Jennie Smith

Jennie Smith was a young vocalist who emerged briefly in the late '50s as a would-be Polly Bergen, or a potential rival to Patti Page as a pop singer. Born Jo Ann Callison in Burnwell, West Virginia, in 1938, she started singing at a very early age and by age six was doing solos in church. She was fortunate to have a connection to the entertainment business through her stepfather, John Kristof, who was working at a radio station. She made her professional debut at 14 with the Al Waslohn band and later came to the attention of Charleston, West Virginia DJ Hugh McPherson, with whose help she secured better gigs, starting with Lionel Hampton, and later including bands led by Billy May and Johnny Long.

A stylist with a sound well beyond her years, at 19 Smith made her recording debut on RCA Victor with the backing of arranger/conductor Ray Ellis, releasing her own album that year. Smith...

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Albums featuring Jennie Smith

1 record