While getting ready for today’s July 4th festivities my mind began wandering. I thought how lucky I am to have been born in this great country. Exactly 240 years ago today a group of brave men met in Philadelphia and declared their independence from the tyranny of Great Britain by signing the Declaration of Independence. While I was thinking about the founding of America I started to sing, God Bless America! As soon as the words came out of my mouth, my thoughts shifted to the great composer, Irving Berlin, who actually wrote the American classic, “God Bless America.”
In 1918, Russian born Irving Berlin wrote a tune while serving in the United States Army. The tune never hit the mark so he threw it in the junk bin where it was forgotten over time. Then in 1938, with dark clouds brewing over Europe, Jewish-American Berlin wanted to do his part to support America. Irving dusted off the old music from 1918 and added a new, patriotic lyric. The song was introduced on a 1938 Armistice Day radio broadcast by by then famous singer Kate Smith. It became a national blockbuster hit and Smith’s theme song.
It was so popular that some considered, God Bless America our second national anthem. Patriot Irving Berlin never accepted one thin dime for this great American song. He donated all the royalties, valued at over $100,000, to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America.
Hi Richie,
You are to be congratulated by bringing to the attention of everyone living in the great USA how we received God Bless America. A song that will be with ALL AMERICANS
FOREVER. THANK YOU!
Thanks so much Al!
KEEP UP THE GREAT EFFORTS!
Will do my best. Thanks for the kind words.
Dear Richie,
I loved your blog. It was so nostalgic and I thank the JCC for having me on their mailing list.
I love the way you keep so successfully reinventing yourself .
We have a lot of jazz in New York but I’m truly thrilled that you will endorse and promote it in Florida. A reason to look forward to returning to Fl.
Love to Julie,
Mimi
Lynn~
Thanks for your kind words. They are VERY much appreciated!
Love~
Richie
This was fascinating information. Our creative art (whether it’s books, artwork, music, or other) isn’t all about profit. It feels good to have people cherish what we do.
Thanks Rebecca!
Interesting to learn about the origins of God Bless America! Thank you!
Glad you learned about this great American song.
Loved learning about God Bless America. You host a wonderful party!
Thanks so much Gwen!
Fascinating and informative post; thanks so much for sharing! Take care and have a wonderful weekend! 🙂 ~Stephanie
Much appreciated, Stephanie
Great party! Love learning. Congratulations on your success!
Thanks so much Susan!
A really different historical topic for a book. Enjoy the day hosting the RRBC party!
Thanks!
Hi Richie! I just had to listen to the 1930’s version of Kate Smith singing ‘God Bless America’ as she showcases that song to perfection. Thank you for the history on Irving Berlin, and thank you for having this wonderful blog.
Appreciate it, Mary~
Such a wonderful post, Richie!! Thank you!! Enjoy the Party!!!
Thanks so much Mar!
Such a fascinating story, Richie. And congratulations on your Kirkus review. I have your book on my Kindle and look forward to reading your work. This post just bumped it up on my TBR list. 🙂
Have a great party day!
Natalie~ Now that I know my book has been upgraded on your TBR list, Who Could Ask for Anything More?”
Well done, Richie. Jazz is great and you are doing a lot to keep it alive.
Thanks John~ I appreciate all you do for indie authors!!!
I love jazz and consider myself a freedom-loving American. You book looks like yet another that will go on my to be read list. Thanks for a great stop on the blog tour!
Thanks so much Robert
Hi Richie, glad to be visiting with you today. I love Jazz music, and everything jazz. 🙂 I know that by writing about this music genre, you are putting it in its rightful place in history. You deserve every support for this. I wish you success in this endeavor.
Much appreciated Joy! Thanks for visiting…
Thanks for the wonderful post to introduce us to God Bless American origin and a book to continue to educate. Sounds exciting to learn where this music started since music is such a big part of who we are as a country.Will look forward to reading your book.
Thanks Jo Ann!
That was a totally awesome post! I didn’t know those things about Irving Berlin and God bless America. Thank you for sharing those little factoids with us. I hope you have a great day on the tour.
Rhani~ I’m haveing a splendid day. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts..
Even here in Australia we are familiar with the powerfully emotive ‘God Bless America’ What a marvelous story attached to it. I love Jazz! (See understatement) The Kate Smith rendition gives me goosebumps. Thanks for sharing such an informative piece of America’s Jazz history.
