My accent remained terrible. It was very hard for me to initiate any conversation with someone I didn't know.

I have never been an innovator, a creative genius.

I like clean ladies and nice ladies.

One time I introduced my orchestra as the Shampoo Music Makers instead of the Champagne Music Makers.

I knew nothing of the life of a real musician, of course, but somehow I seemed to see myself standing in front of great crowds of people, playing my accordion.

On the stage of the Italian Terrace Room in the William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1938 ... the place where Champagne Music was born.

In spite of the Depression, or maybe because of it, folks were hungry for a good time, and an evening of dancing seemed a good way to have it.