Bing On The Road to Elko

As the Sahara casino closes its doors,  Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist Norm Clarke quotes Carolyn Schneider, niece of icon Bing Crosby and author of Bing: On the Road to Elko, as she remembers the first time she saw her uncle perform in Las Vegas, along with the legendary Pearl Bailey.

Bing Crosby’s niece and author Carolyn Schneider shares this story about her Uncle Bing.

Bing Crosby was a great American and a great friend to the military. He was 37 years old when WWII started and was a well known celebrity living in Hollywood. As a married man with children, he didn’t qualify for the Selective Service, yet was anxious to show his support for the war effort, and even remarked in a news interview that he “felt foolish” for not being in uniform. Therefore, when the opportunity presented itself to contribute to the cause, he jumped at the chance. A request came out of Washington for performers to entertain the troops and boost morale, Bing went into action, answering the call with his time and talent.

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Click here to download a photo of Bing Crosby on the Cow Pasture Circut, 1944

Bing on the Road to Elko will be included in Nevada Magazine’s annual Nevada books feature. Be sure to get your copy to see the complete list.

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Join Bing Crosby’s niece, Carolyn Schneider, at 7:00 pm, Thursday, June 24, at the Nevada State Museum for a book signing and presentation discussing her book, Bing: on the Road to Elko.

Schneider tenderly shares memories and stories of her uncle away from the lights and cameras and microphones. In this segment of the museum’s Frances Humphrey Lecture Series, Carolyn reveals the other side of Bing Crosby—a long time gone, but not forgotten. She captures the 15-year period of Bing’s life as owner and operator of a large cattle spread in Elko County from 1943 to 1958, including chapters on becoming Elko’s honorary mayor—plus the famous denim tuxedo.

Read the full release here.
Regular admission fees apply; doors open at 6:00 pm for exhibit viewing in the main building. For more information, call 775-687-4810, ext. 237 or 245.

Around Town: Once upon a time, Pirates knew how to sign young talent

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

By Brian O’Neill, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As we begin what nearly everyone expects to be the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 18th consecutive losing season, as we lament a system where the home team tries to compete with a fraction of the payroll of the monster ball clubs, it’s easy to forget it didn’t always take millions to sign a star.

Sometimes the owner just had to spring for cigars, candy and roses.

I just finished reading “Kiss It Good-Bye: The Mystery, the Mormon, and the Moral of the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates.” The author, John Moody, a Bethel Park native who went on to become a foreign correspondent, recounts that magical championship season mostly from the viewpoint of his boyhood hero, pitcher Vernon Law.

Mr. Law, also known as “Deacon,” is a devout Mormon who grew up steeped in that faith in rural Idaho. And this humble young man had quite a right arm.

The year was 1948. Bing Crosby, the crooner, owned a small piece of the Pirates then. One of his hunting-and-fishing buddies, a future U.S. senator from Idaho named Herman Welker, told Der Bingle about this Law kid who could flat fling a horsehide.

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Grogan’s Tavern — a cultural watering hole
Carolyn stopped by the Tavern and chatted with show host Stephen Grogan about her uncle, Bing Crosby, and her new book, Bing: On The Road To Elko (Stephens Press).
Listen to the interview here.

During the month of March, Bing Crosby figures prominently in Vegas PBS’ March Membership Campaign. Highlights include the airing of a special entitled The Legendary Bing Crosby which features clips of Crosby’s most memorable performances and remembrances from family and fans such as Regis Philbin.

By Stacey Fott

During a recent visit to Las Vegas to tape episodes of Live with Regis and Kelly, Regis took time out to meet with author Carolyn Schneider. Carolyn had the opportunity to meet “The Regee” who happens to be a huge fan of Bing Crosby and personally present a copy of her book Bing, On the Road to Elko. Carolyn reports that “Regis was warm and friendly, and said he enjoyed my first book because it was written by a family member and showed Bing from a different angle.”

Backstage with Regis Philbin.

Crosbyana Room, Gonzaga University

Sep 22, 1932: Bing Crosby heads the bill at the Paramount Theater in LA, earning $4500 for the week – over $70,000 today!

Courtesy of Gonzaga University