Vocalist Ruth Gaylor sang and recorded with the Hudson-DeLange Orchestra from 1935 to early 1937 before joining Mitchell Ayres’ group. Early 1938 found her working for Will Haynes, but she’d joined Bunny Berigan by mid-year, with whose band she both recorded and appeared on their radio program.
By January 1940, Gaylor was with Teddy Powell, leaving in early 1942. By May 1944, she had become part of Hal McIntyre’s orchestra, appearing with them in two films. Gaylor put in her notice to leave McIntyre at the end of 1945 in order to spend time with her husband, who was returning home from the war, but when he contracted yellow fever and had to stay abroad, she rescinded her notice and stayed for a few more months, finally leaving in early 1946.
Gaylor traveled to Europe with McIntyre’s band during a 1945 USO tour. She was so cheerful and uncomplaining about the hardships of traveling along the front that American General William R. Schmidt pinned two general’s stars on her USO uniform and gave her a letter with permission to wear them.
