Song of the Day: June Christy, Mel Torme, Nat King Cole Trio, “How High The Moon”

Shirley Luster, better known as cool jazz singer June Christy, was born 100 years ago today. She started with the Stan Kenton Orchestra in 1945, starting her solo career a couple of years later. Here, she sings “How High The Moon” accompanied by ther Nat King Cole Trio and singer Mel Tormé on drums. I live for moments like this….

Song of the Day: Blue Barron & His Orchestra, “Cruising Down The River (On A Sunday Afternoon)”

American “sweet music” orchestra leader Harry Friedeman, who used the stage name Blue Barron, was born on this day in 1913. Wikipedia says “His band’s more subdued tone was referred to as ‘Sweet’ music to distinguish it from the ‘Swing’ bands of the era.” Here is “Cruising Down The River (On A Sunday Afternoon)” from 1949.

This Week’s Writer’s Workshop Prompts: November 20, 2025

Badge by Patty, http://anothercookieplease.com

Here are this week’s prompts:

  1. Write a post inspired by the word symbol.
  2. Write a post in exactly 13 (thirteen) sentences.
  3. Write a story that uses the phrase “a shot in the dark” in the first sentence.
  4. Write about a time you felt that you were in the Twilight Zone.
  5. Write a list of 10 things that are sure to put a smile on your face when you are not happy.
  6. Describe a job you absolutely would never want to do.

The Writer’s Workshop is open to anyone and everyone. Here’s how you can join us:

  1. Choose one of the prompts (or as many as you want) and write a post that addresses that prompt.
  2. Publish your post on Thursday (or earlier or later).
  3. Leave a comment on this post with the URL of the post on your blog. If you’re a WordPress user, you may use a pingback to do this (just be sure it’s there when you do so).
  4. For good blog karma, drop by this post starting on Thursday and comment on as many other posts as you can.

If you’d like to participate, jump right in! We have plenty of room!

Top Ten Tuesday: NZBC (Wellington NZ), 11/19/64

Found a listing for the New Zealand Broadcasting Company radio station out of Wellington. They have a Top Eight rather than a Top Ten; here it is for 61 years ago today. (playlist)

8: We’ll Sing In The Sunshine – Gale Garnett 7: She’s A Mod – Ray Columbus 6: Let It Be Me – Betty Everett and Jerry Butler 5: Dancing In The Street – Martha & The Vandellas 4: Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison 3: (There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me – Sandie Shaw 2: I’m Into Something Good – Herman’s Hermits 1: Last Kiss – J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers

That’s Top Ten Tuesday for November 19, 2025.