It was in November of 1943 when I left Atlanta, Ga. I was booked in Miami, Florida at a nice club called "Mother Kelly's" which at that time was very famous. I hated to leave Atlanta, as Roy was still playing at "The Capitol City Club" there.
We called each other every day and I sure missed him! However as fate would have it, the group he was playing with got booked into the exclusive "Coronado Hotel" in Miami Beach.
I worked and lived in the city of Miami, I rode the bus every day and would meet him on the beach and spend afternoons swimming and being together. One day we were swimming about 100 yards from shore, when he said he was tired and couldn't touch bottom. I was treading water and said "give me your hand and I'll pull you a little closer to shore." He wasn't a strong swimmer. As swimming was my favorite sport, I was a pretty good swimmer. He panicked and said, "get some help fast!" As he started to go under, I yelled, "HELP" and two hefty guys standing on the beach, hollered, "do you really mean it?" By this time, Roy's face was "chalk white" and I couldn't hold him up and tread water at the same time! I said "yes hurry", they swam to him and pulled him in toward the beach and left me out there! I swam in and everybody was concerned about Roy. He was shaking all over, otherwise he was all right. About a half hour later, the realization "hit me" I started crying and was so nervous I could hardly sing that night, thinking of how I almost lost him and we weren't even married yet.
I met Roy, November, 1942. At the time, I thought he was a real good looking "kid" (19 years old.) We didn't start dating until March, 1943. We found out that we had a lot in common besides music. We had the greatest respect and admiration for our parents. His dad was a Southern Methodist preacher who also worked for the "L & N. Railroad", out of Corbin, Kentucky. I had been raised Catholic and my father was in the insurance business and from Invington, New Jersy. Talk about different backgrounds... they say opposites "attract".
In December of 1945 I was on my way to Chattanooga, Tenn. to sing at a club there. I stopped off in Cincinnati, Ohio to see Roy after he told me we should get "engaged"! I picked out a very expensive ring I wanted. He said, he would send it to me, as it had to be "sized to fit." Within a week
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I received "The package" and was very excited as the ring I picked out was very unusual. It had three small emerald cut rubies and three small diamonds. When I opened the package I found another ring with three small diamonds. Thinking the jeweler had mad a mistake, I called Roy and told him. He said, he thought I would like that ring better as he put it on credit, which would cost more. After we had words and disagreements he told me to put a piece of "toilet tissue" over the diamonds and see it shine thru! I told him to call off the "engagement" and I returned the ring. I didn't hear from him till Jan. 30th I was right in the middle of rehearsing a show. He said, "let's get married, I bought the ring you wanted". But I couldn't get my money back from the other ring, so I bought one for myself on credit"! (which didn't make sense to me) I told him to call back in a few days to see if he still felt the same way! He called a few days later and said, he would drive to Chattanooga (250 miles) and bring his brother, Ray and our friend, Marion Schilling from Cincinnatti and they would "stand up" for us and would arrive February 3rd.
Well, I had to make all the arrangements, get the preacher and license in those days there was no waiting period. If you were married in Georgia, which was just across the border from Tennessee I had to buy the wedding ring, as Roy told me to "turn my engagement ring around, so it looked like a wedding band!"
On Feb 4. my girlfriend, Mary Allgood, flew up from Atlanta to be my "maid of honor". I had to call four preachers before I found one available! Meanwhile Roy was "Jamming" with the band in the club. Finally, the hour was set and my girlfriend said, she would do the show for me, as she was a fine singer! They had a "spaghetti dinner" for around 50 people and all seemed to go well. I had a room above the club, so I had packed all my gowns, clothes, music in a foot locker and brother Ray started to carry it downstairs (while the show was going on) the strap broke and the foot locker went "bumpty, bumpty" down the stairs. people started to leave the show room, as they thought someone fell downstairs.
We finally left the club around 2:00 a.m. as Roy by this time, was feeling no pain!" As Roy soon as we got into Ray's new car he fell asleep. He had a morning show on W.L.W. Cincinnatti, I was "keyed up" and wide awake!
Ray said, I'd better fill up in Harriman, Tenn. which we did and when we got on the highway it was so foggy, Ray had to drive very slowly. Sometimes, with his head out the window to see. Meantime, Roy was still in La-La land.
About 6:00 a.m., Ray said, "I'd better fill up again!" When he pulled in to the station it said "Welcome to Harriman" Ray said, "I wondered why all those cars were going the opposite way!" We wound up at the same station some how, during the fog. He made a wrong turn. Roy woke up and asked "are we in Cinn. yet?"
