'String music was important as well as brass music in Helvetia. Left to right: Jacob Looser, Ernest Burky, Olga Aegerter, Fred Burky, Jr., Paul Aegerter, and Fred Burky Sr.'
Musicians at Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Crawford, Elizabeth, Wirt County, W. Va.
Date:
1934
Description:
Four men with musical instruments, including banjo, guitar, and violin at Camp Crawford. Camp Crawford was a base for Company 1512 in the Charleston District, Fifth Corps Area.
Keith Simmons Performing on a Dulcimer at Glenville Folk Festival, Glenville, W.Va.
Description:
'Keith Simmons performing an old song variously titled 'The Devil's Quickstep,' and 'Old Aunt Jenny with the Nightcap On.' The instrument, a true dulcimer, is a family heirloom which was damaged during a Civil War skirmish. Simmons plays it with two mallets made of wool yarn wrapped on corset staies.'
Mr. Bryant Playing Dulcimer at Glenville Folk Festival, Glenville, W.Va.
Description:
'Mr. H.B. Bryant, Canvas (Nicholas County). Mr. Bryant is playing the 'dulcimer' which he made. He makes an excellent instrument and sells it for $12.50. It is actually a rebec, an oriental instrument which was brought to England during the Crusades.'
Patrick Gainer Playing Dulcimer at Glenville Folk Festival, Glenville, W.Va.
Description:
'Patrick Gainer, noted authority on folk culture, originator and master of ceremonies for the Glenville Folk Festival, plays 'Sugar in the Gourd,' a sprightly piece he heard frequently as a child. The instrument, a variation of the ancient rebec, was hand crafted for Gainer by a mountain friend.'
Group of Men Holding Wheeling Flags Standing Outside of Wheeling Corrugating Co. Tent at National Cornhusking Championship, Marshall, MO
Date:
1937
Description:
The Rhythm Rangers were radio stars on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast, which was created in 1936 by Wheeling Steel Corporation advertising executive John L. Grimes. The radio broadcast was ran and operated by company employees and family members, the first of it's kind to utilize this model. This free, live performance, at the National Cornhusking Championship in Marshall, Missouri was a way to advertise the broadcast to a broader audience as well as to promote their products to farmers in the area.
Crowd Outside of Wheeling Corrugating Co. Tent Listening to Rhythm Rangers Performance at National Cornhusking Championship, Marshall, MO
Date:
1937
Description:
The Rhythm Rangers were radio stars on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast, which was created in 1936 by Wheeling Steel Corporation advertising executive John L. Grimes. The radio broadcast was ran and operated by company employees and family members, the first of it's kind to utilize this model. This free, live performance, at the National Cornhusking Championship in Marshall, Missouri was a way to advertise the broadcast to a broader audience as well as to promote their products to farmers in the area.
Crowd Outside of Wheeling Corrugating Co. Tent Listening to Rhythm Rangers Performance at National Cornhusking Championship, Marshall, MO
Date:
1937
Description:
The Rhythm Rangers were radio stars on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast, which was created in 1936 by Wheeling Steel Corporation advertising executive John L. Grimes. The radio broadcast was ran and operated by company employees and family members, the first of it's kind to utilize this model. This free, live performance, at the National Cornhusking Championship in Marshall, Missouri was a way to advertise the broadcast to a broader audience as well as to promote their products to farmers in the area.
Musicians Playing Outside of Wheeling, W. Va. Train Traveling to or From National Cornhusking Championship in Marshall, MO
Date:
1937
Description:
Caption on back of photograph reads: "Music was played in every station where the train stopped long enough for the purpose." These musicians are likely the Rhythm Rangers, performers on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio program which was created in 1936 by Wheeling Steel advertising executive John L. Grimes. The program was ran and operated exclusively by employees and immediate family members of the Wheeling Steel Corporation, the first radio broadcast to use this model. The program was used to promote both the company's product as well as it's employees.
Musicians Playing Outside of Wheeling, W. Va. Train Traveling to or From National Cornhusking Championship in Marshall, MO
Date:
1937
Description:
These musicians are likely the Rhythm Rangers, performers on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio program which was created in 1936 by Wheeling Steel advertising executive John L. Grimes. The program was ran and operated exclusively by employees and immediate family members of the Wheeling Steel Corporation, the first radio broadcast to use this model. The program was used to promote both the company's product as well as it's employees.
Crowd at Train Station Listening to Musicians From Wheeling, W. Va. in Midst of Traveling to or From National Cornhusking Championship in Marshall, MO
Date:
1937
Description:
These musicians are likely the Rhythm Rangers, performers on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio program which was created in 1936 by Wheeling Steel advertising executive John L. Grimes. The program was ran and operated exclusively by employees and immediate family members of the Wheeling Steel Corporation, the first radio broadcast to use this model. The program was used to promote both the company's product as well as it's employees.
'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast Musicians Playing at National Cornhusking Championship, Marshall, MO
Date:
1937
Description:
The group of musicians is likely the Rhythm Rangers. These musicians, like all employees of the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast, were either employees or family members of employees of the Wheeling Steel Corporation. This radio broadcast was company advertising executive John L. Grimes idea to promote both the company's product and its employees. It began broadcasting in 1936 and ended in 1944.
