Dodie Stevens facts for kids

Dodie Stevens (born Geraldine Ann Pasquale, February 17, 1946) is an American rock and traditional pop singer. She is most famous for her 1959 song "Pink Shoe Laces." This song became a hit when Dodie was almost 13 years old. It reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart.

Early Life and First Steps in Music

Dodie Stevens was born in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. When she was three, her family moved to California. There, she started taking singing and dancing lessons.

At just eight years old, in 1954, she recorded her first song. It was called "Merry-Go Merry-Go Round." She even performed this song on a TV show called Art Linkletter's House Party.

Becoming Famous with "Pink Shoe Laces"

A record company president named Carl Burns saw Dodie perform. He gave her the stage name Dodie Stevens. He also gave her the song "Pink Shoe Laces." Dodie wasn't sure about the new name or the song at first. But she recorded "Pink Shoe Laces" in 1959.

The song quickly became a huge hit! It sold over one million copies and earned a special "gold disc" award. After this success, Dodie signed a contract with Dot Records. She released other songs like "Mairzy Doats" and "No." Her song "Merry, Merry Christmas Baby" is still played during the Christmas season.

Dodie also released three music albums:

• Dodie Stevens (1959)
• Over the Rainbow (1960)
• Pink Shoe Laces (1963)

She also appeared in a few films:

• Hound-Dog Man (1959)
• Alakazam the Great (1961)
• Convicts 4 (1962)

Later Career and What She's Doing Now

Dodie took a break from music when she was 16. She got married and moved to a farm. A few years later, she had a daughter named Stephanie.

In 1966, she returned to her singing career. She took more vocal lessons. In 1972, she started performing with Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '77. She also toured as a backup singer for many famous artists. These included Loretta Lynn, Frankie Avalon, and Mac Davis.

In the 1990s, Dodie toured with her own show. Today, she still performs at oldies concerts. She sometimes sings with her daughter, Stephanie. Dodie also teaches singing and stage performance in her studio in San Diego County.

Her famous song "Pink Shoe Laces" has appeared in the game LittleBigPlanet 3 and the TV show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Popular Songs (Discography)

Here are some of Dodie Stevens's songs that made it onto the music charts:

1959

• "Pink Shoe Laces" (Reached number 3 in the US)
• "Yes-Sir-Ee" (Reached number 79 in the US)
• "Five Pennies" (Reached number 89 in the US)
• "Miss Lonely Hearts" (Reached number 111 in the US)

1960

• "No" (Reached number 73 in the US)
• "Yes, I’m Lonesome Tonight" (Reached number 60 in the US)