Needless to say, he missed his morning show! Someone covered for him. We stayed in a hotel for our "honeymoon" then moved to a cute apartment in Brackenwoods Lane. Where most of the entertainers lived from W.L.W.
One night, there was a party given at a "swank" hotel. We were having a great time and I happened to notice there was another party across the hall who were friends of mine from The Ringling Brothers Circus. We then joined them for a while, meantime, meantime Roy disappeared, (5:00 a.m.) I found him in the hall, sitting on a bench "in his cups" loaded in other words! I happened to be with the mayor and the two of us tried to sober him up and we walked him to our car and it had a ticket on it! I said, "look what your police department. gave me". I tore it up and he asked me to drive him to his "men's club". I didn't have a license and told him so. He said, "it's O.K. it's only two blocks"! When we got there Roy woke up and we went to a restaurant for coffee. Everyone that saw us was saying Boy "they must be important, the mayor was holding Roy up" later he became supreme court justice and Roy lost his job on W.L.W.
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When the WHIPPOORWILLS played throughout Europe they played the Palladium in London, England. Roy Rogers had an act where he would shoot at a target and hit it every time. He couldn't miss for he had cartridges loaded with "bird shot" and it was bound to hit something. The other part of his act was to come out on stage and pretend he was shooting outlaws (who were Roy Lanham and Dusty Rhodes). Roy Lanham asked Roy Rogers if he could load the guns for him, whereupon Roy Rogers said, "No way, I want to be sure they are blanks when you aim at me!" So they went on stage and Roy and Dusty aimed at Roy Rogers when all of a sudden Roy Rogers started bleeding, there was bird shot in his cheek, below his right eye. It also hit Trigger in the hind quarters. Roy said "who in the hell loaded these guns". He said "them outlaws have been aiming at me for 20 years and haven't hit me till now". Roy Rogers had mistakenly loaded the guns with the shot filled cartridges instead of blanks. Roy Lanham was questioned by Scotland Yard and they wrote it up in all the papers as "Roy gets shot". They did not mention that Roy Lanham did the shooting.
Glen Randall was Roy Roger's trainer for Trigger. Glen would always carry a FIFTH of Bourbon in Trigger's saddle bag. While the WHIPPOORWILLS were in Scotland; Some of the "guys" would take a swig before going on stage - Gene Monbeck grabbed the bottle and in a hurry just downed it where upon he fainted! They revived him and come to find out Glen had put Trigger's liniment in a WHISKEY BOTTLE. He said "that'll teach the S.O.B. to ask for a drink first" - Poor Gene, he was so sick and had to do the show anyway.
When the Sons Of The Pioneers played in Nampa, Idaho with Michael Landon, he and his wife (Lynn) rode with us in our motor home. Roy and Mike said after the show "don't hang around, We'll leave right away".
We sat in the press box and during the rodeo a bull in a pen behind us started acting up. Well he kicked the stairs down. By this time the guys had done the show and yelled to us, "Come on down, hurry up." Of course we couldn't! They had to calm the bull down and get a ladder so we could climb down. What a situation! We carried photos of Mike in the motor home for months! I finally gave them away to friends and relatives (I should have sold them).
Mike Landon was a good natured, wonderful guy. The first time I met Mike he came to our studio at our home to rehearse with the Sons of the Pioneers. I had just gotten out of the swimming pool and answered the door in my bathing suit! At that time, he was a big star, on "Bonanza." We laughed about it later - I was so embarrassed, I had planned to be all dressed up when I met him.
He arrived a little too early!
When the Sons Of The Pioneers played in New York State, we visited The Ruggs. They lived nearby in Hamburg. It was so hot that everybody backstage was trying to get water (there wasn't any). Joanne made sure to get it for them. She was a registered nurse.
The "Stoney Mountain Cloggers" were also appearing with the Pioneers and Roy and Dale, and had to dance in that horrible heat and "humidity". Ben Smathers (the leader) would do the act and run in and take a "swig" just to give him more energy - (so he said). I was in the dressing room and I noticed his face was "blood red". I remarked about it but he took a drink anyway and all of a sudden he passed out! I hollered for Joanne and she came running and looked at him and said, "He's dead" and she applied C.P.R. Immediately Dale Evans started crying and called Ben's wife Margaret. There was complete "chaos". They called for an ambulance but could not get one! Too many people "passing out" They drove him to the hospital.
