
Harlem Hospitality Club 47xxxx 11 Guest - Little Miss Cornshucks, Amanda Randolph
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Stiles MacKenzie
We interrupt this program to bring you an important Wayfair message. Wayfair's got style tips for every home. This is Styles MacKenzie helping you make those rooms sing. Today's style tip. When it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns like neutrals. Go wild like an untamed animal. Print area rug under a rustic farmhouse table. From wayfair.com this has been your Wayfair style tip to keep those interiors superior.
Zella Carter
Wayfair Every style, every home.
Willie Bryant
From our sumptuous club rooms in the beautiful Savoy Ballroom, Lennox Avenue and 140th street in the heart of Harlem in New York City, for the merry minutes of the Harlem Hospitality Club. Thank you and good afternoon, members.
Corn Chucks
Good afternoon.
Willie Bryant
That's right, it's your uncle Willie Bryant, grand mogul, high potentate, proctor of the procedure, tutor of the tribunal, and non compos mentors welcoming you to another. I'm everything you know. Welcoming you to another grand conclave of the Harlem Hospitality Club. Before we proceed to new business, our musical committee, consisting of Lou, Mel Morgan and the trio, welcome our guests, the new members, with their own arrangement of Linda. Let's hear.
Amanda Randolph
When I go to sleep I never count sheep I count all my charms about Linda and lately it seems in all of my dreams I walk with my arms about Linda but what good does it do me For Linda doesn't know I exist can't help feeling gloomy Think upon the love and I miss we pass on the street My heart skips a beat I says to myself Come on, Linda. Linda. If only she smiled I'd stop for a while and then I would get to know Linda but miracles still happen and when my lucky star begin to shine with my lucky break I make.
Willie Bryant
Linda mine.
Amanda Randolph
Pass on the street My heart skips a beat I says to myself hello, Linda. If only she smiled not for a while and then I would get to know Linda but miracles still happen and when my lucky star begins to shine with my lucky break I may clean.
Corn Chucks
Their mind.
Willie Bryant
Oh, dear, dear. Stepping up to the royal podium now is our first applicant for membership to the Harlem Hospitality Club, and her name is Zella Carter, and she's from McKenzie, Tennessee. Hello.
Zella Carter
Hello.
Willie Bryant
How are you?
Zella Carter
Fine. And you?
Willie Bryant
You know Linda?
Zella Carter
No, I don't.
Willie Bryant
You don't? I don't either. I just heard it, though.
Zella Carter
I just know this song. I heard this song.
Willie Bryant
You like? You like songs?
Zella Carter
Sure.
Willie Bryant
You like dancing?
Zella Carter
I like dancing. I like singing better.
Willie Bryant
You like singing better? Mm. And are you married, Zella?
Zella Carter
Yes, I am.
Willie Bryant
Yeah. How long have you been married three years. Three years. And where'd you marry?
Zella Carter
I married in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Willie Bryant
St. Paul, Minnesota. Laying all jokes aside, that's my mother's home. No kidding. A lot of times I joke, but this is really the truth. And is that where you met? Met your hubby?
Zella Carter
Yes, I did.
Willie Bryant
What's his name?
Zella Carter
His name is William Carter.
Willie Bryant
His name is what?
Zella Carter
William Carter.
Willie Bryant
William Carter. Mine is William Bryant. Not that it matters to you, but it's funny. And you met him there?
Zella Carter
Yes, I met him.
Willie Bryant
What were you doing in St. Paul?
Zella Carter
Well, I went out there with a sister of mine. She went about a year before I went and she left her little boy with us and he was one year old, so she sent for the little boy. I took the little boy to my sister and then I decided I wanted to stay, so I stayed.
Willie Bryant
You stayed until you got married. Well, how did you happen to meet William?
Zella Carter
Well, I lived with my sister when I first went to St. Paul. Then my sister and her husband had a little fight. So. Oh, yeah, I just thought I'd put my two cents in it. So the result, I got put out. So I went and spent the night with a girlfriend of mine and I had to stay a week or two until I could find someplace to stay. I was out looking for a room one day and I happened to go to the house where my husband was rooming and. And there was another girl that was standing there and she asked me if I would like to share the room with her. And so I told her I would think about it. And he happened to see me that day.
