| The Camel Caravan (sponsored by R.J. Reynolds who manufactured Camel Cigarettes) began as a radio show in 1934, a half-hour show with Walter O'Keefe as the master of ceremonies. In 1937, it became The New Camel Caravan, with Bert Parks as the announcer. The first half-hour of the show was Jack Oakie's College, and the second half-hour was Benny Goodman's Swing School. As years passed, other bandleaders took over the show. By the time it ended in 1954, the series was called The Camel Caravan with Vaughn Monroe. |  |
R.J. Reynolds does not have exact dates for when the touring productions took place, but the Camel Caravan toured for U.S. troops in both World War II and the Korean War.
Sources differ as to whether it was a formal USO tour or simply a similar type of show to entertain servicemen. During World War II, entertainers such as Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe, Pee Wee King and Cowboy Copas toured military bases in the United States, Panama and Guatemala as part of the ''Grand Ol' Opry Camel Caravan.''