George T. Simon

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Ray McKinley provided a swinging and consistent rhythm behind several big bands during the 1930s and 40s. He worked with the Dorsey Brothers, Will Bradley and Glenn Miller before forming his own orchestra. His influential drumming behind Glenn Miller's Army Air Force band has been cited by many percussionists as a launching point for their own passion. He also wrote a method book that was widely used for beginner drummers and he often held clinics in musi

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: George T. Simon was a journalist and historian who documented the history of the swing era! In a series of best-selling books, George recounted the glory days of the Big Band Era in America during the 1930s and 40s. Having written for several magazines during the time, George knew many of the musicians and singers involved with the era and took great pride in documenting their contributions to music. A fun little-known fact is that George actually played

Dennis Spragg is a music historian and author who has become an expert on the bandleader Glenn Miller. He is the senior consultant for the Glenn Miller Archives and the American Music Research Center at the University of Colorado Boulder, as well as the historian for the Glenn Miller Birthplace Society in Clarinda, Iowa. These collections include donations from artists, their families, producers, broadcasters, and collectors. The entire scope of the big-band era is represented, including over 10,000 recordings and broadcasts, many of which are unique.