Bing Crosby Holiday Fest

Folks, gather ‘round for a Spokane story that swings! Harry “Lillis” Crosby — that’s right, Bing! — grew up right here in the Logan Neighborhood. From crooning at Gonzaga High to lighting up clubs and theaters, young Bing was already setting the stage for superstardom. He’d go on to shape the sound of the century — influencing Sinatra, Elvis, even The Beatles!

Now, picture this: October 13, 1957 — The Ford Edsel Show hits CBS! Bing brings pals Louis Armstrong, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, and son Lindsay for a dazzling night of music and laughter. The show raised a whopping $250,000 — nearly $2.3 million today — funding one-third of the Bing Crosby Library at Gonzaga. It was also the first-ever variety program recorded on videotape for replay! The Edsel may have flopped, but Bing? He launched into TV stardom — two annual specials with ABC, his own sitcom, and legendary Christmas shows that still warm hearts today.

This marks the first public screening of The Ford Edsel Show since 1957 — a true television treasure!

And the music lives on! Tonight, Spokane’s own North Central High School Jazz Band, led by Tim Blaydon, takes the stage. Fun fact: Bing’s buddy Al Rinker—a proud NC alum—once jammed in a teenage combo called The Musicaladers. Bing joined in on drums, and before heading to Hollywood in 1925, the duo performed live at the Clemmer Theater — now, of course, the Bing Crosby Theater!

And that’s not all, folks! Gonzaga alum Don Maloney, class of ’58 and a devoted Bing fan, has created six special renditions of Bing’s beloved Christmas tunes. You’ll catch two during each intermission — a perfect dash of holiday spirit from one fan to another!

✨ Stay tuned, swing back, and let the legend of Bing Crosby shine on! ✨