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ent001327-032

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ent001327-032
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University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Libraries

Patricia Lynn Shep Fields And His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra have almost become permanent members of the Nichols Revues. During the past few years they have played the Nichols Circuit with such great stars as Bob Hope, Dennis Morgan, The Lennon Sisters, The Crosby Brothers, and the unforgettable tour with Judy Garland. The popularity of Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra is firmly grounded on the soundest of musical principles even though his theme may be based on a seemingly frivolous whim. The music has always been of a style and quality which made the listener believe he had nimble feet. Because of this gay, effervescent quality there is created a kind of champagne- like atmosphere and the list of class hotels for which the orchestra has played repeat engagements is proof of this. To name a few ?╟÷ the Waldorf-Astoria, New Yorker, Plaza, Pierre and Statler in New York; the Palmer House (that one for forty weeks) and Edgewater- Beach in Chicago; the Biltmore and Ambassador in Los Angeles. In addition there have been countless theatre dates ?╟÷ Paramount and Capitol in New York; the Chicago, Oriental and State-Lake in Chicago; the Earle in Philadelphia and the Stanley in Pittsburgh. The list of dance spots is endless and include the best like Frank Dailey's famous Meadowbrook in New Jersey, the Aragon in Chicago and the Glen Island Casino on Long Island Sound! And the networks include all the majors ?╟÷ NBC, CBS, ABC and MBS. A notable achievement for any group. The list of his imitators is equally impressive. Shep Fields was born and educated in Brooklyn and began playing dance dates while still a student at Erasmus Hall High School. He enrolled at St. John's University with the intention of studying law but was forced to withdraw from school on the death of his father. Reluctantly putting aside his law books he began working night spots in New Jersey and before long had his own band with a tremendous popular appeal. He was always interested in developing a style which would be unique in its quality and yet performing its basic function ?╟÷ to make dancing a pleasure. This led him to his rippling rhythms and they, in turn, led him to the peak of popularity. Records made by his orchestra number in the hundreds and have sold millions. The use of a soda straw as a means of describing the rhythmic style came from his wife. Once on his way to New York from Chicago after his first big engagement there he was trying to find a theme for a big radio show coming up. His wife sat next to him at a drugstore counter mulling over a soda and humming through the straw. Shep looked at his spouse in elation when he heard the sound. And like Archimedes leaping from his bath shouting "Eureka" or Rex Harrison shouting "She's got it; she's got it!", Shep Fields undoubtely shouted to his wife, "By George, woman, it ripples!" Thus from little acorns do great oaks grow!