One Year Older .........

We still celebrate your birth, Sidney!

Interview With Peggy King On WYYR.com

Listen to internet radio with YesterYear Radio on Blog Talk Radio

Two hour interview with call ins and music.  I was the first call, after they played a tune Peggy sang while with the Ralph Flanagan Orchestra.  You can listen to the entire two hours, or just the first five minutes to hear her talk about Sid!

H/T to Herb Stark for alerting me to the show.

Ralph Flanagan And His Orchestra

Peggy King and Harry Prime, circa 1950.  Picture, courtesy of Herb Stark.

Ralph Flanagan Orchestra - Nevertheless (singer, Harry Prime)

Sid played on this track.

From Herb Stark:

Here's an internet radio show where listeners call in.  Harry Prime, Peggy King , George Roumanis (who used to play bass in the Flanagan band) and I were on a few weeks ago.  It was fun!  Put this in your computer:

http://www.wyyr.com/sunday-night-special.html

You will see that Peggy King will be 'starring' on this show Sunday, May 22nd.  If you call, I'm sure she'll be delighted since she remembers singing with the Flanagan band when Sid was playing.  It's a lot of fun and host Chris Valenti (broadcasting from Vero Beach, Florida) does a great job of making call-ins feel at ease.  You can check the Harry Prime show when you bring up this 'Big Band Sunday Night Special' announcement.  I plan to call along with Harry and George and maybe Hannah Flanagan (she's coming up to 92 on May 29) but she's a very private person.  But I'll ask her.    It's a 2 hour show starting at 7 PM eastern time.

Thanks For The Shout Out, Herb!

Nice little piece over at Big Band Academy Of America blog.

Happy New Year

A shout out to Aria Bruss who is performing at the Scripps Ranch Theatre.  If you are in the area, grab a ticket and see her wonderful performance.

RIP Joe Morello

IRVINGTON, N.J. – One of the most famous drummers in jazz music history has died.


Family members say Joe Morello died Saturday at his home in northern New Jersey. A cause of death was not immediately available.


Morello, who was 82, was best known for his work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet. He was a member of the group for more than 12 years and was featured on such jazz classics as "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo a la Turk."

Morello also played with many leading jazz musicians over the years, including pianist Marian McPartland's Hickory House Trio in the early `50s.


After Brubeck disbanded the quartet in 1968, Morello turned to teaching and writing instructional books.

RIP.  Say hi to Sid for me.

We Miss You, Sid -- This Is Your Family Singing To You!

Three years since you left this earthly kingdom.  We all sing (and dance) to you.  Enjoy.



That would be Joan, Sid's ex-wife and the mother of his children, the first brunette dancer in the black dress.

My father, Charles Maxon, with the Paul Whiteman Band:
Say It With Music


I can't get a complete mp3 anywhere at this time that confirms Sid is on the drums, but I did confirm with Herb Stark that Sid played on the album with Ralph Flanagan "Always" (liner notes include Sid). Click on this link, and the click on the sample song "Rub-a-Dub-Dub" for a little drumming by Sid.

Here's Joan, Kelly, Leslie, me, Bob, Rick and Walter, back in the 1960's, with The Promised One. Saeed is the one chanting.


Leslie and Kelly singing one of Sid's favorite songs.
We Are One


Ruby and Summer



Gia Sachs
Move On


Aria Bruss and her brother, Gia
Kindly Heart


Kelsey Bulkin - Made In Heights
All The Places



RIP to our recently departed Eileen Norman, Jim Nelson, and Jane Russell (whom Sid enjoyed a special relationship with for a long time).

P.S. Sid, look out for my grandson, Zaire, as he transitions to a new and unknown home environment. He needs everyone's support and love.

Video two years ago of him singing to the YouTube video of Sugarland's "All I Want To Do."  Well, not really singing, but trying to!

O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit.  Purify my heart.  Illumine my powers.  I lay all my affairs in Thy hand.  Thou art my Guide and my Refuge.  I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved.  I will be a happy and joyful being.  O God!  I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me.  I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.

O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself.  I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.
--'Abdu'l-Baha

"Music To My Ears!"

For Sid's enjoyment!  Latest RubySummer.


Ruby Summer EPK from Ruby Summer on Vimeo.