BIG BANDS JUMP STARTED IN CHICAGO BALLROOMS.

"The Maybelline Hour, is brought to you live, from the lovely Ballroom, at the Edgewater Beach Hotel.... in  beautiful Uptown!.....  With the danceable tunes of Freddie Martin and his orchestra."

 The White City Ballroom on the South Side of Chicago, was the place to be in June 1922.  (Chicago Tribune.

The popularity of the hotel dance bands of the 1920s was also an important factor in the evolution of Big Band's being heard on the radio. 

Band leader, Freddie Martin

The main source of revenue for budding band leaders, like Freddie Martin, came from playing for ballroom dance crowds and doing radio remote broadcasts in the 1920s and early 1930s.

Freddy Martin and his Orchestra, was featured on, The Maybelline hour in 1935-1937.  The one hour radio show, called Penthouse Serenade, often included, Maybelline founder, Tom Lyle Williams and his family, riding up on the elevator, and entering the Ballroom on the top floor. 

This video of Freddy Martin and his orchestra, gives a bit of the flavor from a 1940s radio show.

Recording of Tom Lyle Williams doing his radio show, Penthouse Serenade, with the Williams family.

Read more about Freddy Martin and The Maybelline Hour's, Penthouse Serenade in my book, The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.  

TL Williams, recording, Penthouse Serenade.

Vintage recording of Maybelline commercial, done by the TL Williams and his family, just having fun at a party.

                                                           Click on Video.
                 T.L Williams (Penthouse Saranade (video).wmv

                               

When Tom Lyle's sister Eva and her husband Ches Haines, bought a new record-making machine, in 1947, the first thing they did was invite the family over to record a pretend Maybelline radio show.  "Penthouse Serenade" is the result. 
 
Listen to Tom Lyle as MC, with Rag's Ragland at the piano and Ches Haines singing, while the rest of the family joins in.  This never before heard recording, has been packed away for over 60 years.  My cousin Jerry Westhouse, Eva's grandson, was kind enough to share it with me, so I could share it with you.  


Read more about the radio show, Penthouse Serenade hosted by The Maybelline Hour, with Orchestra leader, Freddy Martin, in The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.