Airing exclusively on the US TV network TBN, Huckabee’s Jukebox has played host to innumerable stellar music performances. But when The Swing Dolls took to the stage in 2023 for a musical salute to the US Armed Forces, they had the whole studio audience clapping along to their old-school beat.
The Swing Dolls are an L.A.-based tribute act to The Andrews Sisters, America’s original trio of singing sweethearts who took the country and armed forces by storm during the WWII era with their patriotic performances, war songs, and all-American beauty. But, as Music Man discovers, The Swing Dolls are more than just a tribute band: they resurrect a national pride long lost to younger generations, all whilst keeping the swing tradition alive.
Before taking to the stage for their 1.1M-times-viewed rendition of “The Armed Forces Medley,” the Swing Dolls sat down with Huckabee’s show host for a chat about preserving history, pleasing WWII veterans with their old-school covers, before the host crystallized the trio’s message perfectly: “encouraging people to remember patriotism, a love of [their] country and a love of music.”
Decked in khaki-colored 1940s-style service dress, The Swing Dolls introduced their Armed Forces Medley, inviting members of the studio audience to stand as each branch of service is saluted, if they or their loved ones have served in it.
The Armed Forces Medley collects six official songs of various US Armed Forces, cycling through the traditional marchpast hits back-to-back: “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” dedicated to the US Army, “Anchors Aweigh” for the Navy, “Wild Blue Yonder” for the Air Force, “Semper Paratus” for the Coast Guard and, lastly, the “Marines’ Hymn.”
The Swing Dolls actually re-arranged the ‘official’ order of the medley for this stunning performance, while omitting the most recent, sixth addition to the Armed Forces Medley: “Semper Supra,” which was composed in 2022 and dedicated to the US Space Force. But, keeping things historically accurate, the Swing Dolls stuck only to the marching tunes heard throughout the ‘40s, complete with gracefully retro choreography.
The Swing Dolls have been performing across the States for over twenty years. Officially, the group has five members, but took to the Huckabee stage with only three: alto singer Kara Freeman, first soprano Samantha Dunn and second soprano Anna Daines. While most appearances surround memorial services, commemorations and other WWII-related gigs, The Music Man finds the group also dabble in non-political events. According to their site, The Swing Dolls have spread their wings to San Diego’s Comic Con, and have even recorded a sugary sweet, traditionally-styled Italian language track for the Fiat 500 commercial, “Wedding,” titled, “The Italian Life’s For Me.”
If you would like to hear more from The Swing Dolls, you can subscribe to their YouTube Channel for more incredible music. Connect with them on Facebook and Instagram for updates, and visit their website for more information.