Saturday 9: Smoke Rings

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

Well, we're off to a good start. Blogger is being wonky about adding an image tonight so no picture with this. Sigh. I thought they had everything worked out.

Anyway, let's get on with this. I'll be around to visit but it will be later in the day tomorrow as I am setting up at a craft show tomorrow (Saturday).

1) In this song, Donald Mills of the Mills Brothers encourages us to "puff, puff, puff" our cares away. When did you most recently smoke a cigarette?  I've never been a regular smoker, but back in college I sometimes smoked one at a party. 

2) In the 1930s, when this week's song was recorded, an estimated 40% of American adults smoked cigarettes. By the early 1960s, that number reached a high of 42%. According to the CDC, the percentage of adult smokers dropped to 11%. Do many of your friends and relatives smoke or vape?  Oh gosh, growing up ALL of the men in my family (on both sides) smoked heavily. Surprisingly, none of the women did. My dad was the only one to get lung cancer. He died from it. Our son and his wife smoked then switched to vaping. I have no idea if they still do. Our son-in-law smoked, but he switched to chew a few years ago. Not sure that's an improvement. I don't know of any other family that smokes. My friends are not typically smokers, though my work buddy, Don, and probably more than half of my coworkers, in general, smoke.

 

3) Donald was the youngest of the singing Mills Brothers, and he's the one who most often sang lead. That squares with popular birth order theory, which proposes that the youngest tends to enjoy being the center of attention, the middle child is the diplomat, and the oldest is the high-achiever. Think of your own family and the families of your friends. Do you think this theory holds true?  I definitely do.

 

4) The Mills Brothers were one of the first famous singing brother acts. The Williams Brothers – which featured future TV star Andy Williams – followed in their footsteps. Can you think of another group of singing brothers?  The Osmonds, the Jacksons...oh, and how about the Bee Gees?

 

5) In addition to recording hit records, The Mills Brothers were a staple on radio in the 1930s. They were among the first African American artists to host their own radio show and sang jingles for Standard Oil and Crisco. What commercial do you recall having seen, or heard, recently?  None of them seem to stick with me except for the "Mayhem" ones. I love those!

 

6) In 1933, when this week's song was popular, actor Robert Montgomery and his wife had a daughter they named Elizabeth. That little girl would become famous in the 1960s for her own TV show. Without looking it up, do you know what show Elizabeth Montgomery starred in?  Bewitched. 

 

7) Johnny Cash was also born in 1933. Do you have a favorite Johnny Cash song?  I don't know if I can choose a favorite. I really liked Johnny's voice and he sing just about any style. Maybe for today I'll say A Boy Named Sue just because it always makes me laugh.

 
8) In 1933, five French airlines merged to form Air France. Think of the last time you were at an airport. Were you taking a flight or meeting a flight?  Neither. I haven't flown since 2002. Our local airport has a very popular restaurant located overlooking the tarmac. We go there a couple of times a year.

 

9) Random question: Your best friend just received a certificate for completing a car maintenance course at your community college. Would you let them work on your vehicle?  Sure. Why wouldn't I?

Thanks, Sam, for the music and questions!

Play along here.