Mr.Rugani,

        I"m enjoying all the music for Halloween.  Enjoyed Vincent
        Price with his readings.  Loved all his movies. What a
        special voice he had.  In his personal life he was nothing
        like you heard in the movies or readings. he had a very scary
        voice that fit so many characters.

        One more show to go, next Sunday.  But my favortie is the
        closing theme.

        Thank you for broadcasting an amazing show every Sunday.

        As Always,  Carol

Mr.Rugani,
        Thank you for another Great Entertaining Theme Show.
        Even the funny songs. The first hour of torch songs
        are my favorite.

        Waiting for next Sunday. Every week is like opening
        a new book, with many chapters. I wish you well and
        Keep Your Dreams Alive.  And may you have many more
        shows to provide this wonderful music.



        As Always,  Carol

Mr. Rugnai,
              Another Great Show about show tunes, movie stars.
              Everyweek is a walk down Memory Lane.
              I was not aware that there were so many songs to
              Jump & Jive to.

              Thank You for making every Sunday a real joy to
              sit back and realax to a variety of tunes.

              You are a real pro at puttting your themes together.

              As Always,  Carol
              We Always Will Keep Our Dreams Alive.

I haven't been on here lately, maybe I should have been.  Great music, you are
a treasure, Lou.  I hope your day was special, you always make the days special
for others, WLIP should be proud. ;-)
Keep up the good work!
  - Cindy

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone,

         Mr. Rugnai,

         Another Great Show for Thanksgiving.  Job well done.
         Wlip should be very Thankful for a Great Host like you.
         Making each Sunday into a Dream with many Memories.

         Congraulations on many years with Music of The Stars.
         I am so glad to be a part of this show to sit back and
         relax.  Thanks for The Memories as Bob Hope would say.

         Always Enjoyable.
         As Always, Carol

         I will be tuning in on Thursday. { Let"s count our Blessings.}

Waht would Thanksgiving be without the pie? ; )






--- In MusicOfTheStars@yahoogroups.com, "Louis Rugani" <x779@...> wrote:
>
> Soupy made several albums and we have them. We'll feature them on the Music of
the Stars soon.
>
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1931947,00.html?xid=rss-topstories
>
> =Lou=
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~ **-=\/=-** ~~~~~~~~~~
>
> The opposite of bravery is not cowardice, but conformity.       Robert
Anthony
>

Did you hear that Julie Andrews will be appearing in London on May 8th, 2010
after being away from the stage for so long? Nearly 30 years since she performed
there.

When you play your Christmas songs Lou, would you play Julie Andrews singing,
"In Mid-Bleak Winter" ??  It is a very good Christmas song, and I love her
voice.
  Thanks,
Cindy

Mr. Rugani,

               I enjoyed your Funny Christmas Show. I never knew
               there were so many songs about making fun of Cristmas
               in a Cute Way.


               Always look foward to your Magical Themes. You have
               a Wonderful & Entertaining Program.

               Thank You for the Fun & a Variety of Music.

               A Big Fan,  As Always, Carol

By Michael Klein and Sam Wood

Al Alberts, 87, the singing star who changed careers to champion thousands of
youngsters on his TV show Al Alberts' Showcase, died this morning at his home in
central Florida.

As she had been since their marriage in 1953, his wife, Stella, was at his side.

Stella Alberts said her husband had been ill for several weeks with circulatory
problems in his legs but previously had been in good health. "All of a sudden,
God took him," she said. His son Chris, a director for the New Candlelight
Theatre in Wilmington, said the apparent cause of death was complications from
kidney failure.

Mr. Alberts rose to fame in the 1950s as one of The Four Aces, whose hits
included "Written on the Wind", "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing," "Stranger in
Paradise" and the Jule Styne number "Three Coins in a Fountain."

But generations of Philadelphians knew him as "Uncle Al," a tuxedoed fatherly
figure with a white pompadour, blinding smile and infinite patience, as he gave
screen time to young singers, hoofers, and comedians on Saturdays.

The program started on Channel 48 in 1968 and two years later moved to Channel
6. His show, which also toured local theaters, launched the careers of such
performers as Andrea McArdle, Sister Sledge, Teddy Pendergrass, and Jarrod
Spector.

"It was like going to church - a staple of life in Philadelphia," said McArdle,
the first star of Annie on Broadway. She was 8 or 9 when she first appeared on
the Showcase.

