Ginger Rogers Burl Ives

Description

Ken Carpenter hosts a show for U.S. troops featuring Burl Ives singing "Blue Tail Fly," "On Top of Old Smoky," and "The Dummy Line." K Star adds a pop-jazz tune. Ginger Rogers reads servicemen's letters and performs a comedy skit with Ken about dance lessons. The show ends by thanking the armed forces and promising more entertainment.

Ken Carpenter runs a program for American soldiers where Burl Ives performs "Blue Tail Fly," "On Top of Old Smoky," and "The Dummy Line." K Star plays a pop-jazz song. Ginger Rogers shares letters from military men and does a funny act with Ken about learning to dance. The program wraps up by giving thanks to the military and pledging to bring more shows.

Command Performance was a radio program which originally aired between 1942 and 1949. The program was broadcast on the Armed Forces Radio Network (AFRS) and transmitted by shortwave to overseas troops — but with few exceptions, it was not broadcast over domestic U.S. radio stations.

Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 4.0. Updated May 11, 2026.