Jenny Lou Carson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jenny Lou Carson
|
|
|---|---|
Jenny Lou Carson in a 1945 advertisement
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Virginia Lucille Overstake |
| Also known as | Lucille Lee |
| Born | January 13, 1915 Decatur, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | December 16, 1978 (aged 63) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1933–1956 |
| Labels |
|
| Associated acts |
|
Jenny Lou Carson (born Virginia Lucille Overstake; January 13, 1915 – December 16, 1978) was an important American country music singer and songwriter. She made history as the first woman to write a song that reached number one on the country music charts. From 1945 to 1955, she wrote many popular songs for other artists.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Virginia Lucille Overstake was born in Decatur, Illinois. She was the second of six children. Her parents were Herschel Jewel Overstake and Helen Elizabeth Nalefski. Lucille grew up in a simple home in Decatur.
She learned to work hard from a young age. Her father taught his children to be strong and competitive. Lucille often said, "You don't need friends if you've got your family with you."
Starting a Music Career
Jenny Lou Carson began her music career when she was 17 years old in 1932. She performed with her sisters, Evelyn and Eva Alaine (also known as Judy Martin). They were called the Three Little Maids. They sang on the National Barn Dance radio show in Chicago.
Carson also sang briefly in another group called Winnie, Lou, and Sally. The Overstake sisters sometimes performed as The Little Country Girls.
Recording as Lucille Lee
From 1938 to 1939, she recorded music under the name Lucille Lee. She sang with a group called the Sweet Violet Boys, who were also known as The Prairie Ramblers.
Becoming Jenny Lou Carson
In September 1939, Virginia Overstake changed her name to Jenny Lou Carson. She wanted to be like a modern-day Annie Oakley, a famous sharpshooter. Jenny Lou became very good at shooting, spinning a rope, and using a bullwhip. She traveled around Texas with her partner, Texas Tommy. They put on cowgirl shows and sang songs.
During World War II, Jenny Lou wrote many popular songs. These songs were about soldiers and their homes. She was known as the "Radio Chin-Up Girl." She received many letters from soldiers and their families who loved her music.
Hit Songs and Songwriting Success
Jenny Lou Carson wrote many famous songs. One of her biggest hits was Jealous Heart for Tex Ritter. This song stayed on the music charts for 23 weeks in 1945.
She also wrote You Two-Timed Me One Time Too Often. This song was the first number one country hit written by a woman. It stayed at the top of the country charts for 11 weeks in 1945.
Writing for Other Stars
Carson wrote a lot of songs for many famous country music stars. These included Roy Acuff, Eddy Arnold, Ernest Tubb, and Red Foley. Red Foley was married to her sister, Eva.
She also helped write the popular song Let Me Go, Lover! in 1954. She wrote it with Al Hill, which was a name used by Fred Wise, Kathleen Twomey, and Ben Weisman. The song was first sung by Joan Weber. Many other artists also recorded it, like Hank Snow and Peggy Lee.
Jenny Lou Carson wrote over 170 songs that were recorded by more than 180 different artists. Her songs were very popular and helped shape country music.
Hall of Fame Recognition
In 1971, Jenny Lou Carson was honored for her amazing songwriting. She was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. This is a very special award for songwriters.
Personal Life
Jenny Lou Carson was married several times. On July 16, 1934, she married Donald Francis "Red" Blanchard, who was also a performer on the National Barn Dance. They later divorced.
She then married Myrl "Jack" Dumbauld on November 17, 1936. This marriage also ended in divorce in 1945.
On May 1, 1946, Carson married Harry Lawrence "Tiny" Hill. He was a successful big band entertainer. They worked together, and Tiny Hill performed many of Jenny Lou's songs. They divorced in 1949.
Her fourth marriage was on April 28, 1951, to William H. Newman, a business executive. After about two years, Carson moved to Texas with her mother.
Some of Jenny Lou Carson's Songs
Jenny Lou Carson wrote many songs. Here are a few examples of her work:
- Ain'tcha Tired of Makin' Me Blue
- A Pair of Broken Hearts (1945)
- A Penny for Your Thoughts (1947)
- Don't Rob Another Man's Castle (1949)
- Jealous Heart (1944)
- Let Me Go, Lover! (1953)
- Lovebug Itch (1950)
- Many Tears Ago (1945)
- You Two-Timed Me One Time Too Often (1945)
See also
In Spanish: Jenny Lou Carson para niños
