Henderson et al–Good News, good news song, George olsen

Good News opened on Broadway on September 6, 1927. It would set the high water mark for all of the Henderson, Brown and DeSylva shows, although it only had three songs that survived the show and became American popular standards. They are “Good News,” “The Varsity Drag” and “The Best Things in Life Are Free.

The plot of the show revolves around a football star (Tom) who cannot pass one class; if he fails the exam, he will be unable to play in a key game. It is pretty much the same plot as we found in Leave It to Jane, the Kern-Bolton-Wodehouse musical from 1917. A shy co-ed is engaged to tutor him (Connie), and love takes care of the rest.

Alfred Goodman conducted the pit orchestra, which was none other than George Olsen and His Music. This appearance came three years before Red Nichols and His Band would supply the pit orchestra for the 1930 Gershwin show, Girl Crazy.

When George Olsen released the single for “The Varsity Drag,” it went to number 4 on the charts.

But let’s start with the song, “Good News.” George Olsen’s band was joined by Bob Barger, Fran Frey and Bob Rice on the vocals.