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The Tune Lovers Society
This page is devoted to information about The Tune Lovers Society and its activities.
It also includes Recommended Listening and the "Talking
Tunes" Messageboard.
Purpose:
The Tune Lovers Society is a web group designed to preserve and support the heritage of American tunes from the past.
Not only 20th century music, but also tunes from the 18th and 19th centuries as well.
One goal of TLS is a book about vintage American tunes.
Another goal is a series of CDs featuring American themes and songs from the past.
Would you be interested in serving as an Advisory Board Member to help obtain funding and support for TLS?
For more information and no obligation, write to:
These are a few TLS recommended music publications and recordings :
Reference Guides:
A Guide to Film Music: Songs amd Score (2nd updated edition, 2002)
A Guide to George Gershwin (2nd updated edition, 2004)
Remembering Radio: Great Songwriters and Singers(2nd updated edition, 2005)
Historical Recordings:
America in Song, Vol. I: American Revolution to World War I
America in Song, Vol. II: Civil War to Cold War
Early American Songster: From Psalm Tunes to Patriotic Odes
| Contents |
Membership
National Carry A Tune Week
Tunemaker Hall of Fame
Recommended Listening
"Talking Tunes" Messageboard
Tune Lovers Society Membership
What are your favorite American tunes?
They might be...
- Big Band
- Choral music
- Country & Western
- Earlier Americana
- Elvis Presley
- Sacred music
- Shaker Songs
- Old-time Radio
- Tin Pan Alley
Or maybe you prefer -
Now you can join a web group and participate in the "Talking Tunes" messageboard.
You can ask questions, make comments or music announcements.
Also, you may volunteer to be part of a TLS executive board to raise funds for a possible book and CD series.
Why not lend your support and join this society now?
Remember -- membership is FREE.
Once you join, you are encouraged to take part through the "Talking Tunes" messageboard.
Let's keep America's rich tune heritage alive!
Sign up now!
Yours tunefully,
--Roger Hall
Founder and President, The Tune Lovers Society (TLS)
Membership is open to anyone on the World Wide Web.
If you would like to sign up, send in your full name and e-mail address (it will be kept private) and also your music interests (not required).
Send your membership request to:
Read all about...
New England Music, Shaker Music, Classical Composers, Film Music, and Popular Songs at this lin:
If you're looking for music material for school, concerts or historical reference, take a look at -
Music Titles from PineTree Press
See these lists of...
50 Essential American Songs (1759 - 1860)
100 Essential American Songs (1861 - 1961)
Please help support the work of The Tune Lovers Society.
Order here through...
National Carry A Tune Week
This annual Free Event is sponsored by The Tune Lovers Society and is open to anyone interested in sharing their love of American tunes.
It takes place each year in October
Eighth Annual Carry A Tune Week (October 5 - 11, 2008)
Seventh Annual Carry A Tune Week (October 7 - 13, 2007)
Sixth Annual Carry A Tune Week (October 1 - 7, 2006)
Fifth Annual Carry A Tune Week (October 2 - 8, 2005)
To see the complete list of over 100 tunes chosen between 2001 and 2004, go here:
To plan for this year, here is information about several publications worth having in your library...
American Songbooks
In 1995, the Music Educators National Conference began a project they called "Get America Singing...Again!" It was designed to accomplish two goals:
1. "To establish a common song repertoire that Americans, of all ages, know and can sing. "
2. "To promote community singing, including encouraging audience singing at concert and recitals, opening or closing public gatherings with a song, and encouraging singing at clubs, private meetings, and in home."
To assist in the MENC effort, two songbooks were published by Hal Leonard. These books can be purchased together at a discount price. These collections have such well known songs as:
"All Through the Night"; "Amazing Grace"; "America the Beautiful"; "Both Sides Now"; "God Bless America"; "God Bless the USA"; "Home on the Range"; "Let There Be Peace On Earth"; "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing"; "(Oh My Darling) Clementine"; "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'"; "Puff the Magic Dragon"; "Shenandoah"; "Simple Gifts"'; "The Star Spangled Banner"; "This Land is Your Land"; "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and many others.
