Psst: Johnny Mercer, standard bearer

Updated: November 16, 2009 - 4:40 PM

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STANDARD BEARER

The folks at KFAI radio are going all out with a centennial tribute to songwriting legend and Southern-fried bon vivant Johnny Mercer. It's a two-part, six-hour, celebrity-packed profile that begins Wednesday, on what would have been his 100th birthday.

Best known as the brilliant lyricist of such classics as "Moon River," "That Old Black Magic," "Autumn Leaves," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Skylark" and "Blues in the Night," the versatile Mercer also was an actor, an occasional composer and a terrific vocal interpreter of his own material, including timeless tracks for Capitol Records -- which he co-founded -- plus groovy duets with Bing Crosby and Bobby Darin.

The list of guests assembled by the "Rockin' in Rhythm" show's David Cummings and guest host Les Block reads like a "Who's Who" of American popular song, including Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett, Kay Starr, Barry Manilow, Margaret Whiting, Nancy Wilson, "Moon River" hitmaker Andy Williams, composing great Johnny Mandel and the songwriter's daughter, Mandy Mercer. Dr. John, who recorded a CD's worth of Mercer material, also adds salty commentary, as does Philip Furia, author of "Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer."

The early skylark will get the worm, however -- the special airs from 6 to 9 a.m. Wednesday and Nov. 25 (at 90.3 and 106.7 FM). But the shows, which will wind up in the University of Georgia's Mercer archives, will be archived at ww.kfai.org for easy computer streaming anytime you'd like.

TOM SUROWICZ