MEMORIES IN MELODY

As a young boy, Jack Ellsworth began collecting records -with a dream to one day share his favorite music and have his own radio show.  After his work as a Marine combat correspondent during WWII,  being sought after by MGM for movies and developing friendships with the likes of  Bing Crosby, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and even Frank Sinatra, Jack decided to pursue his dream of radio.

In 1948, Jack walked into WHIM in Providence, his record collection under one arm, hoping for a job.  Fortunately, a smart program director heard Jack’s golden voice, noted his amazing knowledge of current music, hired him on the spot and gave him his own show.  “Memories in Melody™” was born  and today it is one of the longest continuous running shows in the history of radio!

After moving back to Long Island and helping start WALK, one of the number one stations in the New York Market, he went on to become Program Director and General Manager for two decades and then ultimately went on with his wife Dot, to purchase their own station, WLIM.  After hundreds of awards, countless acts of community service, being inducted into the Big Band Hall of Fame and over 60 years in radio, Jack asked his young grandson, Matt Taylor to co-host the show with him in 2009.  From early childhood Jack introduced Matt to all of the standards and great music of the 20th century and taught him everything he knew about radio.

After Jack lost beloved wife Dot in the summer of  2013 Jack  then 91, continued the radio show with his grandson by his side. Just 8 weeks later Jack became ill and from his hospital bed, he asked Matt to continue the radio show in his place because “this great music needs to be heard.” Matt has fulfilled his “Poppy’s” request and today “Jack Ellsworth’s Memories in Melody” is still tremendously popular- airing on numerous stations with literally  over 150 advertisers over the years, (Many of whom  have stayed on the show for decades because of the positive results.)  The show has had a loyal following for generations  with a strong 45+ listening audience. Memories in Melody is one of the rare radio shows today where you can hear a blend of Ballads, Blues and Big Bands too… old and new!

 

While many radio shows focus on one era or one genre, Jack’s grandson, 25 year old Matt (an accomplished and sought after musician himself with nearly two million views on YouTube) proudly continues the tradition and  adds a unique distinction to the show. By still hand-selecting LP’s from Jack’s original  collection of Golden Era Standards and seamlessly creating segues with the best music of the last 40 years, Matt is adding a fresh, young perspective so that this great music can be enjoyed by listeners of all ages everywhere.

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