the end: Well, it is!
I Love playing Mitch Millers Christmas Song, Must Be Santa. I even play it now, that he has pasted away in his 90's. GOD Bless Mitch Miller and all who entertained us back. We are al the wiser for knowing and loving such Great People.
Mitch Miller was one of those guys that artists like to caricature. He had a good show; I wonder if it started out on radio. One doesn't imagine a singalong to be rich in video content.
A few years ago I heard a radio interview of Rosemary Clooney conducted by Marian McPartland on her "Piano Jazz" radio program. Rosy told Marian how she did not want to record "Come On-a My House" but Mitch Miller insisted she do it, under threat of being fired. He then ordered the pressing of some huge number of records. He seems to have had an instinct for what sells and he had the power to singlehandedly order all those records.
Rosemary Clooney had already had a degree of success, as a studio singer at WLW and then with Tony Pastor's orchestra. She hated the song and considered herself a sophisticated singer. When the record was released, she was touring in Europe and had no idea of its enormous success until she returned to the USA and heard it playing in the streets from record shops.
Mitch Miller was instrumental in making Rosemary Clooney very popular on records and in a few successful movies. I wonder how many other careers he launched or boosted.
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Be kind to your web footed friends,
For that duck may be somebody's mother
She lives in a hole in a swamp
Where the weather is always damp
You may think that this is the end:
Well, it is!
A few years ago I heard a radio interview of Rosemary Clooney conducted by Marian McPartland on her "Piano Jazz" radio program. Rosy told Marian how she did not want to record "Come On-a My House" but Mitch Miller insisted she do it, under threat of being fired. He then ordered the pressing of some huge number of records. He seems to have had an instinct for what sells and he had the power to singlehandedly order all those records.
Rosemary Clooney had already had a degree of success, as a studio singer at WLW and then with Tony Pastor's orchestra. She hated the song and considered herself a sophisticated singer. When the record was released, she was touring in Europe and had no idea of its enormous success until she returned to the USA and heard it playing in the streets from record shops.
Mitch Miller was instrumental in making Rosemary Clooney very popular on records and in a few successful movies. I wonder how many other careers he launched or boosted.
Registered users can log in to post comments or submit items for the galleries.