Mr. Alberts' wife was "Aunt Stella" to the show's performers: 6-year-old "Teeny
Boppers," 7-to-14-year-old "Gold Nuggets" and 14-to-19-year-old "Show Stoppers."
All had dragged their mommies to the monthly audition at J&A Caterers in South
Philadelphia.

"To a wannabe thespian or entertainer, his show was our American Idol," McArdle
said. "I just remember getting a spot on his show was, at the time, as big as
getting Annie to me." To her, the Albertses were "extended family," and she
later joined Mr. Alberts in his frequent charity appearances.

"He knew where his success came from - it came from the people," said Gerry
Wilkinson, a historian with the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. "The people
loved him."

Steven Sacks, Mr. Alberts' longtime cameraman, said: "He had a way with
children. If they didn't get something right, he would ask them over and over
again."

W. Carter Merbreier, TV's Captain Noah, said Mr. Alberts "took great delight in
any of them bridging the gap from his show to national fame. He could have made
a business career out of squeezing them dry, but he didn't. He was behind them
the whole way."

Mr. Alberts told an interviewer in 1985: "I have never gotten to the point
during an audition where I said, 'OK, kid, that's enough.' I let them have their
three minutes in the sun."

Mr. Alberts' own career began before World War II as a piano player and singer
on The Horn & Hardart Children's Hour, a radio show.

He was born Al Albertini on Aug. 10, 1922. He was graduated from South
Philadelphia High. Shortly after the war, Mr. Alberts, his Navy buddy Dave
Mahoney, Sod Vaccaro and Lou Silvestri formed the Four Aces, who first performed
in a Prospect Park milk bar downstairs from a bookie joint.

Their first hit single was called "It's No Sin" and was aimed at Delaware County
college students before they left for summer vacation. Released on the group's
own label, it sold more than a million copies.

"All the boy bands [today] call upon that tight harmony," McArdle said.

In 1958, with rock and roll crashing in on the Aces' style, Mr. Alberts left the
Aces and toured as a solo act for 10 years. The group later lost the rights to
the Four Aces name in a federal court decision.

"If he did miss being a big star, he didn't show it," said Sacks, the cameraman.
"He loved being around Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. Every once in a
while, he did a nightclub act. That kept him fulfilled. . . . I think he chose
this the way he wanted. He could have been on the road 10 times more, but that's
not what he wanted."

The Albertses retired at the end of 1999 and moved to Florida shortly after.
Even after his retirement, Mr. Alberts had a way of bubbling into the regional
consciousness. Each year as Memorial Day approaches, Mr. Alberts' ditty "On the
Way to Cape May" draws hundreds of requests, said Ross Brittain, who hosts the
morning show on classic-hits WOGL (98.1): "It's the traditional summer song."

After Mr. Alberts left Channel 6, he also produced Harmony, a weekly big-band
radio show.

Besides his wife and son, Mr. Alberts is survived by son Al Jr. and a grandson.

Stella Alberts said a memorial would be held in Florida at a later date. She
said her husband's ashes would be scattered at sea.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20091127_Al_Alberts__singer_and_TV_ho\
st__dies_at_87.html

Love.  Hope.  Connections.

A 1940's journey of live radio connecting a nation.

The year - 1940 - and the newly created Canadian Broadcasting Corporation airs
its first live radio broadcast from the Normandy Roof in the Mount Royal Hotel,
Montreal. "Music of the Stars", a weekly national radio variety show, launches
to keep Canadian listeners informed and distract them from the suffering of the
war.

Complete with lively period songs, dance, ad jingles and live sound effects,
contrasted with news broadcasts, live interviews and reports from the front,
this is a re-creation of a typical WWII CBC radio show; an entertaining,
uplifting and honest portrayal of an era of live broadcast in radio ...

In Act I (1940), Gerald (Gerry), the station manager and a WWI vet comes on
stage, joined by Ron Houseman, the MC and Maxine Martin, the show's cue girl –
both who suffer from extreme stage fright. Ron introduces Alice Thompson, a
singing star from Calgary whose brother had just gone to join the war, followed
by May Powell, a well-known society newspaper columnist. Finally, Dixie Coleman,
joins the radio cast as the music director and accompanist to the singers. The
performers all start out as somewhat apprehensive as it is the first live
recording and are not familiar with each other. During this first show, Gordon
Watkins, a naïve, young, soldier who has just arrived in England from Dunkirk is
interviewed by May Powell.

