Stories Behind the Songs

What famous trumpeter became part owner of the New Orleans Saints football team?

You’ll get the answer and other surprising fun facts about a dozen prominent horn players with their signature songs being recreated by Bill King.

Doris Day was on her way to a dance competition when she and her partner were hit by a train. Bedridden, her mother arranged for singing lessons as therapy, of sorts, and by 19 she had a #1 national hit, going on to be Hollywood’s all-time box office queen.

An unknown Ray Charles was playing a 4 hour dance and ran out of material with 10 minutes left to go. He made a song up, on the fly, that turned him into a national name. What was it?

That’s why you listen, right?

In 1968, The Carpenters turned down a nearly million dollar (in today’s money) TV ad contract to roll the dice with a fledgling record label. Their gamble paid off as they became the most successful music act of the 70s.

Hits featured on the long-running TV series of same name, including a smash Elvis changed one word on and his manager demanded The King get a writing credit. As the Fonz would say, “Aaaaay!!”

Tony Bennett narrowly escaped death in World War II, lost a major TV talent competition to another famous singer and overcame a cocaine addiction to have one of the longest and most honored careers in music history. Prepare to be astounded by 85 year old guest star, Vince Mastro.

Sold into prostitution, at 14, by her own mother, Billie Holiday overcomes obstacles - not the least of which, racism - to become one of the most influential singers in pop music history but meets a tragic end.

When a teenage band leader disagreed with his dad at an early recording session, he fired his father as manager!

The record went to #1 and the band became a legend. Who was it? It’s all part of The History of Harmony.

One of the most recorded songs of the 20th century was written by a 23 year old girl after she overheard a couple of modest means looking longingly through the window of Tiffany’s. That girl wound up on a postage stamp. Find out who she was and the many other smashes she wrote.

Half the band had gone home when it dawned on their saxophonist they forgot to record a B-side for their single.

What he improvised stayed at #1 five weeks! Just one of the surprising stories about the greatest instrumental sax hits of all-time.