 After being recommended by Jimmie Jewel, who owned North Omaha's Dreamland Ballroom, Winburn became the leader of the band in 1941.She was reportedly hired for her attractive figure, with the intention of doing little actual composing or singing.In the 1986 documentary film "International Sweethearts of Rhythm", Winburn reported of her first meeting, "I said 'What a bunch of cute little girls, but I don't know whether I could get along with that many women or not.'