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The Star-Makers
Behind the music there was always one common thread, The Star-Maker! These were the people who had the ability to boost or ruin your career as a performer. In the movie business they are legendary, almost mythic. And while they existed in music their names and stories are not as well known.
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| The Original Amateur Hour was first heard on New York radio in 1934 as Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour. Ted Mack, at some point joined Bowes as a talent scout and program director. In 1948, following the death of Major Bowes, the program was revived on ABC radio and on the Dumont television network, hosted on both by Ted Mack. The radio and television programs were originally sponsored by Old Gold Cigarettes, represented on television by the famous dancing cigarette box. During its first season, Original Amateur Hour was a ratings sensation, and although it never equaled its initial success, its longevity is a testament to its ability to attract a consistent audience. The format of the program remained virtually unchanged from its premiere in early network radio through its final decade on CBS. Essentially it was an amateur talent contest, the non-professional status of contestants distinguished it from similar programs (ala Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts). Contestants traveled to New York's Radio City from all parts of the country to sing, dance, play music, and participate in various forms of novelty entertainment. Those who passed an initial screening were invited to compete on the program. Winners were determined by viewers who voted via letters and phone calls, and winning contestants were then invited to return to compete against a new crop of talent on the next program. Between acts, Ted Mack conducted rambling trivial interviews with the contestants learning about their mothers, the bus fair to New York, or their favorite dessert. Those lucky/talented Contestants who won three times earned cash prizes, scholarships, or parts in a traveling stage show associated with the program. Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour offered a shot at fame and fortune to thousands of hopeful, would-be professional entertainers. It presented a sort of permeable boundary between everyday viewers and the national entertainment industry and helped define the goals of a very few! Most contestants, of course, fell back into obscurity following their appearances on the program, but there were some talented performers who went on to very successful professional careers. Elvis Presley and Wayne Newton each tried and failed to make the cut for the show. The Stars who did make their debut appearance on television's Original Amateur Hour included; |
ventriloquist pop singers radical rocker country music artist movie star rock'n'roller |
doo-woopers comedian soul singer rock-a-billys songwriter/performer opera stars |
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1903-1983 |
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| Arthur Godfrey ranks as one of the important on-air stars of the first decade of American television. Through most of the decade of the 1950s Godfrey hosted a daily radio program and appeared in two top-ten prime time television shows, all for CBS. As the new medium was invading American households, there was something about Godfrey's wide grin, his infectious chuckle, his unruly shock of red hair that made millions tune in not once, but twice a week to watch: Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and Arthur Godfrey and His Friends. These two programs proved so popular that during the '50s that they served as a cornerstone of the CBS-TV network's programming strategies. Godfrey ventured onto primetime TV, in 1948, by simply permitting the televising of his radio hit Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. The "Talent Scouts" ran until July 1958 on Monday nights at 8:30 P.M. for a half hour and proved Godfrey's best venue on television. Fans embraced this (so-called) amateur showcase, and during the 1951-52 TV season it reached number one in the ratings. Next season I Love Lucy vaulted into first place, but thereafter through most of the 1950s Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts regularly finished in TV's primetime top ten. The formula for This program was simple enough. "Scouts" brought on their discoveries to a converted New York theater to perform before a live studio audience. Most of these "discoveries" were in fact already professional performers who, for one reason or another were struggling to get a break. The fact that they were professional meant the quality of the talent was quite high. At the program's conclusion, the studio audience selected the winner by way of an applause meter. Some of those struggling performers were; Pat Boone, Tony Bennett, Eddie Fisher, Connie Francis, Leslie Uggams, Lenny Bruce, Steve Lawrence, Connie Francis, Roy Clark, and Patsy Cline. His "discovery" of Patsy Cline was on January 21, 1957. Following her performance on the "talent show", she was invited (as he did with many) to join Godfrey on his daily national radio program. Although Cline had been performing for nearly a decade, and had been recording and appearing on local Washington, D.C. TV for more than two years, it is Godfrey who (by some) is heralded as making Patsy Cline a star. Arthur and his crew were, however, fallible, and turned down request from scouts who boasted the talents of both Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly! His other top ten TV hit was Arthur Godfrey and His Friends, which premiered in January 1949. On Wednesday nights Godfrey hosted this traditional variety show, featuring a regular cast of entertainers. Over the years this cast included Julius La Rosa, Pat Boone, The Mariners, The McGuire Sisters, Carmel Quinn, The