The Fontane Sisters were a trio (Bea, Geri and Marge Rosse) from New Milford, New Jersey. Their mother, Louise Rosse, was both a soloist and the leader of the St. Joseph's Church choir in New Milford. Bea and Marge started out singing for local functions, doing so well, they were urged to audition in New York City. Originally they performed as a trio with their guitarist brother Frank, under the name the Ross Trio (Rosse with the "e" omitted). The group auditioned for NBC and was soon sent off to work in Cleveland. When they returned to New York in 1944, Frank was drafted into the Army; he was killed in action in World War II. Geri, who had just finished school, took her brother's place, making it an all-girl trio.
The now all-female group chose the name of Fontaine from a great-grandmother; they decided to drop the "i", making themselves the Fontane Sisters. The sisters worked on sustaining (non-sponsored) programs for NBC, meeting and working with Perry Como soon after he came to the network. Word reached the sisters, then in Chicago for NBC, that "Supper Club" would be making cast changes; they were eager for a chance to join Como's show, which also meant being closer to their home.[6] Beginning in the summer of 1948, they were featured on his radio show and television show known as The Chesterfield Supper Club and later (1950--1954) as The Perry Como Show. The trio also did appearances on Chesterfield Sound Off Time when the program originated from New York; however, the television show lasted only one season. The street Fontane Dr in Cornwall, NY was named after the Fontane sisters.
In 1949 they were signed by RCA Records, and did some recordings as backup to Como. In 1951 they had a minor hit with "The Tennessee Waltz", of which bigger selling recordings were made by Patti Page and Les Paul and Mary Ford.
In 1954 they switched to Randy Wood's Dot Records, where they had 18 songs reaching the Billboard pop charts, including ten in the Top 40. Their late 1954 recording, "Hearts of Stone", sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.
SOURCE: Wikipedia
PLEASE NOTE: I divided my uploads among multiple channels, Bookmark this link in your browser for instant access to an index with links to all of John1948's oldies classics. LINK: http://john1948.wikifoundry.com/page/John1948%27s+Youtube+Index
The now all-female group chose the name of Fontaine from a great-grandmother; they decided to drop the "i", making themselves the Fontane Sisters. The sisters worked on sustaining (non-sponsored) programs for NBC, meeting and working with Perry Como soon after he came to the network. Word reached the sisters, then in Chicago for NBC, that "Supper Club" would be making cast changes; they were eager for a chance to join Como's show, which also meant being closer to their home.[6] Beginning in the summer of 1948, they were featured on his radio show and television show known as The Chesterfield Supper Club and later (1950--1954) as The Perry Como Show. The trio also did appearances on Chesterfield Sound Off Time when the program originated from New York; however, the television show lasted only one season. The street Fontane Dr in Cornwall, NY was named after the Fontane sisters.
In 1949 they were signed by RCA Records, and did some recordings as backup to Como. In 1951 they had a minor hit with "The Tennessee Waltz", of which bigger selling recordings were made by Patti Page and Les Paul and Mary Ford.
In 1954 they switched to Randy Wood's Dot Records, where they had 18 songs reaching the Billboard pop charts, including ten in the Top 40. Their late 1954 recording, "Hearts of Stone", sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.
SOURCE: Wikipedia
PLEASE NOTE: I divided my uploads among multiple channels, Bookmark this link in your browser for instant access to an index with links to all of John1948's oldies classics. LINK: http://john1948.wikifoundry.com/page/John1948%27s+Youtube+Index
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