Group is likely the Rhythm Rangers and it appears they are playing inside of a hotel, possibly in Marshall, Missouri during their stay for the National Cornhusking Championship, or somewhere else along the route from Wheeling, West Virginia to the competition. These musicians, like all who worked on the radio broadcast, were employees or immediate family members of the Wheeling Steel Corporation.
'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast Musicians Playing Outside of Train to or From National Cornhusking Championship, Marshall, MO
Date:
1937
Description:
Group of musicians are likely members of the Rhythm Rangers, performers on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast. This broadcast began in 1936 as a way to promote both Wheeling Steel Corporation's products and their employees who exclusively ran and performed on the broadcasts.
'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast Musicians Playing at National Cornhusking Championship, Marshall, MO
Date:
1937
Description:
The group of musicians is likely the Rhythm Rangers. These musicians, like all employees of the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast, were either employees or family members of employees of the Wheeling Steel Corporation. This radio broadcast was company advertising executive John L. Grimes idea to promote both the company's product and its employees. It began broadcasting in 1936 and ended in 1944.
Large Crowd Gathered to Listen to Performers Underneath Copious Amount of Wheeling Steel Advertisements at National Cornhusking Championship, Marshall, MO
Date:
1937
Description:
These performers were likely musicians on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast. This radio broadcast was created by John L. Grimes, advertising executive at Wheeling Steel Corporation. The broadcast was ran exclusively by employees and family members of the Wheeling Steel Corporation. This excursion to Missouri was used to spread the name of the growing broadcast as well as to promote their products, including COP-R-LOY.
'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast Musicians Playing Outside of Train, to or From National Cornusking Championship, Marshall, MO
Date:
1937
Description:
The group of musicians is likely the Rhythm Rangers. These musicians, like all employees of the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast, were either employees or family members of employees of the Wheeling Steel Corporation. This radio broadcast was company advertising executive John L. Grimes idea to promote both the company's product and its employees. It began broadcasting in 1936 and ended in 1944.
'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast Musicians Playing at Dennison, OH Train Station, to or From National Cornusking Championship, Marshall, MO
Date:
1937
Description:
The group of musicians is likely the Rhythm Rangers. These musicians, like all employees of the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast, were either employees or family members of employees of the Wheeling Steel Corporation. This radio broadcast was company advertising executive John L. Grimes idea to promote both the company's product and its employees. It began broadcasting in 1936 and ended in 1944.
Tony Biacco Working With Ductillite at Wheeling Steel Corporation, Wheeling, W. Va.
Date:
Undated
Description:
"Tony Biacco, steelmaker from Yorkville possesses two strong hands with which he capably handles ductillite and his accordion. His appearances on the family broadcast have been highly commendable. Now a regular in orchestra in 1943."
The Musical Steelmakers Accompany Tom Care During a Trumpet Solo
Date:
Undated
Description:
"The Steelmakers accompany Tom Care, employee from the Steubenville Works, as he headlines with a trumpet solo. Tom played "At The End Of a Perfect Day", which appealed to a great number of Wheeling Steel's nation-wide family."
'Singing Secretary' Regina Colbert Catching Up on Correspondence at Her Desk
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption on back of photograph reads: "Part of Regina Colbert's lunch hour is devoted to catching up on correspondence with service men at home and overseas. The "Singing Secretary" writes weekly to a number of men in uniform." Regina Colbert was a performer on the "It's Wheeling Steel" Radio broadcast. This broadcast was ran exclusively by Wheeling Steel Corp. employees and family members, but as the program grew in popularity they began to hire performers with professional backgrounds, like Regina Colbert. However, in order to comply with his rule of an all employee only run program, he would hire these professionals to work in the offices for a period of time. In Colbert's case, she was hired to work as a secretary in the advertising department.
John L. Grimes Introducing the Steel Sisters, Performing With 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. The Steel Sisters and The Musical Steelmakers were regulars on the broadcast. The Steel Sisters became so popular that they eventually left the show to tour with Horace Heidt and his orchestra. 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 Introducing Three Young Boys on Stage With 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 (as evident by the microphone stands). 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.
'It's Wheeling Steel' Cast Including Steel Sisters and WVU ROTC in Front of Boreman Hall, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
From left to right: (?), Margie Greig, Regina Colbert, B.J. Evans, Lois Mae Nolte, Harriet Drake, M.J. Evans, (?), Tommy Whitley, and (?). Picture taken before or after the performance at WVU Field House, which was part of their "Buy a Bomber" series, where communities were challenged to buy enough Defense Bonds to purchase a bomber. The money raised in this circumstance exceeded all expectations and was the largest such fundraiser in Monongalia County, West Virginia.
"It's Wheeling Steel" Cast Including Steel Sisters and WVU ROTC in Front of Boreman Hall, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
From left to right: (?), Margie Greig, Regina Colbert, B.J. Evans, Lois Mae Nolte, Harriet Drake, M.J. Evans, (?), Tommy Whitley, and (?). Picture taken before or after the performance at WVU Field House, which was part of their "Buy a Bomber" series, where communities were challenged to buy enough Defense Bonds to purchase a bomber. The money raised in this circumstance exceeded all expectations and was the largest such fundraiser in Monongalia County, West Virginia.
