Lamonte O'Brien was a musician who played on "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast. He was well known for his unique ability to mimic the sound of a trumpet using only his hands, which he would often use to solo.
Wheeling Musical Steelmakers Backing Up Performer on Stage Holding Beat Up Horned Instrument
Date:
Undated
Description:
Notice the flag in the background with 13 stars, this was displayed commonly during World War 2 to show how many people who were serving. Gold stars would represent those who died in the war.
W. Va. Governor Homer Holt Rides in 'It's Wheeling Steel' Parade, Wheeling, W. Va.
Date:
Undated
Description:
It's Wheeling Steel was a radio broadcast started in 1936 by Wheeling Steel Corporation advertising executive John L. Grimes. He wanted to advertise both the company's products and it's talented employees.
Parade Car Driving Walter 'Pat' Patterson, Maury Longfellow, and the Old Timer, All Performers on 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast, at Parade in Wheeling, W. Va.
Date:
Undated
Description:
The Old Timer was a character on the radio broadcast who introduced the acts and provided banter in between music. Maury Longfellow was a member of broadcast's production staff, he also assisted in writing musical arrange for the The Wheeling Musical Steelmakers, the broadcasts orchestra.
Wheeling Musical Steelmakers Orchestra Leader Tom Whitley, Seated on Right, During Parade, Wheeling, W. Va.
Date:
Undated
Description:
The Musical Steelmakers were the orchestra for the Wheeling Steel Corporation owned "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast. It was made up of multi-talented employees of the company who also performed on the broadcast.
Lois Mae Nolte of Steel Sisters With Unidentified Dance Partner
Date:
Undated
Description:
The Steel Sisters (Lois Mae Nolte, Harriet Drake, and Lucille Bell) were regular performers on "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast. They eventually left the broadcast to tour with Horace Heidt and his orchestra.
Wheeling Musical Steelmakers Riding in Truck During Parade, Wheeling, W. Va.
Date:
Undated
Description:
Orchestra leader Tom Whitley is the man wearing glasses on far left pointing forward. The orchestra was the primary performer on "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast. The show was eventually taken to the road, as evident by the "coast to coast" sign.
'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Show Producer Maury Longfellow
Date:
Undated
Description:
"It's Wheeling Steel" was a radio broadcast used to advertise Wheeling Steel Corporation products and their talented employees. The entire operation was ran by employees or immediate family members of the company, the first all employee broadcast.
Performers Dressed as Candy Stripers Preparing to Perform With the Musical Steelmakers Orchestra
Date:
Undated
Description:
The Musical Steelmakers were the orchestra that performed on "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast on NBC's Blue Network. Note the flag behind the performers on stage. The blue stars represented people who were serving in the war, and a gold star represented those who died in service.
'The Old Timer' John Winchcoll and Lois Mae Nolte, Host and Performer on 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption on back of photograph reads: "John Winchcoll, the "Old Timer", and Lois Mae Nolte, singing mistress of ceremonies, have been with the "Musical Steelmakers" series from the start. Winchcoll, an auditor with the company, is a veteran employee, who was chosen as representative of the typical Wheeling employee. Miss Nolte, though only 19, has been on the show in all its seven years, first as one of the Steel Sisters, later as a soloist."
Margaret June Evans, Performer on 'It's Wheeling Steel', Seated at Piano
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "Shown seated at the piano during a rehearsal of the "Musical Steelmakers", heard Sundays on the Blue network at 5:30 pm, e.w.t., is Margaret June Evans, eldest member of the three Evans Sisters, vocal trio heard during each broadcast of the program. Miss Evans, whose father has worked for the sponsoring company as a steel roller for 29 years, was recently crowned "Miss West Va." by Carl C. Wayman, Commander of the nation's first American Legion Post, located in Wheeling."
John L. Grimes, Man Behind 'Musical Steelmakers', Playing Piano
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "Man behind the "Musical Steelmakers" is J.L. Grimes, advertising manager of Wheeling Steel. He thought of the program in the first place, and is in active charge now, producing the show, choosing the music, and auditioning talent from the ranks of the employees and their families." It was a requirement to be an employee or immediate family member of Wheeling Steel Corporation in order to perform or work on the radio broadcast.
The Evans Sisters Washing Dishes Before 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "They may be network radio stars (heard with the "Musical Steelmakers" each Sunday on the Blue network at 5:30 pm, e.w.t.), but to Mom Evans they are also three mighty good dishwasher who must do their job before going to the broadcast. From left to right are: Janet Jean, Betty Jane, and Margaret June, the singing Evans Sisters."
Evans Sisters and Other Girls Posing for Photograph
Date:
Undated
Description:
The Evans Sisters were three sisters who sang on "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast. The three sisters are: Janet Jean, Betty Jane, and Margaret June.
Evans Sisters and Others Enjoying the Outdoors, Ohio River in Background
Date:
Undated
Description:
The Evans Sisters were three sisters who sang on "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast. The three sisters are: Janet Jean, Betty Jane, and Margaret June.
Musical Steelmakers Informal Rehearsal, Part of Band for 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "Rough and ready war workers on week days, polished network musicians on Sundays are these "Musical Steelmakers", pictured here during an informal rehearsal. They are Russ Anderson at the bass, Tony Biacco with the accordion, Verdi Howells the goggled sax man, Jimmy Snodgrass on the drums, and Dayton Powell at the piano."
Sara Rehm, Soprano Soloist on 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption for photograph reads: "The star of the show is Sara Rehm, 19 year old soprano soloist. Miss Rehm qualifies for the show because she works occasionally in the Wheeling office, stuffing envelopes, and has a cousin in the Yorkville Works."
Wheeling Musical Steelmakers Band Performing Behind Soloist Sara Rehm on 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption with photograph reads: "The show goes on the air. Variety calls it "the capitalistic Pins and Needles" after the Broadway show of the Ladies Garment Workers' Union (LIFE, Dec. 27). Steelworkers seem to enjoy this company show as much as the garment workers enjoy their union show."
Sara Rehm Working at Desk in Wheeling Steel Co. Office, Wheeling, W. Va.
Date:
Undated
Description:
Sara Rehm was a soloist on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast. Caption with photograph reads: "Back in Wheeling after less than two days as Cinderella, Sara was greeted by the same home-town band, same cheering citizenry, and at the office, same desk!"
