By Capt Joseph R. John, April 13, 2017: Op Ed #344

Back when music was so wholesome and awesome.  It was during World War II that a song helped immortalize Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Glenn Miller Orchestra introduced ‘I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo’ in the 1942 musical ‘Orchestra Wives’ starring George Montgomery, Ann Rutherford, Cesar Romero, a young Jackie Gleason, with a dance number by the Nicholas Brothers. 

With a moderate swing tempo, writer Mack Gordon and composer Harry Warren produced a number one song capturing the wartime mood of a fella longing for his girl back home. 

Originally recorded by the Glenn Miller Orchestra with vocals by Tex Behnke, Marion Hutton, and the Modern Aires; it was on the charts for 20 weeks, and garnered an Academy Award nomination as best song. 

As a result of the popularity of the tune, there really was a gal in Kalamazoo.  Sara Woolley (later Knight) was selected by her hometown to represent the “Gal In Kalamazoo.”  Her outgoing personality and good looks made the 19-year-old Kalamazoo College student an ideal spokesperson for the city. Her picture and story were published in newspapers, and she became a celebrity.  She received mail from her fans, including admiring servicemen, and made many public appearances to sell war bonds, and to promote Kalamazoo. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFv_PoZ2iP0