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1940 |
Charlie
Parker Chronology |
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Created by Leif Bo Petersen |
Last updated: December 15, 2024. |
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Date |
Event |
References/Further
Details |
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January
28 |
Lawrence Keyes’ Deans of Swing Reed Shepard, Horace McFerrin, Major Evans (tp);
Joseph Baird, Carl Smith, Clyde Daniels (tb); Robert Williams, Joel Vaughn
(as); Walter Leonard, Arthur Jackson (ts); Lawrence Keyes (p, dir); Lloyd
Lowe (g); LaVerne Baker (b); John Mosely (d), George Bledsoe (voc). Lincoln Hall, Kansas City, MO. Dance. Charlie
Parker may have joined this band early in 1940. |
“Laurence [sic] Keyes Pleases,” Kansas City Call, February
2, 1940, 7: dance Sunday Night. “Laurence [sic] Keyes Forms New Kaycee Gig Combination,” Down
Beat, February 2 , 1940, 5: The personnel is listed. C. Haddix, Bird - The Life
and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 42-43: Parker joins early winter. I
have found no sources verifying this. |
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February
2 |
Lawrence Keyes’ Deans of Swing Little Theater, Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City,
MO. Annual Salon-Musicale. Pan Hellenic Council of Greater Kansas City (prod), |
“Third Annual Salon-Musicale…,” Kansas City Call,
February 9, 1940, 7: Lawrence Keys’ orchestra played for dance. |
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February
4 |
Lawrence Keyes’ Deans of Swing Lincoln Hall, Kansas City, MO. Dance. |
“Lawrence Keys Band Plays New Arrangements,” Kansas City Call,
February 9, 1940. |
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February
11 |
Lawrence Keyes’ Deans of Swing Lincoln Hall, Kansas City, MO. Dance. |
“Crowd Hears Keyes,” Kansas City Call, February 16, 1940,
9. |
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March
10 |
Lawrence Keyes’ Deans of Swing Lincoln Hall, Kansas City, MO. Dance. |
“Band Pleased Crowd,” Kansas City Call, March 15, 1940. 9,
1940, 9. |
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March 24 |
Jay McShann and His 20th
Century Orchestra 12 pieces. Probably including Buddy Anderson,
Orville Minor, Harold Bruce (tp); Joe Taswell Baird (tb); Earl Jackson (as,
voc), John Jackson (as); Bob Mabane, William Scott (ts); Jay McShann (p, dir);
Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson (d); Carrie Carr (voc). Lawrence Keyes Orchestra 15 pieces including Charlie Parker (as);
Lawrence Keyes (p). Roseland Ballroom, Kansas City, MO. 10 p.m.–2 a.m. Battle of Bands. |
Ad in Kansas
City Call, March 22, 1940, 8. "Crowd Attends Dance," Kansas City Call, March 29, 1940, 15. “Keyes,
McShann Pull 2,200 in Sepia Battle of Music,” Billboard, April 13,
1940, 19. "Young Orchestra Leader Climbs
Fast," Plaindealer (Kansas
City, KS), March 29, 1940, 1: Lawrence Keyes played the Roseland Ballroom
last Sunday. C. Haddix, Bird
-The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 43–44: states that it was
here Parker asked McShann about switching to his band, but this is in
conflict with McShann’s account (see May 3). |
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April 1 |
Harlan Leonard's Rockets Including Tadd Dameron (arr). Kansas City, MO. The band, which had left Kansas City January
late, 1940, returns to Kansas City
around April 1. Tadd Dameron settles here to work for Harlan Leonard
primarily as an arranger. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (MO), April 12, 1940, 20: Century Room: Tonight, and Saturday
only: Harlan Leonard. "Two Century Room Bands," Kansas City Star (KS), April 14, 1940,
3D: Century Room: Friday and Saturday only: Harlan Leonard P. Combs, Dameronia
-The Life and Music of Tadd Dameron (2012), 13. |
|
April early |
Charlie Parker/Tadd
Dameron Tadd Dameron meets Charlie Parker for the first
time. |
Tadd Dameron in I. Gitler, Jazz Masters of the 40s (1982), 19–20: Dameron tells that Parker
was cleaning up in the club where the Leonard band played. Dameron first
found out that Parker was a musician when he heard him on alto at a jam
session. Dameron wrongly dates this 1941. |
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April 9 |
Jay McShann and His 20th
Century Orchestra Probably: Buddy Anderson, Harold Bruce,
Orville Minor (tp); Joe Taswell Baird (tb); John Jackson, Charlie Parker
(as); Bob Mabane, William Scott (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Gus
Johnson (d); Carrie Carr, Joe Coleman (voc). Pla-Mor Ice Arena, Kansas City MO. April 9–June 18?. Walk-a-thon. Parker may have joined McShann during this
engagement. McShann may not have played here for the whole
period. |
“Vote Auditorium
Park,” Kansas City Times, April 2, 1946, 3:
“The Council unanimously granted the National Walkathon Derby company
permission to operate a walkathon at the Pla-Mor ice palace for a 12 -week
period beginning April 9. “ Jay McShann’s
Orchestra at Pla-Mor for Walkathon,” Kansas City Call, April 19, 1940, 8: Jay
