Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians

This account can't help but be a little one-sided, but on the other hand who more than Virginia Waring could give us the glimpses of Fred Waring "unplugged"? I studied under a former Pennsylvanian, and was fascinated to see his stories come alive, especially in reference to the Chesterfield Hour. If you buy a used version, be sure and ask if the CD comes with it--you'll enjoy hearing for yourself this group's unique sound and how they did their radio broadcasts. Also included, fascinating accounts of the "non-musical" Fred Waring--the Waring Blender, his involvement in the Boy Scouts, his interest in new inventions, his own tinkering with products and ideas.

This book is a facinating read about the famous choral conductor and his Pennsylvanians, during the early days of radio, television and film. Many amusing and interesting anectdotes punctuate the book throughout. Written by his wife, so it is a rather one-sided (positive) view of the man who many saw as a cold task master....but in whom no one could argue with the fine product he produced. This man truly "taught America how to sing".