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The Victory Sweethearts was an American all female swing big band founded in 1938. After the United States entered the [[World War II]], Victory Sweethearts toured the US appearing at [[United Service Organizations|USO events]] and military bases in support of the troops.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Briton |first=B |date=4 April 2004 |title=First Takes - Televised story on Victory Sweethearts |pages=2 |work=Indianapolis Star |url=https://www.proquest.com/usnews/docview/240676469 |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref> The band was featured on national radio broadcasts.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Arthella Louise "Artie" Phelps Obituary (1922 - 2008) Ventura County Star |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/venturacountystar/name/arthella-phelps-obituary?id=12853523 |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Legacy.com}}</ref> Their repertoire included numbers featuring instrumental soloists, complete arrangements for the entire ensemble, and novelties.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=14 November 1950 |title=Seniors’ Show Brings Shaffer Girls Orchestra |pages=5 |work=Defiance Crescent News |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/defiance/defiance-crescent-news/1950/11-14/page-5/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 Jul 1997 |title=Spotlight: Metro Edition |work=Orlando Sentiel |url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/spotlight/docview/278979681 |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref>
The '''Victory Sweethearts''' was an American all-female swing [[big band]] founded in 1938. After the United States entered [[World War II]], Victory Sweethearts toured the US appearing at [[United Service Organizations|USO events]] and military bases in support of the troops.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Briton |first=B |date=4 April 2004 |title=First Takes - Televised story on Victory Sweethearts |pages=2 |work=Indianapolis Star |url=https://www.proquest.com/usnews/docview/240676469 |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref> The band was featured on national radio broadcasts.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Arthella Louise "Artie" Phelps Obituary (1922 - 2008) Ventura County Star |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/venturacountystar/name/arthella-phelps-obituary?id=12853523 |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Legacy.com}}</ref> Their repertoire included numbers featuring instrumental soloists, complete arrangements for the entire ensemble, and novelties.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=14 November 1950 |title=Seniors’ Show Brings Shaffer Girls Orchestra |pages=5 |work=Defiance Crescent News |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/defiance/defiance-crescent-news/1950/11-14/page-5/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 Jul 1997 |title=Spotlight: Metro Edition |work=Orlando Sentiel |url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/spotlight/docview/278979681 |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref>


The Victory Sweethearts were founded by Freddie Shaffer, a musician from [[Frankfort, Indiana]] who began performing as an all-girl band with 15 girls and was the leader.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 June 1947 |title=Dancing Tonight to Freddie Shaffer and his All Girl Orchestra |pages=3 |work=Coshocton Tribune |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/coshocton/coshocton-tribune/1947/06-15/page-3/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref>. The group name was inspired by the band members' deployed fiancees and the girls' desire to build morale and contribute to the victory effort.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 Oct 1942 |title=Policemen’s Annual Ball At Elks Ballroom Tonight; Fine Orchestra, “Freddie Shaffer And His Victory Sweethearts” |pages=2 |work=Sandusky Register Star News |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/sandusky/sandusky-register-star-news/1942/09-30/page-3/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 Sep 1942 |title=Furnish Music At Police Ball |pages=3 |work=Sandusky Register Star News |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/sandusky/sandusky-register-star-news/1942/09-30/page-3/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref>
The Victory Sweethearts were founded by Freddie Shaffer, a musician from [[Frankfort, Indiana]] who began performing as an all-girl band with 15 girls and was the leader.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 June 1947 |title=Dancing Tonight to Freddie Shaffer and his All Girl Orchestra |pages=3 |work=Coshocton Tribune |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/coshocton/coshocton-tribune/1947/06-15/page-3/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref> The group name was inspired by the band members' deployed fiancés and the girls' desire to build morale and contribute to the victory effort.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 Oct 1942 |title=Policemen’s Annual Ball At Elks Ballroom Tonight; Fine Orchestra, "Freddie Shaffer And His Victory Sweethearts" |pages=2 |work=Sandusky Register Star News |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/sandusky/sandusky-register-star-news/1942/09-30/page-3/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 Sep 1942 |title=Furnish Music At Police Ball |pages=3 |work=Sandusky Register Star News |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/sandusky/sandusky-register-star-news/1942/09-30/page-3/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref>


