Monthly Archives: February 2013

David Lodge, a British actor, was in the British Air Force in 1945; he and others provided entertainment for the troops. He was 23, and another entertainer was only 19. Mr. Lodge noticed a big Welshman picking on the 19-year-old. … Continue reading →

On 5 February 2013, Mikaela Christianson was involved in a multi-vehicle accident as she drove on Highway 14/61 in La Crescent, Minnesota. She said, “It just happened so fast. I just remember being in pain.” Her arm was badly broken. She … Continue reading →

Gerhardt Stehmann, an extraordinarily competent man, sang bass and baritone for the Damrosch Opera Company. Among other abilities, he could learn a role very quickly. The German composer Xaver Scharwenka had written an opera and was anxious to conduct it, … Continue reading →

In June 2012, Jeanne Wolcott of Athol, which is in the same county as Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, lost her wallet, which contained $230. She got it back. Why? She said that it is because she lives in North Idaho: “Where … Continue reading →

Jazz musician Eddie Condon drank—a lot. His wife worried about his health, and so she gave him a list of jazz musicians—friends of theirs—who had died of liver trouble due to alcoholism. Mr. Condon studied the list and handed it … Continue reading →

In November 2012, Hager Elsayed, a teacher assistant, lost her princess-cut engagement ring at a New York City subway station. When she noticed that the ring was missing, she thought that she had left it at home, but she searched … Continue reading →

Herman Autrey remembers a good deed that Fats Waller did for a bunch of kids during a theater engagement in Washington D.C. While Fats was taking a break in an alley early in the engagement, a kid approached him and … Continue reading →

During the 1940s, Count Basie broke up his big band and instead worked as the leader of a septet, members of which he dressed in band uniforms that were considerably worn. The band members objected to the uniforms, but Count … Continue reading →

A recording contractor needed a trombonist at very short notice, and so he called a bar where musicians hung out. Jack Raines, the only trombonist present at the time, took the phone call. The recording contractor said, “I need you … Continue reading →

Benny Washam wanted to work in animation, and he became an in-betweener for Leon Schlesinger. He started out making $6 a week. Within a month, his salary was raised to $12 a week. In 1936, at the end of his … Continue reading →