Radio varieties (Sept 1940-June 1941)

Sophistocates are causing comment down South, where rhythm and romance are more important than the monetary do-re-mi. The Sophistocates hove been on the air only a few months, and yet in that time they have made real progress. Inasmuch as it is always a pleasure to interview pretty girls, Radio Varieties' correspondent tackled his assignment of determining the secret of early success of the Sophistocates with what is generally called relish. (Editor's Note: Ken Carpenter would probably call it ^^acle Whip.) "W here could he find the Sophistocates?" inquired the inquiring reporter. "Why in studio C or E, any time between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon", answered the WSM hostess, so attractive that for the moment the interviewer thought perhaps he might shift assignments. But duty called — and so to the Sophistocates for the secret of success on the air after only a few months. If he had been expecting anything romantic or mysterious, he was doomed to disappointment. For the secret was simply HARD WORK. These three young ladies actually work in one of WSM's studios each day between the hours of 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon, and in a way that would make many a stenographer blush. "That's the only way to build one of the best girl's trios in the country", explained Mary Dinwiddle exposing a determined jaw. "And what about lunches?" inquired the inquiring reporter, "none of you look as if you passed up many meals." "Oh, we send out for those" replied pretty Frances Robinson, as all three planted none too gentle pats against both cheeks for too much cheekiness on the part of a reporter, whose duties, after all, prescribe asking ques,tions, and not making catty re.marks. RADIO VARIETIES — .OCTOBER " Incidentally, that Mary Dinwiddle can slap a face. She got her experience slapping a big bass fiddle. Mary started out in music when she was only 12 years old, member of on all-girl band. She hid behind the big bass fiddle whenever the truant officer was around, since she had to skip school frequently. But even then music was the most important thing in her life. The truant officer, together with Mama and Papa Dinwiddle finally persuaded Mary that maybe she had better go on to school and take a fling at music later. The next time Mary essayed on the bond-stand, she was with a male-band. Again, she slapped the bass, stepping forth frequently for a smile and a song. It was during this period that she learned the manly art of selfdefense. Not many men, even pie-eyed, wanted to take a chance on hurting the feelings of a young lady, who tantalizingly twirled a big bass fiddle as if it were an all-day sucker. The truth was, Mary had her towering instroment so fixed that it took very little effort to send it spinning. But that was enough to send the mashers a-scampering. Jean Harmon admits that she minors in dates (not historical) but like the rest of the trio, confirms her first love is singing. It was Jean that called the first meeting of the Sophistocates and arranged their initial rehearsals. She insisted that they try out at WSM, but the others demurred. They felt they were not ready. The others were right. Or at least that was also the opinion of the WSM audition committee. But they turned the trio down so politely, that Jean convinced both Frances and Mary that it would be no time before they became the new Boswells. What they had actually gotten was the usual polite brush-off at WSM. But these youngsters did not know defeat, and that polite turn-down only inspired them to harder work. At first they started with 3 hours a day. When they startled WSM with their improve ment and got Dinah Shore's old spot, they stepped that d a il y schedule up steadily to its present herculean proportions. Since coming to the Air Castle of the South, they hove gotten their biggest kick in fan-mail, their biggest disasppointment in listening to their own records. For while others think they are fine, the Sophistocates are still not satisfied. Pretty Frances Robinson is in charge of the fan-mail, it comes mostly from men, and mostly from groups of three men. Apparently with the fans as well as the trio, it's love me, find a pal for my girl-friend". So far, however, only one of their mash lelters has materialized into an actual date. Frances was surprised when the sponsor of their show, a coffee manufacturer, returned one letter, marking it "PERSONAL" and "FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION." With hasty fingers bom only of a woman's curiosity, she tore open the envelope to find a letter from Boy Scout Troop, Number 63, singed by the secretary. It read: "None of us is sophistocated, but we like to hear you Sophistocates sing. We even bought a pound of your coffee and took it on our hike last week. But we are not very good cooks. If you girls can cook as well as you sing, we'd like you to go on our hike next week." The girls went, and they cooked as well as sang. Now, they are honorary members of Boy Scout Troops No. 63. Incidentlly, your reporter found them good scouts. You may wonder why Radio Varieties, which month after month, brings you success stories of stars that night after night come through your loud speakers via the several networks, would be interested in a comparatively unknown trio. Well, we believe the Sophistocates of WSM will not be long in making theraselves well-known, and when they do become the Boswells of Tennesee, then we'll say, "We told ycu so." Page 7