McShann playing Walk-a-thon in the at
the Pla-Mor. Joe Coleman featured on
vocals, Gus Johnson on drums. The Walkathon is for white participants. Ads in Kansas
City Star (MO), May 14–June 9, 1940: Walk-a-thon at Pla-Mor Arena; no
orchestra mentioned. “Radio Programs,” Kansas City Star, June
17, 1940, 17: Tuesday [18] WHB: 11:15 pm.: Walkathon; Lazy K. Ranchers. This
is the last radio program mention I have found. C. Haddix, Bird
-The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 43, 169 note 10: Buddy
Anderson tells that Parker replaced Earl Jackson. C. Haddix, Bird
-The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 44, 169 note 11: Haddix
Interview with McShann. |
|
May? |
Charlie Parker Charlie Parker (as). Unknown venue, Kansas City, KS. Probably between May and November 1940. Private lacquer (acetate) recording by Clarence Davis exist. |
For
details see: https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=400000 |
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May 3 |
Jay McShann and His 20th
Century Orchestra Harlan Leonard's Kansas
City Rockets Missouri University, Columbia, MO. Band Battle. |
“Colored Bands Break Missouri U. Tradition,” Down
Beat, May 15, 1940, 19. Jay McShann in R. Reisner, Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker
(1962), 147–48: Parker joins Harlan Leonard after returning from New York.
McShann mentions that Tadd Dameron wrote for Leonard at this time and wrongly
dates this 1938. Parker asks McShann to rejoin his band telling him that he
was straight now. Jay McShann in Swing to Bop (1985), 71:
Tells that it was after a battle of bands with Harlan Leonard that Parker asked
McShann to join his band. |
|
June 24 |
Dizzy Gillespie/Charlie
Parker Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker meet for
the first time and jam at the premises of the AFM Local 627 in Kansas City. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star, June 22, 1940, 5: Cab Calloway in Fairyland on June 23. Buddy Anderson in Dizzy Gillespie and A.
Fraser, To Be or not... to Bop (1979)
117: The meeting occurred the day after Calloway’s Fairyland gig. C. Haddix, Bird
-The Life and Music of Charlie Parker (2013), 45, 169 note 13: interview
with Buddy Anderson. |
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June 26 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Fairyland, Kansas City, MO. June 26-28. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (MO), June 26, 1940, 12: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (MO), June 27, 1940, 8: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (MO), June 28, 1940, 19: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (MO), June 29, 1940, 5: Tonight: George Olsen and His
Orchestra. |
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June 29 |
Twelfth Street Revue Vernon Haynes Edward Dillard Toney Samuel Joe Coleman Jay McShann Orchestra Cecil Groves (mc) Rabbit Sims (prod) Castle, Kansas City,
MO. 11.30 pm. |
Ad in Kansas City Call, June 28, 1940,
9. “Twelfth Street Revue Brings out New EC Cee,” Kansas
City Call, June 28, 1940, 9. |
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June 30 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Fairyland, Kansas City, MO. June 30–July 17. Mondays off. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (MO), June 30, 1940, 11C: Tonight, and Tuesday. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 3, 1940, 4: July 4: Jay McShann Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 5, 1940, 16: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra
- Joe Coleman, Carrie Carr. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 6, 1940, 7: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra -
Joe Coleman, Carrie Carr. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 7, 1940, 2D: Tonight, and Tuesday: Jay McShann and
His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 10, 1940, 14: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 11, 1940, 14: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 12, 1940, 10: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 13, 1940, 7: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 14, 1940, 2D: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 16, 1940, 9: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 17, 1940, 11: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Coming July 18: Red Nichols and His Orchestra. Coming July 19:
Deacon Moore and His Band. “Scab Bandsmen Laugh Up their Sleeves in
K.C.,” Down Beat, July 15, 1940, 20: McShann’s !4 pieces outfit opened
dragging 400 dancers. |
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July 20 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Fairyland, Kansas City, MO. July 20–23. Monday off. |
Ad in Kansas City Journal, July 20,
1940, 7. Ad in Kansas City Journal, July 21,
1940, sec C 2. Ad in Kansas City Journal, July 23,
1940, 4 |
