Fredrick Malcolm Waring was an American musician and bandleader born on June 9, 1900, in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. During his teen years, he co-founded the Waring-McClintock Snap Orchestra, which eventually became Fred Waring's Banjo Orchestra. His national career launched in 1922 after gaining recognition at a University of Michigan festival. From 1923 until 1932, his group, Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians, was a bestselling act for Victor Records, recording pieces such as “Love for Sale” in 1930. During the 1930s, Waring provided financial backing for the development of the first modern electric food blender, marketed as the Waring Blendor. He served as the president of The Lambs from 1939 to 1942. During World War II, he composed patriotic songs including “My America”. In 1947, he established the Fred Waring Choral Workshop to promote precision in vocal performance. His television program, The Fred Waring Show, aired on CBS from 1948 to 1954. Waring was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1983. He died of a stroke on July 29, 1984, in State College, Pennsylvania.