Willie Bryant
He did.
Zella Carter
So I passed a day or two later. And he was in the basement building a coal bin.
Willie Bryant
Yes.
Zella Carter
I had an armful of groceries. And so when I passed, he whistled. He did a bad thing so I wouldn't look around.
Willie Bryant
I don't blame you.
Zella Carter
And then he said, fair lady. So I still didn't look around. And he decided he'd throw a lump of coal at me. So he threw a lump of coal.
Willie Bryant
He threw a lump of coal at you?
Zella Carter
He threw a lump of coal at me. And then I went back and I was going to ball him out good.
Willie Bryant
Yes.
Zella Carter
So when I went back, he out talked to me and he began telling.
Willie Bryant
Me that, well, what a stress.
Zella Carter
So he told me, he said, you know, it's been several girls here this morning for that same room that you asked for and said, if you want it, you better put a deposit on him. So I thought he was serious. So I went and put a deposit on the room. I thought perhaps that the house was his. So when I moved there, I found he was living on the third floor and he was only a roomer himself. He wanted me to move there. And so I met him out in the kitchen one day. We had this chair of the kitchen, and he asked me where I worked. I told him I found that he was working the same defense plant that I was. He was on the same shift that I was.
Willie Bryant
What, so you thought it'd be better that you and him just go ahead and get married so you could come home together? Is that it?
Zella Carter
No, it wasn't that easy.
Willie Bryant
It wasn't that easy. Well, it's a very, very interesting story. It's a very interesting story. And here's your membership card, Zella. All right. Bye bye, Zella. And there she goes. Gee, what an interesting way to stop a lady throwing coal at her. All right. One of our visitors last week has received a notice to reappear before the high potentate for a command performance. And here she is again, that little sensational singer, little Miss Corn Sharks. Hello there. Hello.
Corn Chucks
Hello, hello.
Willie Bryant
How are you feeling today?
June Williams
Fine.
Willie Bryant
What are you going to sing for us today? Corn Sharks.
Corn Chucks
Keep your hand on your heart.
Willie Bryant
Keep your hand on your heart. I'd rather keep mine on my wallet.
Corn Chucks
Keep your head right on your heart. Yes. And your mind on me well, you know I love you, baby no matter where you bite me When I first met you it was a butt or two now you try to make a dream.
Stiles MacKenzie
We interrupt this program to bring you an important Wayfair message. Wayfair's got style tips for every home. This is Stiles MacKenzie helping you make those rooms sing. Today's style tip. When it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns like neutrals. Go wild like a. An untamed animal print area rug under a rustic farmhouse table. From wayfair.com this has been your Wayfair style tip to keep those interiors superior.
Corn Chucks
Wayfair.
Willie Bryant
Every style, every home.
Stiles MacKenzie
You never know where your next unforgettable experience will pop up. That's why bringing along an American Express card opens the door to rewards wherever you go. Morning coffee run with an old friend. Earn cash back. Weekend getaway. Earn miles. Dinner at the hottest restaurant in town. You get the idea. No matter the place or the plan. AMEX rewards your inner explorer. Learn about card options@americanexpress.com terms apply.
Corn Chucks
Now you know, baby, you can't do that to me. We. We used to love by the moonlight well, everything was quite a still. You told Me that you love me and you said that you always will you keep your head right on your.
Zella Carter
Heart.
Corn Chucks
No matter where you might be. We, we used to laugh by the moonlight when everything was quiet and still Sing the song you told me that you love me and you said that you always will keep your head.
Willie Bryant
Ah, thank you, little Miss Corn Chucks. Oh, God. All right, now let's consider the applications of Andy Addison of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Who's that? Oh, that's you. Hello, Andy. How are you? And Leroy Johnson from New York City. That must be you. Okay, now, what. What do you do, Andy?
Amanda Randolph
I'm a cook.
Willie Bryant
And what do you do, Leroy? I'm a cook also. Yeah, also. Yeah, yeah. I do a little cooking myself, too. Yeah, I'm old cook. They used to call me Cooking William years ago. And tell me now, do you think that women make better cooks than men or what? What do you think?
Amanda Randolph
I think a woman's a better cook.