Thanks to Joanne he survived.
When we lived in Simi Valley, California, I hadn't seen my Uncle Larry and Aunt Blanche in 17 years. They decided to suprise us. They came with their dog, and we had a cat and a dog. We were also giving a party for about 50 people I spent the whole day in the kitchen cooking while Mr. Wonderful (Roy), with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other, sat outside with our guests, some were in the pool and others (the kids) were running in and out of the house. It was hotter than a "deep hole stove" outside. Tom (our son), had a girl friend named Cathy and we expected them to come to the party. However Cathy's mother came, with our nephew (by marriage). When I asked where Tom and Cathy were she said Tom's with his "dopey" friends and Cathy's home sulking.
A few hours later I was still working and trying to be a hostess. People started asking who the woman was that was making passes at men and saying "Imagine my daughter might marry into THIS HILLBILLY FAMILY ". That remark made me slightly upset. Then later
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everyone decided to come into our living room where Roy played the guitar. Meantime, I was trying to keep our cat away from Uncle Larry and Aunt Blanche's dog. Duke as our dog wouldn't have anything to do with her. I had to clean our "Debbie's" room so they could stay over night. They said, "What a mess!" (true!) When I thought everything was O.K. we went into the living room to hear Roy play. There was Ruth sitting close to Roy on the couch with her arm around him "and was still playing guitar." I really got upset and I said "Get Your Arms Off Roy!" She replied, "Oh, you're jealous." With that I saw red and I punched her in the nose. I didn't realize, my ring really did some damage. Blanche took off suitcases, Uncle Larry, dog and all. I really felt bad about that, I called Mom in Florida and told her the situation, Peggy (my sister) said "Good For You!"
I didn't talk with Uncle Larry and Aunt Blanch till a few months later. They wrote a letter saying they couldn't stand "violence" so they left to stay in a motel.
I met Ruth (Cathy's mother) several months later and she said "no way am I going to get near YOUR husband Roy"! I apologized and everything turned out O.K. We became friends after that and Tom and Cathy broke up their relationship.
Roy and I were booked in Topeka, Kansas, at "The Moose Lodge" for two weeks. We drove the motor home there, and Roy wanted to stay at A.R.V. park, which I objected to, as I had to wear evening gowns and make-up and it would be inconvenient for me. So we checked into a motel nearby, "The Moose Lodge". We were well received, on the opening night. On Monday Roy explained to the manager, that the Sons of the Pioneers, had previously booked a "one niter", in California and had to fly, but would be back the next day (Thursday) which was O.K by him.
So, I had to drive Roy to the local airport two miles away in the motor home. When I returned to the motel, Roy called and said, "honey, I forgot my shaving kit, hurry bring it to me before we take off"! So he had to entertain without shaving and changing his underwear or socks!
I started to drive the 20 1/2 foot long motor home away from the airport and had to go under a 20 foot awning and I misjudged the hight of it and I pulled it down. I looked around and saw no one there it was early (8:00 A.M.) So I couldn't report it! I figured I would come back later and confess I did it (I thought!) However, I found out later the tornado ripped it more.
When I got back to the motel it started to rain a little, so I decided to go shopping at a small department store nearby. I was having a great time looking and buying a few things, when I happened to notice, there were hardly any customers left inside. I asked the clerk, "are you closing soon?" She said, "look outside, we are expecting a tornado". This frightened me so I left quickly and had a rough time driving a few blocks to the motel! The wind was so strong I could hardly drive!
When I finally got to the motel, it was raining so hard, and the wind was literally blowing me away, I had to call the manager. My key wouldn't fit and I was upset. I was soaking wet and immediately turned on the t.v. where they kept flashing tornado warnings. Then I heard some confusion next door and looked out the window. Where I noticed four drunk black men checking in next door to me.
I tried watching t.v. movies, which was nothing but violence and about a boy dying of cancer which brought back memories of my son, Terry! I tried to sleep, after turning off the t.v. All I heard was, loud laughter, "cussing and swearing" and the wind blowing!
I picked up Roy the next morning at the airport and it had stopped raining, however, the wind was still blowing. While getting ready for work, the sirens started blowing and the T.V. said to "take cover". I put on my robe and we were told to go to a "cellar" next door to the motel. Needless to say, my "ulcer's" were acting up and I was very surprised to see, there were about twenty people taking shelter and cover. We all "chatted" and they told us they were more afraid of our earthquakes than a tornado. After awhile we were told to come out, the tornado had passed by and we went to work that night.
