The tradition of hearing Kate Smith perform “God Bless America” won’t end in one popular New Jersey beach town, despite moves by the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Yankees to distance themselves from the late singer over racist lyrics.
That’s according to Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano, who said the customary 11 a.m. daily broadcast on the town’s beach and boardwalk will continue regardless of the controversy involving some of Smith’s songs, including a performance of a song titled “That’s Why Darkies Were Born” that she sang in 1939.
“We’re playing that song because it’s a great song and a great rendition of that song,” Troiano told the Cherry Hill Courier-Post.