In Act II (1942), the show has been running for more than two years and is now
broadcast twice a week. The regulars are more comfortable and the ambiance is
more relaxed. Cue girl, Maxine, has even graduated to singing solos on the
program. The major event in the news is Dieppe and newly appointed
Captain/Lieutenant Gordon Watkins provides a first-hand account from the BBC
studio in England of the attack and the impact on the Canadian troops. We also
learn that Alice's brother is among those named on the list of those missing in
action in France, and we see how the Alice is supported by her fellow
cast-mates. The show's feature `Soldiers Speak' continues, where letters to and
from Canadian servicemen abroad are read aloud, this time providing a glimpse of
war-time from a lonesome soldier to his wife, Norah.

In Act III (1944), "Music of the Stars" is in its 5th year and celebrating its
500th broadcast. The show's regulars have become old pros and the show is so
popular that it broadcasts nightly. Things are looking up and it looks like war
is coming to an end and it is time to celebrate. However, the war continues to
take its toll and another visit from Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon Watkins, this
time in person, reveals his traumatic wartime experiences and how he became
wounded on the beaches of Normandy during D-Day. As Maxine reads the hourly
lists of war dead as well as those newly conscripted for service, we learn
something about the characters that surprises everyone. The group is left to
console their audience and each other as the show goes on:

"Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu
When the clouds roll by I'll come to you…
So wait and pray each night for me
`Till we meet again."

Till We Meet Again is a story of Love, Hope and Connections. Through their
shared experiences, camaraderie, compassion and supportive relationships develop
among the characters. Heartfelt emotions are conveyed through letters to and
from Canadian servicemen, and as Lieutenant Watkins recounts his support and
love for his troops. With the uplifting celebration of the 500th broadcast,
times are looking up and there is hope for the future. Till We Meet Again
reminds audiences of their connection; to history, to Canada, to the experiences
and stories that make this era so unique, and to the generations before and
after them. This re-creation of a typical CBC radio show from the WWII era is a
time capsule that allows audiences to experience the era, lost in radio land...

Theatre Panache is proud to restage Till We Meet Again in Fall 2009 with a
36-performance tour beginning and ending in Montreal, with shows in Ottawa,
Mississauga, Markham and Oakville. This will be the largest tour to date for
this professional production.

Nice.

--- In MusicOfTheStars@yahoogroups.com, "LouRugani" <x779@...> wrote:
>
> Love.  Hope.  Connections.
>
> A 1940's journey of live radio connecting a nation.
>
> The year - 1940 - and the newly created Canadian Broadcasting Corporation airs
its first live radio broadcast from the Normandy Roof in the Mount Royal Hotel,
Montreal. "Music of the Stars", a weekly national radio variety show, launches
to keep Canadian listeners informed and distract them from the suffering of the
war.
>
> Complete with lively period songs, dance, ad jingles and live sound effects,
contrasted with news broadcasts, live interviews and reports from the front,
this is a re-creation of a typical WWII CBC radio show; an entertaining,
uplifting and honest portrayal of an era of live broadcast in radio ...
>
> In Act I (1940), Gerald (Gerry), the station manager and a WWI vet comes on
stage, joined by Ron Houseman, the MC and Maxine Martin, the show's cue girl –
both who suffer from extreme stage fright. Ron introduces Alice Thompson, a
singing star from Calgary whose brother had just gone to join the war, followed
by May Powell, a well-known society newspaper columnist. Finally, Dixie Coleman,
joins the radio cast as the music director and accompanist to the singers. The
performers all start out as somewhat apprehensive as it is the first live
recording and are not familiar with each other. During this first show, Gordon
Watkins, a naïve, young, soldier who has just arrived in England from Dunkirk is
interviewed by May Powell.
>
> In Act II (1942), the show has been running for more than two years and is now
broadcast twice a week. The regulars are more comfortable and the ambiance is
more relaxed. Cue girl, Maxine, has even graduated to singing solos on the
program. The major event in the news is Dieppe and newly appointed
Captain/Lieutenant Gordon Watkins provides a first-hand account from the BBC
studio in England of the attack and the impact on the Canadian troops. We also
learn that Alice's brother is among those named on the list of those missing in
action in France, and we see how the Alice is supported by her fellow
cast-mates. The show's feature `Soldiers Speak' continues, where letters to and
from Canadian servicemen abroad are read aloud, this time providing a glimpse of
war-time from a lonesome soldier to his wife, Norah.
>
> In Act III (1944), "Music of the Stars" is in its 5th year and celebrating its
500th broadcast. The show's regulars have become old pros and the show is so
popular that it broadcasts nightly. Things are looking up and it looks like war
is coming to an end and it is time to celebrate. However, the war continues to
take its toll and another visit from Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon Watkins, this
time in person, reveals his traumatic wartime experiences and how he became
wounded on the beaches of Normandy during D-Day. As Maxine reads the hourly
lists of war dead as well as those newly conscripted for service, we learn
something about the characters that surprises everyone. The group is left to
console their audience and each other as the show goes on:
>
> "Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu
> When the clouds roll by I'll come to you…
> So wait and pray each night for me
> `Till we meet again."
>
> Till We Meet Again is a story of Love, Hope and Connections. Through their
shared experiences, camaraderie, compassion and supportive relationships develop
among the characters. Heartfelt emotions are conveyed through letters to and
from Canadian servicemen, and as Lieutenant Watkins recounts his support and
love for his troops. With the uplifting celebration of the 500th broadcast,
times are looking up and there is hope for the future. Till We Meet Again
reminds audiences of their connection; to history, to Canada, to the experiences
and stories that make this era so unique, and to the generations before and
after them. This re-creation of a typical CBC radio show from the WWII era is a
time capsule that allows audiences to experience the era, lost in radio land...
>
> Theatre Panache is proud to restage Till We Meet Again in Fall 2009 with a
36-performance tour beginning and ending in Montreal, with shows in Ottawa,
Mississauga, Markham and Oakville. This will be the largest tour to date for
this professional production.
>

