Anyone over fifty years old, living in the Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky area,remembers Ruth Lyons. “She wrote Christmas songs and was the big fund raiser for children in the hospitals, especially at Christmas.”
That was Lyons, born in 1905 in Cincinnati. Her Presbyterian home was always aware of the importance of books and music. Her father, a travel agent by day, taught music at night at the university. By the age of 12 she had written and produced her own musical.
She attended the University of Cincinnati but quit because of family finances. Then she studied at the Cincinnati College of Music, and worked part time selling sheet music.
Her radio career began as a part-time pianist .
She made her announcing debut when she helped with the details of the great flood of 1937. Her demeanor was calm as she asked for donations of food and clothing for victims. Her grandmother’s example of helping others and being an advocate prepared Lyons for this new role. $56,000 was raised for flood relief through her effort.
At WKRC she hosted a weekly radio show called, “Your Sunday Matinee.” Being an amateur song writer she wrote new songs for each broadcast. Bandleader, Paul Whiteman was a guest on her show and wanted to buy some of her compositions with the stipulations that the music would be published under his name. She told him no.
In 1942 enticed by a $10 raise she moved to Crosley Broadcasting Co, owner of both WSAI and WLW . The radio producers had a history of written scripts but Lyons preferred spontaneous conversation. Seeing her success with sponsors, they went along with her. At WLW she co-hosted a show with Frazier Thomas. When he left she was in charge of the show, with music and entertainment targeting female listeners. The show was the 50 Club, with 50 women lunching and being her audience.
It was an easy step, (not really) to move to the TV debut of the show in 1949. After seeing herself on TV she realized she needed to slim down, which she did. With that she set her own rules as a program producer.
She became a favorite with sponsors when she talked about their products.
. Lyons had some control over what products she promoted, only selling what she was familiar with.
NBC contracted with Crosley to carry a half-hour of the 50 Club for 3 years. She did not like the structured advertising and the contract was canceled after a year.
In 1956 the show was renamed the 50/50 Club,, expanding the audience to 100 people. It was seen in the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Columbus and Dayton markets. There was a 3 year waiting period for tickets to the live and spontaneous show. That’s popularity!
Her show was the top rated daytime television program in the U.S. from 1952 to 1964. Lyons and her program were profiled in national magazines such as McCall’s, Ladies Home Journal and Cosmopolitan.
Her guests included Bob Hope, Arthur Godfrey and Peter Nero. Popular local nightclubs, The Beverly Hills Supper Club and The Lookout House hosted numerous headliners, all eager to appear with Lyons on the 50/50 Club. She required they perform live for the show. Her trademark was a bouquet of flowers which hid her microphone.
Her husband Herman and her daughter Candace were often part of her repartee.
In the 1960’s she suffered a stroke and 20 year old Candy was diagnosed with breast cancer. The daughter died in 1966. Lyons never recovered from her death and turned the show over to Bob Braun in 1967. In 1969 she published her memoir, “Remember With Me”.
The Ruth Lyons Christmas Fund began in 1939 and provided hospitals with toys, decorations and needed hospital equipment. After a visit to a hospital at holiday time she had seen how children needed cheering up.
She began fund raising each year on her birthday, October 4. She wrote Christmas songs which were performed on the program and recorded to benefit the fund. “Let’s Light The Christmas Tree” was a favorite. The name of the fund was changed to The Ruth Lyons Children’s Fund in 1996. It has raised tens of millions of dollars.
David Letterman, who watched The 50/50 Club with his mother while home from school on his lunch break credits her with teaching him about live television talk show.
A television documentary in 2012, “Ruth Lyons, First Lady of Television” won several Emmy awards.
Throughout her entire broadcasting career she never read from scripts or commercial copy.
She began her career earning $25 weekly; in the 1950’s her annual income exceeded $100,000.
This information came from Wikipedia.
She shared music, radio , T.V, money for toys for children and, and, recipes. Her Crumb Cake recipe remains a favorite in my cookbook.
Ruth Lyons Crumb Cake
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups flour
1 stick softened margarine
Blend together. With fingers or fork. Remove 1 cup of crumbs and set aside.
In separate bowl, combine
1 cup sour milk (add 1 teaspoon vinegar to 1 cup milk)
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
½ teaspoon salt
Add to flour mixture, stir with spoon
Pour into a greased 9 by 13 inch pan.
Combine ½ cup chopped nuts with reserved crumbs
Spread crumbs on top of cake.
Bake at 325 for 25 minutes.
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