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Brad Swanson

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Brad Swanson
BornBuffalo, New York
InstrumentOrgan
LabelsThunderbird Records

Brad Swanson was an American popular organist based in Western Pennsylvania and New York. His recordings, targeted towards older audiences, were popular jukebox selections and one of his albums made the national Billboard chart.

Biography

Born in Buffalo, New York, Swanson began playing the organ in Olean, New York.[1][2] He began his professional career at the age of eighteen, touring the country while giving concerts in clubs.[1] In 1948 he was appearing twice daily at The Capitol Hill restaurant in Olean.[3] In the early 1960s Swanson had a radio show entitled "Dinner Serenade" which broadcast on WKJF.[4][5] His album "Quintin's Theme" appeared on Billboard's album charts in October 1969 for two weeks, the highest listing being at position #185.[2] In 1971 he was employed as an organist at the Erie, Pennsylvania Holiday Inn. By that time he had released ten LP records on Thunderbird Records and was active as a promoter for the Music Operators of America.[6]

Style and influence

He marketing tag was "and his Whispering Organ Sound".[7] Swanson played Allen organs, which he would extensively modify.[1] Richard Nixon was reported to be a fan of Swanson's music.[1] In the late 1960s and very early 1970s his singles appeared among the most popular selection in the Midwest for jukeboxes oreinted towards "adult" and "oldies" locations.[8][9][10] A "Greatest Hits" compilation released on Thunderbird in 1970 was accorded a four-star rating (the highest possible) by Billboard.[11] His recordings were reviewed three decades later as "majestically cheezy."[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Brad Swanson, Master of the Organ, Appearing at Nichols Opening". The Daily News. Lebanon, Pennsylvania. March 8, 1972. p. 11A – via newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b The Billboard Albums, 6th edn. Joel Whitburn. 2006. Record Research Inc. p. 1024. ISBN 0-89820-166-7.
  3. ^ "Presenting "Brad" Swanson at the Organ <advertisement>". The Times Herald. Olean, New York. September 17, 1948. p. 10 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Music on FM". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. September 26, 1961. p. 46 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Highlights on Radio". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. January 12, 1962. p. 27 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "'Master Of The Organ' Jolly Brad Swanson To Plat At Store Wednesday". The Evening Sun. Hanover, Pennsylvania. November 23, 1971. p. 9 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b Schardl, Kati (December 1, 2000). "A mere quarter for musical nuggets". Tallahassee Democrat. Tallahassee, Florida. p. 10 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "What's Playing". Billboard. February 20, 1971. p. 40.
  9. ^ "Jukebox Record Report". Billboard. November 2, 1968. p. 60.
  10. ^ "What's Playing". Billboard. December 5, 1970. p. 56.
  11. ^ "Album Reviews". Billboard. August 1, 1970. p. 62.
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