Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1959)

MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED? SINGER VITAL DATA PERSONAL LIFE PREFERRED LIST HIT DISCS BILLY GRAMMER Born on August 28, 1925 in Benton, III., as one of thirteen children. 5'11". Married to high-school sweetheart for 14 years, they have three children. Billy's been a prominent musician all his professional life, but not untij he recorded "Gotta Travel On," his first disc, did he catapult into the headlines. For a yearand-a-haif he served as Jimmy Dean's featured vocalist and guitarist. A celebrity in the Washington, D.C., area since '47, Billy hopes to establish himself nationally. Billy devotes most of his spare time to his family, occasionally strumming the guitar for at-home concerts. "Gotta Travel On." Monument Records. HR * I^K. EARL GRANT Born in 1931 in Oklahoma City, but raised in Kansas City, which he considers his home town. 5'5", 145 pounds, brownhaired, single. Earl was working for a Master's degree at UCLA, preparing to become a teacher, when he started to sing at a nearby nightclub, The Pigalle, to earn his tuition. As a result of Earl's early appearances, The Pigalle is today a large club — it had to be enlarged three times during his StandingRoom-Only shows. Today Earl is a top singer with his own TV show in Los Angeles. Enjoys playing the organ and the piano. "The End," "Evening Rain," "Imitation of Life" and "Last Night." Decca Records. ■ LLOYD PRICE Born the seventh of ten children in New Orleans. Married to the former Emma Meredith, they have a son and a daughter. 5'10" and brown-haired. His million-selling record of "Stagger Lee" was really Lloyd's seventh consecutive bestselling disc. But because he presented it to a new generation of record buyers, Lloyd was called a new discovery. Not so. Before Uncle Sam called, Lloyd had recorded such songs as "Lawdy, Miss Clawdy" and "Just Because." In the Army, after cutting five top records, he headed service band. Dotes over his two children. “Lawdy, Miss Clawdy," "Oh, Oh, Oh," "Restless Heart," "Just Because," "Stagger Lee," "Where Were You (On Our Wedding Day)?" ABC-Para. c JACK SCOTT Born in Windsor, Ont., Canada in 1937 as one of seven children. Considers Detroit his home town. Dark brown hair, 5'10", 160 pounds. Jack had a crush on a beautiful highschool classmate and one of his best friends was sent to jail for fist fighting. To cheer up his friend. Jack wrote "Leroy." To rebound from his crush for Jimmie Kutchey, he penned "My True Love." Jack had prepared for his break by singing in Detroit and running barn dances. Now in the Army, he hopes to keep on singing. An athlete. Jack's a fine swimmer and fisherman, but hunting is first choice. "My True Love," "Leroy," "Bella," "1 Never Felt Like This," and "Goodbye, Baby." Carlton Records. NEIL SEDAKA Born in Brooklyn in 1939. Brownhaired, browneyed and 5'7". Single. As a high school student, Neil wrote "Stupid Cupid" and "Failin'." To help out his family income, Neil also taught piano, performed with a band and worked as a camp music director. His aim was to make the grade as a concert artist — till a demonstration record he made to persuade someone else to record his songs got into the hands of the man who discovered Elvis! Songwriting is his top pastime, pressed closely by his love for swinging jam sessions with friends. "The Diary," "No Vacancy," and "1 Go Ape." RCA Victor Records. DODIE STEVENS Born on February 17, 1946 in Chicago, III. Today lives in Temple City, Calif. She's an even five feet, 100 pounds light and blonde. Single. Of Dodie, 13, Eddie Cantor says: "She is the greatest young talent since Garland." At five, she won three contests sponsored by the Los Angeles Bureau of Music. At six, she was being coached by a prominent teacher and appearing at countless benefit shows. In between six and twelve, she was busily vocalizing. And at thirteen, she's on her way to the top of the hit parade. She likes to swim, then play a round of ping-pong. "Pink Shoelaces." Crystalette Records. J* JACKIE WILSON Born in 1936 in Detroit. Married and the father of a chorus of three. 5'6", 155 pounds, brown-eyed. "1 just gotta sing," says Jackie, "it's my life." He spends every possible minute in an effort to practice what he preaches. His dedication to the art of singing was discovered by Billy Ward of the Dominoes, and Jackie was signed as a starring member of the famous group several years back. Jackie left to try for solo success and he's now looking forward to movie-making. He loves to swim, then dry off and write a song. "Lonely Teardrops," "That's Why," and "Love Is All." Brunswick Records. 41