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