The next morning we learned that the R.V. (recreational vehicle) park where Roy wanted to stay, was "wiped out" and under water. Also an apartment building in Topeka was destroyed and several people lost their lives. I had all to do, but say to Roy, "how's that for a woman's intuition" Sometimes, he used to call me a "dad-blamed witch". (I think he said "W"itch!) I'm physic.
The Sons Of The Pioneers were playing in Vermont and Roy Rogers suggested that we all go and have lobster at a local restaurant which we all agreed to. Everybody was anxious to meet Roy Rogers and talk to him. Particularly one woman who had imbibed a little too much. She told Roy that they had something in common, she also had a cerebral palsy child which she lost. She started crying and Roy naturally put his arm around her and said "I'm so sorry honey". She reeled around and said, "don't call me honey", whereupon Roy turned on his heels and said "go to hell lady". Then the head waiter came over to Roy and said "do you realize who that woman is?" She's the most influential lady in town. As if Roy could care! He's the most popular person in the world.
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When Roy and The Sons Of The Pioneers appeared at the Safari Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona, it was a two week engagement, however they had signed a contract prior to appearing there to do a 15 minute show in Wisconsin at a rodeo. I had to get up at 5:00 a.m. (went to bed about 2:00 a.m.) to drive the Pioneers to the airport. They came back the next afternoon, to do a show that night. Again, I drove to the airport in Phoenix, this is the story they told:
After a 5-hour flight they checked into a hotel but could not rest because they had a rehearsal at 2:00 p.m. They went on at 4:00 p.m. Just as they played their theme song, there was quite a bit of confusion in the "bleachers" (grandstand). It seems there was a black man who had a monkey which got loose and was jumping and running all over the place. All eyes were on him, instead of The Pioneers. Then one of the security guards got his gun out and was ready to shoot the monkey. By this time someone grabbed the monkey and returned it to the owner just in time for the Pioneers to sing their theme song, Tumbling Tumbleweeds again. All that for a 15 minute show! But they got paid anyhow.
After his show at "The Nugget" in Reno, Nevada, we usually went to a club called "The Plantation", located about a half mile from "The Nugget" to relax. We drove there and Roy and I started playing the slot machines. After a while, Roy, tired of gambling, sat down at the bar. I continued playing the nickel machines. After two hours I went broke and went to the bar and asked Roy for some more money but Roy said that he didn't have any either. By this time he wasn't feeling any pain! The bartender informed me Roy owed $25.00 (in those days drinks were only .75 cents to $1.00). Roy had been treating people at the bar. He wanted to know if I would pay it for him and I said I was leaving and he could "fend for himself." Roy had the car keys, so I walked back to our apartment at 2:00 a.m. which was about one half mile distant.
About 3:00 a.m. the police came to the door with Roy and asked me if he was my husband. They said, because he was one of the Sons of the Pioneers they were letting him go. After they left, Roy laughingly told me that he assumed I drove his car to the apartment and he started walking home when right outside the door of the Plantation two police officers were frisking two men in the spread eagle position up against the wall with their hands held high. Roy could see light reflecting from the policemen's guns. Roy then said, "fellows, can I help you?" and flashed his "honorary" sheriff's badge from Colorado. The police let the two guys go and arrested Roy and took him to the police station for interfering with the law! But later, when they found out who he was they let him go. The next morning we picked up the car in the parking lot, Roy said: "Dad-blamed heifer, I thought you drove my car to the apartment".
The Sons Of The Pioneers had a tour in Canada so we thought it would be great if the "kids" went with us in our first 26 foot Dodge motor home. We led the way and one day Pat Brady, Tom Doss, and Dale Warren, followed us in Pat's Lincoln. One of the Kids, flushed the toilet, and didn't know the bottom had been opened! All of the toilet contents, went all over Pat Brady because he had his window down so he could enjoy the wonderful clean air in Canada.
When The Sons Of The Pioneers played a fair in Marion, Ohio, Roy Rogers decided to walk on the fairgrounds. I was walking in front of him, when I heard two girls say "Oh! he's wearing a toupee", whereupon Roy Rogers turned around quickly and said, "Oh yeah! Try to pull it off". They did and we laughed then I turned to Roy Rogers and said "Roy would you like a cup of coffee?" I told him I would make it and bring it to him and Dale Evans in their dressing room (which was terribly small, no window and in the Basement of one of the Buildings). Well I'm not the best coffee maker in the world, but I try. When I brought it to them on a tray with sugar and cream, he looked at it (in a glass coffee pot) and said "you call this coffee!" I guess I didn't make it strong enough for a cowboy.
