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!"
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, 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."
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.
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.
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."
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.
Wheeling Steel Corporation Advertising Executive John L. Grimes at Microphone
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
John L. Grimes was the creator of "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast in 1936. He wanted a means to advertise both the company products and it's talented employees. Therefore it was a requirement to be an employee or immediate family member of the company in order to perform on or work the broadcast. Note the "Buy War Bonds" banner hanging on wall. This photo was likely taken during their "Buy a Bomber" series which began in 1943. The broadcast took to the road throughout various cities in West Virginia to encourage communities to purchase war bonds in order to buy bombers. Cities who raised enough money would get their name on the side of the bomber it bought.
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."
Evans Sisters at Microphone, Harmonizing a Number for Listeners to Musical Steelmakers
Date:
ca. 1944
Description:
Caption on back of photograph reads: "Here are the Evans Sisters at the microphone, harmonizing a number for listeners to the "Musical Steelmakers". Betty Jane, left, is a receptionist for the company. Margaret June was recently crowned "Miss Steelmaker 1944". Janet Jean, right, age 15, is the youngest member of the trio."
'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."
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.
'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.
