Ray Merrell
11-10-11, 07:48 AM
"Kate Smith becamethe highest-paid performer in radio. But her real glory years came during World War II.
During those trying times, she was a tireless morale booster on the home front, moving crowds to patriotic fervor with her heartfelt versionof GOD BLESS AMERICA. She took her show on the road, entertaining at nearly every major military base..and she paid all the ecpenses herself!
In addition, her radio bond drives sold $600 million worth of War Bonds, which became a never-matched record for any celebrity.
After the war, television gradually became more popular than radio. Crities predicted that Kate would never succeed on television because of her weight...but they were wrong. With the wink of an eye and a disarmomg smile, she won over a whole new generation."
During those trying times, she was a tireless morale booster on the home front, moving crowds to patriotic fervor with her heartfelt versionof GOD BLESS AMERICA. She took her show on the road, entertaining at nearly every major military base..and she paid all the ecpenses herself!
In addition, her radio bond drives sold $600 million worth of War Bonds, which became a never-matched record for any celebrity.
After the war, television gradually became more popular than radio. Crities predicted that Kate would never succeed on television because of her weight...but they were wrong. With the wink of an eye and a disarmomg smile, she won over a whole new generation."