Suzanne~ Thanks so much for your thoughts…
I love this post. It is great to see the origins of an important aspect of our country. Best of luck with your blog tour and blog going forward.
KJ~ thanks!
Thanks for a wonderfully uplifting blog. I love music and have not been exposed to that much jazz other than what one sees occasionally in the movies. So I enjoyed listening to some of your music videos. Congratulations on your Kirkus review. After the end of this blog tour, I have so many wonderful books on my TBR List, I’ll have my reading cut out for me, that’s for sure! I look forward to getting familiar with your work. All the best with your publishing endeavours and I hope you have a successful blog tour today.
Thanks so much Maretha!
excellent post… happy wordage
thanks tracey!
Music accompanies our lives and history. A song can bring back memories.
Songs and memories…indeed!
Hi, Richie. Happy party day! We’ve had the discussion before about how amazing music is and your obvious love for jazz shines through. Hope you’ve enjoyed your party day. Great post!
I’m having a blast. Thanks Jan!
Hi Richie,
I don’t remember ever learning that about God Bless America! I loved the video you shared with us. I added your book to me kindle to read. Great post.
Thanks so much!
You are multi-talented. Have a great blog party, Richie!
Kim~ I’m having a ball. Thanks for your kind words!
Great blog. Thank you for this info!
Thanks Linda!
What an interesting blog filled with so much information. Like others I did not know the story behind God Bless America.
You have many talents and I wish you lots of success.
Thanks so much Karen!
My mom loves “God Bless America”. She is always saying that it should be our national anthem. It is a beautiful song. This was an interesting stop. Thanks for sharing.
Lori~ At one time it was considered for the National Anthem but we know what happened. thanks for stopping by…
God Bless America is one of my favorites! I had no idea how it originated. Thanks for sharing that with us! 🙂
You’re welcome Yvette.
Thanks, Ritchie for helping to immortalize a great country and great music. Good luck with your book and your tour.
Thanks Micki!
Hi Richie – thanks very much for the information, as a jazz fan your focus is fascinating – good luck with your music and your writing! – MikeL
Thanks so much MilkL!
Nice post. Sorry I was late to the party today.
Better late than never. Thanks!
Proud to be an American! And God Bless America is one of my favorite songs! Nice patriotic post.
Thanks so much Bruce!
Good point. I hadn’t thought about it quite that way. 🙂
Hi Ritchie, I am so sorry I missed your stop. I came by early morning and the post was not live yet and I had so much going on that I never got back to it. My memory is questionable these days. lol
Again, my apologies!
Shirley~ no need to apologize. glad you made it.
Be well~
richie
Hi, Richie ~
Sorry I’m late to the party, but I had to swing by your blog stop today. Thanks for sharing the origins of God Bless America. I had no clue how this wonderful song came into being. Also, I was fortunate enough to win a copy of Jazz, America’s Gift several months ago and was astounded by the amount of work and research that went into compiling the book. I left a review on Amazon for you and hope many others will discover your fabulous work. You truly have a passion for Americana and jazz!
Thanks so much Mae. You wrote a wonderful review as well.
It is all appreciated.
Excellent post, Richie. I am looking forward to having you on BUY THE BOOK in a few weeks! Best wishes to you.
Thanks Beem. Can’t wait for the BUY THE BOOK gig.
Talk soon.
richie
Richie, I hope you had a wonderful time on the tour! I enjoyed this post and am anxiously waiting for a FREE moment so that I can read that beautiful book you gifted me.
Thanks, again!
Thanks so much Nonnie!
Fantastic post – keep the jazz alive!
Thanks Christy!
Great blog post Richie. A really informative read! I’m sorry I got here late, but I have been travelling and the comments I added from my phone don’t seem to have registered.
Lizzie~
Glad you made it!
I’m late, so doing a ‘white rabbit’thing while I catch up with all the party stops I missed while I was taking a break. Irving Berlin was an amazing man and generous to boot – thanks to telling part of his story that I wasn’t aware of. 😀
Jan~
Thanks for stopping by!
I know I’m late and not in time for a prize, but I just wanted to stop in and lend my support anyway. Go Jazz! Great blog post! Cheers! S.J. Francis
Thanks so much!