Both of these songbooks would be ideal to sing with a school group or community chorus, as a soloist in a music program, or to play at the piano for your recreation. Just click on these links.
Just click on the links to order the two songbooks from Amazon.com :
Get America Singing...Again! (1996)
Get America Singing...Again! (2000)
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Tunemaker Hall of
Fame
Each year, 10 significant American musicians are chosen for this Hall of Fame.
They are selected by Roger Hall, President of The Tune Lovers Society.
The yearly lists are meant to honor classical composers and popular songwriters.
Here are the American composers and songwriters from the past who have been named to the Tunemaker Hall of Fame:
2007
Thomas A. Dorsey, 1899-1993 -- Gospel composer
Hugo Friedhofer, 1902-1981 -- Film composer
Charles Tomlinson Griffes, 1884-1920 -- Classical composer
Roy Harris, 1899-1979 -- Classical composer
Billy Hill, 1899-1940 -- Popular songwriter
Jay Livingston, 1915-2001 -- Film songwriter
Alex North, 1910-1991 -- Film composer
Daniel Read, 1757-1836 -- Early American composer
William Grant Still, 1895-1978 -- Classical composer
Franz Waxman, 1906-1987 -- Film composer
2006
Amy Marcy (Cheney) Beach, 1867-1944 -- Classical composer
W.C. (William Christopher) Handy, 1873-1958 -- Blues composer
Howard Hanson, 1896-1981 -- Classical composer
Victor Herbert, 1859-1924 -- Classical and Theater composer
Edward MacDowell, 1860-1908 -- Classical composer
Lowell Mason, 1792-1872 -- Hymn composer
Alfred Newman, 1900-1970 -- Film composer
William Schuman, 1910-1991 -- Classical composer
Dimitri Tiomkin, 1894-1979 -- Film composer
Harry Warren, 1893-1981 -- Film songwriter
2005
Harold Arlen, 1905-1986 -- Popular songwriter
Elmer Bernstein, 1922-2004 -- Film composer
George Whitefield Chadwick, 1854-1931 -- Classical composer
Jerry Goldsmith, 1929-2004 -- Film composer
Louis Moreau Gottschalk, 1829-1869 -- Classical composer
Woody Guthrie, 1912-1967 -- Folk songwriter
Bernard Herrmann, 1911-1975 -- Film and Classical composer
Miklos Rozsa, 1907-1995 -- Film and Classical composer
John Philip Sousa, 1854-1932 -- Band composer
Jule Styne, 1905-1994 -- Popular songwriter
2004
Samuel Barber, 1910-1981 -- Classical composer
Hoagy Carmichael, 1899-1981 -- Popular songwriter
Charles Ives, 1874-1954 -- Classical composer
Scott Joplin, 1868-1917 -- Ragtime composer
Jerome Kern, 1885-1945 -- Popular songwriter
Henry Mancini, 1924-1994 -- Film composer
John Knowles Paine, 1839-1906 -- Classical composer
Max Steiner, 1888-1971 -- Film composer
Randall Thompson, 1899-1974 -- Classical composer
Fats Waller, 1904-1943 -- Jazz composer
2003:
Irving Berlin, 1888-1989 -- Popular songwriter
Leonard Bernstein, 1918-1990 -- Classical and Theater composer
William Billings, 1746-1800 -- Early American composer
George M. Cohan, 1878-1942 -- Popular songwriter
Aaron Copland, 1900-1990 -- Classical composer
Duke Ellington, 1899-1974 -- Jazz composer
Stephen Foster, 1826-1864 -- Song composer
George Gershwin, 1898-1937 -- Popular song and Classical composer
Cole Porter, 1891-1964 -- Popular song composer
Richard Rodgers, 1902-1979 -- Popular song composer
For additional information, click on these links:
To make suggestions for future American composers or songwriters (no lyricists please), write to:
For the results of an interesting web poll, click on this link:
Top Ten Favorite American Composers
Bookshelf Search
Please help support the work of The Tune Lovers Society.
