'It's Wheeling Steelmakers' Singer Regina Colbert Outside By Bus at Bond Drive, Fairmont, W. Va.

Identifier:

048554

Collection Number:

A&M 3470

Title:

'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.

Acquisition Source:

Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation. Stoll, Richard E.

Acquisition Method:

Gift

Medium:

print

Projects:

West Virginia History OnView