In case you don't know it, this is the person that is referred to as "The Fat Lady" in the trite verbalization of "It's not over till the fat lady sings." Kate Smith was born and grew up in Columbia, Missouri .In early 1940, Kate Smith, a fiercely patriotic American and the biggest star on radio, was deeply worried about her country.
She asked Irving Berlin if he could give her a song that would re-ignite the spirit of American patriotism and faith. He said he had a song that he had written in 1917, but never used it. He said she could have it.
She sat at the piano & played it and realized how good it was. She called Mr. Berlin and told him that she couldn't take this from him for nothing. So, they agreed that any money that would be made off the song would be donated to the Boy Scouts of America .
Thanks to Kate Smith and Irving Berlin, the Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties.
This clip is from the movie "You're in the Army Now. You will see a familiar face in this one.
Frank Sinatra said that when Kate Smith, whom he considered the greatest singer of his age, first sang this song on the radio, a million guys got "dust" in their eyes and had to wipe the tears the "dust" caused.
Sit back and enjoy a real Star (click on the photo to watch).
3 comments:
I second whatever the previous commenter said. Happy 4th Bob!
and she sings at Phila Flyers home games
Anyone who has ever visited Merimac Caverns near St.Louis will remember Kate's rendition of "God Bless America" at the end of the tour, in front of the great flowstone wall.
I think the tape finally "gave up the ghost" and they had to re-record with someone else, but I haven't been there in 30 years....
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