In 1996 Les Brown landed a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the leader of the Longest Organized Group in popular music. Beginning with his Duke (University) Blue Devils in 1936 Brown won a place in the hearts of millions of Americans, highlighted by the phenomenal success of his 1944 hit with Doris Day, “Sentimental Journey”, and his subsequent collaboration with Bob Hope, first as the music director of Hope’s radio show and then, starting in 1950, as music director for the many shows that Hope presented at military bases in the U.S. and overseas. Les and his band also appeared in eighteen of the famous Bob Hope Christmas Specials. We can think of no more fitting band to follow our tribute to the Dorsey Brothers in 2003!