Willie Bryant
Oh, you do? You. And you're a cook, too?
Amanda Randolph
Yes, I am.
Willie Bryant
You're making your living cooking?
Amanda Randolph
Yes, I am.
Willie Bryant
How's living?
Zella Carter
Poor.
Willie Bryant
Yeah, Poor, huh? Well, I can understand why you think women are better cooks.
Corn Chucks
And what about you?
Willie Bryant
Well, he right.
Amanda Randolph
Well, in my opinion, man is better cooked.
Willie Bryant
Oh, yeah?
Amanda Randolph
What makes you think so, man, here we go. Well, I look, I say. Now you say you just said that a woman is the best cook. Well, I mean, look at your stomach and look at mine. I'm streamlined, man. That don't mean nothing. I'm streamlined. You don't see no. You don't see no women, mar. No men marrying men for cooks, do you? Well, I mean, that's a different point. Now, you don't. I work on a job, man. And do you know that some of the biggest hotels in Atlantic City employ a chef, cook? What does he do? Sit down and write it out.
Willie Bryant
But who cooks that food?
Amanda Randolph
Women. Oh, man. Man, what you talking about? But I mean, now, that's the argument is pro and con. I mean, ain't no pro and no con. You trying to con me?
Willie Bryant
I'm giving you. There they go.
Amanda Randolph
No, no, no, no.
Willie Bryant
There they go. Go ahead, tell it.
Amanda Randolph
You take down. You talking about last New York, now New York. What big. What do they do in New York? And what do they do in New York? They don't do Atlantic City. Well, they eat different than Atlantic City. No, they don't. Your biggest conventions leave New York to go to Atlantic City.
Willie Bryant
No seafood over there?
Amanda Randolph
No, no, no seafood. No sand or salt water. I mean, but you Say, you make your living at cooking? Yeah, I do. All right. Do many women work where you cook at? Yes, they do. Where you work at. Where do I work at now? Yeah, I'm short ought to cook. Oh, you short cooking?
Willie Bryant
Yeah, short cooking. Long cooking.
Amanda Randolph
Now, you talking about long cooking. Well, I mean, I cook for so long. Well, I mean, see, I work on the railroad, you understand.
Willie Bryant
Oh, yeah.
Amanda Randolph
And we gonna get a woman to go out there and ride up and down some monkey.
Willie Bryant
Wait a minute. Wait, wait a minute, boys. Let me get my audience here, will you? Tell you, I just stood back on the sidelines and let you go. But it looks like you're going to wind up at the blows here, so we better stop this. But really, we just wanted to find out what you think of the different cook. Now, you all settle that cooking argument back there. Good luck to you. And there you go. Oh, all I had to do was just stand back and just keep nudging them on. I think we'd had a good fight there, all right. Our history committee informs us that every nation in the world. Every nation in the. In the world is attempting to perfect an atomic bomb. Well, we in the Harlem hospitality club have a bomb of our own likely to explode at any moment.
Corn Chucks
I can't really love. Well, it's none other than Amanda.
Willie Bryant
Aunt Amanda Randall.
Corn Chucks
Oh, for goodness sake, Amanda. What you want?
Willie Bryant
What are you going to do? It was the day. Now she heard the cooking argument.
Corn Chucks
Man, I'm one of the best cooks you ever seen.
Willie Bryant
Oh, you are, huh?
Corn Chucks
Yeah.
Willie Bryant
Cook up a song. What is it?
Mary Pierce
All right, then.
Corn Chucks
A little diddy. Just a little diddy dedicated to me.
Willie Bryant
To you? Uhhuh.
Corn Chucks
All of me.
Willie Bryant
All of you. Quite a lot, too.
Corn Chucks
All of these. Why not take all of these? Can't you see I'm no good without you? Take my lip, I want to lose them Quite a many. Take my arms, I'll never use them. Your goodbye left me with eyes that cry and how can I go on, dear, without you? For you took the part that once was my heart so why not take all of me? Swinging Alabella. All of me why not take all of me? I'm no good without you Take my arms, I never use them Take my lip, I want to lose them I need your goodbye left me with eyes and cry and how can I go on, dear, without you? You took the part that once was my heart oh, why not take all of.
