| Sounds of the Andrews Sisters | | | | |
| | | | Our trio performed all their well known |
| One of my memorable musical experiences was | | | | songs; Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree, Boogie |
| five years spent with a female trio called | | | | Woogie Bugle Boy, Sentimental Journey and |
| "Sounds of the Andrews Sisters". A local | | | | many more all over Florida. Many times we had |
| entertainment agency advertised auditions for | | | | a 16 piece orchestra and performed at the St. |
| singers who could read music and harmonize. | | | | Petersburg Palladium, also with background |
| Many gals showed up for the audition, kinda | | | | recorded music our performances were in |
| like American Idol. After I was picked to | | | | retirement centers, mall openings, church |
| represent 'Maxene Andrews', I was asked to | | | | halls, theme parks and TV. One time, during a |
| help audition singers that could harmonize | | | | mall opening, we had costume changes in the |
| with me. Eventually we found two ladies that, | | | | back supply room of a pizza restaurant. The |
| with lots of practice, harmonized in three | | | | room was very small and filled with bags of |
| parts, just like the original Andrews | | | | flour and cans of tomato paste. The floor was |
| sisters. | | | | covered in flour dust - just imagine trying |
| | | | to put on the old nylon stockings and 1940's |
| The 'Andrews Sisters', Laverne, Maxene and | | | | high heel shoes with a black and white dress. |
| Patty (the youngest) from Minneapolis, | | | | It's true about some of the behind-the-scene |
| Minnesota became famous during the 1940's and | | | | unbelievable stories you hear from |
| 50's, singing with the Larry Rich Orchestra. | | | | entertainers. |
| They performed on radio and stage. and toured | | | | |
| the country. In June 1945 went on an 8 week | | | | Being a performer from an early age has |
| USO tour entertaining the troops during WWII. | | | | taught me many lessons; about singing, about |
| It was the Swing Era and they made famous the | | | | performing with the best musicians, about |
| song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy". Sadly, | | | | practicing, about having quality instruments |
| Laverne died in 1968 from cancer. Maxene | | | | to play with and about developing a pleasing |
| passed away in 1995 from a heart attack. | | | | sound for the listeners and above all, having |
| Patty, the youngest, still performs | | | | fun with your music. |
| occasionally on cruise lines. | | | | |