Order your Books, CDs, DVDs or other merchandise here at Amazon.com:
Recommended Listening
Here are a few recommended recordings of Patriotic Songs on CDs which you can order from Amazon.com
America the Beautiful - Tanglewood Festival Chorus & Boston Pops Orchestra, John Williams, conductor [Philips CD, 1996]
American Jubilee - May Festival Chorus & Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Erich Kunzel, conductor [Telarc CD, 1988]
Battle Cry of Freedom - Robert Shaw Chorale [BMG/RCA Victor, 1991]
God Bless America - Mormon Tabernacle Choir [Sony Classics, 1992]
This is My Country - Marilyn Horne; Leontyne Price; Boston Pops Orchestra, Arthur Fiedler; Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy; St. Louis Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin; Robert Shaw Chorale [BMG/RCA Victor, 1993]
Here is recommended series of popular songs by the original artists on RCA:
Nipper's Greatest Hits - The 1920s ("My Blue Heaven"/ "Charleston"/ "Black and Tan Fantasy"/"Rhapsody in Blue" & more)
Nipper's Greatest Hits - The 1930s, Vol. 1 ("Happy Days are Here Again"/"Stardust"/ "You're the Top"/ "Moonlight Serenade" & more)
Nipper's Greatest Hits - The 1940s, Vol. 1 ("Frenesi"/ "Chatanooga Choo Choo"/ "Blues in the Night"/ "Stormy Weather" & more)
Nipper's
Greatest Hits - The 1950s, Vol. 1 ("Be My Love"/ Cherry Pink and
Apple Blossom White"/ "Banana Boat (Day-O)"/
"Catch a Falling Star" & more)
Nipper's Greatest Hits - The 1960s ("The Old Lamplighter"/ "Twistin' the Night Away"/ "Everybody's Talkin'"/ "Suspicious Minds")
Nipper's Greatest Hits - The 1970s ("It's Impossible"/ "Burning Love"/ "Lady"/"Turn the Beat Around" & more)
"Talking Tunes"
Messageboard
This messageboard began in 2002. Scroll down the page to read previous messages.
Do you have a question to ask or comment to make about a specific tune?
Are you looking for sheet music or recordings?
Then you should become a member of The Tune Lovers Society and your message can be posted here.
Membership is FREE to anyone on the Web.
To join, just send a membership request with your name (first name is okay), also your city or town and state or country where you live.
Send your name and address to:
October 7, 2007:
Today is the birthday of William Billings, 1746-1800, America's first prominent tune composer.
What are some of your favorite tunes?
They might pop songs you knew in school, songs connected with a loved one, or any other time in your life.
You can sing them or if you don't trust your voice, your can play the songs on your computer, MP3 player or other device.
Have some fun and take part in the Free Web Survey known as: Seventh Annual Carry A Tune Week
It runs from...
Sunday, October 7 to Saturday, October 13, 2007
Send in your list of tunes with some comments by Monday, October 15 and you might win a Free CD.
Read all the details at this link:
National Carry A Tune Week 2007
September 29, 2007:
Today marks the centennial of the birth of singing cowboy star Gene Autry, 1907-1998.
Read about his musical career at
"Back in the Saddle Again" -- A Centennial Tribute to Gene Autry
September 28, 2007:
If you enjoyed watching the seven-part documentary series titled "The War" about World War II, produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, and would like to get the music from this outstanding series, click on this link:
September 4, 2007:
Are you an American history fan, teacher or writer?
Do you know when the first American propaganda song was written?
Find the answer and much more information at this link:
American Music Timeline, 1640-1890
September 1, 2007:
With the seven-part documentary series titled "The War" about World War II, produced by Ken Burns, scheduled to be shown on PBS this month, this is a good time to look at probably the best film to come out of the post-war era and also its music score.
