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It's Wheeling Steel was a musical radio program created by John L. Grimes in 1936 after 6 prior years of planning and persuading company executives. The program was monumental because it was ran fully by the talents of employees or family members of employees. The broadcast promoted both Wheeling Steel's product as well as it's employees who assisted in creating the product. As the program became more and more successful, Grimes began to hire performers with professional backgrounds, like Regina Colbert. However, in order to comply with his rule of an all employee only run program, he would hire these professionals to work in the offices for a period of time. In Colbert's case, she was hired to work as a secretary in the advertising department.

1. Regina Colbert Singing on 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Program

IDNO:
048493
Title:
Regina Colbert Singing on 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Program
Date:
1941/07/25
Description:
It's Wheeling Steel was a musical radio program created by John L. Grimes in 1936 after 6 prior years of planning and persuading company executives. The program was monumental because it was ran fully by the talents of employees or family members of employees. The broadcast promoted both Wheeling Steel's product as well as it's employees who assisted in creating the product. As the program became more and more successful, Grimes began to hire performers with professional backgrounds, like Regina Colbert. However, in order to comply with his rule of an all employee only run program, he would hire these professionals to work in the offices for a period of time. In Colbert's case, she was hired to work as a secretary in the advertising department.

2. Waiting in Line to Audition For "It's Wheeling Steel" Radio Program

IDNO:
048636
Title:
Waiting in Line to Audition For "It's Wheeling Steel" Radio Program
Date:
Undated
The Steel Sisters were popular performers on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast.

3. Steel Sisters Walk Down Aisle at Great Lakes Naval Station, Chicago, IL

IDNO:
048779
Title:
Steel Sisters Walk Down Aisle at Great Lakes Naval Station, Chicago, IL
Date:
ca. 1943
Description:
The Steel Sisters were popular performers on the "It's Wheeling Steel" radio broadcast.

4. Two of the Evans Sisters, Singers on 'It's Wheeling Steel'

IDNO:
048793
Title:
Two of the Evans Sisters, Singers on 'It's Wheeling Steel'
Date:
ca. 1939
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."

5. Musical Steelmakers Informal Rehearsal, Part of Band for 'It's Wheeling Steel' Radio Broadcast

IDNO:
048795
Title:
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."