Willie Bryant
Oh, it's really amazing the energy Aunt Amanda has. All right, let's have a chat with our next Applicant for membership to the Harlem Hospitality Club. And she's June Williams of Newport, Vermont. Is that right?
June Williams
Yes.
Willie Bryant
How are you doing?
June Williams
Fine, thank you.
Corn Chucks
How are you?
Willie Bryant
Oh, I'm pretty good. And according to your application, you are a student of psychology, is that right?
June Williams
Yes.
Willie Bryant
Yeah. And where are you studying psychology?
June Williams
Fordham University.
Willie Bryant
Fordham University. Oh, well, that's nice. You know, I'm, I'm an old psychology professor myself.
June Williams
Wow.
Willie Bryant
Why? They used to call me old Psycho and William years ago. Well, what, what, what subjects in psychology are you studying now, dear?
June Williams
Well, we're studying a child psychology. How to analyze them.
Willie Bryant
How to analyze children?
June Williams
Yeah.
Stiles MacKenzie
Yeah.
Willie Bryant
Well, how are you making up?
June Williams
All right.
Willie Bryant
I think that's all I'd say, I think that's all a family really needs to do is to study a child. And I think it'll curb a lot of delinquency throughout the country. Don't you think so? Yes.
June Williams
Also applies to adults. How's that also applies to adults?
Willie Bryant
Well, we didn't have that when I was studying psychology. I mean, they didn't give us that where I went. See, I went to one of the finest schools in the country.
June Williams
What school was that?
Willie Bryant
Well, you see, you were too young. You wouldn't remember the name of it. Well, tell me. Let's you and I talk some psychology. Let's use some of the psychological words. Is that right? Yes. Use some words for psychology. Name some of the big words. Some of the big things.
June Williams
I think you're a paranoid schizophrenia, psychoneurosis and a minor depressor.
Willie Bryant
Yeah, well, I'm glad you think that much of me. Well, one. One. Yeah, I'm old paranoid.
June Williams
That's, that's right. You might kidding.
Willie Bryant
Say, now, maybe you're getting different studies than I got. What, what, what, what is a paranoid?
June Williams
Well, you're really one.
Amanda Randolph
You think you're, you think you're a.
June Williams
Big shot, just not just a lube.
Willie Bryant
Oh, is that, is that what a paranoid. Oh, I'm not a paranoid.
June Williams
You have a superiority complex. You have a superiority complex.
Willie Bryant
You think I have a superiority complex? All that's in what you just said? Yeah, yeah. Oh, in other words, you're going to psychoanalyze me. Well, suppose I give you some of my symptoms and maybe you can psychoanalyze me better. Now, I, I, my symptoms are. I, I like to sit on, on hot stoves and, and walk around with sardine cans in my shoes.
June Williams
Maniac depressor.
Willie Bryant
How's that?
June Williams
You're a maniac suppressor.
Willie Bryant
I'm a What?
June Williams
Maniac depressor.
Willie Bryant
I'm a maniac Depressor. Depressor. Yeah, well, maybe I am. Depressor.
June Williams
Depressor.
Willie Bryant
I mean, what, what would you suggest that I, I do now with those symptoms?
June Williams
Well, the next time you go to bias t suit, make sure you got a built in straight jacket with it.
Willie Bryant
A built a built in. Wait a minute, dear. One thing. I, I, I love to talk to these students because they really know what they're talking about. Wait a minute. No, you don't either. But really, that's, that's, that's really nice of you. And here's your membership card. Thank you and good luck and bye bye. Oh, dear, dear, dear. Gee, I'm something with that psychology. I think I better left that alone too. I didn't know I was so many things in one afternoon. Little Miss Corn Chucks is back again with a problem. She wants to know, have you ever loved somebody? Is that right? Okay, let's hear it.
Corn Chucks
Have you ever loved somebody? Have you cried night and day? Have you ever loved somebody? Have you cried night and day? If you've ever been in love it's the price love makes you pay Slave where he b me his slave but someday I'll be free yes, he made me his slave but someday I'll be free Me, I fall alone in this city All I have seen is misery.
Willie Bryant
Take it easy, Ms. Pollen Chug. Why, Pollen Chuck.
