Page 41 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2020- Online Magazine

with the star of the movie, Shirley Jones herself. Other
celebrity performers included Alan Dale, Red Buttons, Rod
Steiger, Eddie Fisher, and Ed Sullivan. The entire event was
emceed by Will Rogers, Jr. in honor of Oklahoma native,
actor Will Rogers. While in New York, the group also made
appearances on the radio and television programs: Strike It
Rich, Dave Farroway’s Today, The Arthur Godfrey Show, Arlene
Francis’ Home show, The Kathy Godfrey Show, Monitor, and
Toast of the Town. The choir performed everywhere they
went. They sang at the Statue of Liberty, at the top of the
Empire State Building, and at Rockefeller Center. They
even sang in their hotel lobby every time they walked
through it. The music from the show was so recognizable
that, in all of these places, the crowds would stop and sing
with them. The group also had to wear costumes from the
movie everywhere they went. In fact, they had to travel
with so many period clothes they didn’t have room for
their normal clothes!
A couple of months later, the group packed up again
for the long drive from Oklahoma City to Hollywood,
California. The choir once more got to perform at a
legendary location in front of hundreds of thousands of
people. The first thing they did in California was perform
at the Hollywood Bowl. On October 16, 1955, they sang in
a live episode of The Colgate Variety Hour, hosted by Robert
Paige. Guests Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, and Gene
Nelson, who starred in the movie, were joined by Dean
Martin, Jerry Lewis, Yul Brynner, Will Rogers, Jr., Jan
Clayton, Bambi Lynn, and Rod Alexander as they all sang
songs from the movie. My grandmother and the Surrey
Singers served as the chorus for the show. They spent the
entire week performing all over the Hollywood area, and My grandmother has scrapbooks full of accomplishments, but
Will Rogers, Jr. even took them to Will Rogers’ Californian without a doubt, my favorite thing to look at are the pictures of
Ranch where he grew up. One of their final performances her singing in period dress all over the country. One thing I have
in California was their appearance on The Mickey Mouse learned throughout this experience, and especially from knowing
Club Variety Show. They appeared as guest performers on my grandmother, is to never take people at face value. Everyone
Talent Round-Up Day on Friday October 21, 1955. The next has an amazing story they can’t wait to share, and, if you take the
day, they performed in front of the castle at Disneyland. time to listen, you may uncover real treasure.

Article Submitted by
Ellyn Brashear ALL SAINTS

Ellyn Brashear attends All Saints Episcopal School and will graduate with honors in
May. She is a varsity cheerleader and editor of the yearbook. Next year she will attend
Oklahoma State University as a member of the Honors College and the McKnight
Scholars Program. She plans to double major in English and History.

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