Mr. Rugnai,

           I was so glad to have you in my living room on
           Christmas Eve with my fire place going.
           What a fine variety of songs & poems.

           You hit the nail on the head about scrooge. I
           have to agree. Make things in life the way you
           want them, whether you are used to your old ways
           of Holiday Celebration, keeping it simple.

           Thanks to you, Wlip has a Great Broadcaster. Be Proud.
           I really enjoyed the program.

           Merry Chistmas,  As Always,  Carol

Thanks so much, Lou for your Candlelight Christmas Eve, and  your Carol for
Another Christmas.  Songs were very wonderful, and thoughfully arranged.
Enjoyed very much while baking the last of the Christmas cookies, wrapping the
last presents, and then again in the morning, as we had coffee and cookies
(Santa always leaves a few) and unwrapped those presents, listening to all the
wonderful poetry, music and scriptures read by Orson Welles and of course, Lou.
You make everyone elses holidays so special with your shows on WLIP, I hope  you
had yourself a Merry Little Christmas and had an enjoyable holiday yourself.
Blessings and Wishes for a Happy New Year,
Cyn

Lou, A Wonderful & Funny Show on Music of The Stars. Do you ever    run out
of Music?
I suppose that would be Dead Air! That is a joke as you know. You always do a 5
star show. I certainly enjoy and look foward to every Sunday.

Keep Your Dreams Alive,  As Always, Carol

Looking through music on line at YouTube and found the hits probably forgotten
or seldom played by Jaye P. Morgan in the early 50's. I noticed she worked with
Hugo Winterhalter, DeVol, and The Morgan Brothers on some of her recordings.
  She had a very strong voice.  " Life Is Just a Bowl Of Cherries" was one I
listened to, something covered by many artists, but who was first to do that
song, and who wrote it??

What is her story, Lou?  They don't say much on Wikipedia, and I'm sure you
could find out more.
  I remember seeing her on "The Gong Show" in the 70's, but knew little or
nothing about her and her career. Any info?

Thanks. :)

Thanks for that. Her photo was used on facebook for "Doppleganger Week"  a
friends Mom always said there was a resemblance... :-/, others on facebook
agreed.  Will you still play some of her songs on MOTS? I happen to like her
song, " That's All I Want From You".  Thanks again, Lou.

--- In MusicOfTheStars@yahoogroups.com, Louis Rugani <x779@...> wrote:
>
> She has a nice website and is probably better known for her comic antics today
than her great singing style.
> http://www.jayepmorgan.com/
>
> =Lou=
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~ **-=\/=-** ~~~~~~~~~~
>
> The opposite of bravery is not cowardice, but conformity.       Robert
Anthony
>

Thanks for the music from " The Queen Of The Stardust Ballroom" (1975) on Sunday
the 7th of Feb., Lou.
I recall seeing the made for TV version, it was a good movie, and a good story
line. Great music, too.

Your St. Valentine's Day show should be really great, It will be different to
listen to a program pre-recorded from a while back.

