Vaughn De Leath, born Leonore Vonderlieth on September 26, 1894, in Mount Pulaski, Illinois, was a pioneering American singer known as "The Original Radio Girl" and "The First Lady of Radio." She was a significant figure in the early days of radio and is credited with popularizing the vocal style known as crooning. De Leath's career began in the 1920s, and she became a household name during that decade. Her ability to sing in a low, reedy voice made her ideally suited for radio, as it registered better on early radio sets than the high soprano voice in which she was trained.

De Leath's musical career was diverse; she was a singer, musician, radio performer, and broadcasting executive. She recorded for numerous labels, including Edison, Columbia, Victor, and Brunswick, and used various pseudonyms such as Gloria Geer and Mamie Lee. Her hit song "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" recorded in 1927, later became famous when Elvis Presley covered it in 1960. De Leath also contributed to silent films and composed songs, including "Oliver Twist."

Her influence extended beyond singing; she was the first woman executive in radio, running WJZ and a network of low-power stations. Despite her early success, De Leath's career declined during the Great Depression, and she lived her final years in poverty, passing away on May 28, 1943, in Buffalo, New York. Her legacy includes a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and her recordings, such as "Ukulele Lady," continue to be celebrated, having been featured in the film "The Cider House Rules."