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.
Color Guard of Wheeling Post No. 1 of the American Legion Raising the Pennant During Program, 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.
Lt. Col. Thomas H. Eddy Presenting the Army Navy Production Award Pennant to the Wheeling Plant, Which Was Accepted by Mr. M.E. Marsh, General Manager, 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.
Master of Ceremonies, Howard D. Matthews, Opening the Program Which Was Broadcast Over 127 Stations of the Blue Network, 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.
Crowd Enjoying 'It's Wheeling Steel' Show Inside Field House, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
Picture taken during Wheeling Musical Steelmakers 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.
Crowd Enjoying 'It's Wheeling Steel' Show Inside Field House, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
Picture taken during Wheeling Musical Steelmakers 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.
WVU ROTC Members and Others Enjoying 'It's Wheeling Steel' Show at Field House, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
Picture taken during Wheeling Musical Steelmakers 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.
WVU ROTC Members and Others Enjoying 'It's Wheeling Steel' Show at Field House, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
Picture taken during Wheeling Musical Steelmakers 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.
Caption on back of photograph reads: "When the Musical Steelmakers are heard each Sunday, starting October 5, over at Station ___ at ___ o'clock these three pretty singers, the Steel Sisters, will help add to the gaiety and tunefulness of the programs. They are, from the left, Lois Mae Nolte, Harriet Drake, and Lucille Bell. Like other members Musical Steelmakers troupe they are either employees in the steel industry or members of employee families." The first all employee broadcast. The Steel Sisters eventually gained so much recognition that they went on tour with Horace Heidt and his orchestra.
Singing Mill Men, Stay In's of "It's Wheeling Steel" Radio Broadcast, Wheeling, W. Va.
Date:
Undated
Description:
Two of the mill men share coffee, still in their work clothes, after receiving a call to come from the mill to the main office for rehearsal right away. They were preparing to go to Chicago for a war bond program. See original photograph for further description.
Wheeling Musical Steelmakers Performance at WVU Field House, Morgantown, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
Picture taken of performance inside of WVU Field House, which was part of the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio program's "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 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.
Caption on back of photograph reads: "Molly Staten and Eleanor Bowman Lynn rehearsed several weeks on their piano duet. They are stenographers from the main office of Wheeling Steel Company." Like all performers and employees on the "It's Wheeling Steel" broadcast, all were also employees or family members of the Wheeling Steel Corporation. They were radio's first all employee only broadcast.
J.L. Grimes and Wheeling Steel Corporation Staff in Production Meeting
Date:
1941/08/18
Description:
Caption on back of photograph reads: "Music and scripts are carefully checked for audience pleasure as J.L. Grimes, general advertising manager for the Wheeling Steel Corporation (in center) and his staff hold a production confab in preparation for the return to the air October 5 of the tuneful "Wheeling Steelmakers" over the NBC-Blue Network." Production staff from left to right: Orchestra leader Tommy Whitley, Maury Longfellow, Ardenne White, Unknown, John Grimes, Unknown, Unknown.
Bill Griffiths of Singing Millmen, Making Miniature Military Equipment
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption on back of photograph reads: "Bill Griffiths makes military equipment during working hours, relaxes in his spare time by duplicating his day's work in miniature. he built the model guns and tanks shown here, and the train that carries them. On Sundays, he's one of the famed "Singing Millmen"." The Singing Millmen were regulars on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast.
Several People Waiting to Audition for 'It's Wheeling Steel' Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption on back of photograph reads: "For headlining appearances, auditions for mill workers and members of their immediate families are held every few weeks at the studios of WWVA. Of course, due to the standard set for our program, all that are auditioned can not be presented. The standard set is inferred to be that of the broadcasting station's, thereby relieving the corporation of discrimination."
Group of Musicians Auditioning for 'It's Wheeling Steel' Program
Date:
Undated
Description:
Everyone pictured is either an employee of the Wheeling Steel Corporation or is an immediate family member of someone who works for them. This family owned and operated broadcast was the first of it's kind and this policy was maintained throughout the broadcast's existence.
Ed Kostillo Headlining 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Ed Kostillo from the pipe mills of the Benwood Works started playing his harmonica to entertain his fellow mill men during lunch hour. Later he won a headliner appearance on the family broadcast with the entire steelmakers orchestra accompanying him.
Ed Kostillo Playing Harmonica for Fellow Mill Men, Benwood, W. Va.