I enjoy many kinds of music, I guess when you grow up in a family that
appreciates music, you learn to have that appreciation for music in all its
forms.

  I don't care much for the newer "stuff" - mainly because its repetitive,
droning, and has mostly senseless or useless lyrics. " Like a broken record".
(and you wonder why it was broken.) ; )

   The Music Of The Stars showcases the kind of music that means something, that
has a beginning a middle and an end.  The kind of music that can be enjoyed
throughout the years over because it makes sense, and is kind to your senses.

"It has a nice beat and it's easy to dance to.."  How very true.
The Music Of The Stars is truly timeless.
Thanks so much Lou, your program is always welcome in our home.

The Queen Of The Stardust Ballroom

            Bea Asher (Maureen Stapleton) is having a difficult time dealing with
the recent death of her husband. What lies in the future for her is suddenly
unclear now that she is a widow. Once she is convinced to visit the Stardust
Ballroom to get her mind off of things she meets a charming man (Charles
Durning) who eventually shows her how important love is and why she shouldn'Bea
Asher (Maureen Stapleton) is having a difficult time dealing with the recent
death of her husband.

What lies in the future for her is suddenly unclear now that she is a widow.
Once she is convinced to visit the Stardust Ballroom to get her mind off of
things she meets a charming man (Charles Durning) who eventually shows her how
important love is and why she shouldn't give up life just yet give up life just
yet.
I was very saddened by the ending of the movie.  It was a Big Twist at the end.

Sundays Music of The Stars was Great.  Loved all the Love Songs.
As Always,  Carol    Thank You for your Beautiful Show.

Mr. Rugani,
  Enjoyed the Tibute to Kathryn Grayson on The Music of The Stars.
  As Always, Your Show was a delight.
I will leave you on that note. Keep Your Dreams Alive!
As Always,  Carol

Kathryn Grayson, the soprano-voiced star of Anchors Aweigh, Show Boat, Kiss Me
Kate, and several other MGM musicals of the 1940s and early '50s, died yesterday
(Feb. 17) in her sleep at her Los Angeles home. Grayson had turned 88 on Feb. 9.

An aspiring opera singer, Grayson became an MGM contract player in the early
'40s, reportedly as a potential rival to Universal's Deanna Durbin. Usually, the
pretty, bosomy brunette didn't have much to do on screen whenever she wasn't
belting out songs — except, of course, look pretty and bosomy. The exceptions to
that rule were two George Sidney-directed early '50s adaptations of Broadway
musicals: Show Boat (1951, photo) and Kiss Me Kate (1953).

In the former, Grayson plays riverboat captain's daughter Magnolia Hawks, who
falls in love with a ne'er-do-well gambler played by Howard Keel. Grayson and
Keel's rendition of "Make Believe" remains one of the highlights of MGM's Golden
Age of musicals. As a plus, Grayson rose to the occasion in the dramatic scenes
as well, delivering what I consider the best performance of her career. Grayson
was so good, in fact, that she was able to make me forget Irene Dunne's
remarkable performance in Universal's 1936 version.

In Kiss Me Kate, a musicalized, Broadway-set variation on Shakespeare's The
Taming of the Shrew, Grayson was once again paired with Howard Keel, fighting
and singing like a feral cat. For that role, she received the best notices of
her career.

The film debut of the Winston-Salem, N.C., native took place in 1941 in the
Mickey Rooney vehicle Andy Hardy's Private Secretary. (The "Andy Hardy" series
served as a sort of training ground for many MGM female newcomers.) From there
Grayson got squeezed between Abbott and Costello in a 1942 update of Rio Rita,
had the lead in the 1943 all-star color musical revue Thousands Cheer, and
played opposite Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra in the likable, Oscar-nominated
Anchors Aweigh (1945), a movie that proves that dreams do come true in Hollywood
— as long as you're starring in a Hollywood movie.

Additionally, Grayson co-starred with June Allyson in Two Sisters from Boston
(1946) and was part of the all-star cast in Till the Clouds Roll By (1946), a
glossy (and phony) Jerome Kern biopic in which she plays herself performing the
role of Magnolia in Show Boat.

It Happened in Brooklyn (1947) and The Kissing Bandit (1949) were big flops, but
those hurt Frank Sinatra's career more than hers, as she was paired with Mario
Lanza, with whom she didn't get along all that well, in the more successful That
Midnight Kiss (1949) and The Toast of New Orleans (1950). She also played
another former Irene Dunne role in Lovely to Look At (1952), MGM's glitzy remake
of RKO's Roberta (1935).

