Nov 13, 1949

Bandleader Vaughn Monroe performs "Riders In The Sky" on the Ed Sullivan-hosted "Toast Of The Town"

Dec 25, 1949

With "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" enjoying its first year as a holiday hit, composer Johnny Marks takes a bow from the audience on a Christmas edition of the Ed Sullivan-hosted CBS variety show "Toast Of The Town"

Jan 21, 1951

Jimmy Wakely performs on the Ed Sullivan-hosted CBS variety show "Toast Of The Town." Among the other guests is singer Margaret Truman, the daughter of Harry S. Truman

Feb 24, 1952

Songwriter Cole Porter, who co-wrote the country hit "Don't Fence Me In," receives a two-hour tribute on CBS-TV's "Toast Of The Town," later known as "The Ed Sullivan Show"

Sep 21, 1952

CBS viewers watch Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and "Over The Rainbow" songwriter Harold Arlen take bows from the audience on "Toast Of The Town," hosted by Ed Sullivan

Feb 15, 1953

Gene Autry joins Bing Crosby and Molly Bee on the Ed Sullivan-hosted CBS variety show "Talk Of The Town"

Sep 20, 1953

Gene Autry sings "Back In The Saddle Again," "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Your Cheatin' Heart" on "Toast Of The Town," destined to become "The Ed Sullivan Show"

Oct 25, 1953

Patti Page performs "The Tennessee Waltz" on the CBS variety show "Talk Of The Town," destined to become "The Ed Sullivan Show"

Dec 19, 1954

The Chordettes perform the future Emmylou Harris hit "Mister Sandman" on the Ed Sullivan-hosted CBS variety show "Talk Of The Town"

Jan 9, 1955

Jim Reeves makes his national television debut on CBS-TV's "Toast Of The Town." The variety show is later renamed "The Ed Sullivan Show"