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John L. Grimes was advertising executive of Wheeling Steel Corporation and was responsible for the creation of the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast in 1936. In 1941 the show was picked up by the National Broadcasting Company's Blue Network, as it grew in popularity. The Steel Sisters and The Musical Steelmakers were regulars on the broadcast. The Steel Sisters became so popular that they eventually left the show to tour with Horace Heidt and his orchestra. In 1943 the show took to the road throughout several cities in West Virginia to put on "Buy a Bomber" themed shows, where the host cities were challenged to buy enough enough Defense Bonds to purchase a medium or large sized bomber. Cities who accomplished the challenge would get their name placed on the plane as it flew to battle.

1. John L. Grimes Introducing the Steel Sisters, Performing With The Musical Steelmakers Band at Bond Drive, Fairmont, W. Va.

IDNO:
048548
Title:
John L. Grimes Introducing the Steel Sisters, Performing With The Musical Steelmakers Band at Bond Drive, Fairmont, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
John L. Grimes was advertising executive of Wheeling Steel Corporation and was responsible for the creation of the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast in 1936. In 1941 the show was picked up by the National Broadcasting Company's Blue Network, as it grew in popularity. The Steel Sisters and The Musical Steelmakers were regulars on the broadcast. The Steel Sisters became so popular that they eventually left the show to tour with Horace Heidt and his orchestra. In 1943 the show took to the road throughout several cities in West Virginia to put on "Buy a Bomber" themed shows, where the host cities were challenged to buy enough enough Defense Bonds to purchase a medium or large sized bomber. Cities who accomplished the challenge would get their name placed on the plane as it flew to battle.
John L. Grimes was advertising executive of Wheeling Steel Corporation and was responsible for the creation of the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast in 1936. In 1941 the show was picked up by the National Broadcasting Company's Blue Network, as it grew in popularity (as evident by the microphone stands). In 1943 the show took to the road throughout several cities in West Virginia to put on "Buy a Bomber" themed shows, where the host cities were challenged to buy enough enough Defense Bonds to purchase a medium or large sized bomber. Cities who accomplished the challenge would get their name placed on the plane as it flew to battle.

2. John L. Grimes Introducing Three Young Boys on Stage With The Musical Steelmakers Band at Bond Drive, Fairmont, W. Va.

IDNO:
048549
Title:
John L. Grimes Introducing Three Young Boys on Stage With The Musical Steelmakers Band at Bond Drive, Fairmont, W. Va.
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
John L. Grimes was advertising executive of Wheeling Steel Corporation and was responsible for the creation of the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast in 1936. In 1941 the show was picked up by the National Broadcasting Company's Blue Network, as it grew in popularity (as evident by the microphone stands). In 1943 the show took to the road throughout several cities in West Virginia to put on "Buy a Bomber" themed shows, where the host cities were challenged to buy enough enough Defense Bonds to purchase a medium or large sized bomber. Cities who accomplished the challenge would get their name placed on the plane as it flew to battle.
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.

3. 'It's Wheeling Steel' Cast Including Steel Sisters and WVU ROTC in Front of Boreman Hall, Morgantown, W. Va.

IDNO:
048643
Title:
'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.
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.

4. "It's Wheeling Steel" Cast Including Steel Sisters and WVU ROTC in Front of Boreman Hall, Morgantown, W. Va.

IDNO:
048645
Title:
"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.
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.

5. "It's Wheeling Steel" Cast on Street in Front of Boreman Hall, Morgantown, W. Va.

IDNO:
048647
Title:
"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.