Grayson's only three films away from MGM were The Desert Song (1953) and So This
Is Love (1953), both at Warner Bros., and The Vagabond King (1956) at Paramount.
Her career abruptly ended at that point as those films weren't exactly
successful, and Hollywood's musical wave was about to crash. Referring to the
bloated The Vagabond King, she later said: "It never should have been made.
[Composer] Rudolf Friml was so upset about it that he told Paramount he was
going out of town for the weekend. He went to Hong Kong."

In later years, Grayson sang opera, starred in several stage operettas including
The Merry Widow and Naughty Marietta, and toured in Man of La Mancha with former
MGM co-star Howard Keel. Television appearances included those in Playhouse 90
and Murder She Wrote.

She was married to two minor MGM contract players: John Shelton (1940-1946) and
Johnny Johnston (1947-1951).

"I'm a Pollyanna," Kathryn Grayson once said, explaining why she could never
write her memoirs. "I had to stop writing because I love everybody and I was
saying everyone was beautiful. I just happen to think people are pretty
wonderful."

Kathryn Grayson can be seen a couple of times — wearing a Dutch cap; singing at
the conclusion — in this "Forgotten Actresses" montage.

I'm ready for Spring, aren't you?  The happy sounds of "the music o' the green"
is alright by me.  I couldn't agree more, "Why not??" :-)

Lou,  Loved all the songs on Music Of The Stars.
           You receive the Golden Torch Award for this show.

           A Great way to start the morning. Or afternoon.

           Thanks Again for giving us such a Wonderful Show.


           As Always,  Carol   (Keep Our Dreams Alive)

Winter colors white and gray, slowly start to fade away. Warming winds that dry
the ground - green and new is all around. Rain may fall, but I don't care, then
flowers blooming everywhere! I Listen for the birds that sing - then join the
chorus - WELCOME SPRING! - C. Bitto





--- In MusicOfTheStars@yahoogroups.com, "Blue" <the_blue_fox2006@...> wrote:
>
> I'm ready for Spring, aren't you?  The happy sounds of "the music o' the
green" is alright by me.  I couldn't agree more, "Why not??" :-)
>

Mr. Rugani,

             You did it again.  More Great Music. Your program seems
             to go by too fast. Have you ever thought about recording
             a marathon?( Music of The Stars) In our Dreams.

             You give your listeners a Beautiful Morning. Even when
             the clouds are out and it seems gloomy.

             Keep Our Dreams Alive!

             Music of The Stars is like a fine painting, put a frame
             around the music, take it where you want to , hang it
             where you want, but we will always have it in our minds.

             Thank You for so many Memories of Beautiful Music.

             As Always,  Carol   (I know I will never forget)

BBC4 will be showing the documentary Clint Eastwood Presents Johnny Mercer - The
Dream's On Me on Easter Sunday (April 4th) at 9:25PM. Marking the 100th
anniversary of the composer's birth, the film celebrates one of the most
important musical figures of the 20th century and this transmission will include
extra archive interview footage. The writer of over 1,700 songs that include
standards such as Moon River, That Old Black Magic, One For My Baby (And One
More For The Road) and The Summer Wind is celebrated in the soundtrack to the
film which features a galaxy of stars including Bono, Barbra Streisand, Ray
Charles and Ella Fitzgerald.

The Music of the Stars will be featuring Johnny Mercer's music in April.

Forwarded courtesy of Ron Smolen:

In the summer of 1969, a mail sorter at a New York post office received a letter
addressed "To The Greatest Drummer in the World." There was no address or return
address and the sorter wasn't sure what to do.

Fortunately, there was a former drummer who worked the front counter of the Post
Office who promptly found Max Roach's address and forwarded the letter. Max
Roach received the letter and said, "Oh no, I'm not the greatest drummer in the
world."

Max then promptly forwarded the letter to Gene Krupa, who said "Somebody must've
made a mistake."

Gene then forwarded the letter on to Buddy Rich (known for his incredible ego
and abuse of his band members for every little mistake they made).

Of course, Buddy had been waiting his entire life for that moment. He read the
words "To The Greatest Drummer in the World" and smiled from ear-to-ear as he
ripped open the envelope.

He began to read the letter: "Dear Ringo ....

Mr, Rugani,

            What can I say, Another feather in your hat, Your hat
            must be getting very heavy.  Every song had a wonderful
            meaning.  I loved the song The Lords Prayer.

