Hi Tony:

You were so kind to remind us all that the query about the connection of the song "My Buddy" to African-American soldiers and veterans of WW II was to memorialize their legacy.

You wrote:

"I believe it to be a song adopted by military unit becomes of its endearing theme. Soldiers relate to the story within the song. "

The first time I heard the song was at Sweet Basil played by Tennessee's legendary Doc Cheatham. A friend gave me a tape of Bennie Carter's rendition of "My Buddy". A web page says this about him in France, 1937.

"His easy precision and economical solos that are as carefully structured as an architectural drawing can be heard on on "My Buddy" (Hague, 1937) where Carter plays both alto and trumpet. Among my own all-time Carter favorites are "I'm Coming Virginia" and "Farewell Blues" (1938) from his last pre-war European sessions in Paris with guitarist Django Reinhardt and the excellent French tenor saxophonist Alix Combelle."

But my favorite recording is by the great Ray Charles. As the credits roll at the end of the film, "Liberators" Ray Charles' voice with a tinge of gospel, sings the 761st's memorial song to their buddies that have passed away.

As you said Tony, soldiers relate to music. It reminds them of home. What a great send off for the 761st en route to "The Big Show" in Europe and the Battle of the Bulge. "The Count" and his band were on hand playing "Flying Home."

I've included some urls of musicians who were popular during WWII including Rutgers' monumental website of Benny Carter's life.

Also included is a photo of Miss Lena with the Tuskegee Airmen

Enjoy and thanks again for bringing us back to the memory of these great men.

K Wyer Lane

http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/odyssey/archive/08/0807001r.jpg

http://dellington.org/scrapbk/scrap00.html