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Artwork for Make Believe Ballroom

Make Believe Ballroom

Jeff Bressler
Big Band Era
Swing Jazz
Glenn Miller
Make Believe Ballroom
Artie Shaw
Benny Goodman
Delta Four
Louis Armstrong
Count Basie
Chattanooga Choo Choo
1940s
Charlie Barnett
Ella Fitzgerald
Billie Holiday
World War II
Music History
Duke Ellington
Ivy Anderson
Scat Singing
Clyde Mccoy

Hosted by Jeff Bressler, The Make Believe Ballroom, each week, brings you Classic Big Band Hits from the 30s and 40s.The program has been broadcast almost continuously since 1935. Each program mixes beloved 78 rpm records, stories, listener requests, and special guest features, all geared to bring you the music and history of the big band era.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes210Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music CommentaryMusicMusic History

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Artwork for Make Believe Ballroom

Latest Episodes

The Make Believe Ballroom with Jeff Bressler brings you Classic Big Band Hits from the 30s and 40s.

On this week's program: Two Bandleaders are better than one, some bands that performed at the legendary Onyx Club, tracing a Glenn Miller song, plu... more

The Make Believe Ballroom with Jeff Bressler brings you Classic Big Band Hits from the 30s and 40s.

On this week's program: A song from the 1700s that was swingin in the 1930s and 40s, a questionable Fats Waller tale, Frank Sinatra's first record ... more

The Make Believe Ballroom with Jeff Bressler brings you Classic Big Band Hits from the 30s and 40s.

On this week's program: A trivia question about a dance enjoyed by young and old alike, a groundbreaking female vocalist, some songs from the 30s t... more

The Make Believe Ballroom with Jeff Bressler brings you Classic Big Band Hits from the 30s and 40s.

On this week's program: Did Big Bands of the 30s and 40s ever play classical music, the B side of a record we played last week, our yearly tribute ... more

Key Facts

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Similar Podcasts

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Recent Guests

Manny Klein
One of the greatest all-around musicians and trumpet players of the big band era
Episode: Make Believe Ballroom - 7/25/25 Edition
Lenny from Down the Block
Retired producer Emeritus of the Make Believe Ballroom and host of Record Pick of the Week
Make Believe Ballroom
Episode: Make Believe Ballroom - 4/11/25 Edition

Host

Jeff Bressler
Host of a long-running show focused on classic Big Band music, mixing beloved tracks with engaging stories and listener interactions.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 18 ratings
  • Keep Them Playing

    Love Big Band. 30s and 40s are my favorite. Glad I came upon you on iTunes podcast. Thank you. Gets me through the bad days we’re going through

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Big Band Babs
    United States7 months ago
  • Make Believe Ballroom

    Great show gives pleasure to my 90 year old mom and in joy the lovely collection of music!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tom from babylon
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The storytelling aspect of the show is frequently praised, as it connects the music to historical contexts and personal memories.
Many enjoy the interactive nature of the show, where listener requests and comments are incorporated, enhancing their overall experience.
Listeners love the rich selection of Big Band music from the 30s and 40s, appreciating the nostalgic atmosphere it brings.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Make Believe Ballroom -5/30/25 Edition
Q: Can you talk about that devastating cabaret tax once again?
Jeff discusses the cabaret tax's impact, explaining it levied a rate of 5% on revenues from venues offering live entertainment, which significantly increased to 30% during WWII, drastically affecting big band revenues and leading to their decline.
Make Believe Ballroom - 4/18/25 Edition
Q: Did Bing Crosby and his brother Bob ever record together?
Jeff confirms that Bing and Bob collaborated a few times, including a Dixieland-style version of 'I'm Walking the Floor Over You'.
Make Believe Ballroom - 11/22/24 Edition
Q: What was the original theme song for the Make Believe Ballroom?
The original theme song was Razzaf and Deniker by Charlie Barnett and his Glen Island Casino Orchestra, recorded in 1936.
Make Believe Ballroom - 2/14/25 Edition
Q: Can you stop playing scratchy records?
There is a balance between playing remastered tracks and preserving historical records, which may have a lower sound quality due to their popularity.
Make Believe Ballroom - 2/14/25 Edition
Q: Do you play songs by the likes of Al Jolson or Eddie Cantor?
While the show doesn't traditionally feature Jolson or Cantor, requests like this are honored, as seen with two Eddie Cantor songs played in response.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Make Believe Ballroom

What is Make Believe Ballroom about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast showcases an extensive collection of classic Big Band hits from the 1930s and 1940s, highlighting the rich musical history and cultural significance of this era. Each episode features not only beloved tracks from popular bands and artists, but also intriguing anecdotes, listener interactions, and historical insights that help paint a vivid picture of the Big Band scene. Unique storytelling elements intertwine with the music, allowing listeners to connect deeply with the legacy of an important period in American music history. The show often discusses iconic figures and events, providing context and engaging narratives that enrich the listening experience, making it particularly appealing to fans of vintage music and cultural hi... more

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How many listeners does Make Believe Ballroom get?

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How many subscribers and views does Make Believe Ballroom have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Make Believe Ballroom has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Make Believe Ballroom?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Make Believe Ballroom:

1. Plastic Model Mojo
2. The Warrior Next Door Podcast
3. The History of WWII Podcast
4. The Moth
5. Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

How many episodes of Make Believe Ballroom are there?

Make Believe Ballroom launched 5 years ago and published 210 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Make Believe Ballroom?

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What guests have appeared on Make Believe Ballroom?

Recent guests on Make Believe Ballroom include:

1. Manny Klein
2. Lenny from Down the Block

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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