During the 1930s, he was the orchestra leader on several radio programs, including Fred Allen's show and his own "The Ferde Grofé Show". The "On the Trail" segment of "Grand Canyon Suite" was used for many years as the "musical signature" for radio and television programs sponsored by Philip Morris cigarettes, beginning with their 1933 radio program featuring Grofé and his orchestra and concluding with "I Love Lucy" (1951–57). Jon Hendricks wrote lyrics for "On the Trail", and the song was recorded for Hendricks' album "To Tell the Truth" (1975). The piano version sheet music of the suite includes lyrics to the central section of "On the Trail" by songwriter Gus Kahn.