A morale booster Nov 3, 2008
Tonight's 90-minute flick stars Berlin and Kate Smith as themselves (yes, Smith sings "God Bless America"), and Ronald Reagan as Johnny Jones. 6 p.m. Free. (Boston Globe)
TV's Buffalo Bob Smith Oct 19, 2008
That led to his joining the group the Hi-Hatters, who toured the country with Kate Smith. Bob Smith and Howdy Doody. (Suite101.com)
10 things to do this weekend Sep 12, 2008
Jesse Helms award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Kate Smith in Raleigh, N.C. LISTEN. Vocalist Jeanne Scherkenbach channels Kate Smith as part of the Chicago Cultural Center's Tribute series. Head to the Claudia Cassidy Theater for a recreation of the 1950's fave, the "KATE SMITH HOUR." Songs performed include "God Bless America" and "The White Cliffs of Dover." Sept. 13, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Free, reservations required. (Crain's Chicago Business)
SanFilippo: Spectrum farewell might shed 88 tears Aug 28, 2008
Sometimes they have been criticized for hanging onto things for far too long - namely the Broad Street Bullies moniker, or trotting out Kate Smith singing "God Bless America" one too many hundreds of times. Of course, their fans love it. (The Delaware County Times, PA)
Column: Norwells Greatest Generation faces World War II Jul 26, 2008
On Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1938, songstress Kate Smith reintroduced on her radio show a song that composer Irving Berlin had quickly written from a World War I Army show as a failed effort. For this occasion, Berlin had written a new opening stanza for God Bless America While the war clouds gather far across the sea, let us all swear allegiance to a land that is free. (Norwell Mariner, MA)
Snider makes it official: Spectrum coming down Jul 16, 2008
The place where the Flyers were serenaded by Kate Smith on their way to winning the Stanley Cup, and where a generation of music fans were introduced to acts like Billy Joel and some skinny kid from New Jersey by the name of Bruce Springsteen, has a date with the wrecker's ball. Our Flyers beat reporter, Anthony SanFilippo, first reported that the old brick building will make way for a luxury hotel, one of the centerpieces of a huge sports-retail-nightlife development to be called "Philly Live."... (The Delaware County Times, PA)
Penguins just one win away from the Stanley Cup finals May 14, 2008
Before the game, the Flyers broke out a tape of the late Kate Smith singing "God Bless America," and paired segments of it with a live performance by Lauren Hart, their usual pre-game singer. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, once the game began, it again had to rely on a defense corps that, with Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn injured, has puck skills and mobility rivaling those of Smith. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Up for Air: Show your support for Rockys loo Apr 17, 2008
Where is Kate Smith when we need her. It would be really better if they played her wonderful old recoding of God Bless America for every game. (Marblehead Reporter, MA)
Briere outshines Ovechkin as Flyers win Apr 16, 2008
The fans erupted when Lauren Hart, the daughter of longtime former Flyers broadcaster Gene Hart, sang God Bless America, alternating lyrics with Kate Smith, who was on a video image. Smiths rendition of the song has been a rallying anthem for the Flyers since the mid 1970s. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Berlin’s tunes beckon listeners to spring Apr 11, 2008
Kate Smith introduced the song God Bless America, on Armistice day 1938. Her lookalike sang it to the Heyde Center crowd on Tuesday. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Pa. Maple Festival pays tribute to Mother Nature’s gift Mar 28, 2008
It all started when the ever-popular American songstress, Kate Smith, who in 1947 on her daily noontime broadcast, mentioned that she would appreciate a taste of some good Vermont maple syrup. Seeing this as a challenge, some local townspeople sent the radio star a sample of Somerset County s maple syrup. (Somerset Daily American, PA)
Pete Harden is a spinner of stories from his own long, fascinating life Mar 23, 2008
"I met singer Kate Smith," he said. "I was on traffic duty near the stage door to the Metropolitan Opera. I sang for her as I escorted her across the street. She recommended me to Rudolph Bing, manager of the opera house, 'There's a policeman out there who has a good voice. Maybe you could use him.'". (Courier Publications, ME)
