Why did Benny Goodman’s 1935 national tour begin poorly?

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Benny Goodman in a tuxedo with bow tie and boutonniere, smiling and holding a clarinet, circa 1945. — Benny Goodman Jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman, c. 1945.

Benny Goodman’s 1935 national tour began poorly primarily because the band was relatively unknown to the public at the time. Additionally, the group featured an unfamiliar musical sound that many producers did not like, which led Goodman to consider ending the tour on several occasions before their breakthrough performance at the Palomar Ballroom.1