"It's Wheeling Steel" Cast on Street in Front of Boreman Hall, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
Picture taken before or after the performance at WVU Field House, which was part of their "Buy a Bomber" series, where communities were challenged to buy enough Defense Bonds to purchase a bomber. The money raised in this circumstance exceeded all expectations and was the largest such fundraiser in Monongalia County, West Virginia.
Madrigal Singers of Clarksburg 50th Anniversary Celebration, July 8-9-10, 1988
Date:
1988/07/08
Description:
Established in 1938, the Madrigal Singers of Clarksburg have been performing for more than 75 years. During the 1940's through the 1970's, Bill James directed the group. E.W. "Bill" James wrote "My Home Among the Hills" for the West Virginia Centennial among other musical compositions. The madrigal group performs some recent music, but primarily sings music dating from the English Renaissance while wearing period clothing.
Madrigal Singers of Clarksburg at National Federation Music Clubs, Los Angeles, CA
Date:
ca. 1941
Description:
Five members of the Madrigal Singers of Clarksburg group pose for a portrait in Los, Angeles, CA at the National Federation Music Clubs.Established in 1938, the Madrigal Singers of Clarksburg have been performing for more than 75 years. During the 1940's through the 1970's, Bill James directed the group. E.W. "Bill" James wrote "My Home Among the Hills" for the West Virginia Centennial among other musical compositions. The madrigal group performs some recent music, but primarily sings music dating from the English Renaissance while wearing period clothing.
Barbara Edwards Plays for a Small Crowd at an Appalachian Folk Music Festival
Date:
1974/05
Description:
A group sits listening around Edwards, who is playing an instrument. This photograph comes from a series of photos from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
Appalachian Folk Music Festival Attendees Sitting on a Lawn
Date:
1974/05
Description:
A group including Connie and Leo Chabot lounge on a grass lawn. This photograph is from a series of photos from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
A Musician Plays His Dulcimer at a Campsite during an Appalachian Folk Music Festival
Date:
1974/05
Description:
An unidentified man sits beside a table cluttered with pots and pans while plucking at his dulcimer. This photograph is from a series of photos from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
A Group of Musicians Practice in a Parking Lot at an Appalachian Music Festival
Date:
1974/05
Description:
A group of unidentified musicians play beside parked cars. This photograph comes from a series of photos from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
Musicians Playing a Fiddle and Washboard at an Appalachian Folk Music Festival
Date:
1974/05
Description:
Ira Mullins plays a fiddle and Ed Light plays a washboard. This photograph is from a series of images showing Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry Festivals.
Folk Music Fiddler at an Appalachian Folk Music Festival
Date:
1974/08
Description:
Franklin George is pictured playing a fiddle behind a microphone. This photograph is from a series of photos from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
Folk Musicians Performing at an Appalachian Folk Music Festival
Date:
1974/08
Description:
Franklin George and George Ward perform seated on a stage. This photograph comes from a series of photos from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
Scenic View at an Appalachian Music Festival at Pipestem State Park, W. Va.
Date:
1974/08
Description:
An unidentified woman performs on a stage positioned below a tree-covered hillside during a festival at Pipestem. This photograph is part of a series of photographs showing Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry Festivals.
Beverly Cole Pictured at an Appalachian Folk Music Festival
Date:
1974/08
Description:
Beverly Cole is pictured at a campsite, with parked cars and pitched tents behind her. This photograph comes from a series of photos from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
An Unidentified Man is Pictured at an Appalachian Folk Music Festival
Date:
1974/08
Description:
A man wearing a hat is pictured sitting outside of a tent. This photograph comes from a series of photos from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
A Child Dances on Stage while Folk Musicians Perform at an Appalachian Music Festival
Date:
ca. 1968-1972
Description:
Franklin George plays the fiddle with other musicians as a child dances. This photograph comes from a series of photos from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
Two Folk Musicians Perform at the Second John Henry Festival near Talcott, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1968-1972
Description:
A woman, possible Della Taylor, with a tambourine watches as her associate, the Reverend Pearly Brown, plays the guitar on stage. This photograph comes from a series of photos from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
A Folk Musician Performs at the Second John Henry Festival near Talcott, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1968-1972
Description:
John Jackson plays a guitar and sings while seated behind a microphone. This photograph comes from a series of photos from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
A Musician Performs at the Second John Henry Festival near Talcott, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1968-1972
Description:
Steve Beleuw plays guitar and sings while seated behind a microphone. This photograph comes from a series of photos from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
David Morris and Rick Steiner Play Together during an Appalachian Folk Music Festival
Date:
ca. 1968-1972
Description:
The two guitarists play together behind stage. This photograph comes from a series of photos from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
Charlie Winters Playing a Banjo at an Appalachian Folk Music Festival
Date:
ca. 1968-1972
Description:
Winters plays a banjo in a wooded area at a festival. This photograph comes from a series of photographs from Appalachian Folk Music Festivals, including the Ivydale and John Henry festivals.
