Spoiler : Beasley, Irene (nickname was the "long, tall gal from Dixie") Born in Whitehaven, Tennessee 1/28/1904; died 1/7/1980 of pneumonia. She was educated at Sweet Briar College in Virginia. She began her radio career as a singer on local stations, performing on stage in vaudeville. She signed a 1929 contract with CBS Radio, and was featured vocalist on Irene Beasley, The Old Dutch Girl for CBS (1930-1939). In 1934, she was named "Queen of Radio." Producer, hostess and co-writer for Grand Slam on CBS-Radio (1946-1953). Beasley retired from showbusiness in the middle 1950s to pursue a career in real estate sales.