Ethel Waters: First Black Woman to have network radio show

I didn't know she had a radio show in '33. That's even more impressive because she wasn't a comedienne. No stupid dialect for her.

I've been trying to find out if there is anybody with copies of the show, but so far I've come up empty.

What I wouldn't give to hear that voice coming from my TV, radio. dixie cup and string today. "Suppertime" is an elegant piece of music. Berlin was right to write that for her. The release is awesome. The voice was awesome. Thanks for the memory.

Excellent article, Mugg, truly excellent. Never heard of her, but i'm so glad you brought her to my attention.

Mugg, I have made this the Lead Feature in Famous Firsts and Not So Famous Firsts.

Exactly what the group is all about.

Mugg, I have made this the Lead Feature in Famous Firsts and Not So Famous Firsts.

Exactly what the group is all about.

There's a book by Ethel Waters...her biography...which is one of the best books I have read. Always on my top ten list...it's entitled:

"His Eye Is On The Sparrow"

"His Eye Is on the Sparrow is Ethel Waters -- her warmth, her faith in God, her lusty humor, and, above all, her courage. Her story begins in a sordid Negro tenement in Chester, Pennsylvania; it ends fifty years later in a star's dressing room on Broadway.

Ethel Waters -- illegitimate, born in the Chester slums, unloved by her slatternly mother, pimp's errand girl, honky-tonk singer, and then, by turn, a fabulously successful blues singer and actress -- has never been discouraged. Deep faith and belief in her God have given her the strength and determination to make the long, hard pull from tenements and cheap roadhouses to Hollywood cameras and Broadway lights.

Known for years as the superb interpreter of such smash hits as "Dinah," "Heat Wave," "Am I Blue?" and "Stormy Weather," Ethel Waters has shown more recently that she is also a brilliant actress -- in the moving picture, "Pinky", and in the Broadway successes, "Mamba's Daughter" and "The Member of the Wedding."

This rich autobiography of a great American woman tells her whole life story, from her lowly background to the heights of success. Completely realistic, it is written in rich, colorful idiom and spotlighted with glamorous names and memorable events of American show business.

His Eye Is on the Sparrow is as magnificently honest as Ethel Waters herself; it is the truly inspiring story of a great theatrical personality and a great woman."

Felix- Thanks for adding this info. I should have thought to mention it. I don't think I ever read it, but if I close my eyes and drift I can hear Ethel singing the hymn of the same name.

And a beautiful hymn it is, Mugg, allow me to share it with those he might not be familiar with it:

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Thanks Felix. If you follow that link at the end of my article you can download (steer clear of this option unless you have a broadband connection, or a couple of hours) a radio program of several songs, culminating in "Sparrow".

Will do, Mugg, thanks.

Mugg, Funny you should mention closing your eyes to drift...That's how I hear "Suppertime", that building crescendo in the release makes my hair stand on end.

Even atheists love those old hymns, Felix. What about "Precious Lord Take My Hand..." "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" and "Deep River"

I hear you, Diane.

Wonderful lady...wonderul article. Thanks, Mugg

I just hope somebody takes my advice about renting "Cabin in the Sky" to heart. It is a great movie.
Bonus Trivia- The tornado from Wizard of Oz is used at the end of Cabin in the Sky.

Ms. Diazepam-
According to my research, Ethel Waters bore no children, so I guess it's safe to assume that she also had no grandchildren.
Get the movie (it is in many public libraries, for free) and you will thank me for the experience.