Corn Chucks
Don't you worry, baby I'll make it home someday don't you worry, baby I'll make it home someday if you've ever been in love here's the prize love made you take.
Willie Bryant
Well, it's visiting time now as we stop for a look in with one of our older members and invite her for a brief journey down memory lane. And her name is Mary Pierce of Williamsburg, Virginia. Hello. How do you feel?
Mary Pierce
Fine. How are you feeling?
Willie Bryant
No need to kick unless you're swimming. Well, tell me, Mary, how old are you?
Mary Pierce
76.
Willie Bryant
76.
Mary Pierce
76 years old.
Willie Bryant
Married?
Mary Pierce
Yes. Mr. Ryan.
Willie Bryant
Yes? I said, are you married? Oh, no, no, no, no. 76. Have you ever been married?
Mary Pierce
No.
Willie Bryant
Never been married?
Mary Pierce
Never.
Willie Bryant
And why weren't you ever married?
Mary Pierce
Well, I couldn't find anybody to suit me.
Willie Bryant
Well, tell me, can you remember the early days back in your home of Williamsburg, Virginia?
Mary Pierce
Well, I can remember a few. I lived on there old Colonel years of the state.
Willie Bryant
And on the what?
Mary Pierce
Dear old Colonel Ewell was state. Colonel Ewell was the president of the College of William and Mary at the time. And I, I was Reared really. Around him, anyway.
Willie Bryant
Oh, really? And can you remember, did you. Did you have any boyfriends when you were.
Mary Pierce
Oh, I had plenty of boyfriends.
Willie Bryant
Plenty.
Mary Pierce
Many.
Willie Bryant
But you just never could find one that was.
Mary Pierce
Couldn't find one that I thought would.
Willie Bryant
Make a good husband.
Mary Pierce
Yeah.
Willie Bryant
Well, did you. Did you used to go to dances and do a lot of singing?
Mary Pierce
Very fond of dances.
Willie Bryant
Yeah. What kind of dancing did you like?
Mary Pierce
Oh, waltz and two step.
Willie Bryant
Waltzing and two step. Did you like to sing?
Mary Pierce
I didn't like the Ziggy Ziggy dances.
Willie Bryant
The what kind of dance?
Mary Pierce
Zigga Zigga dances.
Willie Bryant
Ziggy Ziggy. Like they do now, in other words, you mean the. Like the lindy hop and the.
Mary Pierce
Yes, them things. I didn't like them.
Willie Bryant
You didn't like. A little too fast for you, huh?
Mary Pierce
Yeah, graceful. I like.
Willie Bryant
Oh, you like graceful waltzing. And what was your favorite dance you said when you were young? Waltzing. That was just. Just waltzing. It's just nice and very smooth. And tell me, do you like children?
Mary Pierce
Very fond of children.
Willie Bryant
You are very fond of children.
Mary Pierce
Yeah.
Willie Bryant
Yeah. And do you know many kids in your neighborhood?
Mary Pierce
Oh, I know all the children around there know me as Aunt Mary or Mom.
Willie Bryant
Aunt Mary or Mom.
Mary Pierce
Yes.
Willie Bryant
And you just like a bunch of kids around you?
Mary Pierce
All around me all the time.
Willie Bryant
And do they mind you?
Mary Pierce
Very good. A little bit scared shy on me sometimes, you know. Especially if they think they're doing wrong.
Willie Bryant
Well, that's. That's the way they should be. And what do you do to entertain the kids? Do you tell them?
Mary Pierce
Oh, just talk to them, you know, and try to make them live right and do right and not be fighting or anything like that.
Willie Bryant
Well, that's very, very sweet. Now, tell me, do you. Do you read little stories out of.
Mary Pierce
The books or recite stories to the kid upstairs there to live? Upstairs with me?
Willie Bryant
And do you recite poetry and whatnot to them?
Mary Pierce
Sometimes.
Willie Bryant
Can you remember any poetry that you.
Mary Pierce
Well, yes, I can speak my first piece I ever spoke.
Willie Bryant
Oh, you can? Well, we'd like to hear it.
Mary Pierce
We are but minute little things. Each one furnished with 60 wings with which we fly on our unseen track, and not a minute ever comes back.