Gloria Baker, 84, composed Christmas hit as peace plea Mar 17, 2008
It has been recorded most famously by Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Robert Goulet, Johnny Mathis, and the Harry Simeone Chorale, as well as by Pat Boone, Glen Campbell, Kenny G, Bob Hope, Whitney Houston, Mahalia Jackson, Jim Nabors, Kate Smith, John Tesh, the Tropical Flavor Steel Drum Band, and the US Air Force Symphony Orchestra, among hundreds of others. Gloria Adele Shain was born in Brookline on Sept. 4, 1923; she changed the spelling of her last name early in her career. (Boston Globe)
Lobbyists find more ways to bond with lawmakers Jan 31, 2008
Kate Smith, who hosted at least 29 fundraisers last year near the Capitol as the PAC director for the American Council of Life Insurers, said the gatherings present "a quality opportunity to be able to discuss your issues.". Convenient access doesn't come cheap. (USA Today)
Long, witty line of Jewish comedians Dec 29, 2007
Youngman's big break came in 1937 when he was booked on the popular radio show "The Kate Smith Hour" and overstayed his welcome by two years. He tried movies, but his rapid-fire style was better suited for the club circuit, and, over the next 40 years, he averaged over 200 performances a year. (CNN -- Showbiz)
Well dream of a white Christmas if youll shovel us out Dec 18, 2007
Kate Smith made it a regular on her radio show. Even today, some citizens stand and hold a hand over their hearts as if it were the national hymn. (Braintree Forum, MA)
Remembering the 1930-1940 era Nov 30, 2007
Tommy or Jimmy Dorsey's Band, Duke Ellington's Band, Kate Smith, Fibber McGee and Molly, Burns and Allen, "The Green Hornet," Edgar Bergen and Charley McCarthy on The Chase and Sanborn program, Jack Armstrong the All American Boy, and The Lone Ranger. Did you listen to the "War of the Worlds" in 1938. (Atlantic News-Telegraph, IO)
Click for Full Story Nov 10, 2007
In 1938, Kate Smith first sang Irving Berlin's "God Bless America" on her CBS radio program, which aired Thursdays. In 1954, the Iwo Jima Memorial was dedicated by President Eisenhower in Arlington, Virginia. (KWTX.com, TX)
Show some character: Halloween a treat for alter egos Oct 18, 2007
Metro area residents Brighton Goode (from left) dresses as Marilyn Monroe, Bret Keny dons a Capt. Jack Sparrow outfit and Mary Kate Smith turns into Wonder Woman. The sinister sound of organ music vibrates through the store. (The Clarion-Ledger)
New on DVD: Ken Burns delivers his 'War' Oct 5, 2007
Extras, extras: None, per se, but on the Hank Williams Jr. segment, they run the entire Hey, Good Lookin' kinescope of Hank Sr. on a 1952 Kate Smith variety show. Bravo. (USA Today -- Life)
A wide spectrum of Berlin Sep 28, 2007
Roderick also works in routines that reference Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers during "The Best Things Happen When You're Dancing," as well as the famous hobo scene performed by Astaire and Judy Garland for "We're a Couple of Swells." He stages the big act one finish with Shook doing her imitation of Kate Smith singing "God Bless America.". The star of this production is the nine-piece band, under the direction of Newton native Alex LeFevre. (Boston Globe)
More of this story Aug 23, 2007
Her voice reminded me so much of the voice of Kate Smith ... I can still hear that great announcing voice of Ted Collins saying, "Ladies and Gentlemen, it's the Kate Smith Show." Then she would immediately go into that ever so famous theme song "When The Moon Comes Over The Mountain." She also popularized the song "God Bless America," which Congress was asked several times to consider as the National Anthem. (Atmore Advance, AL)
Old scandal casts a long shadow Aug 10, 2007
As a player, he was Duquesne University's first basketball All-American and an early basketball barnstormer whose New York Celtics were subsidized by singer Kate Smith. But as a coach, Paul Birch was as old-school as Wackford Squeers, the Draconian boarding school sadist created by Charles Dickens. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
HERITAGE FAIR 2007: AFTER CLOUDY START, FESTIVAL SHINES Jul 6, 2007
The crowd then sang along with a recording of Kate Smith s iconic version of God Bless America. The official opening of the fair, along with Friday-night performances by nostalgia master Walt Wise and perennial local favorite Ronnie Dove, turned the damp afternoon into a festive evening, and the fair as we have come to know it was under way. (Dundalk Eagle, MD)
