On June 3, 1942, "Gray Ladies" from Fort Lewis presented the first of a series of afternoon radio request programs at station KMO, located in the Keyes building. The programs were being given for the patients at Fort Lewis. The Gray Ladies were part of the Red Cross Hospital and Recreation Service; the Gray Lady nickname referred to their gray uniform. The people pictured appeared in the first week's program. Around piano: Mrs. E.P. McCormick, Dorothy Nelson and Lawrence Christiansen on guitar. Pictured standing, left to right, Mrs. A.O. Fay, Louise Foster, Virginia Meyer, Iris DeRocher, Emery Asbury, Marthajean Sandin, Milton J. Evans, Donna McCormick, Mrs. A.W. Paulsen, Mrs. C.F. Grover and Mildred K. Moore. (T. Times 6/4/1942, pg. 9)

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Radio stations--Tacoma; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma);

Informal portrait of Verne Sawyer, chief announcer of KMO radio, at studio microphone. KMO studio was located in the Keyes building.

Radio broadcasting--Tacoma; Sawyer, Verne; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma);

Informal portrait of girl at desk in KMO Radio station.

College of Puget Sound Associated Students at KMO Radio, located in the Keyes Building. The Campus Workshop of the Conservatory of Music was presenting a program entitled "America Sings" under the direction of Leoard Jacobsen. Singers pictured left to right are Mel Novikoff, Don Robins, George Lutz, Paul Pruitt, Mary Kay Hager, Paul Raymond, Marion Clendeman, Sam Batt, Thelma Smith, Art Hansen, Peggy Doubek, Betty Heidinger Smith and Carol Webb on the piano. (T.Times 2/19/1943 p.5)

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Singers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pianos;

This photograph from March of 1944 shows Verne Sawyer, the chief announcer for KMO radio, reading copy. KMO's studios were on Broadway in the Keyes Building. KMO Radio first began broadcasting in 1922. Under owner and manager, Carl E. Haymond, the station joined the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1937. ALBUM 7.

Radio broadcasting--Tacoma; Sawyer, Verne; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma);

Motion picture actress Janis Paige, left of center, signs autographs for awe-struck children at KMO Studios. Miss Paige appeared at the radio station while visiting her home town. After graduating from Stadium High School, Donna Mae Jaden left Tacoma for Hollywood where she became a popular and successful "movie star" as Janis Paige. She had begun a singing career at age 5 in local amateur shows. It was only natural that she became a vocalist with the Hollywood Canteen, a studio-sponsored club for servicemen. Coincidentally, her first feature film upon being signed by Warner Brothers was entitled "Hollywood Canteen." (1944). She also appeared on Broadway with her most successful hit, the Tony award winner, The Pajama Game. From the 1950's onward, Miss Paige appeared on many television programs, including It's Always Jan and more recently, Eight is Enough and All in the Family. ALBUM 5.

Actresses; Paige, Janis; Jaden, Donna Mae; Autographing--Tacoma; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Celebrity touring--Tacoma--1940-1950

Actress Janis Paige at KMO radio studios in the Keyes Building at 914 1/2 Broadway. the man on the left is Jerry Geehan, General Manager of KMO. Donna Mae Jaden left Tacoma after high school for Hollywood where she developed a successful acting career in motion pictures under the name Janis Paige. After graduation from high school, Miss Paige journeyed to Los Angeles and was signed by Warner Brothers. Her first feature film was 1944's Hollywood Canteen. She was married to actor Jackie Cooper and later, composer Ray Gilbert. ALBUM 5.

Paige, Janis; Jaden, Donna Mae; Geehan, Jerry; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actresses; Celebrity touring--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Actress Janis Paige returns to her hometown, Tacoma, signing autographs for children at KMO Studios. Children appear to be service dependents. Born Donna Mae Jaden, Miss Paige traveled to Hollywood following her graduation from Stadium High School. First starting out as a vocalist for the studio-sponsored servicemen's club, the Hollywood Canteen, she was then signed by Warner Brothers Studio. She appeared in three films that were released in 1946, including Of Human Bondage. A versatile performer, she also appeared on Broadway in the popular hits Remains to Be Seen with then-husband Jackie Cooper and later The Pajama Game. Television attracted many stars, including Miss Paige, who appeared in the Bob Hope Chevy Show, the Milton Berle Show, and perhaps most memorably, as a waitress in All in the Family who shares an attraction with Archie Bunker. ALBUM 5. TPL-10372

Paige, Janis; Jaden, Donna Mae; Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Actresses; Celebrity touring--Tacoma--1940-1950; Autographing--Tacoma;

