a Baltimore reminiscence - "The Harley Show" (Harley Brinsfield)

Posted by mhardy6647 (A) on November 15, 2011 at 07:09:50

Something got me thinking last night after dinner about erstwhile Baltimore sandwich baron and jazz fanatic Harley Brinsfield. Harley was known for two things - his chain of (very good) sandwich shops - sort of like Subway (but much better submarines) and his profound collection of, and knowledge of, early jazz and similar music forms. He bought two hours a night, 10pm to midnight weeknights, on 50 kW clear-channel station WBAL in Baltimore (then and now none too far from WBZ Boston and WBT Charlotte on your radio dial). "The Harley Show" was old jazz - great old jazz, mostly if not exclusively from his own collection.

I used to go to sleep at night to the Harley Show as a pretty young kid. His opening theme was "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" (Duke Ellington), and his closing theme was not " 'Round Midnight", but rather an obscure but very catchy tune called "Sailing Down Chesapeake Bay". I liked the song* but hearing it meant it was almost midnight, and I was still awake! Not a good thing.

Interestingly, I never developed much appreciation for any kind of jazz, ancient or modern, but I liked Harley's subs (his bread rolls were from H&S Bakery in B-more) and I liked his radio show, too.

Any of youse palookas remember "The Harley Show"?

* Through the wonder of teh Interwebs, I just found, and listened, to "Sailing Down Chesapeake Bay". It has probably been close to 40 years since I'd last heard this. Only now, in 2011, do I know that the performers were "Bob Scobey's Frisco Jazz Band featuring Clancy Hayes on vocals".

You may listen, too, if you like. YT link below :-)

(and FWIW, here's Duke Ellington, with Johnny Hodges, essaying "Things Ain't What they Used to Be" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fJu-byjtRY -- this isn't the recording used to open "IThe Harley Show", but it's close enough for Government work...)

And Harley has a Wikipedia entry, too (of course)! It appears that it may be a cut 'n' paste of a Michael Olesker piece. Olesker is/was a B-more columnist and raconteur of some repute. He "got" Baltimore in a deep and profound way, from my perspective. Is he still around?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley_Brinsfield

The comment on Harley's state of progressive intoxication is spot on, based on my recollection of the show :-)

all the best,
mrh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z99FxoowHPA (Open in New Window)

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Topic - a Baltimore reminiscence - "The Harley Show" (Harley Brinsfield) - mhardy6647 07:09:50 11/15/11 (3)

RE: a Baltimore reminiscence - "The Harley Show" (Harley Brinsfield) - tbonge@gmail.com 18:01:44 07/20/14 (0)

Olesker - jec01 11:49:44 11/15/11 (1)

uffda! (nt) - mhardy6647 08:25:31 11/16/11 (0)

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