            Thank You for a Enjoyable Show,
            As Always,  Carol

                       History Of Easter

Easter, the principal festival of the Christian church year, celebrates the
Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion. The origins
of Easter date to the beginnings of Christianity, and it is probably the oldest
Christian observance after the Sabbath (observed on Saturday). Later, the
Sabbath subsequently came to be regarded as the weekly celebration of the
Resurrection.

Meanwhile, many of the cultural historians find, in the celebration of Easter, a
convergence of the three traditions - Pagan, Hebrew and Christian.

According to St. Bede, an English historian of the early 8th century, Easter
owes its origin to the old Teutonic mythology. It was derived from the name
Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, to whom the month of April was
dedicated. The festival of Eostre was celebrated at the vernal equinox, when the
day and night gets an equal share of the day.

The English name "Easter" is much newer. When the early English Christians
wanted others to accept Christianity, they decided to use the name Easter for
this holiday so that it would match the name of the old spring celebration. This
made it more comfortable for other people to accept Christianity.

But it is pointed out by some that the Easter festival, as celebrated today, is
related with the Hebrew tradition, the Jewish Passover. This is being celebrated
during Nisan, the first month of the Hebrew lunar year. The Jewish Passover
under Moses commemorates Israel's deliverance from about 300 years of bondage in
Egypt.

It was in during this Passover in 30 AD Christ was crucified under the order of
the Roman governor Pontius Pilate as the then Jewish high priests accused Jesus
of "blasphemy". The resurrection came three days later, on the Easter Sunday.
The early Christians, many of them being brought up in Jewish tradition regarded
Easter as a new feature of the Pascha (Passover). It was observed in memory of
the advent of the Messiah, as foretold by the prophets. And it is equanimous
with the proclamation of the resurrection. Thus the early Christian Passover
turned out to be a unitive celebration in memory of the
passion-death-resurrection of Jesus. However, by the 4th century, Good Friday
came to be observed as a separate occasion. And the Pascha Sunday had been
devoted exclusively to the honor of the glorious resurrection.

Throughout the Christendom the Sunday of Pascha had become a holiday to honor
Christ. At the same time many of the pagan spring rites came to be a part of its
celebration. May be it was the increasing number of new converts who could not
totally break free of the influence of pagan culture of their forefathers.

But despite all the influence there was an important shift in the spirit. No
more glorification of the physical return of the Sun God. Instead the emphasis
was shifted to the Sun of Righteousness who had won banishing the horrors of
death for ever.

The Feast of Easter was well established by the second century. But there had
been dispute over the exact date of the Easter observance between the Eastern
and Western Churches. The East wanted to have it on a weekday because early
Christians observed Passover every year on the 14th of Nisan, the month based on
the lunar calendar. But, the West wanted that Easter should always be a Sunday
regardless of the date.

To solve this problem the emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicaea in
325. The question of the date of Easter was one of its main concerns. The
council decided that Easter should fall on Sunday following the first full moon
after the vernal equinox. But fixing up the date of the Equinox was still a
problem. The Alexandrians, noted for their rich knowledge in astronomical
calculations were given the task. And March 21 was made out to be the perfect
date for spring equinox.

The dating of Easter today follows the same. Accordingly, churches in the West
observe it on the first day of the full moon that occurs on or following the
Spring equinox on March 21., it became a movable feast between March 21 and
April 25.

Still some churches in the East observe Easter according to the date of the
Passover festival.
The preparation takes off as early as on the Ash Wednesday from which the period
of penitence in the Lent begins. The Lent and the Holy week end on the Easter
Sunday, the day of resurrection.

Will somebody please cancel 'American Idol?': Aging reality show should have
been voted off before this season began
Monday, March 29, 2010

By BARRY KOLTNOW
McClatchy-Tribune

There is nothing quite as sad as an aging champion who doesn't know when to
quit.

It's the boxer who fights one too many bouts, the baseball player who plays one
too many games and the television show that airs one too many seasons.

A house guest who overstays his welcome is only in danger of being a bore. But a
champion who overstays his welcome is in danger of hurting his legacy.

But this isn't about boxing (Mike Tyson) or baseball (Willie Mays). I'm talking
about "American Idol," the ratings champ that should have quit while it was
ahead. Instead, I think we're looking at a punch-drunk champion that will not be
looked upon fondly in future years.

This is absolutely the worst season in the nine-year history of a storied
franchise that has launched a handful of significant music careers — Kelly
Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken.
There have been a few other success stories, and I don't begrudge any of them.

