Caption
This medal was awarded to Cab Calloway as the result of a national competition, the Pittsburgh Courier’s 3rd Annual Band Contest. This contest appears to have started in 1933 and then resumed in the 1940s. It was an integrated contest that allowed both white and Black, male and female musicians to compete against each other in various categories and was conceived of as a way to correct publication polls and radio contests that frequently excluded Black musicians.
The sixteen winners under the All-American Band competition would form a “million dollar” band with brass, reed, and rhythm sections that included 3 trumpets (first, second, and third), 3 trombones (first, second, and third), 5 saxophonists (2 tenors, 2 altos, and one baritone), a pianist, bass fiddler, drummer, guitarist, leader, and arranger. Cab Calloway competed for Band Leader against Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Jimmy Lunceford, Lucky Millinder, Glenn Miller, Bardu Ali, Andy Kirk, Benny Goodman, Ernie Fields, as well as a few other unnamed competitors. The competition appears to have taken place from November 1941 through January 1942. The Courier’s Contest Editor, Billy Rowe, posted weekly vote tallies from December 1941 through January 1942.
Rowe announced the winners on February 7, 1942 which included: Roy Eldridge, trumpet; John Kirby, bass fiddle; Benny Goodman, clarinet; Lionel Hampton, vibraphone; Cab Calloway, leader; Joe Jones, drums; Tommy Dorsey, trombone; Benny Carter, saxophone; J. C. Higginbotham, trombone; Coleman Hawkins, saxophone; Charlie Christian, electric guitar; Dickie Wells, trombone; Count Basie, piano; Cootie Williams, trumpet; Trummy Young, trombone; Louis Armstrong, trumpet; and Johnny Hodges, saxophone. The band was initially slated to start its tour in Kansas City and then move on to Saint Louis, Akron, and Wheeling; with later dates planned for New York, Chicago, and Detroit.
Count Basie was also voted the “1942 King of Swing” in this competition and was awarded a trophy by the Pabst Brewing Company at an event called the “Victory Ball” that took place in February 1942 at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Kansas. Walter Sweeney served as the Master of Ceremonies and Basie was presented his award by William Bell Graham, a representative of the Pabst Brewing Company which notably spent over $500.00 for the trophy and other prizes for the event. Graham was Pabst’s official “national colored representative,” and was noted as having worked with “special designers and artists to have created the most unique awards possible.” Pittsburgh Courier Managing Editor, William Nunn, also attended the event. Although newspaper accounts do not specifically mention Cab Calloway attending, this may be where he was awarded this medal, which may have originally been attached to a pin.
While the competition was in progress, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. In March 1942, it was announced that the All-American Band would record with Columbia Recording Company with proceeds from sales to be given to the Army Relief Fund. The fund was launched by the Army on March 27, 1942 at a fight between the newly enlisted Joe Louis and Abe Simon. Louis has donated his fight proceeds to this charity.
The Pittsburgh Courier’s 4th Annual Band Contest was launched in November 1942 and Pabst continued to be a sponsor. Cab Calloway was considered to be a contender in this competition. However, ultimately Lucky Millinder won the Band Leader slot. Calloway was instead made an “Honorary King;” picked from winners from the previous years as well as other outstanding performers.
According to one Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) history timeline, 1942 is the year that PBR made its first radio appearance and was the year when PBR began collaborating with celebrities and musicians as a marketing tool to reach a broader audience. Later, PBR launched a radio program called the Eddie Cantor Pabst Show, or Pabst Blue Ribbon Show and continued this type of celebrity marketing collaboration. The radio variety show was hosted by musician, singer, actor, writer, and comedian Eddie Cantor, who was also a popular radio personality and former Vaudeville star. The show ran from 1946-1949 and included various guest performers.
