Gleason accepted and upon signing the contract, he took a two-week vacation[10] and announced that he would be leaving Cavalcade of Stars in June.

He assembled a 27-piece orchestra[12] and made a number of recordings with them, including the "Melancholy Serenade" that would become the theme song for The Jackie Gleason Show.

[13] Announcements of a forthcoming release of an LP of instrumental music conducted by Gleason, the first in a separate three-year contract for Capitol Records, were made in July 1952.

[17] He also said that he had been inspired by Bing Crosby to pursue artistic and merchandising opportunities outside of his main career as an actor, for which purposes he founded Jackie Gleason Enterprises.

Despite Hackett's dental problems that made it difficult for him to play his preferred instrument, the trumpet, Glenn Miller hired him as a personal favor.

[27] In interviews, Gleason confirmed that his role in the production of the album went beyond selection and conducting, but also acknowledged King's work as arranger and collaborator.

[28][20] Although Gleason had no formal musical training,[29] he could play trumpet, piano, and organ sufficiently well to convey his ideas to King.

[27] Hackett expressed contradictory opinions about Gleason's acumen, saying on one occasion that professional musicians were "always amazed" by him, while on another saying that his principal contribution to the recordings was that "he brought the checks".

[3] Gordon Jenkins said Gleason's work consisted of "sit[ting] in the control room puffing a fat cigar while his arrangers do the conducting".

[40] Charles Menees in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said that it was the album's "big attraction", adding that "Bobby Hackett With Strings" would have made for a suitable alternative name for it.

[26] Tom E. Danson wrote that in Music for Lovers Only Gleason "prove[d] conclusively that he's as agile with the baton as in the humor department".

[43][44] "Monte has this club that needs unusual attractions because he's keeping it out of the usual entertainment rut and he said he thought my band could do some business for him", Gleason said.

[13] He later recalled that he found the experience of conducting an orchestra in person "tough" and, because of his inability to read music, was required to memorize 28 different arrangements.

[45] In March 1953, Gleason said that he was considering forming two Music for Lovers Only orchestras, led respectively by Hackett and Billy Butterfield, and sending them on tour.