But the blows to the head that the show has taken this season are evident.
"American Idol" is ripe for a fall.

And, of course, every great fall starts with a single misstep.

At this point, it is an inescapable fact that dumping Paula Abdul was the
beginning of the end. Kara DioGuardi was a mistake from the beginning, and the
show's producers are too stubborn to admit it. They even hired Ellen DeGeneres
to cover their mistake, without having to concede the original sin.

The judge is not only a drama queen (give me a break; a professional songwriter
shedding tears at the end of an amateur's performance?), but she likes to hear
herself talk. So does Simon Cowell, but at least he's occasionally humorous,
albeit predictable.

DeGeneres, who at first was a breath of fresh air because she wasn't Kara, is
already starting to annoy. She has nothing substantial to offer, except for the
well-placed joke. She says she likes everybody, even those she criticizes. I
know she's trying to be Paula, but it's not working. She completely lost me when
she hugged that contestant a couple of weeks ago. Not only was it
unprofessional, but she unfairly influenced the voting.

Randy Jackson has become a caricature — Hey, Dog, you're pitchy — and Simon's
superficial pop sensibilities are silly.

But the judges' greatest crime is their inability to spot talent.

More than 100,000 wannabes auditioned, and this is the best they could come up
with? It doesn't say much for the musical talent in this country.

I don't think I am alone in my disappointment with this season's crop of
singers. The guys are a painful waste of our time every time they step to the
microphone. Of the women, only two showed any promise, and one of them already
is off the show. I understand that Lilly Scott was ousted by a public vote, but
I think the judges set her up with their constant carping.

What is really pathetic is a noticeable change in attitude in the last couple of
weeks. The judges are trying to be nicer to the contestants — particularly the
male performers — because the show's producers fear a viewer backlash. They are
afraid that the public will turn off their TV sets any time a male contestant
performs. Their fear is justified. I went out one night when the men were
competing, and I didn't even bother to record the show. Frankly, the women
aren't worth recording, either.

Other than the judges' bad taste in musical talent, I can't really explain the
lack of exceptional performers this year. I don't buy into the notion that the
first eight seasons exhausted all the undiscovered talent in America. With a
minimum age of 16, there should be a never-ending supply of young performers
turning 16 each year.

Perhaps the fix is in. We know that Cowell is jumping ship, and I suppose it is
possible that "American Idol" producers also have other projects in the works.
Rather than go out on top, they might assume it would be easier to make
"American Idol" so bad that nobody will miss it when it's gone. At the same
time, those frustrated fans would be hungry for a new talent competition.

Whatever the reasons, the show is clearly running on fumes. Yes, it continues to
garner impressive ratings but it's been a ratings behemoth so long, it has
become a habit in American households.

What's needed is an intervention. That's the point of this diatribe. I am trying
to free you from your addiction to "American Idol."

I believe that you can beat this thing. You are free to change the channel. Your
world will not collapse if you stop watching.

Perhaps you could wear a patch. Or read a book.

Barry Koltnow is an entertainment writer for The Orange County Register. To
reach him, e-mail bkoltnowocregister.com

Lou,
   Sundays Spring Music, What a wonderful Variety of music.
   As Always, Carol

   Ev'ry time we say goodbye I die a little
Ev'ry time we say goodbye I wonder why a little
Why the gods above me who must be in the know
Think so little of me they allow you to go

When you're near there's such an air of spring about it
I can hear a lark somewhere waiting to sing about it
There's no love song finer
But how strange the change from major to minor
Ev'ry time we say goodbye

When you're near there's such an air of spring about it
I can hear a lark somewhere waiting to sing about it
There's no love song finer
But how strange the change from major to minor
Ev'ry time we say goodbye

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ON YOUR 18th YEAR
                  1992-2010


             WHY I LISTEN TO LOU RUGANI

               MUSIC OF THE STARS

              GREAT ANNIVERSARY SHOW

Music of the Stars is a Masterpiece of a collection

of an erra that will always have a place in someones" heart.

The mystical magic of Old Band sounds.

For young and old.  A story or song that rings a bell.

You step into a different world and when you hear

your Special Song, you go back in time.

Maybe where you were, or who you were with.

A time to step away to enjoy your favorite songs

Like Bob Hope said Thanks for The Memories

Once you meet Lou Rugani you have a Friend for Life.


Thank you, Lou Rugani

As Always, Carol Strempler

    "KEEP YOUR DREAMS ALIVE"