The Prairie View Co-eds' success soon spread past the limits of their college campus though, and they were soon touring and traveling much of the year.
When she arrived at the school, the exceedingly skilled Bert Etta Davis auditioned for the Prairie View Collegians and was accepted by the band leader.
The Prairie View Collegians had lost many members to the draft, and lacked the numbers to continue making strong performances.
Will Henry Bennett[i] began to make a move to start an all-female dance band, possibly in response to having seen The International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
Through word of mouth, the tale of a skilled collegiate all-female band spread, and soon talented musicians were actively coming to Prairie View College in order to join the Co-eds.
This group was championed by the Black press as symbols of successful, educated African American women who seemed to be representative of a patriotic spirit.