Major Bowes

Daily News-Times, January 31, 1936

I'll bet Menasha and the surrounding area was all agog by Major Bowes' Amateurs at the Brin Theater in 1936.  Comparing it to today, it was somewhat akin to the winners from "America's Got Talent" or "American Idol" appearing in your hometown.  Of course, back then, this was radio and except for, perhaps, a few photos in entertainment magazines or maybe a news reel, this was the only means to physically see the people one heard on that particular radio show.

His "Amateur Hour" had been a very popular radio program since its inception in 1934.  Even a later luminary like Frank Sinatra gained a level of early fame with his appearances with his vocal group, the Hoboken Four.  

I love how the local businesses tailored their sponsorship of this full page ad in conjunction with the Brin.