Toppers and The Cordettes. The orchestra leader during much of this time was Archie Blyer. An interesting side note .... Archie Blyer owned Cadence Records, The label the Chordettes recorded on. Archie married one of the Chordettes. Archie Blyers Daughter from that marriage, married one of the Everly Brothers. They also recorded for Cadence Records (its all in the family!). Godfrey also ranked as television's first great salesman. He blended a Southern folksiness with enough sophistication to sell almost anything. His fans saw him as the "nice guy next door". That very trait came into question when, in a tyrant one night, he fired the then very popular Julius La Rosa--live--on the air! And thus his fall from grace began in October 1953. Viewers began to question his honesty, sincerity, and "on-air" personality. By the end of the 1950s Godfrey's ratings were falling and his brand of variety show was giving way to new television concepts. I was watching that night, when Julius La Rosa was fired. I was only 7 years old, but I knew what I saw wasn't right. I didn't particularly like La Rosa as a singer/performer, but I felt really bad when he was embarrassed and chided by Godfrey...then fired. Arthur Godfrey, despite his declaration that he had "no talent," despite his decline in popularity over the waning years, must be counted as one of television's greatest stars prior to 1959. His contributions to the changing face of American entertainment were huge and was himself an icon of the 50's. | |
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1907-1975 |
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| Born in Jersey City, New Jersey Ozzie Nelson aspired to be a cartoonist. As a young man he found himself setting aside his youthful interest and pursuing a law degree. His attention was diverted again while attending law school. Ozzie was working as a band-leader, playing gigs to pay for his college courses. By 1931, he had become a full-time band leader, able to play all of the band instruments except the trumpet and was also writing songs for the group. He hired Harriet (Peggy Lou Snyder) in 1932 to sing for his band, and married her three years later. From The mid-thirties to mid-forties Ozzie had moderate success as a recording artist. In 1944, they started The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet on radio. After 3 years on radio Ozzie decided to try their star power at the box office. The result was a motion picture comedy called "Here comes the Nelsons" in 1947. Soon after its release they were offered an opportunity to move to television. "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" stretched twenty-two years: eight on radio and fourteen on television. The program itself was about nothing more than everyday lives of a middle American family. The successful theme was copied countless times over the years. A little humor, a little mistake, a little guilt, a little humility, a little apology, and a happy ending. The children of Ozzie and Harriet were originally played by actors but were soon replaced by their own two sons, David and Ricky. Ozzie wrote, produced and directed The Ozzie and Harriet series on radio and television.
Legend has it that Ricky told a "white lie" to his girlfriend after she swooned over an Elvis song on the radio. Ricky quickly told her that he was about to make his own record. The girl responded by laughing at him, in doubt. Over the next several weeks Ricky pleaded with his dad to help him make a record after all Ozzie had been a recording star in his own right. Ozzie finally agreed. Shortly after that Ozzie wrote a script allowing Ricky to sing on the show. He choose Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin." The publics response was positive and a demo tape was made. After being turned down by more than twenty record labels Barney Kessel, with Verve Records, saw the potential. Kessel realized that Ricky's image had already been pre-sold through the weekly TV shows. A deal was made for one three hour recording session for Verve. Three songs "I'm Walkin''," "A Teenager's Romance," and "You're My One and Only Love" were completed. On April 10, 1957 "I'm Walkin'" debuted on the TV show. Within a week "I'm Walkin'" backed by "A Teenager's Romance," was released by Verve. Through the summer "I'm Walkin'" moved up the charts. In mid-summer "A Teenager's Romance" caught on. Verve was swamped with orders and quickly fell behind in in pressing new singles. They also fell behind in paying royalties, a major transgression in Ozzie's watchful eyes. With this event, April 1957, "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" became the first weekly television series to feature Rock and Roll music as a regular part of its format. Almost every week for the next few years a new song was performed from Ricky latest single or a cut from his new album. Many times the performance was written into the script, but on occasion it was a trailer at the end of the program. In either case it was a weekly event that millions of teenagers looked forward to. To the adults of America, this was another of their peers giving credence to the new music. After all those adults grew up with Ozzie Nelson! And so this jack-of-all-trades was a master of many and left us, not only a legacy in the entertainment industry, but also a family of talent! Harriet passed away in 1994. We all know that Ricky Nelson went on to an exceptional career as teen idol and very talented performer, and was killed in a tragic plane crash in 1985. David has concentrated on directing and producing the past few years and has done several cameo spots on television and a few movies.The grandchildren of Ozzie and Harriet include; Tracy Nelson, Actress; Gunnar and Matthew Nelson, who record as "Nelson"; Teri Nelson, wife of game show host Chuck Woolery; Sam Nelson, a musician who records with "H is Orange". | |
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