Ruth Mary Mack played drums and was known as the female [[Gene Krupa]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=6 Nov 1945 |title=Victory Sweethearts |pages=12 |work=Warren Times Mirror |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/pennsylvania/warren/warren-times-mirror/1945/11-06/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref> Pat Wolff wrote "I Ran Away With An All-Girl Band" a book about her time in the girls' band.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wolff |first=Patricia |title=I Ran Away With An All-Girl Band, My life on the road with the Victory Sweethearts |publisher=Stone Hut Printing |year=1999 |isbn=0967573203 |language=English}}</ref> Arthella Louise "Artie" Phelps went by the stage name "Louise Lust" and would dedicate songs on air to her then-fiance, Ray.<ref name=":0" />
Ruth Mary Mack played drums and was known as the female [[Gene Krupa]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=6 Nov 1945 |title=Victory Sweethearts |pages=12 |work=Warren Times Mirror |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/pennsylvania/warren/warren-times-mirror/1945/11-06/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref> Pat Wolff wrote "I Ran Away With An All-Girl Band" a book about her time in the girls' band.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wolff |first=Patricia |title=I Ran Away With An All-Girl Band, My life on the road with the Victory Sweethearts |publisher=Stone Hut Printing |year=1999 |isbn=0967573203 |language=English}}</ref> Arthella Louise "Artie" Phelps went by the stage name "Louise Lust" and would dedicate songs on air to her then-fiancé, Ray.<ref name=":0" />


The Victory Sweethearts played at venues including Hotel Statler, Buffalo, Castle Farm, Cincinnati; Vague Terrace, Pittsburgh; [[Wyndham New Yorker Hotel|Hotel New Yorker]], [[New York City]], [[Connor Palace|Palace Theatre]], Cleveland; Circle Theatre, Indianapolis; and the Earle Theatre, Washington.<ref name=":1" /> <ref>{{Cite news |date=14 Jun 1953 |title=All Girl Orchestra To Entertain At Lee |pages=19 |work=Petersburg Progress Index |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/virginia/petersburg/petersburg-progress-index/1953/06-14/page-19/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 Oct 1947 |title=Kilroy’s Crystal Rock Park Presents Freddie Shaffer and His All-Girl Orchestra |pages=2 |work=Sandusky Register Star News |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/sandusky/sandusky-register-star-news/1947/10-28/page-2/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 Jun 1949 |title=On The Air Tonight |pages=15 |work=New Castle News |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/pennsylvania/new-castle/new-castle-news/1949/06-04/page-15/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref>
The Victory Sweethearts played at venues including Hotel Statler, Buffalo, Castle Farm, Cincinnati; Vague Terrace, Pittsburgh; [[Wyndham New Yorker Hotel|Hotel New Yorker]], [[New York City]], [[Connor Palace|Palace Theatre]], Cleveland; Circle Theatre, Indianapolis; and the Earle Theatre, Washington.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 Jun 1953 |title=All Girl Orchestra To Entertain At Lee |pages=19 |work=Petersburg Progress Index |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/virginia/petersburg/petersburg-progress-index/1953/06-14/page-19/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 Oct 1947 |title=Kilroy’s Crystal Rock Park Presents Freddie Shaffer and His All-Girl Orchestra |pages=2 |work=Sandusky Register Star News |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/sandusky/sandusky-register-star-news/1947/10-28/page-2/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 Jun 1949 |title=On The Air Tonight |pages=15 |work=New Castle News |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/pennsylvania/new-castle/new-castle-news/1949/06-04/page-15/ |access-date=5 May 2022}}</ref>


== Band members ==
== Band members ==
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== References ==
== References ==
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== External links ==
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[[Category:1930s in the United States]]
[[Category:1930s in the United States]]
[[Category:1940s in the United States]]
[[Category:1940s in the United States]]
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[[Category:American girl groups]]
[[Category:American girl groups]]
[[Category:American swing musical groups]]
[[Category:American swing musical groups]]
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== External links ==
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{{Webarchiv |url=http://www.nhj.k12.in.us/teachers/rdowell/jazz%20&%20ragtime%20S.htm |text=''Jazz & Ragtime in Indiana'' |wayback=20110101131836}}

