'It's Wheeling Steelmakers' Singer Regina Colbert Outside By Bus at Bond Drive, Fairmont, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
Tom Whitley, orchestra leader of the Musical Steelmakers is behind Colbert, second man in from the right. "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast was started in 1936 by John L. Grimes who wanted to advertise the corporations product offerings while also promoting their employees. Throughout the entire life of the broadcast, only Wheeling Steel employees and immediate family members were allowed to participate. Including professional singers like Regina Colbert who was given a secretary position at the corporation. In 1943 the show took to the road throughout several cities in West Virginia to put on "Buy a Bomber" themed shows, where the host cities were challenged to buy enough enough Defense Bonds to purchase a medium or large sized bomber. Cities who accomplished the challenge would get their name placed on the plane as it flew to battle.
Regina Colbert and Tom Whitley Backstage at Bond Drive, Fairmont, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
Center left: Tom Whitley, orchestra leader of the Musical Steelmakers of the Wheeling Steel Corporation. Center right: Regina Colbert, singer on "It's Wheeling Steel" radio program and secretary in advertising office. In 1943 the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio program took to the road throughout several cities in West Virginia to put on "Buy a Bomber" themed shows, where the host cities were challenged to buy enough enough Defense Bonds to purchase a medium or large sized bomber. Cities who accomplished the challenge would get their name placed on the plane as it flew to battle.
The Wheeling Musical Steelmakers Reacting to Advertising Executive John L. Grimes at Microphone, Bond Drive, Fairmont, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
John L. Grimes was advertising executive of Wheeling Steel Corporation and was responsible for the creation of the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast in 1936. The Musical Steelmakers were regular performers on the broadcast. In 1941 the show was picked up by the National Broadcasting Company's Blue Network, as it grew in popularity. In 1943 the show took to the road throughout several cities in West Virginia to put on "Buy a Bomber" themed shows, where the host cities were challenged to buy enough enough Defense Bonds to purchase a medium or large sized bomber. Cities who accomplished the challenge would get their name placed on the plane as it flew to battle.
John L. Grimes Shaking Hands With Unidentified Man Before or After Musical Steelmakers Performance at Bond Drive, Fairmont, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
John L. Grimes was advertising executive of Wheeling Steel Corporation and was responsible for the creation of the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast in 1936. In 1941 the show was picked up by the National Broadcasting Company's Blue Network, as it grew in popularity. In 1943 the show took to the road throughout several cities in West Virginia to put on "Buy a Bomber" themed shows, where the host cities were challenged to buy enough enough Defense Bonds to purchase a medium or large sized bomber. Cities who accomplished the challenge would get their name placed on the plane as it flew to battle.
John L. Grimes at Microphone With Unidentified Man In Front of The Musical Steelmakers Band at Bond Drive, Fairmont, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
John L. Grimes was advertising executive of Wheeling Steel Corporation and was responsible for the creation of the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast in 1936. In 1941 the show was picked up by the National Broadcasting Company's Blue Network, as it grew in popularity. In 1943 the show took to the road throughout several cities in West Virginia to put on "Buy a Bomber" themed shows, where the host cities were challenged to buy enough enough Defense Bonds to purchase a medium or large sized bomber. Cities who accomplished the challenge would get their name placed on the plane as it flew to battle.
Singing Millmen and Millmaids Performing for Studio Audience at Bond Drive, Fairmont, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
Caption on back of photograph reads: "This is what the Singing Millmen and Millmaids look like to the studio audience. The group is conducted by Lew Davies, and is composed entirely of steel workers and their families." This group was a performer on the Wheeling Steelmakers radio broadcast, which was ran entirely by Wheeling Steel Corporation employees and family members, the first all employee radio broadcast. In 1943 the show took to the road throughout several cities in West Virginia to put on "Buy a Bomber" themed shows, where the host cities were challenged to buy enough enough Defense Bonds to purchase a medium or large sized bomber. Cities who accomplished the challenge would get their name placed on the plane as it flew to battle.
Lt. Col. Thomas H. Eddy of the United States Army Addressing the Employees of the Wheeling Plant of the Wheeling Corrugating Co., Wheeling, W. Va.
Date:
1942
Description:
Photo taken during the Army-Navy Award presentation inside of the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia. The presentation was broadcast on over 127 radio stations of NBC's Blue Network, including the Wheeling Steelmakers radio program. The Wheeling Steelmakers radio broadcast was moved to the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1939 as production became more polished and more and more listeners tuned in.
Employee Color Guards Form Outside Capitol Theatre Before Employee Parade is Formed to Return to Wheeling Factory, Wheeling, W. Va.
Date:
1942
Description:
Photo taken during the Army-Navy Award presentation inside of the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia. The presentation was broadcast on over 127 radio stations of NBC's Blue Network, including the Wheeling Steelmakers radio program. The Wheeling Steelmakers radio broadcast was moved to the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1939 as production became more polished and more and more listeners tuned in.
Mr. Henry D. Clouse, President Local Union 248 U.S.W. of A, Delivering Acceptance Speech For the Employees of Wheeling Plant, Wheeling, W. Va.
Date:
1942
Description:
Photo taken during the Army-Navy Award presentation inside of the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia. The presentation was broadcast on over 127 radio stations of NBC's Blue Network, including the Wheeling Steelmakers radio program. The Wheeling Steelmakers radio broadcast was moved to the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1939 as production became more polished and more and more listeners tuned in.
Lt. Commander Charles M. Royal, Presenting Army-Naby 'E' Pines to Mr. M.E. Marsh, Mr. A.K. Monroe, Mr. Henry D. Clouse, and Mr. John R. Grundy, Wheeling, W. Va.
Date:
1942
Description:
Photo taken during the Army-Navy Award presentation inside of the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia. The presentation was broadcast on over 127 radio stations of NBC's Blue Network, including the Wheeling Steelmakers radio program. The Wheeling Steelmakers radio broadcast was moved to the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1939 as production became more polished and more and more listeners tuned in.
Lt. Commander Charles M. Royal, Who Represented the U.S. Navy, Addressing the Employees Prior to the Presentation of the Army-Navy 'E' Pins, Wheeling, W. Va.
Date:
1942
Description:
Photo taken during the Army-Navy Award presentation inside of the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia. The presentation was broadcast on over 127 radio stations of NBC's Blue Network, including the Wheeling Steelmakers radio program. The Wheeling Steelmakers radio broadcast was moved to the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1939 as production became more polished and more and more listeners tuned in.
Mr. M.E. Marsh, General Manager of the Wheeling Plant of Wheeling Corrugating Co., Officially Accepts the Army-Navy 'E' Award, Wheeling, W. Va.
Date:
1942
Description:
Photo taken during the Army-Navy Award presentation inside of the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia. The presentation was broadcast on over 127 radio stations of NBC's Blue Network, including the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio program. The "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast was moved to the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1939 as production became more polished and more and more listeners tuned in.
