GRANITE CITY HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS OF 1937

Julia Pitchford, daughter of Monroe and Lillian Pitchford, was born August 20, 1919 and grew up in Granite City at 2127 Cleveland Blvd. Julia attended Central Junior High School and graduated from Granite City High School on May 28, 1937 where she majored in the Arts including Speech, Debate, Dramatics, Band, and Ensemble.

Julia was an outstanding Speech student while at Granite City High School and the recipient of many honors. In 1935, she won First Place in the National Forensic League Original Oration Contest. In 1936, she again won First Place—this time in a cutting of “David Garrick” in Humorous Interpretation. In 1937, Julia brought home a First Place honor, once more, in Humorous Interpretation with a cutting from “The Wedding” which she made herself.

After attending Northwestern University School of Speech in Chicago, Illinois, for two years on a scholarship, Julia left to pursue a professional career. Julia started her career in 1939 as the lead female singer in the Griff Williams Orchestra, based at the Stevens Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, which was, at that time, known as the world’s largest hotel. Julia used the professional name Julie Sherwin. The group toured the country and recorded for the Okeh and Varsity labels.

Julia later joined the Johnnie “Scat” Davis Orchestra as lead singer, toured the country and did network broadcasting. Scat Davis made 15 films from 1937 to 1944; and Julia was, most likely, featured in some of these films. Scat’s most famous role was in Hollywood Hotel, where he sang and introduced the song “Hooray for Hollywood” accompanied by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. His lively rendition helped make the song a bit hit and Tinsel Town’s anthem.

When Ginny Simms left the popular Kay Kyser Orchestra, Julia joined the group and changed her stage name to Julie Conway. Kay Kyser was the top-grossing bandleader of 1942, with 50 records on the charts and ten records in the top 10. Four of the band’s records sold over a million copies. Kay Kyser’s music was heard live by more troops than critics. His orchestra toured full-time until World War II was over. While with Kay Kyser, Julie sang with Harry Babbitt (famous for songs I’d Like to Get You on a Slow Boat to China; Jingle, Jangle, Jingle; All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth; The White Cliffs of Dover; and The Woody Woodpecker Song) and appeared in the motion pictures Swing Fever (1942), Stage Door Canteen (1943), and Around the World (1943). Movie credits list Julie Conway as a cast member starring as herself.

Julia was considered for the part of Bianca in Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me Kate” with the final choice being between Julia and Lisa Kirk. Miss Kirk was selected for the original cast.

Although Julia had a long career as a singer in the Big Band era, she later became an actress and radio and television spokeswoman. Julia was on Kay Kyser’s Kollege of Musical Knowledge, a quiz with music program which was first heard on Mutual Radio in 1938, moved to NBC Radio from 1939 to 1949 and aired on NBC-TV in 1949 and 1950. Julia performed as the Drum Majorette in CBS-TV’s The Big Top, a circus for kids, filmed at the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory in West Philadelphia. The Big Top was sponsored by Sealtest Ice Cream Company and aired on Saturdays from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. It was first broadcast on July 1, 1950 with the last airing in September of 1957. During that time, the program featured over 2,100 acts. The show featured world renown acts including trapeze artists, jugglers, hire wire acts, trampoline routines, acrobats, bicycle acts, etc. Julia became a commercial spokeswoman for such products as Oxydol and Jergens Lotion and was the Armstrong Quaker Girl on Armstrong’s Theater of Today. Julia also appeared in several productions at the Studio Theater in Carmel, California, and at the old Wharf Theater in downtown Monterey, California.

Julia married Robert K. Sherry, an announcer for NBC, and lived in Carmel Valley, California, where they raised three children, Jane, David, and Peter and owned their own radio station, KIDD, for fourteen years. Julia passed away in Salinas, California, at the age of 68. Julia’s husband, Bob, described Julia as being in the height of her career in 1949 as an actress, singer, wife, and mother. Her character was described as vibrant, self-confident, and that her beauty showed from within.