Roy Lanham and I played at Roy Rogers' Apple Valley Inn in Apple Valley, Ca. Every Thursday they would have a steak fry outside on a hillside. Roy and I were singing and everybody sang (fireside songs) along with us, like "Down in the Valley" and "Home on the Range".
It was dark outside and I couldn't see the people too well, only the fires glow. While we were singing a voice beside me said "Lets sing Tumbling Tumbleweeds". I looked down and here was Roy Rogers head stuck in between Roy and me. I laughed and said o.k. you take the lead, Roy will sing baritone and I'll sing Tenor! After we finished he said, "Now, Cool Water." We were enjoying it until a woman shouted "There's Roy Rogers!" How she recognized him I'll never know! He had a baseball cap on and a tee shirt. Roy said "Aw Hell, now I have to go". He jumped on his Harley Davidson motorcycle and rode down the hill!
Later we played in the bar and Roy would come in and drink tequila out of a tea cup. He didn't want to ruin his image - but people recognized him anyway.
When The Sons Of The Pioneers played the Ponderosa Hotel in Reno, Nevada, most of the wives went with them. We all brought our hot plates with us. As we walked down the hall-way it smelled like a restaurant! Each wife would cook something different. Consequently, the circuits were over-loaded and we blew a fuse. The whole floor was in darkness for quite a while. Then we were told, "No More Hotplates!"
The Sons of the Pioneers were there three weeks and Roy was so good, he didn't drink! On closing night the waiters, bartenders and waitresses wanted to give them a party. They had a beautiful German chocolate cake and champagne. Roy kept saying to me, "Honey be packed and ready, it's going to snow and I'm ready to leave!" It was really cold outside. So everything was packed ahead of time. Meantime Roy went to the bar and had a few drinks and started to gamble (Keno). I kept telling him, we have to leave and get some rest, by this time it was 3:00 a.m. Some "frizzy blond" sat next to him and he was treating everybody to a drink.
I begged and pleaded to no avail! I got mad and poured a drink over his head (also all over the girl sitting next to him). Then I went out to breakfast with my girl friend Judy, who worked at the hotel. When I returned, at 6:00 a.m. he was still sitting at the bar. But the girl who had sat next to him was on the other end of the bar (I guess she played it safe). I went up to our room and thought I should get some rest.
I awoke when someone was knocking on the door around 11:00 a.m. There stood Lloyd Perryman. At that time, Lloyd was leader of the
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Sons of the Pioneers. He told me Roy was still at the bar. So he gave me Roy's salary. I carried my luggage downstairs and asked Roy to get his, which he did and put it in our motor home. He said, "Honey, I'll be right back, I forgot something". Well, I waited for 15 minutes and Lloyd came out and said, "He's back at the bar." By this time I was really upset! I got behind the wheel and started the motor. I thought that would stir him up but it didn't. So I just kept driving. I had an evening gown on and drove the motor home for the first time to Lone Pine, California. It was snowing, I called the hotel and the security guard said that he was still there. But they got him a room (he had no money and no luggage) I stayed at a hotel overnight and called him the next day and he finally was sober. Our friend wired him money to fly home. Tom, our son, picked him up at the Burbank Airport. They arrived home in Simi Valley on Tuesday. Closing night was Saturday night. Roy never pulled a stunt like that again.
When I recently went to see Roy Rogers at his museum in Victorville, California, Don and Joanne Rugg went with me. Roy was very cordial to us and he kissed and hugged me. At that time, I heard a loud "buzzing" noise. Roy said "Aw Hell, there goes my battery!" We started to laugh cause it was his hearing aid! "My hearing's bad and I also have a pacemaker" He was so good natured about it.
After we were married , I was booked into a night club in Cleveland, Ohio. Roy was working in Cinncinati, about 200 miles away. He called me about 1:00 a.m. after I had finished my last show. While we were discussing the weather, (It was bitter cold and snowing outside) and as I talked to him I was playing with my keys and sitting at a desk, in my hotel room. He then asked, "Who's there with you?" I replied, "No one." He didn't believe me.
