SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES, December 11, 2014 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Can you name a Bing Crosby tune that is not a Christmas song? You're not alone – in a survey of local residents, many people in Spokane couldn't. Hot Club of Spokane is recording an album of over a dozen songs that celebrate Spokane's incredible music heritage, focusing on the music of Bing Crosby, Mildred Bailey, and Al Rinker – all from Spokane.

Led by rhythm guitarist Garrin Hertel, Hot Club of Spokane has recognized the uniquely rich musical history of the area. Founding members of the group met for the first time less than one mile from the Mission Swimming Pool. In that spot almost a century ago Al Rinker recruited the “happy-go-lucky” Bing Crosby to play drums in his band called The Musicaladers. At the time Al’s sister, Mildred Bailey, had been corresponding with both Al and Bing from Los Angeles. She encouraged them to come find work with her in the booming music industry of the 1920s. Al and Bing left Spokane in 1925, and soon became two parts of Paul Whiteman’s Rhythm Boys. Mildred also joined the Whiteman Orchestra, and she became the first woman to front a national touring dance band, paving the way for others like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.

In order to support the debut CD of Hot Club of Spokane, there is a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in place. This campaign will run until January 2nd. Funders are welcome to visit Hot Club of Spokane’s Kickstarter webpage in order to listen to some of this work. There are many crowdfunding rewards available:

$10 – Download of an early release of the debut CD.
$15 – Physical copy of debut CD.
$25 – Two tickets to the CD release concert at the Bing Crosby Theater. Plus the previous rewards.
$25 – Downloads of two bonus songs by Bing Crosby. Plus the previous rewards.
$25 – Downloads of two bonus songs by Mildred Bailey. Plus the previous rewards.
$25 – Downloads of two bonus songs by The Rhythm Boys. Plus the previous rewards.
$45 – Two physical copies of the debut CD. Four tickets to the CD release concert.
$50 – One physical copy of the debut CD. Two front row or front row balcony tickets to the CD release concert.
$60 – Downloads of six bonus songs by Bing Crosby, Mildred Bailey and the Rhythm Boys. One physical copy of the debut CD.
$75 – Two physical copies of the debut CD. Four front row or front row balcony tickets to the CD release concert.
$75 – One physical copy of the debut CD. Two front row or front row balcony tickets to the CD release concert. Two tickets to the after party.
$100 – Two physical copies of the debut CD. Four front row or front row balcony tickets to the CD release concert. Four tickets to the after party.
$150 – Downloads of six bonus songs by Bing Crosby, Mildred Bailey and the Rhythm Boys. Plus all of the rewards from the $100 reward level.
$1,000 – Pick one of the songs that the Hot Club of Spokane will record. Choose from the non-seasonal repertoires of Bing Crosby, Mildred Bailey or Al Rinker. Receive credit in the liner notes. Four box seat tickets to the CD release concert. Two physical copies of the debut CD.

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As a special thank you for helping Hot Club of Spokane complete this project, they have recorded five Christmas songs that you can download immediately for free, including their own version of Bing Crosby’s famous tune "White Christmas," and a fun rendition of "Christmas Night in Hillyard," a tribute to Spokane's historic northeast neighborhood

About:

Hot Club of Spokane (www.hotclubofspokane.com) has made it their goal to preserve and promote the history of Spokane and artists like Crosby, Mildred Bailey, and Al Rinker. This group is currently producing their debut CD and supporting this work with a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.

Garrin Hertel
Hot Club of Spokane
www.hotclubofspokane.com
email us here