About this project

Kay Kemble (1911-1989) is a character invented for this project. Kay sang on radio commercials as a child and went on to lead Big Bands and swing ensembles in the 30's and 40's. She worked at Scott Air Field as a WAAC enlistee and a civilian. She produced war bond rallies, and her all-female band promoted a popular shampoo brand. In the 80's there was renewed interest in Kay's musical career.

Kay informally adopted the orphaned niece and nephew of her partner Wilmetta "Teeny" Stockton, and in the early 70's the family moved from St. Louis to New Orleans. After Kay and Teeny's deaths, family members remained in New Orleans until displaced by Hurricane Katrina. In 2014, I arranged to archive, organize, and restore Kay's memorabilia. Most items were damaged due to age, hurried packing , and lack of funds for formal archiving.

I've "become" Kay in reproduction radio broadcasts, and created artifacts to represent damaged or destroyed items in the collection.



Saturday, February 15, 2020

Morale-lifters which influenced Kay

From her stint in a teacher's college program to a briefer stint as a piano teacher, to a sewing instructor for female parolees, to her work during the Second World War, Kay was always finding a way to raise spirits.

 The many Depression-era films with this same purpose must have been an influence. Here's one from dicrector King Vidor, who wrote the script, being "inspired by the headlines of today."






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