Verdi Gwynn Howell, Machinist in Wheeling's Tin Mill, and Saxophonist in Steelmaker's Orchestra
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "Verdi Gwynn Howell, machinist in Wheeling's tin mill at Yorkville, Ohio. Howell, born in Wales came to the U.S. in 1926. He was the first saxophonist in the Steelmaker's Orchestra. Howell played a solo on one "It's Wheeling Steel" broadcast which his mother in Wales listened to over a U.S. station."
Verdi Howells Operating Machinery in Yorkville, OH
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "Verdi Howells is a machinist at Yorkville, is first saxophonist of The Musical Steelmakers Orchestra, has saved the money made while broadcasting for the corporation, and will go home to visit his mother in Wales this summer." He was an orchestra member since 1936 to November 1943. All participants on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast were required to be employees of Wheeling Steel Corporation or immediate family members.
John Wisvari Threading Pipes at Benwood Works, Benwood, W. Va.
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photo reads: "John Wisvari is a pipe-threader from the Benwood Works, plays violin, and directs his "Family" orchestra which he calls "The Polka Kings"." The Polka Kings were musicians who played on "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast.
'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast Performer, Regina Colbert, Singing at the Microphone
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption on back of photograph reads: "Regina Colbert is the program's "Singing Secretary", and she lives up to both halves of the title. Featured soloist on Sundays, she is part of the company's secretarial staff weekdays." It was a requirement set by Wheeling Steel Corporation advertising executive John L. Grimes, that the radio broadcast stay an exclusively all employee program. Therefore, Colbert who was not at the time an employee or immediate family member, was hired to work as secretary in the advertising department to maintain this rule.
Caption on back of photograph reads: "Typical Wheeling family, the Evans household has an extra incentive to keep war production rolling. Brother Bill is in the Navy, serving in the South Pacific, and the arrival of a letter from him is a big event in the Evans home. The father, has been a steel roller for 29 years."
Lew Davies, Conductor and Composer of the Musical Steelmarkers Orchestra
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption on back of photograph reads: "Lew Davies, conductor of the "Musical Steelmakers" orchestra and chorus, writes most of the musical arrangements himself. Helping him in this department are John Hahle, guitarist; Maury Longfellow of the production staff; and Gene Ahlers, trumpeter." The Musical Steelmakers were the orchestra who performed on Wheeling Steel Co.'s radio broadcast "It's Wheeling Steel", an all employee broadcast used to advertise both Wheeling Steel's product offerings as well as their large staff.
Portsmouth Works Male Chorus, Headliners on 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Caption accompanying photograph reads: "Here is the Portsmouth Works Male chorus who headline on the family broadcast now from their home town. Organized about the time the family broadcast started, interest has increased due to the opportunity of a nation wide outlet for their talent."
Dave Kemp Singing Bass on 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast
Date:
Undated
Description:
Like all who perform or worked on the "It's Wheeling Steel" Radio Broadcast, Dave Kemp was employed by the company at the Steubenville Works. It was a requirement to be employed or to be an immediate family member of the Wheeling Steel Corporation in order to work on the radio broadcast. This way they could advertise both the company's products as well as it's employees talents, which created a family environment.
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.
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.
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.
Steel Sisters at 'Buy a Bomber' Show, Parkersburg, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
In order to support war efforts, "It's Wheeling Steel" took to the road in 1943 to perform shows in various cities through West Virginia. The goal was to encourage each city to buy enough defense bonds to purchase a bomber. The Steel Sisters were popular performers on the show. At one point they left the broadcast to pursue bigger opportunities by touring with Horace Heidt and his orchestra.
'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."
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."
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."
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.
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 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!"
