In The Evening By The Moonlight - Johnny Long

Just Friends

In The Evening By The Moonlight
Johnny Long and His Orchestra
King Records - Cincinnati, Ohio
395-521

From the back cover: A pioneer in band ensemble singing, Johnny Long and his Orchestra have been top favorites on every college campus for years. This collection of records represents a happy group of songs played and sung by this excellent group of musicians. For the most part, these songs are the most requested numbers when Johnny plays a college date. Besides the entire glee club, also featured are the Long Shots, Janet Brace and Jimmy Sedlar and The Beachcombers.

Johnny Long was born in Newell, North Carolina (which he describes as a "wide spot in the road near Charlotte") on September 12, 1914. His parents are farm folk.

Johnny, only "south-paw violinist" on record, went to grammar school in Newell and graduated from Central High School (Charlotte) in 1931. At five he started studying violin and at six, the famous "pig incident" occurred. It seems that an over-hungry pig bit young Johnny on the left hand, severing the tendons of several fingers. His teacher, Mrs. Nan Gordon was afraid his hand would be some time healing and might never be the same, so she re-strung his violin. Now he bows with the left hand and fingers with the right, the reverse of what every other violinist in the world does. Now he's quite proficient as a "backward" violinist.

At the age of ten, Johnny did concert work and continued until he was 16. At 17, he entered Duke where he majored in English. In 1931, 11 freshmen organized themselves into a cooperative band and played in the dining halls for their meals. They alternated between the men's and women's halls with another band.

Summer the band played a resort at White Lake (N.C.) and the guests were surprised that the second year they were "The Duke Sophomores," then "The Duke Juniors" and finally the "The Duke Collegians," although their personnel remained the same. After their graduation in June, 1935, the band started off professionally. Hal Kemp and his manager arranged for them to book through their agency. The going was tough, but Johnny climbed steadily to the top, and by now has played every important theater, night club and college prom. A Sigma Nu, he is constantly in demand to play the various functions of one hundred chapters.

During the war, Johnny entertained at as many camps, air bases and hospitals as his busy hours would permit. Highlight, he says, was when he played the President's Birthday Ball in Washington in 1941. That he'll never forget. Nor will he forget his fans, who have been loyal and constantly helpful. "Love 'em," he says with a smile. And they love him. They've helped make his records nearly all best-sellers.

We'll Build A Bungalow
Calico Ball
In The Evening By The Moonlight
The Bee-I-Ee-I-Ee
Keep Your Skirts Down Mary Ann
Just Friends
Silver Dollar
Anytime Is Sweetheart Time
Dixie
Hello
Nobody's Sweet Heart
Just Like That