Johnny Mercer first made his way to New York with dreams of becoming an actor. But he’d catch on as a singer and songwriter, his first break coming during a “Youth of America” audition. Conductor Paul Whiteman picked Mercer to perform with his Orchestra on NBC radio.

Years later, Mercer, Glen Wallichs and Buddy DeSylva started up a little outfit called Liberty Records. In 1942, it would become Capitol, and Wallichs would become the first music promoter. It was his idea to send free demo records to stations. It became industry standard…not to mention the best part of working at a radio station.

You’ve been listening to the first Capitol Records Release, record 101-A. And as fate would have it, it’s none other than Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra.

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