Date:
Undated
Description:
Ed Kostillo from the pipe mills of the Benwood Works started playing his harmonica to entertain his fellow mill men during lunch hour. Later he won a headliner appearance on the family broadcast with the entire steelmakers orchestra accompanying him.
Erma Ellis and Mary Visnick Leading Martins Ferry Band on 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "Erma Ellis and Mary Visnick are employed at the Martins Ferry Factory. When dressed in their uniforms these two comely drum majors lead the way when the Martins Ferry Band marches to the broadcast of "It's Wheeling Steel"."
Yorkville Works Brass Band Preparing to Perform on 'It's Wheeling Steel'
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "The Yorkville Works Brass Band has made several pleasing headliner appearances of the family broadcast. All in their snappy uniforms, thus adding color for the visible audience of "It's Wheeling Steel"."
Bud Dicarlo Warming Up on Accordion With Wheeling Steelmakers Band
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "Bud Dicarlo's father is a steelmaker from the Benwood Works and Bud worked hard on his accordion solo to please his dad and Wheeling Steel's Nation Wide Family."
'Old Timer' John Wincholl and Nicky Conti With Accordion
Date:
Undated
Description:
John Wincholl, Wheeling Steel Co. auditor played the role of the "Old Timer" who became a popular character on the "It's Wheeling Steel" broadcast. He would introduce acts and provide small talk.
Frank Nalepa, Deep Bass of the Millmen Quartette Working With Coal at Steubenville Works
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "Frank Nalepa deep bass of the Millmen Quartette works every day with coal and scales at the Steubenville Works, rushes to the studio four times a week to rehearse, and found time to regularly visit Pittsburgh for voice lessons to improve his broadcast. Quit for Mit Show." The Millmen Quartette were regulars on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast.
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "John Wisvari is a pipe-threader from the Benwood Works, plays violin, and directs his "family" orchestra which he calls "The Polka Kings"." They would perform on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast.
Four Ladies Playing Accordion on 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "Something unique for any broadcast is an accordion quartet of young ladies. The first is Nancy Row, granddaughter of a founder of Wheeling Corrugating, next is a young lady who, together with her brother is employed at Yorkville. Third's father was employed by the corporation. Fourth is a teacher."
Yorkville High School Girls' Glee Club Preparing for Easter Performance on 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "The Yorkville High School Girls' Glee Club, 40 in all added to the enjoyment of the Easter broadcast. All 40 girls have at least one immediate family relationship with corporation employees. Many can claim as many as four immediate family relatives who are Wheeling Steelmakers." The entire broadcast was operated and performed by employees or family members of Wheeling Steel throughout the program's entire duration.
Will Stevenson, Top Tenor of 'The Millmen Quartette', Working at Steubenville Works
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "Will Stevenson, top tenor of The Millmen Quartette is also employed at the Steubenville Works. Like Frank Nalepa, Will had never sung on a radio network before the family broadcast gave him the opportunity." The Millmen Quartette were regular performers on "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast from it's start in 1936.
Val Konyha Playing the Hungarian Cymbalum on Wheeling Steel's Family Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "Val Konyha, a steelmaker from the Yorkville Works brings something unique and different to the family broadcast. Val plays the Hungarian cymbalum, or dulcimer, as we know it, and plays it as well as he handles tin plates."
Walter Schane, Member of 'Singing Millmen', on Phone in Benwood Works Office
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "Walter Schane from the office of the Benwood Works has been a Wheeling Steelmaker for 18 years. His is the fine baritone voice of the Singing Millmen, who sing on the family broadcast every Sunday. On Show since 1936, now in Singing Millmen 1943." The Singing Millmen were performers on the "Wheeling Musical Steelmakers" radio broadcast.
Walter Schane, Member of 'Singing Millmen', at Microphone on 'It's Wheeling Steel'
Date:
Undated
Description:
Walter Schane was the baritone voice of the Singing Millmen and also worked in the office of the Benwood Works. Like all who participated on the radio broadcast, you needed to be an employee or immediate family member of Wheeling Steel.
Croatian Tambouritza Orchestra Playing on 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "The Croatian Tambouritza Orchestra numbers six youthful members, two of whom work for the corporation, the remaining four being children of mill employees." Like all who worked for the broadcast, it was required to be an employee of Wheeling Steel or an immediate family member of an employee.