Jeri, my Mom sang with a dance band (for about a week!) c. 1949, before she got engaged to Dad (who rode speedway at the time). Hard to believe they could turn out so respectable and upright, but it's skipped my generation and come out in my kids ... where did we go wrong?!

I've got tons of 78s--lots of Paul Whiteman and Ted Heath (not the ex-PM!) and the like--and I contacted a UK firm that make custom styli: they called me last night, out of office hours, and offered to find me a decent refurbished turntable too. Maybe we need a new thread on this? There must be a few Catters in the same position as us.

I spent a while trying to get the swing into my tune last night, but I had a headache and gave up. Maybe, Mark, you can swing it yourself? Maybe I should learn to play a keyboard ...