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July 26 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Fairyland, Kansas City, MO. July 26-31. Monday off |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 26, 1940, 10: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 27, 1940, 5: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 28, 1940, 2D: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 30, 1940, 9: Tonight: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), July 31, 1940, 10: Tonight: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Starting August 1: George Tide and His Continental Playboys. |
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August
1 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Probably: Buddy Anderson, Harold Bruce, Orville Minor (tp); Joe
Taswell Baird (tb); John Jackson, Charlie Parker (as); Bob Mabane, William
Scott (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson (d); Carrie Carr,
Joe Coleman (voc). Trocadero Ballroom, Wichita, KS. August 1–10. August 9: Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor (tp); Bob Gould (tb); Charlie
Parker or John Jackson (as); Bob Mabane (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey
(b); Gus Johnson (d). Private paper disc by Pete Armstrong & Fred Higginson exists. |
Ad
in Wichita Eagle, August 1,, 1940, 7: opening tonight. Ad
in Wichita Eagle, August 10, 1940, 5: last night. For
details of recordings see: https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=400809 |
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August 13 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Fairyland, Kansas City, MO. August 13-16. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 13, 1940, 9: He’s Back Again: Jay McShann and His
Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 14, 1940, 11: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 15, 1940, 9: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 16, 1940, 19: Jay McShann and His Orchestra.
August 17: Count Basie. |
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August 18 |
Jay McShann Orchestra August 18-28. Fairyland, Kansas City, MO. Mondays off. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 18, 1940, 2D: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 20, 1940, 11: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 21, 1940, 10: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 22, 1940, 21: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 23, 1940, 21: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 24, 1940, 5: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 25, 1940, 2D: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 27, 1940, 13: Jay McShann and His Orchestra. Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 28, 1940, 15: Jay McShann and His Orchestra.
August 29: Blue Barron and His Orchestra. |
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August 30 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Fairyland, Kansas City, MO. August 30. |
Ad in Kansas
City Star (KS), August 30, 1940, 19: Tonight, final appearance of Jay
McShann and His Orchestra. |
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September 2 |
Jay McShann Orchestra The Deans of Swing Roseland Ballroom, Kansas City, MO. 9 pm–2 am. Swing Duel. |
Ad in Kansas City Call, August 23,
1940, 8. |
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September 7 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Riviera Ballroom, Riverview Park, Des Moines.
IA. September 7-8. |
Ad in Des
Moines Register, September 7, 1940, 10. Ad in Des
Moines Register, September 8, 1940, sec. 9,1. |
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October 12 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Fayetteville Country
club, Fayetteville, AK. 9:30–1:30. Dance. |
Ad in Northwest Arkansas Times,
October 10, 1940, 8 |
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October 13 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Lincoln Hall, Kansas City, MO. 9–1 am. |
Ad in Kansas City Call, October 11, 1940, 9, |
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October 19 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Rock Cliff Country
Club, Ponca City, OK. Tabasco Club (prod). Dance. |
“Jay McShann’s
Orchestra Will Play for Tabasco Club Dance,” Ponca City News,
October 6, 1940, 6. |
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October 27 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Lincoln Hall, Kansas City, MO. |
Ad in Kansas City Call, October 25, 1940, 8, |
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October 30 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Buddy Anderson; Harold Bruce, Orville Minor
(tp); Joe Taswell Baird (tb); John Jackson, Charlie Parker (as); Bob Mabane,
William Scott (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson (dr); Joe
Coleman (voc). Chillicothe, MO. Lions Club Benefit Dance. |
“Founder of Lions Club of World to Be here on
October 30,” Chillicothe
Constitution-Tribune (MO.), October 17, 1940, 1: Jay McShann 13-pieces
all Negro will play for the Dance. “Band
Breaks Records,” Chillicothe
Constitution-Tribune (MO.), October 22, 1940, 5. |
