Kate's father, Joe McCauley, was one of Philadelphia's most popular
radio personalities, known as "The Morning Mayor". He hosted "The Dawn
Patrol", the nation's second all-night radio program, on WIP-AM
beginning in 1942. During World War II,
Jan Peerce's version of the
"The Bluebird of Happiness" became his theme song; Joe helped turn it
into a big hit. His all-night audience ran the gamut of defense
workers, show business celebrities and devoted nightly listeners.
Frank Sinatra, for example, called into the show every time he
appeared at a Philadelphia night club. In 1954, he moved to the morning
show, which he continued hosting until his death in 1968. He was
inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in
1999.