Dale Evans and the “Ladies of the Big Band Era”

My husband Larry is sorting through boxes and boxes of stuff we brought with us when we moved from California to Utah and haven’t looked at since we arrived  here 13 years ago.  He is finding some super material that I will be sharing with you. Below is one of the gems.

Some of the Big Band’s Female Singers

You probably can’t read the names so I will reprint them for you.

From the top left:  Glen Miller’s Marion Hutton, Tommy Dorsey’s Jo Stafford, Pastor’s Rosemary Clooney; Anson Week’s Dale Evans,  Tommy Tucker’s Amy Arnell, Benny Goodman’s Helen Ward, Raeburn’s Ginny Powell, Goodman’s and Bradley’s Louise Tobin, Kemp’s Nan Wynn.

Some of these ladies went from the Big Bands to the Big Screen, especially Rosemary Clooney, Marion Hutton and Dale Evans (Mom).




Jo Stafford married Big Band leader Paul Whiteman and they provided us with many years of great music. I don’t know the other ladies but, if you want to comment on any of them, I will be glad to post your comments.

5 comments

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    • Jim & Patty Crawford on March 21, 2017 at 11:20 AM
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    Hi Cheryl…..,

    As you know, we love your Dad & Mom. And we LOVE The Big Bands. It was a surprise to find out that your Mom sang with some of them. Only makes us like them better. Thank you, for sharing the photo of the ladies who brought so much joy to everyone. Myself, I love THE TORCH singers too.!! I believe Fess Parker’s wife sang also. Thank you again for sharing these precious memories.!!

    Jim & Patty Crawford

    • Joyce Ann Gausmann on March 24, 2017 at 4:05 PM
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    Such a terrific find. I’m familiar with so many. Big fan of Rosemary Clooney and Jo Stafford. Your mom sang in so many features and was wonderful. Big bands were my mom’s big happy in her youth. When she was a senior in High School she and her girlfriend wanted to run away and join the Tommy Dorsey band. Parents. How funny they are. Hopefully you find more interesting things to post. Love it Cheryl.

    • Pie on April 6, 2017 at 1:44 PM
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    Dale’s the best! She’s an icon!

    • Paulpick pAul on April 12, 2018 at 12:40 PM
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    Oh…Jo Stafford married Paul Weston,not Whiteman….
    Marion Hutton was Betty Hutton’s sister. Rosemary Clooney was George Clooney aunt. Married Jose Ferrer and appeared in E.R first year as an elderly singer.Louise Tobin married Harry James and Peanuts Hucko,and Ward was in love with Benny…

    1. Hi Paul, thanks for the info. I could not think of Jo Stafford’s name for the life of me. She and Paul Whiteman did a party album where she sang off key. They did it as a joke but radio stations played it as the real thing. Mom thought it was hilarious! Thanks again, Cheryl

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