Have not listened to your selections yet, but will.
Last year, I made up my listing for Patriotic music. Thought you might like to know what I selected.
America Salute (When Johnny Comes Marching Home)
America the Beautiful
Appalachian Spring
Fanfare For the Common Man
God Bless America
God Bless the USA
Rodeo: Hoe-Down
You’re a Grand Ole Flag
The Stars and Stripes Forever
This Is My Country
I just love the musicality of The Stars and Stripes Forever. I remember a “60 Minutes” piece when Mike Wallace interviewed Vladimir Horowitz. He, too, loved the music and began playing a rousing rendition.
I have tried in vain to obtain a video of the 1976 performance of the Boston Pops July on the Fourth. When the flag rolled down, and Arthur Fielder’s white hair waving, I was in pure joy!
In the late 1950’s, when I was a student at Cave Spring High School in Roanoke, I, along with the student body, were treated to a traveling performance. It was presented by the Quaker Oats Company. An actor appeared on stage outfitted as Mister Quaker. This, unfortunately, provoked laughs from his audience.
But as his performance continued, what at first seemed derision turned to admiration. To end his show, Mister Quaker sang a song that I had never heard before: This Is My Country. I sat with awe. I don’t know if I had ever heard a piece of music that had moved me so.
I have never forgotten that show. Several years ago, I contacted the Quaker Oats Company. I wanted to find out about their production. The lady I talked to do some research. She said she could find no information about my inquiry. I was stunned! I at least wanted to know who the fabulous actor was. I mused that perhaps it was Howard Da Silva. He had been blacklisted and could not find work in New York and Hollywood. (He later played Benjamin Franklin in 1776.). I suppose I will never know.
Happy Fourth of July to you, Bob, Alanna, and Jeremy.
Nice selection! Funny story about Quaker. They had some interesting promotions in the 1950s. They sponsored “Sergeant Preston of the Yukon” on TV and, during that time, offered a deal. Mail in a box top from one of three Quaker cereals, and you would become the owner of one square inch of territory in the Yukon, with a certificate to “prove” your ownership. Unfortunately for the kids who got the certificates, the whole thing got snarled in legal machinations: licensing problems, failure to register the deeds, and failure to pay taxes on the land. In the mid-60s, the land was seized for failure to pay $37.20 in taxes. Apparently, the territory still gets questions about the deal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klondike_Big_Inch_Land_Promotion
On WBY. One fellow in the front was so pumped he was clapping his hands and leaping in the air!
I figured those were synth sounds. I use Logic plus a Yamaha CP-4 and a Moog Sub 37 for an amazing palette of instruments but play guitar parts myself.
Thanks!!! A friend/reader asked me last night whether there's a Merchant Marine anthem. I had thought about investigating that for the article but decided to limit it to the uniformed services. I told him I'd investigate today, so you've saved me the search. Happy Fourth.
I'm sorely tempted to add an addendum. From what I can see, the statutes are clear that the USMS is NOT considered a uniformed service on par with the six military branches, NOAA Corps and PHSCC. From the esteemed authorities at Wikipedia: "The U.S. Maritime Service is not part of the uniformed services of the United States. The officers in the service cannot claim veteran status or military benefits including retirement." However, I do see from other sites that they can be militarized upon presidential orders. So, I'll likely add a note to that effect, along with a link to their anthem. Happy Fourth!
As I recall, midshipmen are considered members of the USMS when they attend the Academy, but I could be wrong about that. Nevertheless, I'd say that the USMS deserves at least equal billing with NOAA and USPHS.
Great list for celebrating July 4!
Thanks!
To artillerymen, it will always be "The Caissons Go Rolling Along"!
I’m not an artilleryman, but it is for me, too.
I hereby dub thee an honorary redleg! Interesting narratives about the songs. As usual I learned a lot. Enjoy your Fourth of July!
I am humbled! Glad you enjoyed it. Happy 4th.
Have not listened to your selections yet, but will.
Last year, I made up my listing for Patriotic music. Thought you might like to know what I selected.
America Salute (When Johnny Comes Marching Home)
America the Beautiful
Appalachian Spring
Fanfare For the Common Man
God Bless America
God Bless the USA
Rodeo: Hoe-Down
You’re a Grand Ole Flag
The Stars and Stripes Forever
This Is My Country
I just love the musicality of The Stars and Stripes Forever. I remember a “60 Minutes” piece when Mike Wallace interviewed Vladimir Horowitz. He, too, loved the music and began playing a rousing rendition.
I have tried in vain to obtain a video of the 1976 performance of the Boston Pops July on the Fourth. When the flag rolled down, and Arthur Fielder’s white hair waving, I was in pure joy!
