Sunshine Sue

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sunshine Sue (born November 12, 1915 in Keosauqua , Iowa , as Mary Arlene Higdon , † June 13, 1979 ) was an American country musician and radio host. Sunshine Sue started in 1946 with the Old Dominion Barn Dance, one of the most successful barn dance shows in the USA.

Life

Sunshine Sue was born in Iowa in 1915 (other sources after 1912) and had already worked on various radio programs in the Midwest during the 1930s - she even appeared on WLS ' National Barn Dance from Chicago , the most successful country show at the time of the country.

In 1940 Sunshine Sue moved to Richmond , Virginia , where she began performing with WRVA and became a star there. When WRVA was planning a new Barn Dance Show in 1946, Sunshine Sue was chosen as the presenter ("Emcee"). She was the first musician to lead an important barn dance show, which is why she was also called "Femcee". She married John Workman, who together with his brother formed the Workman Twins and led the house band of the Old Dominion Barn Dances. Sunshine Sue's musical style was mainly shaped by her warm voice, which she accompanied with an accordion . Her repertoire included current pieces such as You Are My Sunshine .

She quickly became known as the "Queen of the Hillbillies" through the Barn Dance and was awarded this title in 1949 by the Governor of Virginia, William Tuck. In the same year their daughter was born, who made a career in the 1970s under the name "Sunshine Sue, Jr.". Between 1950 and 1955, the Barn Dance was one of the most successful shows in the country and Sunshine Sue was instrumental in the careers of stars like Chet Atkins , Earl Scruggs and the Carter Sisters . Several singles were recorded for Decca Records .

In 1957, the Barn Dance was renamed New Dominion Barn Dance and Sunshine Sue was replaced by Carlton Haney. She died in 1979 at the age of 63.

Discography

year title # Remarks
Astra Records
? / Barn Dance Boogie 1215 with "Cousin Joe" Maphis
Decca Records
Please Don't Spoil Me / Blackberry Winter 29156

literature

  • Charles K. Wolfe: Classic Country: Legends of Country Music (2001), p. 14; Routledge Group, ISBN 0415928273

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Sunshine Sue
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Higdon, Mary Arlene
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American country musician and radio host
DATE OF BIRTH November 12, 1915
PLACE OF BIRTH Iowa
DATE OF DEATH June 13, 1979