Revision as of 12:45, 6 May 2022

Victory Sweethearts
OriginMidwestern United States
GenresSwing
Years active1940s

The Victory Sweethearts was an American all-female swing big band founded in 1938. After the United States entered World War II, Victory Sweethearts toured the US appearing at USO events and military bases in support of the troops.[1] The band was featured on national radio broadcasts.[2] Their repertoire included numbers featuring instrumental soloists, complete arrangements for the entire ensemble, and novelties.[3][4]

The Victory Sweethearts were founded by Freddie Shaffer, a musician from Frankfort, Indiana who began performing as an all-girl band with 15 girls and was the leader.[5] The group name was inspired by the band members' deployed fiancés and the girls' desire to build morale and contribute to the victory effort.[6][7]

Ruth Mary Mack played drums and was known as the female Gene Krupa.[8] Pat Wolff wrote "I Ran Away With An All-Girl Band" a book about her time in the girls' band.[9] Arthella Louise "Artie" Phelps went by the stage name "Louise Lust" and would dedicate songs on air to her then-fiancé, Ray.[2]

The Victory Sweethearts played at venues including Hotel Statler, Buffalo, Castle Farm, Cincinnati; Vague Terrace, Pittsburgh; Hotel New Yorker, New York City, Palace Theatre, Cleveland; Circle Theatre, Indianapolis; and the Earle Theatre, Washington.[3][10][11][12]

Band members

  • Freddie Shaffer, trumpet
  • Ruth Mary Mack, drummer[8]
  • Ruth Tyler Christiansen, singer[13]
  • Louise Lust (stage name for Arthella Louise "Artie" Phelps), trumpet, singer
  • Pat Wolff, saxophonist, clarinet[14][15]
  • Marlene Miller, saxophone, clarinet, piano[16]
  • Mary Caroline Bennett, trombonist
  • Betty O'hara, variety of brass instruments[17]
  • Lois "Maxine" (Wright) DeLuca, bassist
  • Lois A. Kuiper[18]

References

  1. ^ Briton, B (4 April 2004). "First Takes - Televised story on Victory Sweethearts". Indianapolis Star. p. 2. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Arthella Louise "Artie" Phelps Obituary (1922 - 2008) Ventura County Star". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  3. ^ a b "Seniors' Show Brings Shaffer Girls Orchestra". Defiance Crescent News. 14 November 1950. p. 5. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Spotlight: Metro Edition". Orlando Sentiel. 18 Jul 1997. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  5. ^ "Dancing Tonight to Freddie Shaffer and his All Girl Orchestra". Coshocton Tribune. 15 June 1947. p. 3. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Policemen's Annual Ball At Elks Ballroom Tonight; Fine Orchestra, "Freddie Shaffer And His Victory Sweethearts"". Sandusky Register Star News. 27 Oct 1942. p. 2. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Furnish Music At Police Ball". Sandusky Register Star News. 30 Sep 1942. p. 3. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Victory Sweethearts". Warren Times Mirror. 6 Nov 1945. p. 12. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  9. ^ Wolff, Patricia (1999). I Ran Away With An All-Girl Band, My life on the road with the Victory Sweethearts. Stone Hut Printing. ISBN 0967573203.
  10. ^ "All Girl Orchestra To Entertain At Lee". Petersburg Progress Index. 14 Jun 1953. p. 19. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Kilroy's Crystal Rock Park Presents Freddie Shaffer and His All-Girl Orchestra". Sandusky Register Star News. 28 Oct 1947. p. 2. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  12. ^ "On The Air Tonight". New Castle News. 4 Jun 1949. p. 15. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  13. ^ "Ruth Tyler Christiansen". Wilks Funeral Home. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ Wolff, Pat (7 Nov 1999). "I Ran Away With An All-Girl Band, My life on the road with the Victory Sweethearts". Amazon Books. Retrieved 5 May 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ Carlin, Ann (26 Jun 1965). "Local Artist Exhibits at City Library". Record Eagle. p. 7. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  16. ^ "Marlene Miller | 1923 - 2016 | Obituary". Porter Funeral Homes. 17 Apr 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ Stewart, Z (14 May 1993). "50 years and still playing". Los Angeles Times [Valley Edition]. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  18. ^ "Lois A. Kuiper Obituary". 5 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

Archived (Date missing) at nhj.k12.in.us (Error: unknown archive URL)

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