In the late 1950’s, when I was a student at Cave Spring High School in Roanoke, I, along with the student body, were treated to a traveling performance. It was presented by the Quaker Oats Company. An actor appeared on stage outfitted as Mister Quaker. This, unfortunately, provoked laughs from his audience.
But as his performance continued, what at first seemed derision turned to admiration. To end his show, Mister Quaker sang a song that I had never heard before: This Is My Country. I sat with awe. I don’t know if I had ever heard a piece of music that had moved me so.
I have never forgotten that show. Several years ago, I contacted the Quaker Oats Company. I wanted to find out about their production. The lady I talked to do some research. She said she could find no information about my inquiry. I was stunned! I at least wanted to know who the fabulous actor was. I mused that perhaps it was Howard Da Silva. He had been blacklisted and could not find work in New York and Hollywood. (He later played Benjamin Franklin in 1776.). I suppose I will never know.
Happy Fourth of July to you, Bob, Alanna, and Jeremy.
GOD BLESS AMERICA !
Your devoted friend, Lola
Nice selection! Funny story about Quaker. They had some interesting promotions in the 1950s. They sponsored “Sergeant Preston of the Yukon” on TV and, during that time, offered a deal. Mail in a box top from one of three Quaker cereals, and you would become the owner of one square inch of territory in the Yukon, with a certificate to “prove” your ownership. Unfortunately for the kids who got the certificates, the whole thing got snarled in legal machinations: licensing problems, failure to register the deeds, and failure to pay taxes on the land. In the mid-60s, the land was seized for failure to pay $37.20 in taxes. Apparently, the territory still gets questions about the deal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klondike_Big_Inch_Land_Promotion
The Air Force performance of Wild blue Yonder was delightful and I chuckled at the end.
I also enjoyed your "declaration". Did you perform it using all real instruments or were the oboes, horns, and recorders virtual?
I've watched the "Wild Blue Yonder" video at least 5 or 6 times. They clearly had such a wonderful time doing it. I wonder how many takes it took.
Glad you liked "Declaration!" It was all done on my Roland Electronic Piano/Recording Studio.
As a US Army veteran I was amused to see that the first musician shown inthe Air Force video was, according to his uniform, an Army paratrooper.
I figured that insiders would find a few little things like that. :) Happy Fourth to you.
Didn’t intend for my recollection about Mister Quaker and the Quaker Oats Company to be funny; rather for it to be poignant. Must be off my feed.
LAM
Sorry. My bad. Answering too many people in rapid succession. I kind of missed the derision turning to admiration part. It is a poignant story.
On WBY. One fellow in the front was so pumped he was clapping his hands and leaping in the air!
I figured those were synth sounds. I use Logic plus a Yamaha CP-4 and a Moog Sub 37 for an amazing palette of instruments but play guitar parts myself.
Nice! I just bought a new classical guitar. I don't really have pickups to integrate it into the piano tracks. Sometime, perhaps.
Merchant Marine anthem:
https://youtu.be/_aB3Nzktyww
Thanks!!! A friend/reader asked me last night whether there's a Merchant Marine anthem. I had thought about investigating that for the article but decided to limit it to the uniformed services. I told him I'd investigate today, so you've saved me the search. Happy Fourth.
A capella version with the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy glee club:
https://youtu.be/3X2YAGqnoBI
Yes. And the uniformed service for the US Merchant Marine is the US Maritime Service. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Maritime_Service
I'm sorely tempted to add an addendum. From what I can see, the statutes are clear that the USMS is NOT considered a uniformed service on par with the six military branches, NOAA Corps and PHSCC. From the esteemed authorities at Wikipedia: "The U.S. Maritime Service is not part of the uniformed services of the United States. The officers in the service cannot claim veteran status or military benefits including retirement." However, I do see from other sites that they can be militarized upon presidential orders. So, I'll likely add a note to that effect, along with a link to their anthem. Happy Fourth!
Yes, the USMS seems to exist solely to provide a uniform for professors and staff at the US Merchant Marine Academy and I believe for some of the positions at the six state maritime colleges. But, US merchant mariners suffered a higher casualty rate per capita in WWII than any of the armed services. https://www.maritime.dot.gov/newsroom/press-releases/maritime-day-observance-also-recognizes-award-congressional-gold-medal-world
And the US Merchant Marine Academy (a federal service academy) lost 142 cadets in WWII and is the only federal academy to have sent its cadets or midshipmen into the conflict. https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=ank89_0K2xU&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.serviceacademyforums.com%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjMsMzY4NDIsMjg2NjY&feature=emb_logo
As I recall, midshipmen are considered members of the USMS when they attend the Academy, but I could be wrong about that. Nevertheless, I'd say that the USMS deserves at least equal billing with NOAA and USPHS.
I have added the Merchant Marine anthem. Thanks for the suggestion! I quoted you in my addendum.
I have added the Merchant Marine anthem. Thanks for the suggestion!