Italian American Podcast: Ep. 327 Legacy of Little Italy with Ernie Rossi

We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Ernie Rossi of E. Rossi Company to the newly minted Red Sauce Studio in the heart of Little Italy. With a legacy dating back to 1910, Ernie shares captivating stories about his family's significant contributions to Neapolitan music in America. From his grandfather's early days publishing sheet music to producing records, this episode offers a tribute to the enduring legacy of Italian culture in Little Italy.
Travel back with us to the nostalgic ItalianAmerican neighborhoods where cultural dynamics and traditions shaped everyday life. Ernie paints a vivid picture of how the family business evolved from a musicf ocused enterprise to a broader ItalianAmerican resource, emphasizing the cultural significance of traditional coffee pots like the Neapolitan flip coffee pot. Personal anecdotes, such as children being given coffee in their milk to keep them hyperactive, enrich our discussion of memories that continue to shape ItalianAmerican heritage today.
From our sit down with Ernie we explore kitchen mishaps, traditional Italian cookware, and share humorous stories about encounters with famous Italian Americans like Martin Scorsese and Connie Francis. As we wrap up, we dive into planning an Italian American Christmas album, including a playful debate about Dominic the Donkey and creating a new holiday hit. Join us for an episode brimming with rich history, personal connections, and a heartfelt celebration of Italian American culture.

[@jhlfsc]

I'm in my 40's and still remember them at the old location on the corner. I remember either his aunt or his mother always sitting in a chair by the door. It truly was a tangible direct access portal to the essence of the 1st wave immigrants of the turn of the last century. He always sold better statues and "figureddi" than the stores sponsered by the Church. You walk into Ernie's store ONCE and he will remember you even if you don't come back for 10+ years! God bless him and his family for what they've done for our community over the decades!

[@davidkimberly4682]

Wonderful interview! Mr Rossi is a fascinating guy and a fanatic resource.

[@CamerieriZeppoleMix]

Very educational & revealing podcast great job ✅🇮🇹

[@major_miniatures]

Excellent episode 🙌

[@CarolynViolin]

E Rossi's is a wonderful shop! I've been in there many times! I bought a few Claudia Villa cds there!

[@robertgrove4870]

Great podcast. Really enjoying the video version in the new studio

[@throughmyeyes9940]

great show, keep it up!

[@Steve-Duh-Rino]

Y’all are great!

[@siangibby5771]

Nicely done.

[@leeannlack6521]

This podcast was Dynamite😅🎉💐🍾💞

[@antoniettevalenti4989]

Rosella, my birthday is July 4th as well. Tantissimi auguri di buon compleanno!

[@Shrinksjp]

Connie's Italian Favorites LP went straight to the top of the charts and remained on the charts for 82 weeks.

[@Bishopspipes]

Missed an opportunity to discuss the current state of Little Italy. Would’ve loved to hear more about his thoughts on it.

[@salcaputo4564]

Grande il signor Rossi 🇮🇹🇺🇲💪💪

[@Bob-um6nj]

Love you guys you really should look to find Ray Monte,Lou Monte’s son that would be an awesome interview

[@letsgomets002]

Luna's.....was great...when Little Italy was still great.😢

[@letsgomets002]

1950...so was I ...in Bklyn Gravesend...we were 2nd generation Italian like you ,none of my Italian American friends spoke Italian only the old people did.

[@salcaputo4564]

Why?

[@salcaputo4564]

I'm third generation italian in Germany most of us still speak italian or dialects

[@BOBW805]

FAN-freaking-TASTIC

[@CamerieriZeppoleMix]

“Iced coffee it’s for girls”😂😂😂🇮🇹✅

[@chiarafabbri2748]

So strange to see people there being proud to be italian when nobody in Italy can say to be that.

[@letsgomets002]

Is English your 2 language, because you make no sense 😮

[@Danielreds]

io sono orgogliosissimo di essere Italiano parla per te

[@jeanneamato8278]

Amazon sell Gianni espresso makers for $175.

[@Danielreds]

ma ogni tanto parlate anche in Italiano pero', sentire tutta l'intervista in Inglese e' una rottura di palle

[@italianamericaneducational8209]

Example of disconnect: Mr. Viola brings up a very important aspect of Italian American history (Neapolitan Theater in NY); however, the example he has to use is its depiction in a film, "The Godfather," which portrays Italian Americans as scummy Americans (thieves and murderers). Viola previously praised the film, as millions of other Italian Americans still do; and yet, they absolve that film for basically desecrating our history in America.