To read the description about the film's composer and the soundtrack CD, go to:
Hugo Friedhofer and THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES
July 8, 2007:
Today marks the ninth anniversary of FILM MUSIC REVIEW, one of the longest-running e-zine sites for movie music.
You can read all about it at this link:
March 15, 2007:
Take a look at the latest at American Music Preservation.com, click on these links:
October 15, 2006:
The tunes picked for National Carry A Tune Week 2006 and 2005 are now also listed here:
August 29, 2006:
Back in the early days of TV, one of the first superstars was William Boyd, who portrayed Hopalong Cassidy.
Recently Hoppy was mentioned on popular singer Don McLean's Online web site.
On this date in 1950, a young Hoppy fan was featured with his hero on the cover of Look magazine. Read about it at this link:
July 2, 2006:
Did you know that Elvis Presley made his first recording with The Jordanaires fifty years ago?
Read all about here:
March 2, 2006:
You have probably heard about the Oscars, Golden Globes and Grammys. But how about the Sammys? They are the awards for film scores and songs and named after the late songwriter Sammy Cahn.
To read about them go here:
March 1, 2006:
Coming up later this year is the 6th Annual Carry A Tune Week. It will run from October 1- 7, 2006.
Plan now to participate by performing or playing your favorite tunes that week. For more information, go to:
January 28, 2006:
It was 50 years ago today that Elvis Presley made his national television debut on "Stage Show" hosted by two Big Band muscians, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. Elvis was introduced by Cleveland disc jockey, Bill Randle. To read more, go here:
Elvis On Record: The Early Years
October 20, 2005:
On October 20, 1955 Elvis Presley performed in Cleveland, Ohio and was in his first film, produced by Cleveland disc jockey, Bill Randle. The other performers included Pat Boone, Bill Haley and The Comets, The Four Lads, and Priscilla Wright.
This commercial documentary film, titled "The Pied Piper of Cleveland," has never been released.
To read about Elvis in Cleveland during 1955, click on this link:
Elvis On Record: The Early Years
October 18, 2005:
The survey of tunes for the Fifth Carry A Tune Week are now available.
There were 58 tunes chosen and descriptions of each one are included.
To read all 162 tunes chosen between 2001 and 2005, go to:
September 11, 2005:
On this anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01, you might want to plan to pick a tune to remember those who were lost or the survivors.
Also those who have suffered from the Hurricane Katrina destruction in the Gulf Coast states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. You can pay tribute by selecting favorites tunes for this upcoming event...
The Fifth Annual Carry A Tune Week will take place during October 2 - 8, 2005.
Plan now to particpate and choose your favorite tunes from the past!
August 28, 2005:
Do you remember that cowboy film star Hopalong Cassidy, as played by William Boyd?
If you do, then you should take a look at the new e-book titled:
"Following the Stars" - Music and Memories of Hopalong Cassidy
To find out more about this e-book and other books and CDs, click on this link:
Hopalong Cassidy - Music and More
August 4, 2005:
New TLS member and cabaret singer Bobbi Carrey is pleased to announce her 2 CDs:
The first one is called Between the Wars: Music from 1918-1941
The second CD is If I Loved You
Both CDs are available at her website:
July 30, 2005:
Check out the American music collections and CDRs available here:
Music Titles from PineTree Press
March 10, 2005:
To read the latest issue of an e-zine with CD reviews and latest news, click on this link:
March 7, 2005:
There are centennial tributes to five songwriters and singers (Harold Arlen, Dorothy Fields, Tex Ritter, Jule Styne, and Bob Wills) available at:
American Songwriters (Anniversaries)
February 15, 2005:
The 17th Annual Sammys have been announced for movie music. To read the choices, click on this link:
October 18, 2004:
Tune lovers -- take a look at the 40 tunes picked for this year's Carry A Tune Week!