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November 3 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Turnpike Casino, Lincoln, NE. |
Ad in Nebraska State Journal,
November 2, 1940, 9: 13 pieces. "Band Reviews," Variety,
November 13, 1940: 12 pieces. Gives personnel. Jay McShann in R. Reisner:
Bird: The Legend of Charlie Parker (1962), 150: Jay McShann tells
that the Yardbird episode and Parker getting his Yardbird nickname took place
in Lincoln, NE, but this could also have been in March 1941. |
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November 16 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Peony Terrace, Omaha, NE. November 16-17. |
Notice in Omaha
World Herald, November 16, 1940, 5: Current band at Peony is Jay McShann. Ad in Omaha
World Herald, November 16, 1940, 5: Saturday, Sunday Ad in Omaha
World Herald, November 17, 1940, 7-E: Tonight. |
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November 20 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Paducah, KY November 20–24. |
“Jay McShann to Play Midland November 25,” Kansas
City Call, November 15, 1940, 9 |
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November 25 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Buddy Anderson; Harold Bruce, Orville Minor
(tp); Joe Bruce (tb); John Jackson, Charlie Parker (as); Bob Mabane, William
Scott (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson (dr); Joe Coleman
(voc). Midway Hall, Kansas
City, MO. 9 pm–? Dance. |
“Jay McShann to Play Midland November 25,” Kansas
City Call, November 22, 1940, 8: gives personnel. Ad in Kansas City Call, November 22,
1940, 7. |
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November
30 |
Jay McShann Band Trocadero, Wichita, KS. November
27–December 1. November
30 Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor (tp); Bud Gould (tb); Charlie
Parker (as); William J. Scott (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Gus
Johnson (d). Station KFBI. Private recording session. Pete Armstrong, Fred Higginson, and Bud Gould (prod). Private recordings exist. |
Ad in Wichita Eagle, November 27, 19440, 8: Opening tonight. “At Trocadero,” Wichita Eagle, November 27, 19440, 8: 5
Days engagement. C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker
(2013), 47, 170 note 17: Two documents with dates, personnel, and selections
from the two KFBI recording sessions are in the Higginson Collection. http://library.umkc.edu/spec-col-collections/higginson University of Missouri-Kansas City. Box 1, Folder 1. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=401130 |
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December
2 |
Jay McShann Band Buddy Anderson, Orville Minor (tp); Bud Gould (tb); Charlie
Parker (as); Bob Mabane (ts); Jay McShann (p); Gene Ramey (b); Gus Johnson
(d). Station KFBI, Wichita, KS. Private recording session. Pete Armstrong, Fred Higginson, and Bud Gould (prod). Private recordings exist. |
C. Haddix, Bird -The Life and Music of Charlie Parker
(2013), 47, 170 note 17: Two documents with dates, personnel, and selections
from the two KFBI recording sessions are in the Higginson Collection. http://library.umkc.edu/spec-col-collections/higginson University of Missouri-Kansas City. Box 1, Folder 1. https://www.plosin.com/milesahead/BirdSessions.aspx?s=401202 |
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December
6 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Missouri University, Columbia, MO. Phi-Delta -Theta (prod). Christmas dance. |
“News of Columbia Society,” Columbia Missourian, December
7, 1940, 3. |
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December
7 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Westminster College, Fulton, MO. Delta-Tau-Delta (prod). Christmas dance. |
“Four Westminster Dances Saturday,” Fulton Daily Sun-Gazette,
December 18, 1940, 4. |
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December
14 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Missouri University , Columbia, MO. Kappa-Alpha (prod). Christmas dance. |
“News of Columbia Society,” Columbia Missourian, December
13, 1940, 3. |
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December
19 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Memorial Hall,
Kansas City, MO. Colored Police
Relief association (prod). |
“Colored Police Ball Set for December 19,” Kansas City Call,
December 13, 1940, 22 |
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December
22 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Deans of Swing Lincoln Hall, Kansas
City, MO. Battle of bands. |
Ad in Kansas City Call, December 20, 1940, 11. |
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December 25 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Chillicothe, OH. Junior Sorosis Club’s Christmas Night Dance. |
“Christmas Dance Night at Armory,” Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune (MO), December 11, 1940, 1. |
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December 29 |
Jay McShann Orchestra Midway Hall, Kansas City,
MO. |
“Jay McShann to Midway Sunday,” Kansas City Call, December 27, 1940, 8. |