This story was published in Radio Recall, the journal of the Metropolitan Washington Old-Time Radio Club, published six times per year.
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REVEILLE WITH BEVERLY:
MUSIC FOR G.I. JOES
by Jack French
(From Radio Recall, June 2008)
One of the most popular broadcasts for military personnel in WW II was Reveille With Beverly. It began in 1941, airing six days a week, all starting at 5:30 AM. Jean Ruth was at the microphone of Mutual's KFEL in Denver, CO. This young lady had volunteered for this job, playing popular music, initially for only the soldiers at nearby Fort Logan.
The immediate popularity of her show resulted in a TIME magazine article about her (Jan '42) and shortly thereafter she was hired to bring her show to KNX in Los Angeles. Within a few months, AFRS began airing her show in 54 countries around the world, continuing until 1944.
However the 1943 mini-musical film starring Ann Miller had little resemblance to Jean or her radio show, even though Jean was brought on as an advisor. The movie included Frank Sinatra and several big bands of that era.
After WW II, Jean continued in radio in Santa Barbara , CA and for a while was the voice of The Pillsbury Homemaker. She married attorney John Hay, and retired in Northern California. Jean Ruth Hay died on September 18, 2004.
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