Introduction

There were no recordings made by me in 1939
Nor did I do any arranging other than just little
Things that didn't amount to anything at all
I'd already started worrying about the
Possibility of starting my own band in that year
Which of course, it was in the fall of 1940
That we finally had our first rehearsal
And of course the band didn't become a reality until June 6th of 1941
Impressions of the opening night at the
Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa, I don't know
It was on June 6th, as I said, in 1941
I think the only impression I had was that I was scared to death
And naturally I felt that to- to- you're not a
Bandleader until you have a job for your band
And I think finally when we were able to say that we
Were working somewhere and the band was a reality
That- that was probably- ever since people say, "
What was your most exciting day out of your career?"
And I think it was when the band opened that
Particular night at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa