Happy September - where did the summer go?


Famous Smiths

Who was Kathryn Elizabeth Smith (b. 1907, d. 1986)



Photo from Wikipedia

Kate Smith (Kathryn Elizabeth Smith) has been honored by every President from Roosevelt, who called her an "American treasure", to Reagan, who gave her the highest civilian award in the nation, the Medal of Freedom. She was called the First Lady of Song by her peers. Kate Smith was the very embodiment of the American spirit. Her popularity and her music transcended a half century, all the way from vaudeville to soft rock. She introduced over six hundred popular songs. More than twenty of her records were million sellers.

Kate’s most notable recording was God Bless America. This song was recorded by Bing Crosby, Barry Wood, Gene Autry, and Horace Heidt's orchestra, but it is destined to be associated with Kate Smith, giving her a certain immortality http://katesmith.org/

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Smith provides an article on Kate Smith that links to a 1942 radio show - Command Performance (March 13, 1942) with Kate Smith and Henny Youngman that may be of interest.

An upcoming coming Beagle Log topic will highlight one of Kate’s English contemporaries. You have a few days to think about it.