[78-L] Kate Smith stamp

[Michael Biel]

On another note, this time concerning the other aspect of the press
release, the incorrect info about God Bless America being written FOR
Kate, I had sent the press release's author a correction, and without
our discussing it, so did Steve Ramm.  Steve cited a Wikipedia article,
a source I don't ever fully trust, but the citations included a link to
an article detailing the resolution of a suit.  It cost NYC over $20,000
because their cops threw a fan out of Yankee Stadium for trying to leave
his seat to get to the men's room during the playing of Kate singing
GBA.  I had heard about the original incident and it is one of the
reasons I have not gone to a Yankee game in the past two years.  The
Yankees have apologized and changed their policy and will "no longer
compell patriotism" during the playing of a song written by a tin pan
alley hack.  
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/yankees/2009-07-07-fan-lawsuit_N.htm

Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com  



-------- Original Message --------
"Postal News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 30, 2009
Media Contact: Roy Betts
(O) 202-268-3207
(C) 202-256-4174
roy.a.betts at usps.gov
usps.com/news
Release No. 09-118 

 "With this 2010 stamp, the U.S. Postal Service honors Kate Smith
(1907-1986),the celebrated singer and entertainer whose signature song,
“God Bless America” (composed for her by Irving Berlin), has been
called America’s unofficial national anthem. 
 "The stamp will go on sale May 1. 
 "In a career that spanned almost five decades, Smith recorded nearly
600 songs. At least 20 of her records sold more than a million copies,
including three religious albums. 
 "The stamp art duplicates artwork created for the cover of a CD
titled,“Kate Smith: The Songbird of the South.” The artwork was
based on a photograph of Smith taken in the 1960s."


Mike Biel mbiel at mbiel.com