[Dixielandjazz] Moten's South

[Steve barbone]

"Fr M J (Mike) Logsdon" <mjl at ix.netcom.com> (about Bennie Moten's South
 
> Can anyone substantiate the claim that the 1928 recording received heavy radio
> airtime? 

Hi Fr Mike:

I've been trying to recall, but to no avail. I can however recall that when
I first joined a Dixieland Band in NYC in 1949 as a teenager, South was one
of the first songs we learned. I suspect because it had received heavy radio
play.  Whether Moten's, or whomever. And we learned it by ear so you can be
sure it was being played on the radio.

The tune was VERY well known among all the Dixieland Bands that I either
played with or saw from 1949 to 1962.  Both in the NYC metropolitan area and
at various universities on the circuit including Duke, Univ. of Virginia,
Hamilton, Cornell, St Lawrence, Colgate, Brown, Bard, Hofstra, NYU, Vassar,
Smith, etc. It was also an audience favorite at the time.

We were aware of Moten/Basie/Watters/Herman versions and others, but I
cannot recall just which ones received heavy radio play. Just that it was a
very popular Dixieland tune at the time. Played frequently at Nicks,
Condon's, Ryan's, Stuyvasent Casino, Cinderella Club, Melody Lounge, Central
Plaza and numerous other Dixieland venues in the Big Apple. By all of the
Dixieland bands that were on the scene then.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone