Big Band Magazine - Magazine - Page 5
Whatever his qualms about flying, he could travel more effectively by commercial
and military flights and became quite a "frequent flyer."
Longing for a family, Glenn and Helen Miller achieved their wish when their new son,
Steven Davis Miller, came into their lives during the spring of 1943. Their love and
affection for little Steve were immediately apparent to all concerned.
In December 1942, popular singer and actor Tony Martin was drafted into the Army
and assigned to the AAF. When Miller requested his transfer to New Haven, Martin
felt like he had "stumbled into heaven by the side door." Miller's feelings for Martin
were equally positive. He was the best singer in uniform, and Miller planned to
feature him as his premier male vocalist. At the same time, the AAF agreed with CBS
to broadcast Miller's new network radio series, "I Sustain the Wings." The series
would premiere coast-to-coast from New York, following a series of New Haven test
broadcasts. The CBS-operated station WEEI, Boston, originated the programs,
produced by Marjorie Ochs, a rare female radio engineer. Sgt. George Voutsas,
previously director of the NBC Symphony Orchestra broadcasts conducted by
Arturo Toscanini, would direct the tests and ultimately the series.
The first test was broadcast from Wollsey Hall at Yale on May 29, 1943, at 5:30 p.m.
over WEEI and New England CBS affiliates. Following a sixth trial run on July 3, Miller
was satisfied that "I Sustain the Wings" was ready for a national audience. The AAF
and CBS decided to broadcast the program from New York beginning on July 10
at 2:05 p.m., preceded by a five-minute news broadcast. CBS canceled the first
program while the Miller orchestra was in the studio, ready to go. There was a script
problem with the War Department BPR, which Miller straightened out in his typically
direct manner. The AAF wanted the unit identified as Capt. Glenn Miller's AAFTC
Band; the BPR wanted to minimize credit to individual officers and enlisted men.
Miller thought that his name would attract listeners. After all, it was because he was
Glenn Miller that the AAF wanted and needed him. And he got his way. On July 17, t
he nationwide audience heard the AAF Band for the first time, and it was introduced
as directed by the one and only Glenn Miller.
Miller had a new military theme, "I Sustain the Wings," rather than "Moonlight
Serenade," to identify his new radio production unit and orchestra. And that was
not the only difference that listeners immediately experienced. Suddenly, energetic
jazz, propelled by a fabulous rhythm section, anchored by Cpl. Ray McKinley was
heard alongside lush ballads and light classics, featuring the voice of Cpl. Tony
Martin and the renowned members of the big string section. This was not the Glenn
Miller that the public was familiar with. It was even better.
To be continued …