I became upset and asked, "Why don't you trust me?" and hung up and went to bed. About four hours later, I looked at the clock and there was a knock at the door. I opened it and there stood Roy. I don't know whether he was really checking up on me, or as he said, " Dad - Blame it Honey I just missed you so much I had to see you!" He stayed a few hours then drove back in the snow to do his radio show. After that episode he would'nt let me work that far away from home.
The first time Roy and I ever came to California was in 1945. We flew from Atlanta, Georgia where it took almost 17 hours. Roy wanted to see some of his "hillbilly musical" friends and among them Merle Travis, who was very popular at that time, having written such hits as "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette," and had appeard in the movie, "From Here To Eternity." Later, he wrote "Sixteen Tons." We then agreed to meet at a popular restaurant in Hollywood, for dinner. I called my girlfriend, Vivian Blaine, who at that time was just starting to become popular doing bit parts and her first big break was a movie with Laurel & Hardy. A few years later she became a big star. Two big hits were,"State Fair" and "Guys and "Dolls". I was all dressed up with hat, gloves, and a real fancy dress when I met Vivian and her manager - husband. Roy was dressed very casually. I was then told that people in California very rarely "dress up" except for the "Academy Awards" or "First Nighters". After a few drinks and becoming more acquainted, Manny, Vivian's husband, suggested we move to another table for dinner. He called the waitress over and asked if she would mind moving the drinks. Whereupon she said, "Move them yourself," and walked away. This upset Manny whereupon he excused himself and said "I'm going to report this to the manager." When he returned to the table and sat down a man came over and grabbed him by the neck and said, "You insulted my sister by going to the manager." "Apologize to her!" Manny obliged as he had no alternative. I looked at Roy and he had his hands covering his face and was staring down at the floor. I asked him what was wrong. He whispered that he had been with this fellow all afternoon, drinking, and didn't want to be recognized. We had dinner and later Roy and I laughed about it.
While in California, I decided to fly to San Francisco to see my sister and her husband and Roy wanted to go with Merle Travis to watch him on the movie set. I had a wonderful visit, even tho I stayed a few days. When I returned, I went right to Roy's room (we had separate rooms as we weren't married yet.) After telling each other how much we missed each other, and hugged and kissed. I then noticed two glasses on his night stand. I looked a little closer and noticed lipstick on the rim of the glass. Needless to say I pitched a fit! He remarked, "Aw honey that's Merle's makeup. He came here after he returned from the studio making a movie and he still had makeup on." I no way ever believed that story even to this day! Merle just laughed about it and never did confirm Roy's story.
The best Engagement of my career was with Rudy Bundy, in the "M'toto Room" of The Ringling Hotel, in Sarasota, Florida. I met Orchestra Leader, Rudy Bundy at a Booking Agents Office (Stan Zucker) in new York city. I was staying with my parents in New Jersey at the time. I was very impressed with Rudy! He was about 32 Yrs. old and prematurely gray and spoke with a soft modulated voice. We held a conversation for about 20 minutes and then he asked, "how soon would you be able to open in Sarasota"? I asked if he wanted to hear me sing! He answered, "Stan said you're good so I'll take his word that you are". That's the first time I ever got a job without auditioning! I had an engagement in Jacksonville, Florida so I told him, I would be available, in two weeks.
When I arrived at the Ringling Hotel I was pleasantly surprised that it was quite large and beautiful! I was shown to my room which was very modern and large. My opening night seemed to go very well and the musicians were wonderful to me! (Piano, Bass, Drums, Clarinet). I was introduced to John Ringling North and his Mother whose Maiden name was Ringling and they owned "The Ringling Bros. Circus". During the next six months I met quite a few Celebrities! The famous "Wallenda family", High Wire Act, Herman Wasserman,(Who taught George Gershwin piano) Actress, Geraldine Brooks, and her father, Jim Strook who made all the Costumes for the Circus, and also owned Strook Woolen's in New York City. I made a lot of friends in a short time, and "partied" quite frequently!
A woman named, Sonya Truzzi, (whose husband was Max Truzzi, "The world's greatest Juggler") became my good friend and we would go to the "Bitch" as she called it with her delightful Russian accent. She would pick me up in her "Red convertible" One day Lee Wallenda and I decided to swim way out from the Shore about 150 yards. The water was calm (Gulf of Mexico) so we laid on our backs and floated for awhile, and treaded water. While we were talking a school of fish about 12 inches long went by my head, out of the water. I looked at her and said, " are you thinking what I am?" I never swam so fast as I did then! I figured something "really big" must be chasing them. I realized that there were Sharks, and Baraccudas in those waters! After that we swam closer to the shore.