Willie Bryant
That's very lovely. Very, very, very lovely. Just think, you don't have any children of your own, but the whole neighborhood knows you as mom or Aunt Mary. Well, good luck to you and the thing that you're teaching the kids, because I know that they're going to appreciate it as they grow older. There's your membership card. All right. Thank you. Goodbye and God bless you. Bye. Bye, now. And there goes mother. All right, I have a note of warning for all our members. Open your cyclone cellars because here she comes again. Amanda Randolph. Amanda, get right into it. What are the.
Corn Chucks
Wait a minute. Let me see what it is. Oh, too many times Everything has to be there. Play that introduction again, honey, till I get some breath together. Oh, you feel my heart with pain Left me in the rain too many times I believed you when you cried, honey but you lied too many times if you called me you could always find me waiting? Waiting around your old front door? I still love you but you're awfully aggravating? And you ain't gonna hurt me no more I used to tell me that you say but you went away oh, man too many times should have learned my lesson once but I had to be a dance oh, boy. Too many times Though it's over and through I'll be thinking of you Every time a wind bell chimes? Cause you left me standing at the altar will it? Too many times what always you feel? Oh, I guess it gets bluesy Too many times I believe you when you cry oh, honey, but you lied trues and oh, man if you come to you can always find me waiting? Waiting around your old trunk door? I still love you but you awfully aggravating? And you ain't going to hurt me no more no more you tell me what you have to go away too many times I can't get sexy on this. But I have been a d too many times though it's over until I'll be thinking of you every time when bell time. Cause you left me standing at alter mary too many times Oh, I don't.
Willie Bryant
Know what we're going to do with that. Amanda Randolph. All right. From snow Hill, South Carolina, now comes Elizabeth Singleton, whose application blank states she wants to become a member of the Harlem Hospitality Club. Hello there, Elizabeth.
June Williams
Hello, Uncle Williams.
Willie Bryant
Oh, I'm fine. I understand that you have a problem.
June Williams
Yes. I had a dream last night how you cook Southern barbecue pig. So I'm wondering if I'm right.
Willie Bryant
Well, let's hear it. We'll tell you. I'm a pig cooker.
June Williams
Well, you get you some oak wood. The reason why. I said get some oak wood. Because if you get pine wood, it might taste like pine.
Willie Bryant
It might.
June Williams
Then you dig a hole in the ground. You dig a hole in the ground about six feet wide and two feet deep.
Willie Bryant
Yeah. For a big pig. Yes.
June Williams
And then you get Yourself four iron rods on each side of the hole. And after you get the four iron rods, you take a piece of steel wire and hang over the hole.
Willie Bryant
I'm listening. I have my turban on here. I'm listening.
June Williams
Then the pig is all dressed. You got this oak wood with a nice red hot coal.
Willie Bryant
Yes.
June Williams
And then you get your solution with hot pepper and vinegar.
Willie Bryant
Yes.
June Williams
And a long stick with a white napkin. You wrap around the stick.
Willie Bryant
You wrap around the stick.
June Williams
Then after you got these coals and the pig is on with the belly side down first. With the belly side down first, yeah.
Willie Bryant
Yes.
June Williams
And then you put. Then you put the hot coals under the pig.
Willie Bryant
You drink all this.
June Williams
Yes, I dreamed that.
Willie Bryant
Keep on dreaming. I'll wake that one up.
Corn Chucks
Right?
Willie Bryant
Yeah. Huh?
June Williams
So then you put the hot coals under the pig and let the butter side cook about two hours.
Willie Bryant
Yes.
June Williams
And basin it every so often with this solution.
Willie Bryant
Yes. Then you turn the solution.
Zella Carter
Yes.
Willie Bryant
Go ahead.
June Williams
And then you turn the outside up and let that cook about two hours. Then the pig cook about four and a half hours. Then you got to sit for nice, good southern barbecue pea.
Willie Bryant
Is that right, members? Is that recipe right? Well, you are an old pig cooker, I assure you. Now you can wake up. And when you woke up and found out that the pig wasn't there, weren't you hungry?
Corn Chucks
Yes, I was very hungry.
Willie Bryant
Well, I am too now, if you.
