15 Minutes with Bing Crosby for radio as for recording, he's a cinch for ether popularity." The nationwide shows continued daily (except Sundays) on a sustaining basis until October 31, 1931 from station WABC in New York. Harry Von Zell was the announcer. Freddie Rich led the orchestra after the first week. Russ Columbo was broadcasting for NBC at 11:30 p.m. each night as competition for Bing with "Variety" noting "Scrap between NBC & CBS over Russ Columbo and Bing Crosby is getting warm." Crosby's popularity soon attracted a sponsor - the American Tobacco Company - and rather than Lucky Strike cigarettes, the company's president,
Bing Crosby Sings Songs by George Gershwin above. Bing Crosby Sings Songs by George Gershwin Bing Crosby Sings Songs by George Gershwin is a compilation album of phonograph records by Bing Crosby released in 1949 featuring songs written by George Gershwin. Billboard was enthusiastic: These previously issued songs were featured in a 4-disc, 78 rpm album set, Decca Album A-702. All music by George Gershwin. The songs were also featured on a 10" LP album, Decca DL 5081 issued in 1949. Side 1 Side 2 In 1950, the same selections were released on a set of 45 rpm records numbered Decca 9-122 and the album cover is