Several of the band leaders of the 1940s included quizzes and other competitions in their performances. For example, Kay Kyser had his “Kollege of Musical Knowledge” and Sammy Kaye had his “Disc Jockey Discoveries”. Ted Weems had his “Beat the band” competition. Ted was a popular band leader in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, and particularly notable because Perry Como sang with the band before he went solo in 1943. In our “Special” today at three o’clock we’ll hear songs from some of the “Beat the Band” programs, including several sung by Perry.