To see all the selected tunes, go to:
August 24, 2004:
Three giants of Hollywood film music have died within the past month:
Elmer Bernstein (MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD)
Jerry Goldsmith (STAR TREK films, THE OMEN, PATTON)
David Raksin (LAURA, FOREVER AMBER, THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL)
To read tributes to all three of them, go to:
Film Music Review (Film Composer Tributes)
August 23, 2004:
A tuneful welcome to the the latest TLS members, listed here with their main area of interest:
Craig Anderson, California - film music
Cozy Cravens - songs from 1910-1920
David Johnson, Texas - Country, Big Bands, Pop, Rock
Bob McCloskey, New Jersey & Florida - songs of '40s and '50s
Robert L. Pfeiff, New York
Norman Rose, Florida - music career of his father, Aaron Rose, who wrote "Jumping in the Jeep."
Diane Schneider, Florida
Stephanie Smith-Jarratt, Illinois - music by Lerner & Loewe
Rex Strother, Utah
Alan Walker, California - lyricists
Jim Wagner, Massachusetts - Johnny Mercer
There are now members from coast to coast -- from Massachusetts to California.
Why not join TLS too?
Remember -- web membership is FREE!
To sign up, send your full name and city or town and state.
Overseas members are also very welcome. If you live outside of the USA, please include the country where you live.
Send your name and address and what type of music you prefer to:
Tune Lovers Society Membership
July 16, 2004:
Do you know the first rock song to reach No. 1? It was fifty years ago in 1954. To read about it, see:
American Songwriters and Songs
February 16, 2004:
The 16th Annual Sammy Movie Music Awards have been announced.
To read about them, go here:
October 15, 2003:
Thanks to all those who participated in this year's CATW event.
For a summary of the tunes sent in, go to:
October 7, 2003:
Today is the birthday of William Billings, born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1746.
For more about Billings, see
National Carry A Tune Week is held each year near the birthday of Billings, America's first tunesmith.
October 5, 2003:
Here are two links which will test your memory of songs from the past:
Top 100 Songs of the 20th Century
Top Ten Favorite Popular and Christmas Songs
September 12, 2003:
Attention Elvis fans!
There's a fascinating interview with Alanna Nash, author of The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley.
To read the interview, go here:
Elvis On Record - Interviews and Essays
January 22, 2003:
My aunts (Cynthia and Kay Strother) were the Bell Sisters, an RCA recording group in the early 1950s. They had 4 chart hits, starting with their self-written tune "Bermuda." They appeared on many radio shows to promote their records - notably half a dozen times on the Bing Crosby show, whom they credit with advancing their career mightily. They are now available for the first time on a budget-priced 2-CD set from Jasmine Records (a British reissue label). The set covers their studio recordings, rare demos, and their appearances on Bing Crosby, and also Stand By for Music (Armed Forces Radio program).
You can read more about the Bell Sisters at the site I built for them: www.bellsisters.com
--Rex Strother (their nephew and biggest fan)
For a review of the Bell Sisters 2-CD set, go to -
American Songwriters and Songs
October 2, 2002:
For a review of the 6-CD set from Rhino Records, "Frank Sinatra in Hollywood (1940-1964)," go to -
Film Music Review (Songtracks)
Where are all the good songwriters these days? Well, one of them is Ed Greenebaum. You can read a CD review of an album of his songs titled, "Here I Am" at -
American Songwriters and Songs
October 1, 2002:
"Day By Day" is a beautiful song of the popular genre, written in 1945 by Sammy Cahn, Axel Stordahl and Paul Weston. It was introduced by Jo Stafford, a marvelous singer and wife of Paul Weston. Frank Sinatra popularized it. I love singing this tune because the words are so appropriate for the feelings I have for my husband.
--Loretta Cormier
Loretta is a singer who has produced several CDs.
For a review of both her CDs go to -
American Songwriters and Songs
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To become a member or to ask questions, write to:
Tune Lovers
Society |
©The Tune Lovers Society. All Rights Reserved, 2001-2008.
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