The sparks that light up July 4 Jul 3, 2007
Two perennial tunes that will be back again this year are Lee Greenwood's "Proud to Be an American" and "God Bless America" by Kate Smith. "There's definitely a strong element of patriotism to the show," Golub said. (Albany Times Union)
The swing shift Jun 19, 2007
Another fan, Herbert D. Howard, took fountain pen to paper in his Mount Airy home to write that Jackson's playing in December of "Christmas Eve in My Home Town," by Kate Smith, had "brought back a flood of memories.". "I tell everyone about your show and even call them just before it begins to remind them," wrote Howard, who, like many of Jackson's fans, included a song request -- Ella Fitzgerald and the Ink Spots, with "I'm Making Believe.". (SunSpot.net)
Ray Bloch was known as ‘The Flower of the Musical World’ Jun 17, 2007
If your earlier TV memory is good, you might recall his name connected to Ed Sullivan s Toast of the Town program (that was his show s original name), NBC s Kate Smith Evening Hour and, of course, Jackie Gleason s show at least for a while; I think Sammy Spear took over in later years. A CBS press release mentioned something about operatic soprano Dorothy Kirsten I never heard before. (The Citizen's Voice, PA)
Firstborn King child's death stuns loved ones May 17, 2007
When she was rejected, she formed her own production company," said Elisabeth Omilami, the daughter of King aide Hosea Williams and also an actress herself. Yolanda King gave one of her last speeches on Saturday evening in Langhorne, Pa., at St. Mary Medical Center. She was the keynote speaker at the Gospel Music Night for Stroke Awareness sponsored in part by the American Stroke Association, said hospital spokeswoman Kate Smith. Smith said King's message was simple: Everyone has the... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
PRETTY FOR THE PROM Apr 30, 2007
"Parents and teens worry about the dangers of drinking and driving on prom night, but not the danger of all the products they are putting on their bodies," said Kate Smith, a member of the Marin coalition. After hearing that the Food and Drug Administration did not regulate what goes into cosmetics, the freshman at San Domenico School said she switched from department store makeup lines to Jane Iredale, a mineral-based one. (San Francisco Chronicle)
World War II and the American spirit Apr 14, 2007
All the way to the plant we sang popular war songs such as "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition," "The White Cliffs of Dover," "Heil! Heil! Right in der Fuhrer's Face" and the greatest song to come out of the war "We'll Meet Again." During working time the plant PA. System would sometimes play other patriotic songs such as Kate Smith singing "God Bless America" and then ask for volunteers to work straight through a double shift. Of course, we volunteered and if Kate Smith sang again we... (Black Hills Pioneer, SD)
Hostage fears over troops seized by Iran Mar 24, 2007
Britain s crisis with Iran deepened last night after Tehran justified seizing 15 British servicemen by claiming that they had strayed into Iranian territorial waters illegally. The announcement appeared to rule out any hope that the incident was a simple mistake that could be quickly rectified. (Times Online)
Don Newbury column: Imbedded music can result in a big headache 03-20-2007 Mar 21, 2007
It s one thing to have our beings imbedded with melodies like Climb Every Mountain, Wind Beneath My Wings, George Beverly Shea belting out How Great Thou Art and Kate Smith stirring our souls with God Bless America. Let s also make room for Guy Lombardo s Auld Lang Syne. (Plainview Daily Herald, TX)
UConn Idol: The Search For A Star Begins Feb 12, 2007
Contestant Kate Smith, a 4th-semester acting major, was there because she thought, "It'd be a fun experience.". Others were there simply to meet people. (The Daily Campus, CT)
Rosemont School of the Holy Child Expands Cyber Communication Jan 20, 2007
" The school administration formulated a Web Planning Committee, chaired by Breslin. Members were Tina Abate (Development Assistant), Robin Beaver (Instructional Technology Specialist), Debbie Cumberland (Parents' Liaison), Helen Gallagher (Director of Academic Affairs), Jill Brignola and Daniella Gardner '93 (Directors of Alumni/Annual Giving), Lisa Maniscalco (Director of Finance), Carole Manley (Director of Development), Maribeth McCallion (Athletics' Director) and Kate Smith (former Director... (Holmes Media Town Talk News, PA)
