Biography
Jennie Smith surfaced briefly in the late 1950s as a poised young vocalist who seemed poised to emulate Polly Bergen while challenging Patti Page in the pop market. Born Jo Ann Callison in Burnwell, West Virginia, in 1938, she began performing as a child and delivered church solos by age six. Her stepfather, John Kristof, provided an entry into broadcasting through his radio-station job. At fourteen she made her first professional appearance with the Al Waslohn band; Charleston, West Virginia, disc jockey Hugh McPherson then helped her obtain more prominent engagements, among them dates with Lionel Hampton and subsequent work with the orchestras of Billy May and Johnny Long.
Possessing a vocal maturity far exceeding her nineteen years, Smith recorded her debut album for RCA Victor in 1957 under the guidance of arranger and conductor Ray Ellis. Contemporary recognition included a profile in Look magazine, followed by a series of Chevrolet television spots in which she appeared alongside Frankie Randall as “Miss Chevrolet” opposite his “Mr. Chevrolet.” In 1959 she returned to the studio with Ellis for the Columbia album Love Among the Young, ultimately completing two additional LPs for the label; one of her singles, “(I Won’t) Go Away Little Boy,” appeared on Canadian American. Journalist and longtime admirer Bill Reed later reported that she withdrew from performing after marrying.
Her first RCA collection, Jennie, which recalls the intimate phrasing of both Julie London and Chris Connor, resurfaced as a CD reissue from BMG in Japan during the late 1990s and enjoyed notable success in that edition.
Possessing a vocal maturity far exceeding her nineteen years, Smith recorded her debut album for RCA Victor in 1957 under the guidance of arranger and conductor Ray Ellis. Contemporary recognition included a profile in Look magazine, followed by a series of Chevrolet television spots in which she appeared alongside Frankie Randall as “Miss Chevrolet” opposite his “Mr. Chevrolet.” In 1959 she returned to the studio with Ellis for the Columbia album Love Among the Young, ultimately completing two additional LPs for the label; one of her singles, “(I Won’t) Go Away Little Boy,” appeared on Canadian American. Journalist and longtime admirer Bill Reed later reported that she withdrew from performing after marrying.
Her first RCA collection, Jennie, which recalls the intimate phrasing of both Julie London and Chris Connor, resurfaced as a CD reissue from BMG in Japan during the late 1990s and enjoyed notable success in that edition.
Albums