In April of 1946, while visiting her parents, Arlene Dahl stopped by the KMO Studios in the Keyes Building on Broadway. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Dahl lived at 4815 No. 10th St. and had been residents of Tacoma for approximately two years. There are many Dahl cousins in Tacoma, Parkland and Seattle. The redheaded MGM actress was born in Minnesota. Her first film was entitled "The Bride Goes Wild". Known for her glamour roles, she appeared in several swashbucklers: "Caribbean", "Sangaree" and "Bengal Brigade". Her best known performances were in "Three Little Words" (1950), "Slightly Scarlet" (1956), and "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1959). Divorced five times, her husbands included the actors Fernando Lamas and Lex Barker. TPL-7149 (T.Times, 4-24-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Actresses; Dahl, Arlene; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Actress/model Arlene Dahl and KMO announcer Arnold Benum exchange big smiles at KMO's Keyes Building studio at South 9th and Broadway in April of 1946. A seated group of young children and adults are waiting for the upcoming live broadcast. Although born and primarily raised in Minnesota, Miss Dahl had many relatives in Tacoma, Parkland and Seattle. Her parents moved to Tacoma about 1944 where her father was employed at Todd Shipyards. She lived for a short time in Tacoma with them at their 4815 North 10th residence before leaving for Hollywood as a result of signing a seven year contract with Warner Brothers. Miss Dahl was to go on to star in many Hollywood films, including "Three Little Words," "Slightly Scarlet" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth." Later her Arlene Dahl Enterprises company marketed lingerie and cosmetics. Her son, Lorenzo Lamas, is also an actor. TPL-7150 (T.Times, 4-24-46, p. 1-article) ALBUM 5.

Actresses; Dahl, Arlene; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benum, Arnold; Celebrity touring--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Actress Arlene Dahl and announcer Arnold Benum at KMO Studios. Prior to her reporting to Hollywood, Miss Dahl spent several days visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Dahl, of Tacoma. Dressed in street attire, Miss Dahl holds a packet of handwritten notes in her gloved hand. Known for her redheaded glamour, Miss Dahl modeled for several department stores after high school before being named New York's "Miss Rheingold" in 1946. She appeared in many magazine and newspaper advertisements. As an actress, she was perhaps best known for her performances in "Slightly Scarlet" (1956) and "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1959). The actor Lorenzo Lamas is her son through her marriage to Fernando Lamas. TPL-7148 (T.Times 4-24-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Actresses; Dahl, Arlene; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Celebrity touring--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Mayor Val Fawcett, (3rd from L) with a group of men during a live broadcast on Radio Station KMO. Photo ordered by the Ted B. Palmer Company, 6/27/1946. ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mrs. Clark in a room at KMO Radio. Gail S. Clark was KMO Radio's women's editor. Gail is in her office surrounded by magazines, newspapers and other information which helps keep her fully informed on women's issues. View of Better Homes magazine on lower left side.

Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio stations--Tacoma; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma); Clark, Gail S.;

KMO staff. KMO announcer, Arnold Benum, kneels down among a group of children next to a piano in Studio A at KMO radio in the Keyes Building. He is talking with one of the girls over a live broadcast.

Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benum, Arnold

Rod Belcher, a sports play-by-play and general staff announcer at KMO, is shown standing at a broadcast microphone, script in hand, in the main KMO broadcast studio.

Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Belcher, Rod

In November of 1946, Arnold Benum, popular radio announcer for KMO, reached for another sample in his search for the best homemade cookie. Mr. Benum appeared to be the judge in a KMO sponsored cookie baking contest. More than twenty-two boxes of cookies were displayed on the table in front of the Mr. Benum and an unidentified woman, who may be the contest winner. The photograph was taken in Studio A at KMO, located in the Keyes Building at 9th and Broadway. (information supplied by Tom Read, Northwest Pioneer Broadcasters)

Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma); Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cookies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Contests; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benum, Arnold;

KMO staff. A young disc jockey reviews his program notes while he turns knobs on the control panel in the control room of KMO's studio in the Keyes Building in Tacoma. Phonograph records are on the phonograph turn tables, one is already playing and the next can be cued when needed.

Sound recordings; Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Disc jockeys--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Arnold Benum, a daytime announcer with a large following, sits behind the microphone in KMO's broadcast booth in November, 1946. To his right are three large transcription turntables that could play discs up to 16 inches in diameter. In 1946 KMO's studios were in downtown Tacoma at the corner of 9th and Broadway. TPL-9600

Sound recordings; Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Disc jockeys--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benum, Arnold

In 1947, KMO Radio had been on the Tacoma radio waves for 25 years, they were one of Tacoma's top leading radio broadcasting stations. They featured different types of radio shows, music hours and a mobile broadcasting unit. This is a view of Studio A in KMO's large downtown studio in Tacoma, with pianos and microphones readily available for the three unidentified people who are possibly rehearsing or broadcasting a live program. The photograph was taken through the large plate glass window that separated the studio from the station foyer. TPL-7151

Radio stations--Tacoma; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma; Pianos; Sound recording--Tacoma; Advertising--Tacoma; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma);

This three piece band was recording at the KMO Radio Station, they are in a sound proof broadcasting room, possibly for a holiday music show or New Year's celebration. View of one female and two male musicians, members of a three piece band, at KMO Radio Station, the band members have a bass, violin, saxophone, clarinet, xylophone and piano in background.

Radio broadcasting--Tacoma; Music ensembles--Tacoma; Musicians--Tacoma; Musical instruments--Tacoma; Radio stations--Tacoma; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma);