COLUMN: Songs that helped us through the Good War Sep 30, 2009
In 1938, with the war clouds forming over Europe, Kate Smith reintroduced Irving Berlin s God Bless America ... With the rise of Hitler, Berlin, who was Jewish and a first-generation European immigrant, gave it to Kate Smith who reintroduced it on Armistice Day that year and it became an American standard. (Winchester Star, MA, MA)
Obituary: Les Paul Aug 25, 2009
In the 1940s he played and recorded with all the big names of the era including Nat King Cole, Rudy Val;e and Kate Smith. Dissatisfied with the sound of amplified guitars, he used a piece of railway sleeper to make a solid base for the strings and pickups, producing in this way a unique tone. (The Economist)
Park High School inducts three into Alumni Hall of Fame Jul 14, 2009
Olson also has performed as a soloist and background singer, and traveled on tours throughout the United States with Ray Charles, Judy Garland, Kate Smith and Lena Horne. He has also been active in both the Boy Scouts and Little League in Demarest, N.J., and still performs as a soloist and as conductor of the Men s Chorus of the Upper Valley, which includes many alumni of the Dartmouth Glee Club. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
LOOKING BACK: Do you remember? Jul 2, 2009
Kate Smith sang When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain in many parlors in the 1930s. In our back sifting room, we had a very tall Victrola. (Hingham Journal, MA)
...AND THEN SHE LOST May 31, 2009
susan Boyle will be a great star sn she reminds me of the late Kate Smith who wowed Americans with her rendition of God Bless America. This is a woman whose voice is lasting and even though she came in second has agreat future in singing. (The Drudge Report)
Take it one putt at a time May 30, 2009
Music blaring from loudspeakers inside the Blacksmith shop ranged from Kate Smith belting out "God Bless America" and Elvis doing "Glory, Glory Hallelujah" to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA." There were some creepy sites. My sister found the Native American, whose ankles were shackled, disturbing. (Boston Globe)
She dreamed a dream, and ignited a furor May 2, 2009
The pitch: Youngest of nine children, a lonely little girl, pudding-bodied and potato-faced and brutalized by schoolmates, finds solace in music and the church and her cat Pebbles, lives with her parents until they die, then scores an appearance on a TV talent show wearing no make-up, sensible shoes, the gold lace dress she bought for her nephew's wedding and a cheeky smile, tells the cynical judges that she wants to be like Elaine Paige and the snickering audience expects her to bomb because... (Athens Banner-Herald)
U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for May 1 May 1, 2009
FRIDAY, MAY 1: KATE SMITH ... Today marks the birth anniversary of one of America's great musical talents and child prodigies -- singer Kate Smith, born in Washington, D.C. By age 8, she was singing for the troops in World War I, and went on to become one of the most popular entertainers in the country for decades with her own daily radio shows ... Kate Smith also appeared on television and in the movies, concerts and dozens of recordings. (PR Newswire)
Scottish songbird just what we need Apr 28, 2009
In another difficult time, a less than glamorous singer named Kate Smith lifted hearts and spirits everywhere. These troubled times have brought us a new gift in the voice, the spirit and spunk of Susan Boyle. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
Many thanks for help with diversity fair Apr 28, 2009
We thank Debbie Pumphrey, Colleen Hasselbusch, Roy Gonzalez, Yung Ran Park-Mendoza, Gloria Roka and Berthe Simpson, and Kate Smith and Marc Hall of the TRADOC Culture Center for taking care of business. Special thanks to Augie AJ Biami for a dynamic job as Master of Ceremonies and for providing an array of top notch and very professional performances to the delight of an excited and enthusiastic audience. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
NewFlyers pull series to 2-1 against Pens Apr 20, 2009
" Jared Ross scored his first NHL goal in the third to make it 5-2 and Gagne added his second on an empty-netter with 1:36 left to secure the win. Each team spent so much time fighting in the first period, the penalty box could have used a corner man. Philadelphia's Scott Hartnell stuck up for a flattened Kimmo Timonen when he threw punches at Chris Kunitz. Kunitz landed a flying elbow hard into Timonen's head and sent him to the ice. Flyers defenseman Andrew Alberts scuffled with Malkin on the... (Florida Times-Union)
Flyers top Penguins, trail series 2-1 Apr 20, 2009
The 19,975 fans, many sporting orange T-shirts, roared when Lauren Hart, the daughter of longtime former Flyers broadcaster Gene Hart, sang "God Bless America," alternating lyrics with the late Kate Smith, who was appearing on a video image. Smith's rendition of the song has been a rallying anthem for the Flyers since the mid-1970s, and the team uses the song sparingly. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Was the Great Depression Good for Us? Apr 14, 2009
"What Mark Skousen says in 'Brother Can You Spare a Decade?' is beside the point. Millions of people were jobless, hungry, and in despair during the Depression. The fact that songs were written or scientific discoveries were made doesn't mitigate the suffering. Does the work of Socrates mitigate the effects of the tyranny that executed him? Do the discoveries of Galileo offset the Roman Inquisition? Do the works of Shakespeare compensate for the expulsion of the Jews from England? Does the first... (Human Events Online)
E-Free Church Home residents celebrate 1930s week Apr 1, 2009
Moving on to Tuesday, March 24, residents took part in the "Sights, Sounds and Tastes of the 1930s, where staff and volunteers provided the residents with the chance to sample foods that were created during that timeframe, including Spam, Ritz crackers, Fritos corn chips, Twinkies, 3 Musketeers candy bars and Royal Crown Cola. Another highlight of the day that Bell said residents thoroughly enjoyed was a lip sync show in which staff and volunteers dressed like famous entertainers of the '30s,... (Mid Iowa Enterprise, IA)
Curt Smith: The end of a special relationship with England? Mar 17, 2009
Presenting the singer Kate Smith to his majesty, Franklin Roosevelt said, This is America. Next year defined Britain. (Medfield Press, MA)
On Your Mind Feb 16, 2009
JB wrote on Feb 9, 2009 8:51 AM:" Re the singing of our Anthem and other patriotic songs....right on!! When one of these so-called "singers" comes on with their stupid versions, I tune out. Give me Kate Smith again PLEASE. ". Obamas appointments wrote on Feb 9, 2009 8:27 AM:" Don't you think it would be rather hard for Obama (or any one else) to appoint anyone who *wasn't* crooked? Surely you're not ignorant enough to think there are honest politicians. The very definition of politician... (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
'Irving Berlin's 'I Love a Piano' is at Arena Stage in Washington (Last modified: 02/05/09) Feb 7, 2009
The first act closes with a rousing rendition of "God Bless America," with Emily Mattheson doing a creditable imitation of Kate Smith. The second act focuses on the postwar years and includes "Easter Parade," "The Girl That I Marry," "There's No Business Like Show Business" and "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" from "Annie Get Your Gun.". (Fredericksburg.com, VA)