CF, 1/12/2024
Sources:
BILLY ROWE, Contest Editor. "THE COURIER NATIONAL BAND CONTEST STARTS: WHITE, COLORED ORCHESTRAS TO BE INCLUDED ON BALLOT; SUBSCRIPTION VOTES BANNED." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Nov 15, 1941, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/courier-national-band-contest-starts/docview/202086167/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
BILLY ROWE, Contest Editor. "BENNY GOODMAN CASTS VOTE FOR HIS FAVORITE: COUNT BASIS LEADS IN FIRST WEEK OF VOTING; WHITE BANDS HOLD THEIR OWN IN FIRST TEN NEWCOMER LIONEL HAMPTON HITS SURPRISING STRIDE AS HE TIES WITH JIMMIE LUNCEFORD FOR SECOND PLACE-- VOTING SLOW FOR LESSER-KNOWN OUTFITS." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Nov 29, 1941, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/benny-goodman-casts-vote-his-favorite/docview/202099971/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
"THE ALL-AMERICAN BAND: TRUMPETS." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Jan 03, 1942, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/all-american-band/docview/202109216/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
BILLY ROWE, Theatrical Editor. "COLUMBIA WILL RECORD ALL-AMERICAN BAND: ROYALTIES WILL GO TO ARMY RELIEF SOCIETY ... GOODMAN, LOUIE ARMSTRONG, COUNT BASIC, COOTIE WILLIAMS, TOMMY DORSEY, LIONEL HAMPTON, ERSKINE HAWKINS AMONG GREAT STARS WHO WON PLACES DURING COURIER CONTEST." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Mar 21, 1942, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/columbia-will-record-all-american-band/docview/202123510/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
BILLY BOWE, Contest Editor. "Makers of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer Will Donate Swing Trophies in all Divisions: Jimmie Lunceford Leads Contest as all Bands Fight for Place in Nation's Biggest Annual Polling Basie and Hampton Drop a Place as Other Bands Step Up to Press Leaders--"Blue Ribbon" Cups and Pins Will have Special Significance COURIER BAND CONTEST "BOOSTED BY CROSBY, HOPKINS, AND KRUPA HAMPTON, BARNETT HAVE "CONTEST CURIOSITY"." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Dec 06, 1941, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/makers-pabst-blue-ribbon-beer-will-donate-swing/docview/202089263/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
BILLY BOWE, Contest Editor. "THOUSAND SEE BASIE CROWNED KING OF SWING: KANSAS CITY GREETS "FAVORITE SON"; ST. LOUIS DOES LIKEWISE CORONATION HOPS FOR CHARITY EXCEED ALL EXPECTATIONS PABST BLUE RIBBON AWARDS ARE FINEST EVER GIVEN; ENTIRE BAND HONORED--AKRON, WHEELING NEXT COUNT BASIE, KING OF SWING, CROWNED AT KANSAS CITY "VICTORY BALL!"." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Feb 21, 1942, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/thousand-see-basie-crowned-king-swing/docview/202133112/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
"COURIER ALL-AMERICAN--$1,000,000 IN TALENT: HERE IT IS! ... THE COURIER'S "MILLION ALL-AMERICAN BAND" ...THE NATION'S TOP MUSICIANS!" The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Feb 07, 1942, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/courier-all-american-1-000-talent/docview/202139585/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
"THE ALL-AMERICAN BAND: TRUMPETS." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Dec 13, 1941, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/all-american-band/docview/202095770/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
"THE ALL-AMERICAN BAND: TRUMPETS." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Dec 20, 1941, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/all-american-band/docview/202093844/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
"THE ALL-AMERICAN BAND: TRUMPETS." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Dec 27, 1941, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/all-american-band/docview/202092056/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
BILLY ROWE, Contest Editor. "Contest to Aid in Morale Building and Sale of War Bonds: Last Year's Winners to Hold Honorary Positions--Chu Berry Memorial Trophy again Listed." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Nov 21, 1942, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/contest-aid-morale-building-sale-war-bonds/docview/202114856/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
BILLY ROWE, Contest Editor. "... HIGH FOR COURIER BAND CONTEST: MUSICAL 'BIG SHOTS' WILL COMPETE FOR TOP HONORS WHO IS THE MAN IN THE SHADOW?" The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Nov 28, 1942, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/high-courier-band-contest/docview/202113140/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
BILLY ROWE, Contest Editor. "HAWKINS LEADING CONTEST; TRENIER RUNNER-UP: SOLDIERS KEEP HIM IN TOP SPOT; DIXIE VOTES AID TRENIER ALL-AMERICAN VOTES PILE IN FOR CAPTAIN GLENN MILLER, COOTIE WILLIAMS AND J. C. HURD--BILLY KENNY JUMPS INTO VOCALIST LEAD AS IDA JAMES BOWS TO LENA HORNE." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Dec 12, 1942, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/hawkins-leading-contest-trenier-runner-up/docview/202113002/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
"Edward Kennedy Ellington Caught in several of His Many Musical Moods." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Mar 14, 1942, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/edward-kennedy-ellington-caught-several-his-many/docview/202127067/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
"YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR ALL-AMERICAN BAND: YOU CAN VOTE FOR SIXTEEN MUSICIANS, ONE LEADER AND ONE ARRANGER." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Jan 03, 1942, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/you-can-choose-your-all-american-band/docview/202106877/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
"MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF TALENT TO RECORD." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Mar 21, 1942, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/million-dollars-worth-talent-record/docview/202123960/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
"'LUCKY' PENS TUNE IN HONOR OF JOE LOUIS." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Jan 31, 1942, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/lucky-pens-tune-honor-joe-louis/docview/202103071/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
Bolden, Frank E. "Orchestra Whirl." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Feb 14, 1942, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/orchestra-whirl/docview/202104456/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
"THE PITTSBURGH COURIER'S ALL-AMERICAN BAND-1943: SELECTED BY ... OF THESE PAGES." The Pittsburgh Courier (1911-1950), Feb 20, 1943, City Edition. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/pittsburgh-couriers-all-american-band-1943/docview/202123011/se-2. Accessed 2/28/2024.
"Soldier Joe Louis stared down racism in the Army during World War II," Vintage Detroit
"Punk & PBR: History of Pabst Blue Ribbon in the Music Scene," Beer Right Now
"Eddie Cantor Pabst Show," Old Time Radio Downloads
"Eddie Cantor Eddie Cantor Show ( Pabst) 481001 ( 079) Guest William Powell," Internet Archive