Most every afternoon we would go swimming and Sun Bathing I would rush back to my room and get ready to sing at night . As my hair would be wet, I braided it on top of my head. And I always wore long Evening Gowns. My room was above the BandStand and I was always a few minutes late, I would holler to Rudy (through the Vent) "I'll be right down." One night, while singing, I happened to remember I left my bicycle parked in "downtown" Sarasota. One of the Musicians drove me there and I rode back to the Hotel in my long Evening Gown and finished singing the rest of the night. Of course I attracted a lot of "on-Lookers" asking who is she? Why the Evening Gown? Why is she riding at night? The next day they wrote it up in the Local Newspaper. "SINGER SEEN RIDING HER BICYCLE AT NIGHT IN HER EVENING CLOTHES BETWEEN SHOWS".
After we finished our engagement in Sarasota, Rudy & the "Boys" and I were booked into The Officers Club we were there for about four Months! Meantime Roy and I spoke quite frequently over the phone and he still claimed his "Undying" Love for me. I had many "Dates" with some of the Officers, as Roy had not given me a ring, and he knew I wasn't ready to "Settle Down" yet. One night he called and we had a "Little argument" about something (which was quite often) I told him it was over and he should go his way and I'll go mine! Two nights later I had just finished for the Evening and was sitting talking to some friends, when I looked up and there stood Roy! I asked, "what are you doing Here?" He said he wanted to see me, and drove 700 miles! I told him I was sorry but I had a date! Whereupon, he walked away and sat at the Bar. I realized that I was being a bit insensitive, so I excused myself and walked over to the Bar and saw that he was tired and really dejected! I told him I would go out to breakfast with him(it was after midnight) and "no way" could he come to my room! Then he told me he had to drive back to Cincinatti (700 miles) and would I ride as far to Atlanta with him. It was about a four hour drive each way. By the time I caught a Bus back to Columbus all was forgiven, and our Romance was "on again" That was in 1945 We were married six months later.
Chuck Wallace
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"The Stardust Night Club"
Roy and I were featured at " The Stardust," in Orange county, Calif. with a Chuck Wallace and "The Stardust Night Club" four piece group, in the Sixties. I really enjoyed the engagement as we could play and sing what we wanted, and the people seemed to enjoy what we did. Roy was on a Hiatus from "The Pioneers", so it worked out well. Every Night we would drive from Granada Hills to Orange a distance of 60 miles, six nights a week. One night Roy suggested we drive our Motor Home and have our four children go with us. We thought it would be a nice family outing. After we finished working we could sleep, then park our motor home at the beach and the "kids" could swim and play at the beach. When we finished (2:00 A.M.) both Roy and I were feeling pretty good. He laid down on the couch and fell asleep I had been drinking beer and was still wide awake! I looked at him and he looked so peaceful. I thought I'd be "cute" so I just poured the Beer all over his head. Well, he didn't think it was funny and I ran out of the Motor Home with him chasing me. I didn't have shoes on, and was wearing a Sequin gown. After a few minutes of "Chasing" he went back to the motor home, locked the door and drove off without "me!
There I stood, no shoes, no purse, no money at 3;00 A.M. I thought surely he would return so I waited awhile, but he didn't! So I started walking toward an apartment building and saw a camper. I tried the door, on the drivers side and it was unlocked. So I entered and just laid down and slept. When I awoke it was daybreak, Sunday. No one was around so I walked back to the Club (about four blocks.) I looked through the window and saw two men cleaning up. I tapped on the window and pointed to a picture on the wall, and said, "thats me, let me in to call home." They Hesitated, then I told them my story. They laughed, and I borrowed 10 cents to call Roy (at that time it was only a dime.) Roy answered and said, "Dad-Blamed Heifer, I want a divorce" (my line for 20 years.) He wouldn't come to get me, and the men (one black & one white) said they had two more places to clean so I just rode with them and waited till 10:00 am. I called Chuck and told him what happened. His son came and picked me up, and drove me to Granada Hills (60 miles.) I explained to Roy that his hair needed washing, and I thought a beer shampoo would be good for him! Needless to say he was still upset, however, we made up cause I reminded him of all the things he did to me, through the years!