Corn Chucks
Want to know the truth.
Willie Bryant
But I think hereafter you mustn't think about pigs when you go to sleep, because you're going to dream about cooking them. Now, you have your special membership card. Ah, we hate to do it, but we've got to go. Because word comes from our recording secretary that our minutes for today are just about up. But don't forget, this is the United States Armed Forces Radio Service, the voice of information and education.
Corn Chucks
It.
Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Harlem Hospitality Club 47xxxx 11 Guest - Little Miss Cornshucks, Amanda Randolph
Release Date: April 15, 2025
Host: Willie Bryant
Guests: Little Miss Cornshucks, Amanda Randolph, Zella Carter, June Williams, Mary Pierce, Elizabeth Singleton, Andy Addison, Leroy Johnson
The episode opens with Willie Bryant welcoming listeners to the Harlem Hospitality Club, broadcasted live from the iconic Savoy Ballroom at Lennox Avenue and 140th Street in Harlem, New York City. Willie introduces himself with a charismatic flair, establishing his role as the "grand mogul" and "high potentate" of the club.
Amanda Randolph, performing under the moniker "Corn Shucks," delivers a heartfelt rendition of "Linda." Her smooth vocals and emotional delivery captivate the audience, reflecting themes of unrequited love and longing.
Zella Carter from McKenzie, Tennessee, auditions for membership. She shares her personal story of moving to St. Paul, Minnesota, where she met her husband, William Carter. Her narrative is a blend of humor and sincerity, highlighting her journey and connection to Willie.
Willie humorously awards her a membership card, appreciating her engaging storytelling.
Little Miss Corn Shucks returns to perform "Keep Your Hand on Your Heart," a lively and catchy number that blends jazz and swing influences. Her performance adds vibrant energy to the show.
Willie introduces Andy Addison and Leroy Johnson from Atlantic City and New York City, respectively. Both are cooks, leading to a spirited debate on whether women make better cooks than men.
The discussion delves into gender roles in cooking, with Amanda defending women's superiority in the culinary field, while Willie and Leroy engage in playful banter. The segment showcases the club's vibrant and dynamic atmosphere.
Amanda Randolph returns with an energetic performance of "All of Me," infusing bluesy undertones and showcasing her vocal prowess. Her passionate delivery underscores the song's themes of love and heartbreak.
June Williams from Newport, Vermont, a psychology student from Fordham University, auditions for membership. Her interaction with Willie Bryant introduces a humorous exchange filled with psychological jargon.
Their playful conversation, filled with mock psychoanalysis, adds a layer of wit and charm to the episode.
Mary Pierce from Williamsburg, Virginia, an older member, shares memories from her youth. At 76, she recounts her experiences with dancing, community involvement, and her fondness for children, whom she is affectionately known as "Aunt Mary" or "Mom" by the neighborhood kids.
Mary's poetic recitation and warm anecdotes provide a touching glimpse into her life and the club's intergenerational connections.
Elizabeth Singleton from Snow Hill, South Carolina, shares a vivid dream about cooking Southern barbecue pig. Willie humorously dismisses her dream, leading to a detailed description of the barbecue process, highlighting traditional Southern cooking techniques.
Willie's playful skepticism adds humor, and the segment underscores the club's diverse range of talents and interests.
Corn Chucks returns with "Have You Ever Loved Somebody?" and later "All of Me," delivering powerful performances that resonate emotionally with the audience.
Willie wraps up the episode by acknowledging the impending end of the recording session, thanking members, and maintaining the club's lively spirit.
Community and Membership:
Gender Roles in Culinary Arts:
Intergenerational Engagement:
Cultural Preservation Through Music:
Humor and Playfulness:
The episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" featuring the Harlem Hospitality Club offers a rich tapestry of storytelling, music, and lively discussions that encapsulate the spirit of the Golden Age of Radio. Through heartfelt performances, personal anecdotes, and engaging debates, the club fosters a sense of community and nostalgia, making the podcast a delightful listen for both longtime enthusiasts and new audiences alike.
Notable Quotes Summary:
These quotes highlight the diverse personalities and dynamic interactions that make the Harlem Hospitality Club a cornerstone of the episode.