Thank you for the mention, Robert. I'm a "C" Cathy rather than a "K" Kathy. To help people remember how to spell my name I say think Catherine the Great and King Lear (so they spell Learoyd with an "a" in it rather than Leroy). My thoughts tonight go to reminiscing on a special moment in my life. How many times in one's life do you have…
Thank you for the mention, Robert. I'm a "C" Cathy rather than a "K" Kathy. To help people remember how to spell my name I say think Catherine the Great and King Lear (so they spell Learoyd with an "a" in it rather than Leroy). My thoughts tonight go to reminiscing on a special moment in my life. How many times in one's life do you have the opportunity to accompany Kate Smith as she sings God Bless America on national television? It came out of a very sad tragedy. In October, 1970, a plane crash over the Rockies took the lives of 31 people, one of two planes carrying the Wichita State University football team to a game in Nevada. I was a music major at WSU, a violinist in the university orchestra. Two weeks after the WSU crash Marshall University suffered a similar plane crash with their football team. So, a Night of Stars was arranged as a fundraiser for the families who had lost their loved ones of both universities. "The telethon, which was broadcast on Nov. 28, 1970, was spearheaded and emceed by Monty Hall hn ’71, star and producer of the TV show “Let’s Make a Deal.” Bill Cosby, Mac Davis, Leif Erickson, Phil Ford, Mimi Hines, George Gobel, Humble Pie, Marilyn Maye, Minnie Pearl, the Young Americans, Lou Rawls and Kate Smith made personal appearances." https://the-shocker.wichita.edu/story.php?eid=66&id=1888#.Y0EQhUzMJD8 The WSU orchestra accompanied the singers on the program. We rehearsed in the basketball stadium on that Saturday afternoon. On a break we could look out the windows at the scoreboard of the football stadium where the first game after the tragedy was being played. They allowed freshmen to fill out the football squad. WSU lost that game but certainly had the full support of the community and even the nation. The basketball stadium was packed that night. Kate Smith ended the program with God Bless America. The program was taped and aired later that evening so all of us who had performed went over to the country club (the university had recently bought the country club adjacent to the university) and watched the broadcast together. Can you imagine the chills of patriotism that runs up and down your spine as the sound of your violin supports such a beautiful iconic voice? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmfeNq5x5aQ Enjoy. We, the People, all of us this time.
No apology needed, Robert. And, yes, it is impressive that you spelled my last name correctly. Thank you many times over for your optimism -- which I share -- about America's near future and beyond. Yes, democracy's freedom and its inclusion of all of us will win especially when we have forums like Today's Edition to help bring us all together.
Ah, yes, thank you for the mention. The feel of this forum, set by your own example, is especially welcoming. One feels like there is a range of opinions but a willingness to share, listen and learn and I do so love to learn!
Later in her life Kate Smith sang “ God. Less America” at the Philadelphia Flyers Stanley Cup event and the Flyers won and they continued playing her song and video for many years after her death. She sang the song the way it was intended when it was created.
Thank you for the mention, Robert. I'm a "C" Cathy rather than a "K" Kathy. To help people remember how to spell my name I say think Catherine the Great and King Lear (so they spell Learoyd with an "a" in it rather than Leroy). My thoughts tonight go to reminiscing on a special moment in my life. How many times in one's life do you have the opportunity to accompany Kate Smith as she sings God Bless America on national television? It came out of a very sad tragedy. In October, 1970, a plane crash over the Rockies took the lives of 31 people, one of two planes carrying the Wichita State University football team to a game in Nevada. I was a music major at WSU, a violinist in the university orchestra. Two weeks after the WSU crash Marshall University suffered a similar plane crash with their football team. So, a Night of Stars was arranged as a fundraiser for the families who had lost their loved ones of both universities. "The telethon, which was broadcast on Nov. 28, 1970, was spearheaded and emceed by Monty Hall hn ’71, star and producer of the TV show “Let’s Make a Deal.” Bill Cosby, Mac Davis, Leif Erickson, Phil Ford, Mimi Hines, George Gobel, Humble Pie, Marilyn Maye, Minnie Pearl, the Young Americans, Lou Rawls and Kate Smith made personal appearances." https://the-shocker.wichita.edu/story.php?eid=66&id=1888#.Y0EQhUzMJD8 The WSU orchestra accompanied the singers on the program. We rehearsed in the basketball stadium on that Saturday afternoon. On a break we could look out the windows at the scoreboard of the football stadium where the first game after the tragedy was being played. They allowed freshmen to fill out the football squad. WSU lost that game but certainly had the full support of the community and even the nation. The basketball stadium was packed that night. Kate Smith ended the program with God Bless America. The program was taped and aired later that evening so all of us who had performed went over to the country club (the university had recently bought the country club adjacent to the university) and watched the broadcast together. Can you imagine the chills of patriotism that runs up and down your spine as the sound of your violin supports such a beautiful iconic voice? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmfeNq5x5aQ Enjoy. We, the People, all of us this time.
Sorry about the misspelling, but I did the list from memory and am impressed that I got your last name correct!
No apology needed, Robert. And, yes, it is impressive that you spelled my last name correctly. Thank you many times over for your optimism -- which I share -- about America's near future and beyond. Yes, democracy's freedom and its inclusion of all of us will win especially when we have forums like Today's Edition to help bring us all together.
Ah, yes, thank you for the mention. The feel of this forum, set by your own example, is especially welcoming. One feels like there is a range of opinions but a willingness to share, listen and learn and I do so love to learn!
What a great experience, Cathy with a C!
Later in her life Kate Smith sang “ God. Less America” at the Philadelphia Flyers Stanley Cup event and the Flyers won and they continued playing her song and video for many years after her death. She sang the song the way it was intended when it was created.
💙🎻🇺🇸